By Philips Adefioye
Despite the boast by  Ghana’s U-23 coach, Kwesi Appiah  that his team will pick the ticket to the All Africa Games to be held in Maputo ahead of Nigeria after losing 3-1 to the Dream Team V at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium last weekend, Chief Coach of the Nigerian team, Austin Eguavoen has assured of another defeat for the Ghanaians before their home fans in Accra.

Eguavoen said that after his wards’ 3-1 defeat of the Black Meteors, their main target was how to beat them on their home ground even though he feels it will not be an easy game there in Accra on the weekend of July 8, 9 and 10.

He said Ghana would want to do everything to council the 3-1 deficit in the second leg but they (Dream Tem V) are not going to sit on their oars, pointing out that the pressure which is on the Ghanaians might create open doors for Nigeria to do the damage. He however, assured that there will be a game plan on his side ahead of the match.

Eguavoen

“Despite the Ghanaian coach’s reaction that they will overturn the table, our plan is to go to Ghana and beat them. We are not going to play a defensive game because we are 3-1 up. Football is dynamic, we can never say never, but at the end of the game victory will be ours.

“The pressure is on them not us and that will definitely create open doors for us. We will make use of our chances whenever there is any loop hole. We are going there to win, not to play defensive football,” he said.

Eguavoen said because of the injury  some of his key players suffered  before the first leg, the technical crew quickly provided possible replacements for them, stressing that he will be very happy if the injured players recover before the second leg. He however, assured that in the event of they not recovering fully, there are enough replacements for them.

“The technical crew will continue to get a perfect replacement for any player who is injured and before the return leg. I will be very happy if any of the injured players  is fit before the Accra match, if not there  are a lot of players who are looking for opportunity to represent the country.

“We are not going to lose focus.  With this 3-1 win, we are half way into the All Africa Games slated for Maputo, Mozambique. Our other target is the London 2012 qualifier but we have to take things one after the other,.” he said.