Ex international, Mutiu Adepoju has said that the Super Eagles will be playing for nothing but pride against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in the upcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game.
The game which is billed for the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, September 3, may be considered mere formality because Egypt have already won the sole ticket to the 2017 AFCON tournament slated for Gabon. The last time both teams met, the game ended 0-0 in Dar es Salam under former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh.
The headmaster specialist, who made three World Cup appearances in 1994, 1998 and 2002, disclosed to Soccernet.com.ng via a telephone conversation in Lagos on Tuesday that the Super Eagles won’t lie low against the Taifa Stars but play for pride.
“To be frank with you, I don’t think the Super Eagles players are here for a jamboree despite the fact that the team won’t be playing at the Nations Cup. In fact, the presence of some of the key players such as Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses and others, tells you that the players are ready for business and will take the Tanzanians to the cleaner,” Adepoju told Soccernet.com.ng exclusively.
“You may consider the match less important because Egypt have won the only ticket for the group, however, I am very optimistic that the team will play out their best to ensure we finish the AFCON on a positive note.” he said.
