• Siasia led Nigeria through the 2006 FIFA WCQ

• Nigeria is second behind South Africa in Group C

• Finidi was appointed as Super Eagles head coach in April

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has urged the team to take Friday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa very seriously.

“We just hope that they can come out and show themselves.” – Siasia

Speaking with Brila.net, Siasia emphasized the importance of the match, especially given Nigeria’s slow start in the group and the absence of key players.

“Very, very important, because we have two points from two matches. If we had won those two matches, it would’ve been six points. Now, we’re just with two points,” Siasia pointed out.

He highlighted the challenge posed by the stability in the South African team compared to the changes in the Nigerian squad.

“And a new coach coming up and all that, let’s hope that he can put up a team that can defeat the South Africans.

“The South Africans, they still have their coach and they still have their same players. And now, Osimhen is not here and some other players, very key players.”

Siasia also warned against complacency, noting the importance of understanding the coach’s strategy through training sessions.

“We’ll know more as soon as we watch their training sessions, and know exactly the kind of pattern he wants to play and who is playing. It’s going to be a very difficult one, we just hope that they can come out and show themselves and win this game because it’s very crucial, very, very important.”

The Super Eagles will be looking to secure their first win when they face Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on Friday.