Soccer News of Monday, 27 January 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

CHAN: Ex-Nigeria coach warns Eagles over Ghana

Former Nigerian manager, Paul Hamilton has said there is nothing to worry over the semifinal clash between Ghana and Nigeria at the ongoing African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

Both West African perennial foes will confront each other on Wednesday at the Free State Stadium, Manguang to decide who progress to the final of the biennial football showpiece.

Nigeria stopped Morocco 4-3 in the quarterfinals on Saturday while the Ghanaians beat DR Congo 1-0 to set up the epic clash between familiar opponents on Wednesday.

Hamilton said the semifinal encounter will turn out to be the most unpredictable game of the entire matches played at the championship.

“The Ghana, Nigeria semifinal tie will be the most exciting game of the championship, both countries are perennial rivals and West African football giants.

“Both sides play good football, it’s an encounter that’ll be too difficult to predict its outcome. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed hoping for the very best for the Nigerian side. Everybody must expect a. tough contest between both sides.

“But I know the Nigerians are equal to the task and I’m confident Nigeria will win the battle on Wednesday,” said the former Nigerian star to supersport.com.

Hamilton said the Super Eagles must do everything humanly possible to avoid trailing their Ghanaian opponents, the Black Stars as they did against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

“We must not for any reason trail behind the Ghanaians as it may prove too tough to comeback as we did against the Moroccans.

“And once we go up scoring we must not stop scoring and not until the whistle sounds signifying the end of the encounter the Ghanaian side remain a dangerous side. Only goals win the match so we must continue to score goals,” said the former Super Falcons manager.

Hamilton assured the Eagles coaches will correct the lapses noted in the side’s previous matches before the game on Wednesday against Ghana.

“No side is perfect but correction of mistakes is a continuous exercise, we’ve our shortcomings same as the Ghanaian side but I’m sure the coaches will work on those mistakes before we face Ghana,” Hamilton said.