Taifa Stars’ clashes must-games, Ex-int’ls charge Eagles

Former Nigeria internationals Sylvanus Okpala and Abiodun Obafemi have urged the Super Eagles to treat their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania as must-win games.

Nigeria host the Taifa Stars at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, at 5pm, before the return in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17.

The Super Eagles are second in Group L with three points from two games, after beating Madagascar 2-1 and losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania have already qualified as co-hosts, leaving only one ticket available from the group.

Okpala, who was part of the Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also assistant coach to the late Stephen Keshi when the Super Eagles won the 2013 AFCON. He said the team had no room for error.

“They should know that for them to qualify, they have to play to win all the games now and hope that someone will lose the game,” Okpala told our correspondent.

“If they can win all their games, that means they must beat Guinea-Bissau, who beat them last time. It is tough, and it is crucial, but it is what they need to do.”

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Obafemi was part of the Nigeria team that won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and he called for caution and pointed to Nigeria’s failure to reach the World Cup.

“Thunder does not strike twice, but we have to be very careful. We know how we lost out in the World Cup, and we have to be very careful here so we do not miss out here.

“Nothing less than 100 per cent, so we can qualify for the AFCON and not experience a repeat,” he said.

The Super Eagles now have a full camp in Uyo. 17 players trained on Tuesday, with the rest arriving later that day after flight delays on Monday, and all 24 invited players were in camp by Wednesday.

The Taifa Stars, coached by Miguel Gamondi, arrived in Uyo on Tuesday morning and trained at the stadium’s practice pitch that night.