The Super Eagles players have been discussing among themselves that they should get the job done today against South Africa rather than waiting for the final match in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2019 against Seychelles.
In 2015, Nigeria failed to defend the title they won in South Africa and also missed out on the last edition staged in Gabon.
According to Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, the players have vowed not to take their feet off the gas when they tackle Bafana Bafana despite needing only one point from their remaining two games to qualify for next year's tournament.
Asked how the players are feeling in terms of the importance of this game and what they are saying among themselves, Ibitoye told SuperSport Naija Made : ''In spite of our pedigree in African football, we have somehow connived with ourselves to miss out on the last two editions, so we want to work against what made us miss out on those two editions, to make sure there are no distractions.
''We know the ticket is within touching distance and that's the attitude that we have here.
''We know the ticket is within touching distance and that's the attitude that we have here.
''The boys have been saying, 'look the assignment is simple, get your result and qualify for Cameroon 2019'.''
On the altitude problems the players might encounter against South Africa, Ibitoye stated : ''We are playing away from home. The South Africans have home advantage in terms of knowing their weather and knowing their pitch.
''We have players here who are very professional, who have played in very difficult places and know how to play against all odds in spite of whatever challenges they face on the pitch to get the result.
''We also have very competent medical team here who understand the dynamics of playing in high altitude, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the high altitude areas.
''We have players here who are very professional, who have played in very difficult places and know how to play against all odds in spite of whatever challenges they face on the pitch to get the result.
''We also have very competent medical team here who understand the dynamics of playing in high altitude, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the high altitude areas.
''We know what to expect today, in spite of all of that we are good enough to get a result''.
Nigeria lead the way in Group E of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers with nine points, one more than South Africa who remain unbeaten after four games.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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