BY JOHN EGBOKHAN
After steering the Super Eagles to a morale-boosting draw with Mexico in U.S.A last week, Coach Stephen Keshi insists his troops won’t let their guard down  at the FIFA World Cup this summer in Brazil.

Parading three new players, comprising Leon Balogun, Ezekiel Imoh and Michael Uchebo in the sold-out match at the Georgia Dome in Atalanta, the Eagles gave a good account of themselves, drawing applauds from pundits, who were impressed with the performance of the players making their Nigerian debut.

From Left: National Team Goalkeeper Trainer, Ike Shorunmu; Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, and Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi during a media parley in Abuja

But speaking from his Los Angeles base, African coach of the year, Keshi says that the real work is in Brazil, where Nigeria battle Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina for the two available tickets to play in the second round of Brazil 2014.

“The World Cup is the biggest stage of world football and we are expecting a serious competition from all the teams. It is going to be one big test of character for all teams and my message to the boys, as I always is that they must be maintain their focus and not let down their guards when the going gets tough”, said Keshi.

Eagles get their World Cup campaign going against Iran on June 16 in Curitiba and though viewed as the weakest teams in Group F, Keshi believes that the team from the Middle East can be spoilers if treated with kids gloves.

“Iran can be dangerous if treated with kids gloves. We must face them with the seriousness that we will face Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina with”, said the Nations Cup winning coach.