President of Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari has stated that the Super Eagles will play with their hearts when they confront Ethiopia on Saturday in their 2014 FIFA World Cup final qualifying match, not thinking of the result of the first leg in Addis Ababa last month.
Two second half goals from Emmanuel Emenike steered the African champions to a 2-1 win and looks to have rendered the return match in Calabar on Saturday an easier session.
But Maigari said: “It is not good for us to start thinking of the return leg match as a formality. Irrespective of the result of the first leg, we take this match in Calabar on Saturday very serious.
“As far as the NFF is concerned, it is not over until it is over. We have faith in our African champions that they will deliver, but we have also secured assurances from them that they will play with their
hearts.”
Nigeria expects to reach their fifth FIFA World Cup finals by overcoming the Walya Antelopes and picking one of Africa’s five tickets to Brazil.
The Super Eagles reached the Round of 16 at the finals in 1994 and 1998, but crashed out at group stage in 2002 and 2010. Maigari says once secured, the focus of the NFF will shift to achieving a best-ever
outing at the global showpiece come next summer in Brazil.
“We are almost at the tape for the ticket, so once that shoe is behind us, we will plan for how to positively stun the football world in Brazil. We have the players that can do it, and they also have the
passion. It is important for us to do very well in Brazil because the finals come in the same year as we’re celebrating our great nation’s Centenary.”
