African Cup of Nations: Keshi says he’s not scared of Ghana, Ivory Coast

The Super Eagles Coach has departed for South Africa for the draws.

The Super Eagles will on Wednesday know their opponents in the group phase of the Africa Cup of Nations and the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi, has said he is not afraid of any team as he jets out for the draws ceremony in Durban, South Africa.

Keshi, along with NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Christoper Green, are scheduled to travel Tuesday to South Africa for the draws, with the NFF already having a team on ground in Nelson Mandela’s country led by Super Eagles secretary, Dayo Achor.

“I have said to a lot of people and will say it again that I am not afraid of any team in the championship draws. You don’t win a championship by being afraid of your opponents and that is the spirit with which I am going to the draws with”, he was quoted as saying by Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya.

The former NNB of Benin skipper, Anderletch of Belgium, Molenbeck FC and Strasbourg of France ace, declared that he has absolute respect for all the 16 teams taking part in the championship but does not fear any of them.

“Let them bring on any team and we will give our all, we have a team that the world too should be afraid of,” he declared.

Going by seedings,the Eagles will be pitched with any of the top four rated countries which are Ghana, Ivory coast, Zambia and host South Africa.

On his part, NFF Technical Committee head, Chris Green, said he was sure that Nigeria will get a favourable draw in Wednesday’s event.

“We have a strong team but we also know that we want a good draw so that as we will cruise in the championship we can stabilize and get our bearing right”.

Meanwhile, organizers of the draws have revealed an ambitious programme of events for all officials who will be attending.

Achor revealed that he would be attending a seminar for teams’ officials on Tuesday, draws proper will hold as scheduled on Wednesday, while officials will tour the venues on Thursday. Friday will mark the departure of teams’ officials from South Africa”, he revealed.

There have been speculations in some quarters that following the seedings released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria might be drawn again fellow power houses in the continent like Ghana’s Black Stars and the Elephants of Ivory Coast.