Super Eagles’ interim manager, Finidi George, has said that his team would approach tomorrow’s international friendly game against Ghana as if it is a cup final.
George said he expects a tough fight from the Black Stars. Although the match is described as a friendly game, George said matches between the rivals have always been feisty, adding, “There is nothing friendly in games between Nigeria and Ghana.”
He told thenff.com that Nigeria’s principal objective is to earn good results in the upcoming friendly games against Ghana and Mali’s senior teams, scheduled for the city of Marrakech in Morocco.
The two-time World Cup star reiterated that the Super Eagles are currently in a high station in African football, having finished as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, and everything must be done to maintain that status and even exceed it.
“We finished in second place at the Africa Cup of Nations, and everyone expects us to maintain that high rating and be better in a short while. We aim to get good results in these two matches and stay positive ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
“They call it friendly matches but there is really nothing friendly when you play, especially Ghana. I have been involved in matches against Ghana since the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
“Matches between our countries are serious duels and always seen as battles by our peoples. The Black Stars did not perform that well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and they will be keen to banish that memory.”
George disclosed that injuries have knocked out four of the invited players for the matches.However, “I have confidence in the team that we have here that they will wear the green-white-green with pride and with patriotic fervour.”
As of yesterday morning, only Turkey-based defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, was still being expected in the Adam Park Hotel of the Eagles in Marrakech, with 21 players having settled in.
Ghana will also be led by a renowned former international, Otto Addo, who has just been recalled for a second stint in charge of the Black Stars.
The Black Stars had their first training sessionin Morocco on Tuesday with 16 players. But they had more players in yesterday’s session with Tariq Lamptey, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Kasim Nuhu, Antoine Semenyo, Abdul Samed Salis, Patrick Kpozo, Alidu Seidu, Joseph Wollacott, Abdul FatawuIssahaku, Denis Odoi, Ernest Nuamah, Osman Ibrahim, Abdulai Nurudeen, and Fredrick Asare in attendance.
