We will beat Liberia Silly, Mikel boasts

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has said the Super Eagles  are fired up to reach South Africa 2013 and as such will thrash Liberia on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

“The (team) spirit is high and with our form and determination we will beat Liberia silly,” Mikel was quoted as saying on MTNFootball.com

“I am not looking down on them (Liberia), but it’s a game to determine our participation in the Nations Cup and we are ready to grab it with both hands.

“I am here for the game and I am ready to do battle against Liberia. I am in good shape and form now; I will do my best to see that we beat Liberia. It is a battle we have to win; we know what is at stake and we are not taking it easy with them.”

Mikel did not feature in the first leg between both sides that ended 2-2 in Monrovia but now has the opportunity to beat the Liberians.

Greenwich News check on Thursday confirmed that the Liberians had settled into Calabar and had their first training session yesterday. All the players Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, invited are reportedly fired up and ready for the game except team captain Joseph Yobo who cropped up a knee with last weekend’s club engagement. Eagles need a simple win to qualify.

Meanwhile, Liberia coach, Kaetu Smith, believes his team can eliminate Nigeria from the race to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup just as Guinea did with the 2012 edition.

Smith, who spoke in Calabar after the Lone Star landed in the city, said the Super Eagles were still basking in old glory.

Nigeria play hosts to Liberia on Saturday in Calabar in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifying match and Smith holds no fear for their opponents who have won the African trophy twice in the past.

The former LPRC Oilers coach is unperturbed whether Nigeria will parade an all-overseas team or home-grown side at the UJ Esuene Stadium, as he and his players are determined to upset the Eagles.

“Personally, I am not afraid of the Nigerian team whether it is home-based or (overseas) professionals,” he told SuperSport.

“Nigeria aren’t like before, because they are living in the past. If Togo can qualify for the World Cup (in 2006) and Guinea could qualify at their expense last year, Liberia can do same too.”