SUPER Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel has cautioned his teammates that it would be calamitous to underrate their opponents, Mali in Wednesday’s semifinal at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Nigeria qualified for the last four at the expense of the Ivory Coast with an impressive 2-1 victory at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg to set up a semifinal date with Mali’s Eagles.

Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi eared to play against Cote D’Ivoire

Mikel is calling on the fans of the Super Eagles to exercise restraint ahead of the game against Mali which he predicts will be tough.

“We cannot afford to look beyond the semifinals now because that would be disrespectful to Mali,” Mikel said.

The Chelsea midfielder however stated that the Super Eagles would go through if the players approach the game with the right spirit.

“We just have to keep doing what we are doing and keep our feet on the ground. We have to keep training hard and believing in ourselves and hopefully we will qualify for the final,” he said.