AFCON 2013: We Fear No Foe –Keshi

As Nigeria awaits CAF draws for the group stage opponents in the forthcoming 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has declared that he is not afraid of playing against any side at the championship.

Still basking in the euphoria of his teams 6-1 and 8-3 annihilation of Lone Star of Liberia to secure the Nations Cup ticket, Keshi, whose job was on the edge before the return leg match in Calabar expressed joy that the nation has returned to the continent’s biggest football tournament.

According to  him moment’s after the 6-1 victory at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, the Super Eagles are not afraid to be in the same group with either the defending champions, Zambia, Nigeria’s eternal rivals, Ghana or star-studded Elephants of Ivory Coast.

‘I am practically not afraid of playing Ghana, Ivory Coast, Zambia or even the hosts, South Africa in the group stage, said Keshi.

He disclosed that his biggest challenge so far was to qualify for the Nations Cup, expressing happiness that after miss the last edition, Nigeria is back to the biggest football showpiece in Africa.

What is important now, according to him is to plan ahead and ensure adequate preparation for the championship. Between now and January when the competition will start, we will do our best in terms of preparation to be ready to confront any team that comes our way’, he said

Meanwhile, there are chances that Nigeria can be drawn in same group with South Africa, Zambia, Ghana or Ivory Coast, who are in pot one as top seeds according to the seeding released by CAF on Monday.

Nigeria is in pot two alongside Mali, Tunisia and Angola

Pot three has Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Niger while Togo, Cape Verde Islands, DR Congo and Ethiopia are contained in pot four.

The 2013 tournament takes place in South Africa between January 19 and February 10 next year.

Tonye Orabere