Super Eagles have been urged to focus on killing off the game early when they face South Africa on Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, made the charge on Thursday ahead of Nigeria's crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and wobbled at the start of this qualifying campaign, managing two disappointing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles could, however, reignite their World Cup dreams with a win over South Africa.
Both teams played out a thrilling 1-1 draw when they met at the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year before the Super Eagles advanced to the final after a penalty shootout victory.
Enoh has, however, called on Finidi George's men to go all out for a win this time and to get the job done as early as possible.
“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest showpiece in football,” Enoh said in a statement issued on Thursday, as per Daily Post.
“We cannot afford to miss out on the World Cup again. The disappointment of missing the last tournament, especially after the disappointing home match against the Black Stars, must drive us to ensure we qualify this time.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure the team qualifies for the World Cup.
“I urge the players to get the job done in the first half of the game by scoring early goals, so they are not under pressure in the second half.
“The upcoming match against South Africa is critical. The players need to put the AFCON glory behind them and concentrate fully on this task. Early goals will be key to taking control of the game and ensuring a less pressured second half.”
Nigeria boast a decent head-to-head record against South Africa, with the Super Eagles claiming eight victories, five draws, and two losses in 15 meetings.
