Eagles must concentrate on South Africa game, says Garba Lawal

The ex-international has maintained that the Super Eagles must remain focused ahead of Wednesday’s Africa Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa

Former Nigeria international, Garba Lawal has advised Stephen Keshi’s men to stay focused ahead Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations last group game.

Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel both scored to keep Nigeria's hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification alive in a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Congo on Saturday at the Stade Municipal in Pointe Noire.

According to the onetime Levski Sofia player, the African champions must not let the victory against Claude le Roy’s men get into their heads insisting they must approach the game against South Africa with all seriousness.

"Three points and two goals, it was a fantastic result. I believe our boys will repeat the same against South Africa but it’s not going to be an easy game,” Lawal told Goal.

"Although the South Africans are through to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, they have not defeated the Super Eagles for a very long time and they will definitely come out against Nigeria.

"Our players have to forget about today’s victory and concentrate on the game against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.

"It is going to be like a cup final since we’re not sure of what Congo will play against Sudan. In a situation like this, it doesn’t matter how your team plays. All that matters is victory and the maximum points.

He also praised Villarreal forward Uche for posting a five star performance against the Red Devils. The returnee striker got Nigeria’s curtain raiser in the tension soaked encounter. .

"He [Uche] is a fantastic player and there is no doubt about that. We all know he is a good player,” he continued.

"All we need to do is to be focused ahead the game against South Africa. The game is very important and we have to show the same character like we did today [against Congo].

"You never can tell. Anything can happen in football and I can only hope the Eagles will come out tops on Wednesday and book a place to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria move into second place, with goal difference pushing them ahead of Congo heading into the final round of games in Group A.