Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose, and forward, Ahmed Musa, have said the 2014 FIFA World Cup-bound team will remain invigourated when they line up against Italy on Monday, despite having to play two matches in the space of three days.
The Coach Stephen Keshi-led side flew out of Nigeria on Sunday morning ahead of the Monday night international friendly billed for English Premier League side, Fulham FC’s, home ground, Craven Cottage, London.
African champions, Nigeria, cruised past Ethiopia 2-0 at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Saturday to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory over the East Africans and clinched Africa’s first berth in next summer’s World Cup.
“We are going to play Italy with good mentality, we will approach the game like every other game,” Ambrose told MTNFootball.com. “Fatigue won’t set in, we will be fit enough for the game.”
CSKA Moscow winger Musa, who has been nominated for the 2013 CAF African Player of the Year award, believes the players are already used to fixture cramps and will do everything possible to uphold the nation’s image against the star-studded Azzuri’s.
“We are professionals and we are ready to serve our country. We won’t allow the closeness of this game to the qualifier affect us, we will do our best in the game against Italy,” Musa said.
Italy played out a 1-1 draw against Germany in Milan on Friday ahead of the trip to London.
wonders shall never end.