Daniel Amokachi: Zambia have to worry about Nigerian strikers

Dec 11, 2012 10:23:00 AM

The assistanct coach of the national team is confident that the Eagles have forwards that will worry any opposing coach

Former Super Eagles striker and current Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi has said that the Super Eagles will not be worried about the form of Zambian striker, Collins Mbesuma but will have to be prepared for the whole Zambian team, who are the Africa Cup of Nations defending champions.

“Any coach that prepares for just one player has already failed,” the Super Eagles coach said on a programme on continental television SuperSport.

“There are 23 players in a team so we will be prepared for the whole team but they will be also worried about the fire power that we are taking to South Africa.”

Though he added; “When a striker is deadly like Mbesuma, we will treat him with caution and we must ensure that that he doesn't have a shot at goal.”

Amokach was clearly insinuating on the good form of players like Brown Ideye, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Moses, who will likely spearhead the team’s attack in January.

Mbesuma scored against South Africa in the Mandela Challenge Cup last month and scored for Orlando Pirates in Friday’s hugely televised game against Kazier Chiefs. The Zambian has scored four goals this season for his club.

“All the players making the trip for the Nations Cup know how important they are to the success of the team,” Amokachi added.

Nigeria have a better head to head record against Zambia and the last defeat suffered by the Chipolopolo at a Nations Cup match was inflicted by the Eagles at the 2010 tournament in Angola – where the Eagles won on penalties.

The Super Eagles also recorded a 2-0 win over the Zambians in a friendly match in Kaduna in November 2011 as the Herve Renard's men were preparing for the Afcon which they eventually won. The new instalment of their battles takes place on January 25, 2013 in Nelspruit in a Group C encounter.