Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has warned new Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle ahead of Friday’s World cup qualifiers against Rwanda.
The former Mali head coach will be in charge of the Nigerian National team for the first time since his appointment in January, when they travel to face the Amavubi in a must-win encounter.
The Super Eagles are yet to register a win in a disappointing qualifying campaign so far, with three draws and a defeat in their four games so far and need to win at the Amahoro stadium on Friday to keep their hopes alive.
Speaking ahead of the match, Ikpeba who represented the country at the 1994 and 1998 edition of the showpiece event, believes the Super Eagles must not underestimate their opponents despite being the stronger side on paper.
“I think to have a team (Rwanda) that is on top of the log and defeated us last year, it seems difficult,” Ikpeba said on SuperSport.
Nigeria are currently four points behind their Friday’s counterpart and a win will boost their chances of securing qualification at the end of the campaign.
“We can’t underrate Rwanda. Yes, when you look at the 23-man list, it’s frightening because of the quality of talents we have there but we are still in African football. Names don’t’ win matches in African football games, you have to go there and fight”, he added.
The three-time African champions boast an array of attacking talents, with the past two winners of the African Footballer of the Year award, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, alongside other top talents in their ranks.
Nigeria will face Rwanda on Friday before hosting Zimbabwe next Tuesday in two must-win matches with their qualifying hopes hanging by a thread.
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