Etebo reveals why Sierra Leone can't be underestimated, admits he knows Peseiro from way back

Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo has warned his Super Eagles teammates not to underestimate Sierra Leone in Thursday's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Less than two years ago, in November 2020, Nigeria faced Sierra Leone in back-to-back matches in 2021 AFCON qualifying and they were expected to win both matches but played two draws in Benin City and Freetown.

Etebo saw firsthand how dangerous the Leone Stars can be as he tasted action in both matches.

He spoke of the importance of starting the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a win and approaching every match seriously.

'The most important thing is for us to make sure that if we want to win it needs to start from now," Etebo told NFF TV.

"I guess the game is not going to be easy because I remember the last time we played Sierra Leone in Benin we were 4-0 up, we lost focus and the game ended 4-4. We went to Sierra Leone and it was 0-0 but all the same that has passed.

"The most important thing is for us to be as a team, we need to make sure that it needs to start from now, that come on Thursday we need to make sure that every game that we are going to play we need to take it serious and get every point as much as we can."

Etebo says he is familiar with new Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, from his time with Portuguese club CD Feirense.

On Peseiro, he said : "I've known him for a very long time. When I was in Portugal I have heard about him, it's my first time training with him.

"I hope and pray he's going to do well and make the nation proud."

Etebo is competing with Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Innocent Bonke and Alex Iwobi for one of the starting spots in midfield against Sierra Leone.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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