AFCON 2013: Nigeria may miss out on quarter-final berth because of fair play

By Ifreke Inyang

As Nigeria chases a place in the last eight of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, it has emerged that the Super Eagles, may be denied that berth, if they’re tied with a team that has a better disciplinary record in Group C.
Stephen Keshi’s men have picked up five yellows and one red in their first two games, and if after the last games, they are tied on points with Zambia, it might affect their progress.
“I’m not sure if all the yellow cards that were given were properly called out, because I’m not the referee. If the video can show it, they will probably take some cards back because they were not proper calls,” Keshi complained.
“It has happened, we just have to be conscious of what is out there. We just have to concentrate and play our game tomorrow.”
However, he insisted that his boys were in top shape for the must-win encounter against the Ethiopians tomorrow in Rustenburg.

“We’ve been working very hard and talking to one another. The spirit is high in camp and I like what I’m seeing in my players,” said Keshi at a press conference at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. “[The fans] just have to be patient, it’s going to be okay tomorrow. We’ve been a bit unlucky in the two games that we’ve played so far.
“The only thing I can tell Nigerian fans is that they don’t need to be worried, the boys are okay. They should just pray that there’ll be no injuries for the kids, so that they can come out and do their best tomorrow,” he said.
He admitted that he has never watched the Walya Antelopes play before their games against Burkina Faso and Zambia.
“Honestly speaking, the first time I saw [Ethiopia play] was against Zambia and then against Burkina Faso. I think they’re a wonderful side, they play beautiful football. It’s a team that likes to keep ball possession, plays with a lot of confidence.”
 DailyPost