By Ime Bassey
Africa Nations Cup winner in 1980, Charles Bassey, has urged Nigerians not to panic as the Super Eagles entertain the Brave Warriors of Namibia tomorrow at the U J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The former Calabar Rovers star stated that the tie would be different from the friendly matches played so far as it commands a special enthusiasm.
He noted that the Namibians are not a football playing nation that would inflict any scare on the Eagles even as he stressed that the composition of the team is more paramount so as to return to their glorious days.
"I am very hopeful that we will win the tie. Friendly matches are different from competitive matches. Both matches are played with different zeal, so I am asking Nigerians not to panic.
"Nigerians should look at the progress of the team's formation rather than requesting a wide score line in the game. Namibia is not a football playing nation, therefore, more attention should be on making the team play well even if they win with a slim margin," Bassey said.
He added that the process of building a formidable team would cost more than winning every match played.
"In 1980, we were all home based players picked from various clubs that later became the toast of the nation after almost three years in camp, so let us be futuristic for once," he pleaded.
Vanguard Nigeria