BEWARE OF MALAWI - NFF WARNS SIASIA’S EAGLES

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that it's waiting for the Super Eagles' Chief Coach, Samson Siasia, to roll out his programmes for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, just as it has warned the players to be wary of the threats from East African football powerhouse, Malawi, and other countries in the group.

The Acting General Secretary of the federation, Barr. Musa Amudu, gave this revelation while fielding questions from the media shortly after the inauguration of the Ministerial Reform Panel in Abuja recently.

Reacting to the draws conducted in Brazil last week, the chief scribe said: 'Given the way football has developed in Africa and other parts of the world, there are no longer minnows in the game.

'We saw it with Ethiopia. After beating them 4-0 in Nigeria, we still struggled when we went there to get a draw.

'Malawi is a very good and strong East African country. We must not take them for granted just like Namibia, Seychelles, Djibouti or Kenya. Any of these countries is capable of recording upset.

'The draws could have been worse when we look at the other groups. I think it was a very fair draw for Nigeria and we have no complaint at all.

'I'm sure the coach will come back home and evolve a strategy and winning programme that can make Nigeria top the group easily,' he noted.

While giving Siasia a tall order, Barr. Amadu said: 'Siasia must ensure that when the draws for the third round is made, we will be able to pick one of the African slots for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.'

Meanwhile, the acting scribe said though it was too early to get the reaction from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) concerning the federation's application to host the eight-nation London 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers, he's, however, optimistic that Nigeria would win the hosting right.