A sports journalist, Suleiman Adebayo, popularly known as ‘Pooja,’ has said that the Super Eagles must have a winning spirit in the African Cup of Nations semi-final match against hosts Morocco.
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“We have to win it over Morocco because you are playing against a team that has the biggest fan [base] even in Africa,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
“They have played [against] non-Africans several times as well. As I said, against Algeria, they played calmly as well; in that stadium in Marrakesh, we had over 30,000 Algerians, but this time it will be different.
“So hopefully I know they’ll be doing lots of pep talks, away from training sessions. So we have Victor Osimhen in that calm mode — just score for us, leave the antics, leave the, you know, body language, leave the mentality, and just give us the goals,” he added.
Adebayo, however, said the Eagles should expect hostility from the North Africans.
“If you are playing for a club side, it’s different from playing for your country. So the Super Eagles should expect hostility. They expect passion.
“They should expect a very hostile atmosphere, and as you said, the North Africans use lasers to distract players.
“So we are playing against the 12th man, but with what we’ve done so far — keeping a clean sheet back to back against Mozambique and, of course, Algeria, I think the boys have lots to offer,” he stated.
The sports journalist, therefore, called for comportment within the Super Eagles.
“So today, Victor Osimhen will be captain of the side. Remember, Wilfred Ndidi will be suspended because of two yellow cards. So we have Victor Osimhen as the captain of the side.
“So, the temperament has to start from the captain. Victor Osimhen has to be calm this time around because we’re playing a country with so many antics,” Adebayo said.
“We saw Algeria as well, you know, doing so many tactics, as you said, psychology-wise, they want to win before they win on the pitch. So, we have to be careful.
“[Sunday] Nwabali got a yellow card against Algeria. If he gets a yellow card against Morocco and we win, he will not play in the final.
“So everybody has to be on their right senses and, we still, you know, see against Uganda, which of course,” he added.
The 2013 African champions will trade tackles with the hosts on Wednesday for a place in the final of the continent’s showpiece.
Source: Channels TV
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