Soccer News of Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Source: Confederation of African Football

Stephen Keshi - Maximum Points Is Our Target

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is confident that the Super Eagles will carry the day when they take on Kenya's Harambee Stars in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Kasarani on Wednesday. Keshi, who cut a relaxed figure when Nigeria trained at the venue for the match on Tuesday, told Cafonline.com that they are in Nairobi for maximum points.

Kenya almost upset you in Calabar during the first leg match. How prepared are you for Wednesday fixture?

We have prepared well and ready for the match. We are not under any pressure and we only want to enjoy ourselves against Kenya tomorrow and earn maximum points. Of course Kenya is a tough team, they proved that in the first leg in Calabar and we are not ready to underrate them. We have come to Nairobi and need the points because this Group looks tight.

What sort of preparations did you have for this match?

We have had good preparations and we are ready for the task. Like I said before, Kenya is a good side and we have not reason to underrate them. We had a very good training in USA and the draw against Mexico was not what we deserved because we relaxed a bit and let them level matters. But all said and done, we are ready for the match on Wednesday.

How ready are you because your team arrived just a day to the match?

We are very much okay, fit and ready for the match. That will not in any way affect us. We are a professional side and we know what to do. We played a very good friendly against Mexico and had some good time to bond together. We are ready.

How are going to copy with the absence of Kalu Uche and Victor Moses?

Nigeria is bigger than any individual. We have very many players in Nigeria and if some are not there, there are always players to replace them. So we cannot say we will struggle in their absence.