Make security priority for Guinea – Toro
Headlines, Soccer, Sports Monday, October 3rd, 2011
With Nigeria’s all-important game a matter of days away, former Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Sani Toro, has called on the federal government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make security for the Guineans a top priority.
Toro, said the importance attached to the game made it imperative for Nigeria to ensure that security was at its peak for the visitors as they might on technical grounds bank on any slip to grab the Nations Cup ticket at the end of the day.
He said from his experience as the former General Secretary of the NFA, teams tend to use all manner of tricks to get what they want. “This game against Guinea is one that has all the trappings of under current and Nigeria should not take anything for granted. Adequate security for the Guineans should be a matter of utmost concern for us as a nation. The federal government should not just leave the matter of security for the NFF because such may cost us the ticket we need dearly.”
The Guineans according to Toro already know that Nigeria is prepared for this encounter, but would be looking for the slightest slip to capitalise on and protest.
“We should leave nothing to chance as regards the Guineans. I would suggest that security arrangements be made for them from when the land in Lagos to when they get to Abuja, their hotel and during their stay. There should be no room for them to protest.
We must give them adequate security no matter what it costs us because the ultimate goal is for Nigeria to be at the Nations Cup finals in 2012,” he stated.
Speaking on the match proper, Toro said he was confident that the Super Eagles were ready for the big battle noting that the players knew what was at stake and as such, could not afford to fail this time round.
“I don’t think the Guineans would be a problem for us, but we cannot just write them off. Our players must be up to the task and give their all to ensure that victory is ours at the end of the day. From what I’ve seen, everyone is concerned about this game and as such I expect nothing less than a win at the end of 90 minutes. The Nations Cup without Nigeria would be uninteresting and our players know it’s important for them to be there because it would help their ratings. We have got the home advantage and cannot afford to throw it away on a platter of gold.”
Reminded that the like of Cameroon and Egypt are out of the championship and that Nigeria may follow in this line, Toro stated that Nigeria has all it takes to be a part of the championship next year. “Nigeria, cannot follow in the foot steps of Cameroon and Egypt because so much depends on this match.”
The Guineans lead Group B with 13 points and a plus-8 goals difference from five games, while Nigeria currently standing second on the log has 10 points and a plus-7 goals difference as they go into this crucial tie.
Given the current situation, the Super Eagles would need to beat the Guineans 2 – 0 clearly to pick the sole ticket for the Nations Cup billed for Gabon.
-Sun
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