Nigeria are going to approach South Africa game with a 'relaxed mind', according to team coordinator Patrick Pascal.
Despite both sides being a win away from the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, Pascal believes the onus is on Stuart Baxter's men to perform at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday.
Gernot Rohr's men overcame a poor start to the qualifying campaign after losing their opener to Bafana Bafana in Uyo.
And a combination of South Africa's slip and Nigeria's superb form since their group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup put them in pole position in Group E.
“I want to tell you that we are going to South Africa with a relaxed mind because we know that our hosts are the ones under pressure,” Pascal told Goal.
“We are going to Johannesburg to play our normal game and try to secure a positive result so that we do not lose to them twice in the same qualifiers. We have corrected what made it easier for them to beat us in Uyo last year. We are assuring Nigerians that we are not going to disappoint them.
“They were fortunate to beat us when the Eagles were still in the formative stage and after then we have adapted and have performed creditably well including playing at the World Cup finals and also winning some important games. South Africans won’t have it easy this time around because we are ready for them.”
Also, Pascal confirmed the arrival of Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu who encountered visa-related problem and was unable to join the rest of the team early.
“Kalu is with us and we have a full house now. We are fully focused on the Saturday game,” he added.
