Pascal said the players are determined to avoid a repeat of what happened in Lagos against the Central African Republic on LEADERSHIP Podcast’s live show, ‘Sports Orbit.’

“What the players are thinking about is focusing completely on the match versus Liberia. We don’t want what happened in the Central African Republic to happen again. Everyone is focused on the match, and our goal is to win by as many points as possible.

“The training yesterday was so intensive and the most important thing is that these players are in good condition and their concentration is super,” Pascal said.

On the fitness of Leicester City of England midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, after being sidelined for injury, Pascal said  “He played the last match for his team (Leicester City) and now he is not complaining. He trained very well and he is in good condition. The injury he had is healed and his training and concentration is good,” he stated.

He added that the inclusion of Odion Ighalo to the team is not intended to ‘bench’ any player. “One thing I want Nigerians to know is that when the coach recalled Ighalo back to the national team, he did not say he wanted to remove Victor Osimhen neither Kelechi Iheanacho nor anyone. He said he is bringing him for his experience.

“So, Ighalo is here and he has to prove himself even though he has contributed a lot in the past to the national team.”

The Super Eagles face the Liberian Lone Star in a FIFA 2022 World Cup match on Saturday at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Morocco, before hosting the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in their final group game next Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.