By SOLOMON NWOKE
FORMER international, Mutiu Adepoju has warned the Super Eagles to be weary of the Harambee Stars of Kenya as they set to battle for one of the continent’s slots for the 2014 World Cup this weekend at the U J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The former general Manager of  3SC Football Club of Ibadan urged the team to live up to their rating as African champions. He counseled the players to approach the match like a cup final.

He said, “the Eagles cannot but go for the best after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa early this year. This is another opportunity for them to really prove they are champions of Africa. They should not underrate any team especially, Kenya who would want to prove a hard nut to crack for the Eagles.”

Adepoju who was fondly called ‘the Head Master’ in his playing days due to his efficiency in heading  in goals,  however,  admitted that the team has all it takes to qualify for the World Cup, but will have to work hard to earn the ticket by winning their matches.

“The players have all it takes to win all their qualifying matches, but they should ensure that they play as a team and not aspire for individual glory,” he said.

He also  urged the players to play as a compact unit. “To achieve their objective of playing at the World Cup, they have to continue from where they stopped before the Nations Cup.Although they are topping the group, there is no doubt that the match against the Harambees Stars would be a game of guts as the pressure would be on the Eagles.”

The USA ’94 World Cup team member gave Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi thumbs  up for the enlistment of nine home-based players in the squad, saying, “Keshi knows what he’s doing with the national team and should maintain the momentum.”