2012 Nations Cup: Pressure will see Eagles through – Taribo

[emezico]

Former Super Eagles hard-as-nails defender Taribo West is optimistic the Eagles can still qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup despite finding themselves in a dicey position in Group B of the qualifiers.

The Eagles are second in their group with seven points, three behind leaders Guinea. They must beat Madagascar in Antananarivo in September and then hope to beat Guinea at home by at least two goals in their last game in October because of the head-to-head rule. They lost 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry last year.

The Atlanta '96 Olympic Games gold medallist told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, "We are used to sealing qualification for major competitions at the last minute and this is not good for us. But we are known to qualify under pressure and I think we will make it to the Nations Cup.

"Coach Siasia needs to ensure that we win the game against Madagascar. That will build team confidence ahead of their last game against the Guineans. For me, the Madagascar game will decide whether we will be at the Nations Cup or not."

The former AC Milan defender advised the Eagles not to underrate the Madagascans, saying there were no longer minnows in African football.

"The Eagles greatest undoing will be when they underrate Madagascar. Even though Nigeria won the first leg in Calabar, we must understand that it's not easy playing away from home. Football has improved and no African side want to lose at home any more. That's what happened in Ethiopia," Taribo said


Source: The Punch