Nigeria defied all odds to beat the Walya Antelopes 2-1 in Addis Ababa in the first leg which made the second leg scheduled for the 16th of November at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar look like a mere formality.
Former international Moses Kpakor is one of those expecting a much more tougher game than many anticipate and feels it might be tricky if the Walya Antelopes are taken for granted.
The former BCC Lions of Gboko captain does not buy the idea that it’s done and dusted for the Super Eagles as he feels there should not be any complacency towards the second leg.
Kpakor, who spoke to supersport.com in Makurdi, is of the opinion that the Super Eagles should approach the game like a cup final.
“There is still a lot to be done as regards qualification, and we shouldn’t use the first leg result as a yardstick going into the crucial second leg,” he said.
“Football is a very unpredictable game. If we relax, Ethiopia might hurt us. We all saw the way they played in the first half in Addis Ababa.
“We can’t be complacent. It’s a battle that must be won,” Kpakor, who was a member of the silver winning team at Algiers ’90, added.
Emmanuel Emenike’s brace in the first leg put Nigeria in a good stead going into the second leg and Kpakor agrees it was a decent result albeit not an excuse to relax.
“We can’t afford to relax. I’m sure Stephen Keshi would have told his boys this already and I’m sure they are motivated and primed for the game.”
Nigeria go into the second leg of the Africa zone of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia needing to avoid defeat by two clear goals, to earn a ticket to the global football fiesta.
“An early goal will surely kill the game and if Ethiopia decide to chase the game, they will be exposed for us to run them ragged.
“I have no doubt the boys will do us proud and fly our flag in Brazil come 2014. I’m very sure of that,” Kpakor said.
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