05 August 2011
Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has picked Ghana as the best team in Africa days to a friendly against the Black Stars in London.
In an exclusive interview in Colombia, Siasia told MTNFootball.com: “Ghana have the best team in Africa right now. They did very well at the last World Cup, while we struggled and didn’t do well.
“We will play for our pride. We don’t want to lose because Ghana have dealt with us in the last couple of matches.”
The friendly will be played at Vicarage Road.
When both teams last clashed in London four years ago, Ghana ran away 4-1 winners.
Siasia has handed Colombus Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo a chance to win his first cap against Ghana on Tuesday and he said he expects the player to be an exciting addition to the new Eagles he is building.
“Ekpo is an offensive midfield player, who can also playing defensive. If we are looking at somebody going more forward than the three defensive midfielders we have, we have to introduce the likes of Ekpo,” he told MTNFootball.com
“He is can go forward, has good passes, creates and ties to score goals as well. He’s a good player and playing regularly for his club in the MLS.
“He’s still young and so we will see how well he will fit in. He can be a good addition to my team if he can come and prove himself.”
The in-depth interview with Siasia will be published on MTNFootball.com later on Friday. The Eagles coach talks specifically on his tenure so far, the must-win Nations Cup qualifier in Madagascar next month as well as his honest thoughts on Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins, Sani Kaita, Danny Shittu, among many others.