Former Assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico, has advised Nigerians not to judge Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored team with the result of the friendly match against Mexico.
The friendly was lined up for team ahead of their crucial world cup qualifier against Kenya on June 5 and the FIFA Confederations Cup slated for June 15 to 30 in Brazil.
The Super Eagles are billed to play against México, on May 31, in Houston, Texas, US, with both countries using the tie to prepare for their 2014 World Cup qualifiers and also the FIFA Confederations Cup.
According to him, friendly matches are used by various countries to prepare their teams for international engagements and also enable the coaching crew to test the fitness of their players, thus fans should not rate the team with the outcome of the friendly against Mexico.
"I want Nigerians not to lose sleep over the forthcoming friendly game against Mexico because the coaching crew will only use it to prepare against Kenya.
"What Nigerians should concern themselves is the world cup qualifiers against Kenya because any slip in that match will affect our chances of being in Brazil in 2014," Erico said.
He also commended the NFF for organizing a first class friendly for the Super Eagles, and expressed optimism that the match will enable Keshi know the fitness level of his players before the Kenya cracker.
National Mirror