AS Nigeria begins the race to Brazil 2014 World Cup today in Calabar, the man carrying the aspiration and hope of millions of Nigerians, Coach Stephen Keshi, says there is nothing to fear about the possibility of the Super Eagles beating the Brave Warriors of Namibia.'We have done our part and I am sure the players will live up to the expectations of Nigerians,' Keshi said after rounding off his training for the game yesterday.But players and officials of the visiting Brave Warriors think otherwise. They have vowed to shock the Super Eagles in front of their fans today at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, if Keshi and his boys underrated them.The Big Boss, as Keshi is called, has told the players not only to shoot down the visitors, but also score many goals to win the hearts of the fans. He said that the Eagles would attack the Brave Warriors from the beginning till the end of the game.'Nigerians don't need to panic. We won't underrate the Namibians because I know the danger in doing so, but I am sure we will get a good result and put smile on the faces of our people,' he said.Keshi is, however, pleading with the fans to be patient with the team today if the goals don't come early. 'Nigerians must understand that we are rebuilding and it's not going to be perfect in a day or just one or two matches. What we need from them (fans) is patience and prayers. On our part, we are ready to give more than 100 per cent to ensure that the country returns to the top of football in Africa and one of the best in the world,' he said.The Super Eagles are targeting early goals to unsettle the boastful Namibians. According to Keshi, no matter how beautiful a team plays, goals scored remain the ultimate decider of matches.To this end, Keshi says he had advised his strikers not only to be aggressive in front of goal, but also to ensure they are 70 per cent on target at all times.Keshi is banking on goalkeeper and stand-in captain, Vincent Enyeama, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Gege Soriola, John Utaka, Victor Moses, Sone Aluko, Ikechukwu Uche to gun down the Namibians today.On their part, home-based players like Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi, Uche Kalu, Obinna Nwachukwu, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa, Papa Idrisand Azubuike Egwueke are waiting to use the game to make names for themselves if the coach looked their direction.Utaka has assured his fans that he would use the match to tell Nigerians that he still has a lot to offer the national team. 'We cannot do without experience in everything we do, not just football,' he said.Utaka, who scored seven goals, including a brace on the final day of the season at AJ Auxerre to ensure his side, Montpellier, clinched the league championship ahead of big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, said he could not wait to lead the Eagles attack against Namibia today.'I am glad to be back in the Eagles. I thank the coach for considering me, but I must admit I cannot wait to file out for the Eagles against Namibia. I am here to give my best and to try and replicate the form that saw me help my French club win the Ligue 1 championship for the first time in their history,' he said.Since their arrival in Nigeria, the Brave Warriors have been boasting that they would create an upset by sending the Eagles and their supporters to early bed. The Namibians, who trained in the German city of Kaiserau in preparation for today's game, arrived in Nigeria on Thursday.The team's handler, Coach Bernard Kaanjuk, believes his side has every reason to be optimistic of beating the Super Eagles in the tie, saying: 'The spirit in our camp is very high and I am expecting a spirited performance on the pitch on Sunday (today). The young players have blended well with the senior players and the discipline among the players is wonderful.'The players' will to play is very high and the atmosphere of togetherness in the camp is exceptional. We are confident it will be replicated on the pitch against the Super Eagles. I can tell you that your country will pay the price if your team underrates us,' he added.Namibia will return home on Tuesday to prepare for another crucial World Cup qualifier against Kenya, to be played on June 9, the day the Super Eagles will trade tackles with the Flames of Malawi in Blantyre.
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