Coach Austin Eguavoen sees Saturday's quarterfinal pairing at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup (CAN) tournament as a good opportunity for the Super Eagles to avenge their elimination by Tunisia in the same competition two years ago.
He told PANA here Wednesday his boys were determined to top the Group D to assure a match-up against Tunisia, which ousted Nigeria from the 2004 CAN semi-final at Rade Stadium on the outskirt of Tunis.
"Every member of my team is fully charged to confront the defending champions and I want to assure all Nigerians that the Super Eagles will sail through," Eguavoen affirmed. "We are comfortable here because Port Said has become another home for us and this time round, it is we who is playing at home and we hope to maximise a similar advantage which the Tunisians used against us two years ago when they hosted the competition."
"We know the strength of the Tunisians. They are a highly technical and tactical side with an experienced coach in Roger Lemerre, but we would not reveal our match plan till we get there," the Eagles' coach said.
He also gave an insight into his late introduction of Kanu Nwankwo in Nigeria's three group matches here.
Eguavoen said in spite of the lanky striker's five-star performance so far, he would still be standing from the bench, as part of the coaching crew's strategy.
"There has been a lot of pressure on me to start with Kanu. Many people have called even from Nigeria expressing their support in having him start the games and all I can tell you is that we (coaches) have resolved that Kanu is better from the bench and the tactics has been working for us and the player has not complained," the coach explained.
"I have studied the way Kanu was being used at Arsenal (England) and the way his present (West Brom, also English) club coach is getting the best out of him, and if the results are okay then it's better we continue to maintain the standard," noted Eguavoen.
Kanu also affirmed the coach's position, saying he "is not here to impose himself on anybody" adding that he "is satisfied with the cordial atmosphere" in the Nigerian camp.
"I cannot determine when I want to play in the team when we have competent people at the helm of affairs here in Egypt. All I know is that if given the chance to play at any point in time for my country, I will give my best," the striker added.
Kanu made a difference each time he was brought in as substitute, guiding Nigeria to the quarterfinals here with three wins and maximum nine points to top Group D.