Nigeria`s ex-coach upbeat on World Cup round of 16 tie with France

Abuja: Former coach of Nigeria`s national team Adegboye Onigbinde said Thursday that the `Super Eagles` would advance to the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil after beating France in Monday`s round of 16 match.

According to Onigbinde, a former FIFA and Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) instructor, the Nigerian team had what it takes to defeat France when they both lock horns, thus expressing confidence that the Super Eagles were capable of getting a good result from the encounter, reports Xinhua. "I think the technical crew has what it takes to deliver. Nobody knows the plans of the Nigerian crew against the French. They (Super Eagles) played better against the Argentines, although they lost the game but secured a place in the round of 16. I believe that they will not fail us to the next round if they persist. The team should do its best to make Nigeria proud," said the ex-coach. The decision to put up a good performance was in the hand of the players and the technical crew, he noted, saying head coach Stephen Keshi might have something up his sleeves to give Nigeria a win over their next opponent. "We have been having some good results, but I think Keshi has to beef up the defensive line. He also needs to work more on the midfield if we must succeed to the next round," added Onigbinde who prepared the Nigerian team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria qualified to the round of 16 Wednesday with four points, coming second in Group F behind Argentina with nine points. Bosnia-Herzegovina had three points, while Iran had only a point in the group stage.