HOME Eagles captain Gbolahan Salami has told thenff.com that the team is even more determined to get a win for Nigeria and Coach Sunday Oliseh.
“We want to win the game for Nigeria and we believe that securing the African Nations Championship (CHAN) ticket, in Rwanda will hasten the complete recovery of our head coach,”Salami said.
Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas, who was cover for Sunshine Stats goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the first leg, said Nigeria are ready for battle in Ouagadougou.
“We are ready for Burkina Faso, we have been training hard for the game and we are just going to play our normal game to win,” he said.
“I am calling on Nigerians to support and pray for us as we will do our own job on the field.”
Nigeria are seeking a second appearance in the competition reserved for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues after they finished third on their debut last year.
Last weekend, the Eagles defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 in the first leg played in Port Harcourt with goals from Gbolahan Salami and Bature Yaro.
But Burkina Faso coach Traore Idrissa was far from impressed and boasted Les Etalons could overturn this advantage within 30 minutes of the return leg.
The CHAN Eagles carved out the better chances in Port Harcourt, but the Burkinabes also threatened the Nigeria goal at least twice. Assistant coach Salisu Yusuf, in for the ailing Sunday Oliseh, is expected to ring a number of changes in the starting XI on Sunday at the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou.
Rightback Solomon Kwambe is ruled out due to injury and his place could be taken by Orji Kalu or Matthew Etim, who was handed a late call-up.
The Eagles defence led by Abia Warriors ace Austin Oboroakpo will be tested, but in attack Nigeria boast of several players who have goals in them Gbolahan Salami, Bature Yaro, Chisom Chikatara, Osas Okoro and Ezekiel Bassey.
“We do not expect an easy game and so we will fight as well,” said coach Yusuf.
Burkina Faso were reportedly missing several players for the first leg and are expected to strengthen the team for this Nigerian visit.
Kick-off time on Sunday is 5pm Nigerian time.
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