Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has backed the Super Eagles to defeat their Brazil 2014 Group F opponents Bosnia-Herzegovina when both sides meet on Saturday in a crucial Group F match at Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba.
Nigeria drew their opening group game against Iran on Monday and a defeat to the Europeans on Saturday will put their chances of advancing to the Round of 16 in jeopardy.
Combative midfielder Ogu played a major role during the qualifiers for the World Cup but he was surprise exclusion when Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi released his provisional 30-man list for the trip to Brazil.
Despite his exclusion, the 26-year-old has voiced his support for the Eagles to overcome Bosnia but warned that they must not underrate their opponents on match day.
“If we go into the game not underrating the Bosnians, we will come out in flying colours,” the Academica de Coimbra player told our correspondent on Thursday.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Bosnia is a good team, they have quality players and individually they are good. It’s going to be a big test for us. But I believe we will beat them. I believe in the team, the managers and the players that we have. I am sure Nigerians will be happy after the game.”
Ogu, who began his European career at Slovenian side, Drava Ptuj, added that the Bosnia game would help erase the pain of the scoreless draw the Eagles played against Iran.
He said, “I know everyone is sad over our performance against Iran but we didn’t do too badly. We played with great intensity. I believe the game against Bosnia is going to be a different ball game but our players will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians after the game. From there we will move on. I just believe the game against Bosnia will be much better than our first game.”
Ogu made his Nigeria debut in March 2013 against Kenya, coming on for the injured Victor Moses in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
He scored his first international goal against Mexico in a friendly game two months later in the US and then went on to represent Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club, Rafiu Ladipo, has told the Eagles to beat Bosnia, KickOffNigeria.com reports.
“For the first time since I started supporting the Super Eagles, I have to say I was very disappointed at the way they played (agisnt Iran on Monday),” Ladipo told KickOffNigeria.com.
“They were just playing like there was nothing at stake.Who is Iran that we cannot beat them?
“We are talking about getting to the semi-final, and we cannot beat Iran.
“Let me advise them. In fact, let me warn them, that they have to win the next game against Bosnia.
“Nigerians will not accept anything less.”
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