Siasia preaches caution, as Egypt plan for tough game

Having survived the tension of the nail-biting finish to Nigeria’s opening game against Mali at the on-going African Under-23 Nations Cup, Coach Samson Siasia is not ready to go through another torrid time in the group stage of the competition. And to avoid that, he has warned his players to cut out the sloppy play that saw them gifting Mali acres of space when they meet Egypt today.

But Siasia may not get the respite he demands yet, as the Egypt Coach, Hossam E-Badry, is planning to give the U-23 Eagles a run for their money.

Nigeria raced to a 3-0 lead in the first game, but they barely survived a second half blitzkrieg launched by the Malian Eaglets, who scored two quick goals with up to 15 minutes left in the game. The U-23 Eagles eventually breasted the tape with a 3-2 victory.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference held at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour, Siasia admitted:
“We were damn lucky in our first game against Mali. After watching that game again, all I can say is that this is not Christmas yet and as such my players cannot give out free gifts, because if we do that against an organised side like Egypt, who are good in set pieces, then we are finished.

“Our target tomorrow is to go all out and attack, attack, attack, because that is our strong point. Then we will work on our defence line, so that we don’t give out cheap and easy passes to our opponents.”

While Siasia is thinking of a better outing today, Egypt’s Coach, El-Badry, said he plans to make life uncomfortable for Nigeria.

The 55-year-old tactician told the Egyptian Football Association official website: “The Nigeria match will be tough as both teams combine very skilled and talented players and because it’s the second game of the tournament.

“We need to win the game to keep our hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive in an attempt to win it and snatch the Rio ticket.