Home-based assistant coach, Amidu Karim, has called for calm ahead of their knockout tie of the 2017 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations at the Ndoum Sports Stadium.
Sierra Leone will be appearing at their third WAFU Nations Cup tournament.
They are set to face Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Malima Stadium in Cape Coast Ghana on Monday, September 11.
The winner of this contest will be in the tournament group stage.
Coach Karim said he is aware of the pressure from the fans and the tough task ahead taking on one of the top sides in Africa but has warned his players to keep their emotions in checks ahead of their crunch tie.
Coach Karim from Ghana told CNT sports: “I am aware of the pressure from fans and I have told my boys to be calm. We have to approach this tie with calmness and I’m confident my boys will deliver.”
“I am aware of the pressure from fans and I have told my boys to be calm. We have to approach this tie with calmness and I’m confident my boys will deliver,” he told CTN Sports.
“It will be a thrilling showdown between the two sides and we are mentally and physically prepared to face one of Africa’s big nations Nigeria and we have to show we are capable of keeping a good atmosphere and give them a good game. We have to keep it like that.
“Some football pundits have tipped Nigeria as a favourite but we have seen surprises in the past. We have to stand up to a team who are very disciplined and well organized but am confident my boys will live up to expectation,” Amidu stressed
He, however, called on fans to be behind the team and remember the boys in their prayers. Sierra Leone has won two, lost nine and three draws in their previous fourteen meetings with their Nigerian counterpart in all competitions.
The West African tournament will be hosted by Ghana between 9th-24th September.
By Martin Wusha Conteh CTN Sports.
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