TheCable

Emmanuel Amunike, former African footballer of the year, says the Super Eagles have the edge over the Desert Warriors of Algeria.

But he said the Algerians would be motivated going into the game because they lost in the game against Cameroon.

“Of course, every team has equal opportunity, but we have the edge because Nigeria will be playing at home and in front of our people,”Amunike told Thecable.

“The Algerians are a very good side, they have some fantastic players and ranked the second best in Africa.

“You know that they drew at home with Cameroun, with this they will be coming to Nigeria with the mindset of wanting to beat us at home.

“But of course, the key point for us is our level of preparation, our level of concentration and the understanding of the players of what the game mean to them.

“The game won’t be about who you have played in the past or games you have won. But the present which is you have a game against the second best rated team in Africa.”

He advised the players to be confident and take advantage of opportunities.

“Well, I am not the coach but they have to believe in themselves,” he said.

“The players should take every opportunity that comes their way, the ability to be effective in every situation, when you have the opportunity to score,utilize it.

“They will have to see how to make the best out of every situation they find themselves at every point on the field.”

Amunike warned the Eagles not to be overconfident and get complacent.

“We shouldn’t be carried away. Even if we are going to play against the weakest team in the world, no team will make it easy for you on the field of play,”he said.

“But we have started on a good note by winning away in Zambia, picking the vital points and now we have the opportunity to play against Algeria.

“So, our thoughts and thinking should be on how we are going to win that game. How effective we will be for us to be able to win that game.”