Nigeria have vowed they will not underrate minnows Tahiti in Monday night?s FIFA Confederations Cup game in Belo Horizonte.
The African champions? build-up to this tournament was marred by a bonus row, which caused their delayed arrival to Brazil.
But the players have since put this behind them following the intervention of the Nigerian government.
This is the first time both nations are meeting at full international level, but they have met at U20 level when the West Africans led coach Samson Siasia spanked Tahiti 5-0 at the 2009 World Youth Championship in Egypt.
CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa said that they are poised for a good outing in this competition as they will start on a winning note.
“It is an important competition for the team and for me as a player. It is not every time one plays at such competition, we are ready to put in our best to do well in the competition,? assures speedster Ahmed Musa.
?We will take the opening game with all seriousness and won’t look down on Tahiti.”
Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona said that he is looking forward to add to his 2013 AFCON winners? medal by helping Nigeria win the Confederations Cup.
“I have no other target going into this competition than to help Nigeria win it. After winning the AFCON, my mind set for every competition and game is to win. I am sure we have all it takes to win the competition. We will start well against Tahiti,” Oboabona declared.
Dynamo Kiev striker Brown Ideye said that they will not underrate the Oceania champions.
“It is not going to be an easy competition as it is a competition involving continental champions, it shows how tough it will be, we are ready and not scared of facing any team, but we are set to start on a winning note. We will not look down on Tahiti,? insisted Ideye, who was on the final squad to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Tahiti were the first arrivals in Brazil, but they are most likely to be the first to head home.
