Nigeria U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, has warned his players to prepare for a hostile reception from Zambian fans.
The Dream Team VI will play the South African nation on Sunday, in the second leg of their All Africa Games qualifier. The first leg ended goalless, meaning the Nigerians have to win or secure a score draw in Lusaka.
Siasia admitted it is not about tactics, but mental readiness from the players.
“Playing against Zambia on Sunday is not about tactics alone but playing to instructions and do what we are supposed to do. Our game plan is that the ball doesn’t go behind our defenders and we now start chasing,” Siasia said.
“Another thing I have drummed into the ears of my boys is that there is no such thing like offside tactics in Zambia because the referee won’t call for it. So we have to be very, very smart because we are playing in a very hostile environment. We have to be very smart in what we do and what we don’t do.
“We want to make sure we box them in that midfield because the battle is going to be in the midfield. We will make sure we can contain the Zambians in the midfield so that we don’t allow them to dominate so that we can catch them on the fast break”, he added. .
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