Oghenekaro Etebo: We Must Be Wary Of Sierra Leone On Thursday

Oghenekaro Etebo has unequivocally stated that the Super Eagles will not to underestimate Sierra Leone as they tackle their fellow West Africans in Thursday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The Leone Stars stunned Nigeria in Benin City in the 2021 AFCON qualifying series, coming back from four nil to draw the game 4-4 in November 2020 before holding the Eagles to a barren draw in the reverse fixture in Freetown.

Etebo, who was on loan to relegated Premier League side Watford and back to his parent club Stoke City, sees a tough but winnable game on Thursday but warns against complacency.

‘The most important thing is for us to make sure that if we want to win it needs to start from now. I guess the game is not going to be easy because I remember the last time we played Sierra Leone in Benin we were 4-0 up, we lost focus and the game ended 4-4. We went to Sierra Leone and it was 0-0 but all the same that has passed.” He told NFF TV.

“The most important thing is for us to be as a team, we need to make sure that it needs to start from now, that come on Thursday we need to make sure that every game that we are going to play we need to take it serious and get every point as much as we can.” He reiterated.

Etebo also talked about the team’s new coach Jose Peseiro, who he’s known from his time with Portuguese club CD Feirense: “I’ve known him for a very long time. When I was in Portugal I have heard about him, it’s my first time training with him. I hope and pray he’s going to do well and make the nation proud.”