Nigeria can defeat Cote D’Ivoire (MIKEL)

The Super Eagles midfielder has praised the work of the coach following their qualification for the last eight of the Afcon where they will now meet the ElephantsBy Lolade Adewuyi, In Rustenburg
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has said that they have an
opportunity of stamping their authority on the Africa Cup of
Nations when they meet Cote D’Ivoire in Sunday’s quarter final
match.

 The Super Eagles defeated Ethiopia 2-0 courtesy of Victor Moses’
penalties late in the encounter on Tuesday night.

 “It’s been great for us qualifying [for the tournament] because
last time we didn’t make it. This time we’ve qualified and the
group of players we have, and the new manager we have – he’s come
into the team and made his stance. If you want to play for the
country you have to give a hundred and ten percent, that’s what he
demands from every player,” Mikel said at post-match press
conference.

 “We’ve come out here to do exactly what he wants us to do and to
play for Nigeria as well. I think it is fantastic, we’re enjoying
it.

 “Now we’re in the quarter finals, we just have to keep going and
do what we do in training and hopefully we will defeat Ivory Coast
and go to the semi finals. It’s going to be difficult but hopefully
we’ll make it.”

 The Chelsea midfielder rated the game against the Ethiopians
highly but that they knew what they were up against while preparing
for the encounter.

 “I think it was really tough, we knew they were coming into the
game looking to win it as well. We knew they were going to be
organised in the middle so we tried to make sure we didn’t play
through the middle.

 “They didn’t give me any space to play as well. Throughout the
game I had one or two people running behind me. It was tough but
sometimes I tried to get my space.

 “It was difficult for both teams but this is what you demand [of
yourself] when you come to a stage like this when you have to win
to qualify,” said Mikel.

 The Super Eagles will next take on the Elephants in a big West
African duel in Sunday’s quarter final encounter in Rustenburg.

source: m.goal.com