Captain William Ekong has assured that there will likely be no diffidence within the Tremendous Eagles’ play once they tackle South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a potentially-explosive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening.
The defender, who was voted Man of the Competitors finally yr’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, mentioned the Eagles can even not be considering of their penalty shootout defeat of the Bafana at that competitors’s semi-final stage.
“We defeated them on the Africa Cup however that’s prior to now and a few modifications have been made to each groups since then. Our method will likely be devoid of vanity; we are going to play with degree heads and go all out for victory. There will likely be no vanity however we is not going to be diffident both.
“South Africa is an efficient staff that we respect however we simply should go on the pitch and play our sport. Our goal has not modified; we need to go to the FIFA World Cup finals subsequent yr.”
Coach Eric Chelle mentioned he will likely be placing his greatest foot ahead from the primary blast of Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho’s whistle on the Toyota Stadium.
“We’ve come right here to play for the three factors, so we will likely be sending out the staff that may get the job completed. We’re blissful to have overcome Rwanda however we now have to overcome right here tomorrow with the intention to be in an excellent place for the qualification.”
Though Nigeria began the race poorly, Chelle has picked seven factors out of 9 in his three video games with the squad and believes the group he has been working with has the capability to show issues on its head and go away Bafana Bafana within the ditch.
After Monday’s official coaching on the Toyota Stadium, Nigeria’s Excessive Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Tope Ajayi charged the Tremendous Eagles to enact their greatest sport and pluck the three factors on the day.
“I’ve the boldness that we are going to win, and lots of South Africans additionally imagine that Nigeria will win. We must always go on the market and play with gusto, confidence and braveness, and refuse to be intimidated by something.
“When the Tremendous Falcons got here right here to play the Banyana Banyana, I advised them earlier than the sport that I may see them returning to the Olympics after 16 years, they usually did. Now, I’m telling you that I’m seeing you on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will probably be so.”
Tuesday’s sport will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm in Nigeria).
The publish 2026 WCQ: Tremendous Eagles will method Bafana match with confidence – Ekong appeared first on Vanguard Information.
