Swaziland head coach, Harries Bulunga has admitted that his side are inferior to the Super Eagles of nigeria but insisted that they can upset the Nigerian team when they clash on Tuesday in Port Harcourt in the second leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 130th ranked Swaziland held star-studded Nigeria to a barren draw in the first-ever meeting on Friday in Lobambo, meanwhile, the Tuesday’s game kick-off has been scheduled for 4pm Nigerian time at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Bulunga believes the Southern Africans, who were resolute in defence in their previous meeting last weekend will repeat same in their next meeting and probably hurt the 59th raked team on the FIFA ranking through counter attack.
Bulunga believes the Southern Africans, who were resolute in defence in their previous meeting last weekend will repeat same in their next meeting and probably hurt the 59th raked team on the FIFA ranking through counter attack.
“We still believe. Our defence was superb (in the first leg), but we were not that sharp upfront,” Bulunga said.
“We’re underdogs, no one expects us to win, but we can fight against the big dogs.
“It will be difficult to stop them from scoring especially as they are playing at home. They will come at us, most of their stars did not shine as expected, and so they will now want to impress.
“We will be patient, but we will stop them because my boys are determined even though they are not professionals.”
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh admitted his team were not at their best in Swaziland.
“We can’t give any excuses, we did not bring out ‘A’ game to the pitch,” he said.
Captain Ahmed Musa said they will step up their game to guarantee their passage to the next round of the qualifiers.
“We are home and we will do much more and that means Swaziland have to be ready for us,” said the CSKA Moscow forward.
"We have put the draw in Swaziland behind us, that is in the past. We know the importance of this second leg, what we need is victory, that we are going for and that we will get to progress in the qualifiers."
Swaziland are set to miss two starters from last week’s 0-0 draw - Mbabane Swallows attacking midfielder Felix Badenhorst is nursing a hamstring after he suffered a cut that needed stitches in the game and Royal Leopards Simunye midfielder Mxolisi Lukhele has a shoulder complaint.
Nigeria midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim is nursing a knee injury and he is not likely to start as Oliseh plans to ring some changes for this clash. Africanfootball
“We’re underdogs, no one expects us to win, but we can fight against the big dogs.
“It will be difficult to stop them from scoring especially as they are playing at home. They will come at us, most of their stars did not shine as expected, and so they will now want to impress.
“We will be patient, but we will stop them because my boys are determined even though they are not professionals.”
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh admitted his team were not at their best in Swaziland.
“We can’t give any excuses, we did not bring out ‘A’ game to the pitch,” he said.
Captain Ahmed Musa said they will step up their game to guarantee their passage to the next round of the qualifiers.
“We are home and we will do much more and that means Swaziland have to be ready for us,” said the CSKA Moscow forward.
"We have put the draw in Swaziland behind us, that is in the past. We know the importance of this second leg, what we need is victory, that we are going for and that we will get to progress in the qualifiers."
Swaziland are set to miss two starters from last week’s 0-0 draw - Mbabane Swallows attacking midfielder Felix Badenhorst is nursing a hamstring after he suffered a cut that needed stitches in the game and Royal Leopards Simunye midfielder Mxolisi Lukhele has a shoulder complaint.
Nigeria midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim is nursing a knee injury and he is not likely to start as Oliseh plans to ring some changes for this clash. Africanfootball
Swaziland Can Upset Nigeria In Port Harcourt- Swaziland Head coach
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