Don’t underrate S/Africa - Siasia warned

Niyi Alebiosu, Lagos - 20.03.2008

The national U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia has been advised not to toy with South Africa as both sides meet on Wednesday at the National Stadium Abuja, in the last Olympics qualifier.

Former national team coach, Joe Erico, gave the advice in a chat with the Tribunesports, at the national stadium saying it is not yet time to calebrate.

Erico though expressed absolute confidence in the Siasia-led U-23 team but still believed a game does not end until the final whistle by the centre referee saying that the team should go for the kill.

According to him, any form of mistake from the team could be dangerous and as such, the team should be up and doing and take the match seriously, because the country cannot afford not to be at the Beijing Olympics.

Also speaking in the same vein, Dotun Coker, Chairman of the Lagos Divisional Football Association, believed there was no cause for alarm. “ I do not foresee any problem for the Dream Team, but then, it is not over until is over because, the South Africans will also play for the national pride. So, it will not be an easy one, but I see nigeria picking the ticket at the expense of Ghana,” coker said.