Nigeria nearly failed to qualify for the World Cup 2010, but for an added time goal by Obinna Nsofor against Mozambique in Abuja which offered a lifeline in the qualifiers that were tilting towards Tunisia.
Again, it was Mozambique’s unexpected defeat of Tunisia that enabled Nigeria to eventually qualify.
This is possibly running in the mind of Nigeria’s coach Ladan Bosso as his Flying Eagles play their final Group A duel against bottom-placed Mozambique this Saturday evening.
According to Cafonline, Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso admitted that Mozambique will be no pushovers.
The Flying Eagles recovered from their shock defeat to Senegal to beat host nation Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium.
The seven-time champions are not taking Dario Monteiro’s Os Mambas lightly.
“Mozambique is not a pushover team because I saw their match against Egypt. They played well and they’re determined so we don’t want to take chances. We have to go all out to get the maximum points,” Bosso said.
“The first match against Senegal we had an edge to win that match but Senegal took the lead and the second Match against the hosts Egypt was a very technical team.”
The Flying Eagles scored from a set piece courtesy of Solomon Agbalaka’s powering header in Cairo.
“Normally when you’re going for tournaments like this you have to work on the set pieces because these are areas where if it’s tactically done you can get easy goals from them,” the experienced Bosso said.
“Set pieces have continued to be one of our assets in getting goals.”
Ladan Bosso was flanked by Solomon Agbalaka who scored the important goal to beat the Young Pharaohs in the second match.
“We are prepared for every match, and we have no pressure, we just go and give our best,” the defender said at the press conference.
“I think the last game of the group stage we’re coming for a win tomorrow. It is very important to have goals from all departments of the team.”