Rotterdam clash not a must win for Eagles
by Humphrey Njoku 12 January 2013, 07:01
Bayelsa United coach, Ladan Bosso has said Super Eagles' warm up match against Dutch side, Sparta Rotterdam is not a must win match.
The encounter is the third pre-Africa Cup of Nations tune-up match for Nigeria and will be played behind closed door in Faro, Portugal on Saturday.
The Super Eagles played out a goalless draw against Afcon debutants, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde on Wednesday, which did not go down well with majority of Nigerians.
However, Bosso insisted that the results are in line with the essence of the friendly matches warning against undue pressure on the manager, Stephen Keshi.
"The friendly game against Sparta Rotterdam is not a must win match but an encounter that will further help the coach in his build-up for the Nations Cup.
"Results of friendly matches hardly count in proper competition some teams have done well in friendlies and failed woefully in competitions.
"Keshi has not disappointed me in the results of the friendly matches rather he has convinced me he is on the right track and focused.
"We should not derail his focus with scathing criticisms over results of friendly matches. We owe him ceaseless prayers and support for him to succeed in his assignment," said the former Flying Eagles' coach to supersport.com.
Bosso is however worried that Keshi's 23-man Afcon squad lack a natural right full back player.
"The Afcon squad is in order except I didn't see a natural right full back in the list. I only hope Keshi with his experience will rise up to manage the situation.
"That's why I feel Chibuzor Okonkwo will be sorely missed, he would have naturally fit into the position with his experience," said the former Wikki Tourists gaffer.
