Keshi says:Uruguay is the game of our lives.
Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi says he and his boys are battle-ready for tonight's pivotal group B game against South American champions,Uruguay.
Keshi is aware that the result of this game will go a long way in deciding the identity of the team
that will qualify for the semi-finals alongside likely Group B winners Spain.
The onus is on Uruguay after their loss to Spain but Keshi is under no illusion that, with the World
Cup holders still to face, this game represents their most important in Group B.
"We're ready. Of course we have had our issues. But that is not who we are. What we want to do is play football.
"I am proud of my players for the way they overcame tiredness, jetlag and everything else to get
three points and those goals against Tahiti.
"Now we have tried to get them as much rest as possible and we just want them to have fun on
Thursday," he told KickOffNigeria.
Prior to Monday's game, Keshi admitted that like most people, he knew next to nothing about Tahiti, but would have no such problems about Uruguay.
"With Tahiti we didn't know what to expect, so we just played and prepared as best as we could.
"We know a little more about Uruguay. So we can plan a little better, but we will not be preparing
much different from the way we normally do.
"We have our own methods, our own tactics and our own way of playing, and that is what we plan to do."
Eagles midfielder,Mikel Obi echoed his coach's sentiments albeit he admitted Uruguay will be tougher that Oceanian champions,Tahiti who they thrashed 6-1 on Monday in their opening game.
''It will be a good game. I am looking forward to it. We are prepared and will go all out to earn
victory against Uruguay. Uruguay will be tougher than Tahiti, but no cause for alarm. We will do our best as usual as we represent the nation and the continent'',said Mikel in an interview with
mtnfootball. With no head-to-head form to go on between the nations and two vastly differing opening games, dipping further back into the form book looks the only way to judge this one.
Taking in their glorious African Cup of Nations campaign in February, it's now over 12 months since the Super Eagles tasted defeat on the international stage.
That's formidable form indeed for Nigeria as opposed to Uruguay who, prior to this month, had only recorded a solitary win in their last nine games.
Uruguay looked to have turned a corner with a friendly win over France and World Cup qualifying
victory over Venezuela on the eve of this tournament, but looked a disjointed unit again versus the Spanish.
While the Uruguayans boast the bigger names, Nigeria look the value bet for a win based on current form.
Well.Good lick to him but come to think of it,he seems to be trying.More grease to his elbow
Keshi is aware that the result of this game will go a long way in deciding the identity of the team
that will qualify for the semi-finals alongside likely Group B winners Spain.
The onus is on Uruguay after their loss to Spain but Keshi is under no illusion that, with the World
Cup holders still to face, this game represents their most important in Group B.
"We're ready. Of course we have had our issues. But that is not who we are. What we want to do is play football.
"I am proud of my players for the way they overcame tiredness, jetlag and everything else to get
three points and those goals against Tahiti.
"Now we have tried to get them as much rest as possible and we just want them to have fun on
Thursday," he told KickOffNigeria.
Prior to Monday's game, Keshi admitted that like most people, he knew next to nothing about Tahiti, but would have no such problems about Uruguay.
"With Tahiti we didn't know what to expect, so we just played and prepared as best as we could.
"We know a little more about Uruguay. So we can plan a little better, but we will not be preparing
much different from the way we normally do.
"We have our own methods, our own tactics and our own way of playing, and that is what we plan to do."
Eagles midfielder,Mikel Obi echoed his coach's sentiments albeit he admitted Uruguay will be tougher that Oceanian champions,Tahiti who they thrashed 6-1 on Monday in their opening game.
''It will be a good game. I am looking forward to it. We are prepared and will go all out to earn
victory against Uruguay. Uruguay will be tougher than Tahiti, but no cause for alarm. We will do our best as usual as we represent the nation and the continent'',said Mikel in an interview with
mtnfootball. With no head-to-head form to go on between the nations and two vastly differing opening games, dipping further back into the form book looks the only way to judge this one.
Taking in their glorious African Cup of Nations campaign in February, it's now over 12 months since the Super Eagles tasted defeat on the international stage.
That's formidable form indeed for Nigeria as opposed to Uruguay who, prior to this month, had only recorded a solitary win in their last nine games.
Uruguay looked to have turned a corner with a friendly win over France and World Cup qualifying
victory over Venezuela on the eve of this tournament, but looked a disjointed unit again versus the Spanish.
While the Uruguayans boast the bigger names, Nigeria look the value bet for a win based on current form.
Well.Good lick to him but come to think of it,he seems to be trying.More grease to his elbow
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