Eagles ready for play-offs –Emenike

Emmanuel Emenike

South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Emmanuel Emenike insists the Super Eagles are not afraid of facing a big team in the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The Fenerbahce striker said Nigerians “should not expect any weak team”  in the play-offs as African champions.

Nigeria on Saturday beat Malawi 2-0 in Calabar in their last group game of Brazil 2014 qualifiers to seal their place in the play-offs alongside  Ivory Coast, Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Senegal  and Ethiopia.

Five countries will ultimately qualify from those two-legged ties to represent Africa at Brazil 2014. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria and Cape Verde are expected be in the same pot.

Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria and Egypt are  likely to pose a   threat to Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup if the Eagles are drawn against one of them on September 16 in Cairo, but  Emenike has backed the Eagles to sail through.

“No, we should not expect any weak team because our status is already known and that is why we must be ready mentally and physically to make Nigerians happy,” MTNFootball.com quoted the former  Russia-based forward as saying on Monday.

“At this stage, every team is tough and want the ticket, but I see no team stopping us. this is not a mere boast but we are capable and ready.”

The 25-year-old, who suffered an injury at the Africa Cup of Nations,   scored the first goal against Malawi and he said he was happy to mark his return to the team  getting on the scoresheet.

The former Spartak Moscow star missed out on the World Cup qualifying games against Kenya and Namibia, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil due to the injury.

He said,  “It was not easy because I wanted to be in action for my country every time, but when injury comes, you can’t help it. That was my situation, but I was always with the team even when I was not around them physically.

“It is a thing of joy to me to be back with my beloved country, coming back with a goal has definitely lifted my confidence, it is the Lord’s doing.”