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FACE-OFF: Ghana captain Mensah (left) and Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi should feature on August 9

JUST AHEAD of Africa’s ultimate football face-off, Nigeria have sounded a warning to Ghana.

The pair meet in a mouth-watering clash at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road ground on August 9 in a game likely to be anything but a friendly.

Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia says he is not overly concerned by Ghana’s quality and legion of players in the top leagues of Europe, most notably the English Premier League.

The Nigerian coach was adamant that his team would not be intimidated or overawed by the Black Stars ahead of their August 9 meeting.

NOT CONCERNED: Nigeria coach Siasia

Siasia said: "No doubt, we are not going to fall short of seriousness about the match. Though it is a friendly game, but it goes with huge importance."
"We are using the match as major build-up for the encounter against Madagascar which is a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

“We will use it to try out new tactics, style and formation we want to play against Madagascar.
“Nigeria are not going into the game to be humiliated by Ghana because every game is as important as the other.

“Ghana has released their squad because they want to win, so we too want to win," stressed the ex-international.

Led by Sunderland’s John Mensah, Ghana are still buoyant after World Cup 2010 and a creditable 1-1 draw against England at Wembley in March, and will start next week’s match as favourites.

Even the loss of midfielder Michael Essien, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury last month, will not dim the hopes of the Black Stars’ faithful.

Nigeria will rely on the midfield promptings of Essien’s Chelsea team-mate John Mikel Obi to boost their chance of victory.

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