Africa’s top teams fear Eagles – Dosu, Elaho

Ex-internationals Joseph  Dosu and Friday Elaho say Super Eagles fans shouldn’t  worry about Nigeria playing  a top team in the final qualifying play-offs for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Eagles defeated  Malawi 2-0  in Calabar on Saturday  to seal their top spot in Group F and will learn their  opponents in the  draw for the play-offs  by the Confederation of African Football in Cairo  on Monday.  There are indications that Nigeria may face Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt, Burkina Faso or Ethiopia in the draw, but Dosu and Elaho believe the Eagles will land in Brazil irrespective of their opponents.

 

The duo  said    Nigeria shouldn’t  be afraid to play big teams such as   Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt  and Ghana  “because they  fear the Eagles.”

“I wish we’ll be drawn against Ethiopia or Burkina Faso in the play-offs,” former  Eagles goalkeeper Dosu told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

“But we should be ready to face  the likes of Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Egypt to confirm our class.

“We’re African champions and other countries  fear us.

“I’m happy that the Eagles are scoring plenty of goals. They have done that in their last two games (against Malawi and Burkina Faso).

“If we put the same determination  and self-belief into the play-offs, we’ll  beat any team.”

The Atlanta’96 Olympic Games gold medallist commended coach Stephen Keshi for  “transforming the team”.

“The team have changed a lot since Keshi came on board and he deserves credit for what we have achieved so far,” the former Italy-based keeper said.

“The players have done  very well and with Keshi in charge of the team we’ll play at the World Cup.”

Dosu hailed  former England Youth International, Shola Ameobi, for pledging his international future to his fatherland.

The 31-year-old Newcastle striker  scored  his first international goal for Nigeria in Tuesday’s 4-1 friendly win against Burkina Faso in Kaduna.

“Ameobi  has scored his first goal for the country and I believe it will motivate him to score more,” the former Julius Berger star said.

“I’m happy that we have Ameobi  to give Emmanuel Emenike and other strikers competition for a starting role in the  Eagles.

“It’s good for the nation and  I believe Keshi  will get the best out of Ameobi.”

Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist  Elaho urged the Eagles to train very hard for the play-offs.

“Our World Cup qualification depends on our preparation and the team we’ll meet,”  the former Denmark-based winger said.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to play any team in the play-offs because we’re the champions of the continent.

“The likes of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana are afraid  of us and I don’t see any of the big teams stopping us from qualifying for the World Cup.

“The Eagles must be focused and Keshi shouldn’t be distracted  by the bonus row and other issues.

“If we don’t qualify for the World Cup, it’ll be a disaster and Keshi must plan for victory. I’m very sure we’ll play in Brazil.”