2012 Olympics – We Won’t Underrate Tanzania, Says Eguavoen

Daily Independent (Lagos)

Uzor Odigbo

3 June 2011

Lagos — Under-23 Coach, Austin Eguavoen, has described the Tanzania U-23 team as a good side capable of upsetting any team. Nigeria plays Tanzania this weekend in an Olympic Games qualifier in Dares-Salaam.

“They are a very good side, but we are confident. They eliminated Cameroon and that alone is a testimony to the fact that they are a good side,” he said.

Eguavoen also stated that for his team to do well in this weekend’s qualifier, they have to focus on the match ahead insisting that the boys are ready to deliver but prays for luck on their side.

“No team at this stage of the competition is a push over, we won’t underrate any team. I have also told the boys that no matter how successful they appear to have been in previous games, it would be necessary for them to treat the game as a cup game as any slip at this stage might prove too costly,” he said.

The team left the country on Friday for Dares-Salaam while the game holds tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s U-23 team handler Jamhuri Kihwelu, has vowed that his side are out to win the first leg tie by 3-0 as insurance to rounding up the second leg and advance to the final round of the qualifiers.

Agency reports quoted the coach as saying “being the coach of the team, I promise we’ll expel the Nigerians. I am 100 per cent confident that my boys will make Tanzanians proud.”

Although he admits the two-legged qualifier would produce outstanding football, Kihwelu boasted “there will be no slip-ups by his team as they put finishing touches for both games.”

Reports further quoted him as saying he would spend the rest of time before June 5, polishing his strikers to ensure they hit the U-23 Eagles by at least three clear goals.

“Nigeria and Cameroon youth teams are among the best sides in the world with two different styles but one obsession, one aim: having the ball at their feet,” he said.

“Cameroon always prefers long passes when under pressure while Nigerians are devilishly precise and calm when they possess the ball, but we’re unfazed,” he added.

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