Former African Footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu, has advised the Super Eagles to approach their October 13 friendly match against the Brazilian national team as a world cup game.
In a video interview posted on the official Youtube page of the Super Eagles, the ex-Nigerian skipper, said the players should know Nigerian fans do not see any game as a friendly, but always expect them to give their best.
He said, “I see every game as a World Cup match, as a competition, friendly or no friendly, and if the boys can take that on board, knowing that every game they play, Nigerians will not want to know if it is friendly or not.
“There is a lot of pressure because everybody loves football, they don’t want to hear that Nigeria went to a game and lost.
“I don’t think people will really appreciate the boys if they lost in a friendly game, that’s how it is here. The boys have to take it on board and ensure that every game they play, they have to do well.
“Against Brazil, they are one of the best, and those are the kind of friendlies we should be playing. I say thanks to whoever has made this possible.
“Playing against Brazil will show the level of football they are playing and where they are, and if they can beat Brazil, the full confidence and belief of the boys will grow.
“And for me, it’s always tough when Nigeria and Brazil play each other, whoever will represent us should know it’s not a friendly game,” Kanu added.
See video:
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