FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP: Erico, Sofoluwe caution Eagles against Spain

[Mirror]

Former Super Eagles, assistant coach, Joe Erico has advised the Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored Super Eagles to avoid complacency and remain focused as they face Spain today in their final Group B match at the on-going FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The Super Eagles will today in Fortaleza face world and European champions, Spain in a make-or-mar encounter to determine whether they will progress to the semi- finals stage of the competition.

Eagles who are going into today'scracker with 3 points from two matches having defeated OFC champions, Tahiti by 6-1 before falling to the superior power of Copa American champions, Uruguay by 2-1, will need an outright win in today's encounter to be assured of a place in the next stage of the competition.

However the group leaders, Spain, require only a point to progress. In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Erico noted that the African champions are capable of defeating Spain if they can overcome wastefulness in front of goal, which he believes denied them victory over Uruguay on Thursday.

"We have players who can deliver but they must avoid the mistake they made against the South American champions and avoid wasting scoring opportunities when they are in their opponent's goal area.

"When you look at their last match against Uruguay, you will discover that we had all the opportunities to win that game or even pull a draw, but our strikers where not hungry for goals which denied us victory," Erico said.

According to him, the players should not look at the Spaniards as super stars, but rather see them as contemporaries because in the field of play they are of equal number of players.

Erico further advised the team's technical crew to make viable changes that will turn the game in favour of Nigeria when it becomes necessary. "I do not want people to believe that the Super Eagles will not spring a surprise at today's encounter because in the field of play only 22 players play the ball and any of them is capable of winning the game at the end of the full 90 minutes.

"Nigerians should remember that nobody gave Uruguay a chance against the Super Eagles, but they utilized their chances and ran away with victory. So Eagles should utilize their chances against Spain to be able to win the game and book a ticket for the next round of the competition," Erico added.

Meanwhile ex- international Yisa Sofoluwe has urged the Super Eagles to remain focused when they meet Spain as that is the only way they can perform well against the star-studded La Roja.

He noted that playing a team that is tactically disciplined as the La Roja requires a lot of hard work and determination to overcome them. "I believe we have a good team which is capable of withstanding the world and European champions, but our players must be focused, determined and disciplined for them to upset Spain," Sofoluwe said.

The former Nigerian defender stated that the Eagles are capable of springing a surprise in today's match because experience has shown that they perform better when they face stiff opposition.

National Mirror