Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo has prayed for a favourable draw in the qualifiers for the 2013 AFCON, while warning no team will be a pushover.
The Fenerbache of Turkey defender told MTNFootball.com that: “I know the next round of qualifiers would not be an easy one but since we are seeded, I just pray for a favourable draw but you know no Africa team are pushovers anymore.”
Nigeria is ranked ninth among the 15 seeded teams in Pot 1 for the July 5 draw for the final round of the qualifiers. They have therefore avoided the likes of defending champions Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, who are also seeded.
But Nigeria could still come up against decent teams like Senegal, Uganda and Morocco, should Egypt still qualify ahead of Central African Republic.
The final qualifiers will be played on a knockout basis over two legs to be played between September and October with the overall winners qualifying for the tournament proper to be staged in South Africa from January 19.
On their new base, Calabar, Yobo said part of the problem with the pitch at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar is that it is bumpy and difficult to play good football on. “I think football games are not easy. I know that Nigerians expected a lot from the team, but the UJ Esuene Stadium pitch is bumpy and that affected the team,” revealed Yobo who was ruled out of the three games due to injury. “We are a talented team and I believe we can do better, but we must accept that a win is a win no matter the score line.”