FRANCE 98 – Nigeria – V. Ikpeba: “There are no easy games in the World Cup”

Comments from Bellinglise:

After the victory against SPAIN (3-2), can NIGERIA now be considered one of the favourites?

“We should not be classed among the favourites. We still consider ourselves outsiders although obviously it’s nice to hear everyone saying good things about us. Above all, we didn’t want to lose a fourth game in a row after defeats against GERMANY, YUGOSLAVIA and HOLLAND in friendlies. We are ready to produce a second good performance, which would guarantee us first place. We very much want to avoid playing FRANCE in the second round; we’d prefer to meet them in the semi-final, or even the final.”

What do you make of the second match?

“There are no easy games in the World Cup. The hardest part is behind us with our win in the first game. We’re very good going forward, because we take risks, but that can cause problems in defence. We are going to play the second match to win, and we feel that it’s possible. We expended a lot of energy last Saturday in the game against SPAIN. The fresher team will win the match. It should be a very open game, and I have a feeling that the forwards are going to enjoy themselves.”

Have you congratulated your Monaco team-mates in the FRANCE side on beating SOUTH AFRICA?

“Unfortunately not, because I’ve had to concentrate on our own games. I’m very happy for Fabien BARTHEZ (16), and for Thierry HENRY (12). They both had a great game.”