Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has declared Nigeria will be the underdogs against France on Monday and so will not be under pressure. France are ranked 17th by FIFA, while Nigeria are a lowly 44th.
But Nigeria shaded the only meeting between both countries in 2009, when they won 1-0 in a friendly in Saint Etienne.
“We are here at the highest stage of football to do our best. We did well against Argentina, one of the tournament favourites, and we can do better against France in the next round,” charged a bullish Yobo, who posted a short stint at Olympique Marseille.
“We will do our best to win, but we have nothing to lose. Many have not given us a chance, but we will do it.”
Yobo will win a record 100th cap on Monday, according to world football governing body FIFA.
Meanwhile, former Nigeria World Cup star John Utaka has told AfricanFootball.com he expects a very close contest and the Super Eagles could even win it, if they scored first.
“Nigeria have the players to run at the France defence, which is suspect. But France have a good midfield and attack,” Utaka remarked.
“If Nigeria could score first, they could defend the lead and move on to the last eight of the World Cup because the French would be mentally unsettled.”
Utaka has featured for Rennes and Montpellier in the French Ligue 1.
No comments:
Post a Comment