Nigerian legend Sunday Oliseh has sent a stern warning to the Super Eagles ahead of their match against Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals on Monday.
The former captain called for a disciplined approach to the Round-of-16 game, stressing that the Mambas cannot be underrated in this stage game of the competition in Morocco.
“We are starting this Round 16. What changes now is that you lose, you go home,” he said as captured on his x.com @SundayOOliseh after an interview with a YouTube-based TV Danger Zone.
“The last game we played, which was to beat Uganda, was the best game I have seen in a long time in terms of the organisation…I give the coach kudos for good organisation.”
Oliseh then explained more how Eric Chelle’s men should approach Chiquinho Conde’s charges.
“Nigeria has to play in a totally different way to the first and last games, but more in resemblance to the last game,” he said.
“Nobody in the Round-of-16 is a weak team. Tactically, the coach has to do his thing and the players have to play with the same spirit…losing is not an option for the Super Eagles at at this AFCON stage. Anybody that underrates Mozambique should be ready to pick up the flight ticket back home.”
The Super Eagles legend has since urged Nigeria to approach the minnows with so much compactness and discipline.
Nigeria completed a perfect group campaign with three wins from three matches, finishing with nine points.
The Mambas emerged from the group-stage with three points which was enough to see them through to the knock-out phase where Nigeria lie in wait.
Conde’s men lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast, Cameroon (2-1) and beat Gabon 3-2.
Before the tournament got underway, Conde’s men had not reached the round-of-16 let alone won a game. However, all that has changed for the better.
As a special incentive, Mozambique president Daniel Chapo has since promised that his government will give each player a bonus of $7,824.31 [500,000 meticais] should they beat the Super Eagles and reach the quarterfinals
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