The Super Eagles may have the top stars across Europe, but they have to be at their best to beat Sierra Leone today to qualify for the 2023 AFCON, according to skipper Ahmed Musa.
Nigeria are second in Group A with nine points from four games and need a point today in Monrovia, Liberia, to book their place at the 2023 AFCON to be staged by Cote d’Ivoire in January.
Sierra Leone, on the hand, are second in the standings with five points and need a win at their adopted home to keep alive their qualification hopes.
“We are prepared because if we won, we qualify for the AFCON,” Ahmed Musa said at the pre-match briefing.
“It will not be an easy game against Sierra Leone. We have a lot of stars, but if we don’t work hard on the pitch it will be very difficult for us to get the three points.”
He added: “Super stars don’t play football nowadays, you have to work hard on the pitch.
“When the Super Eagles beat a small team, it’s not news but when a small team beats us, it’s news.
“So, we have to work very hard to win this game.”
Coach Jose Peseiro again defended his selection of Ahmed Musa amid criticisms that more deserving players were left out.
“I believe in him. If he is here with my team, he is among our best players and he is here to play,” he said.
The Eagles coach said the motivation for his team today is to win the ticket to the AFCON.
“If we win or draw, even though we want to win, we go directly to AFCON. There is no better motivation than this,” he said.
“It’s an important match for both teams and our team are expected to win.
“I expect a good match by two good teams.
“We need just a point, but we want to win.”
Kick-off time today is 5pm.
