Vogts: Nigeria Will Top Their Qualifying Group

voldemort · 11-29-2007, 08:49 AM

With South Africa and Nigeria being drawn in the same qualifying group, one might expect a measure of trepidation around the Super Eagles camp.

Not so, at least according to coach Berti Vogts.

The former Scotland boss told the BBC, "It's a good group for us and we will take advantage of that.

"It doesn't bother me to play South Africa.

"What I know is that we have to beat them very clearly and qualify.

"We respect the teams in our group and I know they respect us too."

Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea comprise the other two teams in the pool of four, from which the winner progresses to the third and final stage of qualifying, the runner-up only joining them if they have one of the better records in the continent as a whole.

Needless to say, Vogts is determined not to rely on that lottery. Instead, his sights are firmly set on top spot, and a return to the global tournament that they missed out on in 2006 under Augustine Eguavoen.

But in the meantime comes the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off in January in Ghana.

"My focus is on the Nations Cup," said the German.

"After the competition, we'll think about the World Cup and how to qualify."

As for the possibility of any stars being allowed to join up wit hthe squad after the January 6th deadline, Vogts was unequivocal:

"There will be no exceptions. All players must be there on time."

source:Goal.com

11-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,172	Vogts: Nigeria Will Top Their Qualifying Group With South Africa and Nigeria being drawn in the same qualifying group, one might expect a measure of trepidation around the Super Eagles camp. Not so, at least according to coach Berti Vogts. The former Scotland boss told the BBC, "It's a good group for us and we will take advantage of that. "It doesn't bother me to play South Africa. "What I know is that we have to beat them very clearly and qualify. "We respect the teams in our group and I know they respect us too." Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea comprise the other two teams in the pool of four, from which the winner progresses to the third and final stage of qualifying, the runner-up only joining them if they have one of the better records in the continent as a whole. Needless to say, Vogts is determined not to rely on that lottery. Instead, his sights are firmly set on top spot, and a return to the global tournament that they missed out on in 2006 under Augustine Eguavoen. But in the meantime comes the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off in January in Ghana. "My focus is on the Nations Cup," said the German. "After the competition, we'll think about the World Cup and how to qualify." As for the possibility of any stars being allowed to join up wit hthe squad after the January 6th deadline, Vogts was unequivocal: "There will be no exceptions. All players must be there on time." source:Goal.com