Nigeria defender, Efe Ambrose, says the only result expected from the Super Eagles when they play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their Round of 16 clash on Saturday (today) at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Alexandria is a win.
According to the 2013 AFCON winner, winning that game must be the ultimate experience. This is because it is the second round of the competition and there is no second chance if they lost. “So the most important thing is winning“, The former Derby County man said.
Nigeria’s opponents, Cameroon, won the last edition of the competition and Ambrose admits it will be a difficult game on the pitch and in the technical department.
“I know it’s not going to be an easy game because the Indomitable Lions have a good record against us and they play hard any time they see us.
“They also have a very good coaching crew, with Clarence Seedorf as their head coach bringing lots of changes, it’s going to be a different ball game to the one we played during the World Cup qualifiers.
“That said, I’m sure the Eagles are up to the task and have a chance to make it through to the next round, though it’s not going to be an easy game.
“With football, most times you have to earn what you desire and that must be earned on the pitch in 90 minutes. I’ve been a part of them and I know what they might be thinking, so I don’t have a doubt that they can pull it off.”
“Most fans in Nigeria have lost a bit of faith in the boys after the Eagles’ below-par performance despite the huge expectations back home.
“The same thing happened in 2013; when things don’t go your way the fans make comments, but the most important thing is for the players to stay focused, stay together to achieve their goal.
“It’s just a wake-up call, you need this kind of game to put you back on your feet.”
“This is a second round game. And they know what is at stake, there are no second chances, if they really want to achieve it they can with their coach and the players who are young and hungry to win an AFCON trophy. Cameroon wants to beat us too but to me, I call us the Brazil of African football. It is always a difficult task playing against us too.”
With the team suffering series of injuries to key players, Ambrose said that should not be an excuse to lose believing that all the players were picked based on merit.
He said, “The coach picked the best players he feels can help him win the tournament, so anyone there merits his inclusion, there is nothing to be scared about. The rest of the players would fight tirelessly, play for the team and conquer the likes of Cameroon and the rest so they can win the trophy.”
