Beware: Elephants warn Eagles ahead of CHAN tie

Ivory Coast coach Norbert Saraka insists the battle for the ticket to the 2014 CHAN in South Africa is not over yet, warning the Super Eagles not to play a defensive game in their return leg qualifier in Abidjan on Saturday.

Nigeria defeated the Elephants 4-1 in the first leg in Kaduna on July 6 and will seal their place in the tournament , exclusively for players plying their trade in their countries, if they pick up a draw or avoid defeat by more than three goals in the reverse fixture.

Saraka, who lamented the Kaduna defeat, said his team would fire on all cylinders in today’s encounter.

“I’m very sure the Nigerian team will opt for a defensive outing to conserve their lead as much as possible,” Goal quoted Saraka as telling reporters in Abidjan during the week.

“But in that case we’ll try our best to maintain a flowing attack to split up their back half for breaches and holes.

“But I must admit that it is going to be a tough game for us. Scoring three goals without conceding any is no joke but in football everything is possible. The good thing is that spirits are very high within my outfit ahead of the clash and we’re confident of a favourable outcome.”