Shola Ameobi insists that there will be nothing friendly about Nigeria’s World Cup warm-up clash with USA, claiming Saturday’s game in Florida will be “volatile”.
The forward says the Super Eagles are desperate to win their final match before departing for Brazil and is expecting their hosts to be just as motivated.
“It’s going to be volatile,” Ameobi told Philly News. “It’s our last game before entering the World Cup so we have to be really hitting top form. The fact that they’re at home makes for a great atmosphere.
“It’s going to take our best game to beat them, and that’s what we’ll have to bring, that’s what we want to do — go into the World Cup on the back of a win.
“Obviously the U.S. are a great side and it’s going to be tough for us. But we have to make sure we control the game the way we want to, and that’s what we’re focusing on.”
Nigeria go into the game on the back of an underwhelming 0-0 draw with fellow World Cup finalists Greece at PPL Park, with coach Stephen Keshi admitting afterwards that he had been left disappointed by his team’s slow start but encouraged by their strong finish.
Keshi is, therefore, hoping to see a more complete performance from his troops against the Americans in Jacksonville this weekend – but he has the utmost respect for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, who won both of their warm-up games thus far, against Azerbaijan and Turkey.
“I expect a good game from the United States,” the Nigeria coach said. “Klinsmann is going to have this German mentality that they’re going to go all the way.
“I just want to see my players in better cohesion than I saw (against Greece). I know as we go along playing our friendly games, correcting the mistakes that we’re making, it’s going to come alive.”
