Ivory Coast, Don't Write Off Nigeria: Milel Obi

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has warned Africa Cup of Nations title favourites Ivory Coast not to write off Nigeria ahead of a mega quarter-final clash this weekend.
Mikel excelled and Stamford Bridge teammate Victor Moses slotted two late penalties as the Super Eagles overcame gallant Ethiopia 2-0 Tuesday in this north-western town to finish second behind shock Group C winners Burkina Faso.
Zambia became the first defending champions since Algeria in 1992 not to reach the knockout stage after a 0-0 draw with the Burkinabe in Nelspruit near the world famous Kruger National Park game reserve.
A superior goal difference -- plus four to plus two -- gave Burkina Faso top spot ahead of Nigeria after both countries finished with five points, Zambia collected three and Ethiopia just one in a first appearance after 31 years.

Super Eagles Most Fly Over Antelopes In An Hour Time Or Move Back Home

So far the Eagles have failed to lift the spirits of millions of Nigerians with their uninspiring play in their first two group games of the African Cup of Nations. The insipid performance has thus put the team in their presence predicament of needing to beat Ethiopia on Tuesday if they are to avoid the ignominy of a first round exit – the first time this has happened to the Eagles in 31 years (Libya’82).

Zambia Ready To Over Take Nigeria For Quater Finals.

Durban - Champions Zambia must win their last group game against Burkina Faso in Nelspruit on Tuesday to stand any chance of reaching the African Nations Cup quarter-finals.

Two below-par performances in their opening matches have left Zambia with two points and in a tight corner, where they need victory to leapfrog Group C leaders Burkina Faso who have four points.

Zambia have shown little of the form that saw them win the Nations Cup one year ago and even relied on goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene's 85th-minute penalty against Nigeria to salvage a draw.

Burkina Faso have emerged as Zambia's surprise rivals for top billing in Group C after beating Ethiopia 4-0 in Nelspruit last Thursday. 

Eagles Are Fully Ready For Ethiopia-Keshi

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi insists the Super Eagles are ready for their crunch Group C game against Ethiopia on Today.

Nigeria currently sit equal second in the group after draws against Burkina Faso and Zambia, with Ethiopia in last place with just one point to show from their opening two games.

Keshi is happy with how his men have applied themselves in preparation for the game.

“I want to recognize my team about preparation for today’s game, we have been working very hard,” he said.

Nigerian Football Administrators Say Super Eagles Have No More Excuses Left

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made it clear on Monday that it does not expect anything less than an outright win by the Nigerian Super Eagles when they face the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the final Group C match of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
 
Draws in two games so far   have now rendered Tuesday’s encounter a must-win for Nigeria and the NFF says there is no excuse for the players and technical crew not to do Nigeria proud at the tournament.
Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, said: “This team has received tremendous support from the Government of Nigeria, the football federation and the good and passionate people of our country. There is nothing the players or the Head Coach and his crew have requested for that we have failed to provide."