Francis Uzoho has admitted that the Super Eagles won’t underrate Sierra Leone when they lock horns in Thursday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, insisting that they have learnt from their past mistakes, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Both teams played out an enthralling 4-4 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City in November 2020, before managing a goalless stalemate in Freetown four days later, a result that saw the Eagles end that year without a win.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Uzoho, said, “I think we will be more focused against Sierra Leone tomorrow (today).
“I think we lost focus in that game against Sierra Leone in Benin because we thought the game was already won after leading 4-0 in the first half.
“We underrated them and we have learnt from that bitter experience. Those mistakes will not happen again.
“Football is not about pride, so we are going to respect our opponents this time around, give our all and see what happens,” he said.
The 23-year-old was maligned for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after he allowed a low shot from Ghana captain Thomas Partey slip through his arm in the second leg of the playoff in March, which ended 1-1.
However, he redeemed himself with some impressive displays in Nigeria’s defeats in the two friendly matches against Mexico and Ecuador in the US last week.
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