By Gracious Akujobi
Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi has warned the country’s senior national team, Super Eagles not to take their Ethiopian counterpart for granted when they square up against them for the world cup 2014, play-off.
Abdullahi, who was reacting to the 2014 World Cup playoffs draws conducted, last Monday in Cairo believes that only hard work and determination will earn the much desired ticket to the mundial in Brazil.
“In as much as I congratulate our team for getting to this stage, I quite disagree with the insinuations making round that Ethiopia will be easy. It may not be so. All our team need at this point in time is to remain focused and dedicated. With that we will be assured of a place in Brazil,” the minister opined.
Speaking further, he urges both coaches and players of the Super Eagles not to treat Ethiopia with kid gloves, insisting they may be tougher than we imagined.
“The draw with Ethiopia does not mean we should go to sleep, they are actually potentially more dangerous than drawing a top country.
“When you say it is Ethiopia you get complacent and get cut off. I think the lesson for us here is not to go complacent and treat it as if it is Brazil that we are going to play.
“The match against Ethiopia is very important and we are not going to take it for granted” he stated.
The 1st of the African playoffs for the 2014 world cup will be played from 11-15 October, while the 2nd leg games will take place from 15-19 November.
