In the face of their biggest opposition yet in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa, coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has dismissed the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire as posing no real threat.
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will trade tackles in the quarter-final match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday, with soccer pundits tipping the Ivorians as favourites to clinch the semi-final ticket.
Keshi, at a post match briefing on Tuesday evening, showered encomium on his young lads for reaching the last eight at the continental soccer tourney and said his target is not the Nations Cup trophy alone, but to build a team that would last for years.
“We are trying to introduce young players that Yobo and Mikel will guide them on the field of play and give them more support to play better, because we are not only looking at the Nations Cup alone, we are trying to see how we can build a strong team for Nigeria in the next five years.
“We are looking forward for the game against Cote d’Ivoire. We are aware that both Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will not have the second chance if any of them loses in the quarter-final.
“So, there is no problem here”, said Keshi.
