Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari insists Venezuela will receive full respect when Nigeria face the South Americans in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, bronze medallists at India 2022, meet a Venezuela team that lost two group-stage fixtures before advancing as one of the strongest third-placed sides. Venezuela then produced a major shock in the previous round by eliminating Germany, a result Busari believes underlines the scale of the challenge ahead.
Busari expects difficult Venezuela test
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Busari said Venezuela’s progress to the last eight proves they possess quality. “For Venezuela to reach this stage, it shows they are also a good team,” he said. “As I always say, it is one match at a time. We will prepare for them in the same manner we prepare for every opponent.”
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He wants his players to attack the contest with the right mindset and maximum commitment. “We will tell the players that they must go out there and play. Our mentality has to be right and we must compete for every ball. We will take the game to them, then hope for a little luck to help us come through this stage.”
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The coach highlighted the expected physical threat from the South American side, describing Venezuelan teams as disciplined and hard in one-on-one battles. “One thing about South American teams is that they are meticulous and strong in duels,” Busari said. “They are extremely tough with their marking and physical approach. We do not have their size, so we will play more on the ground. We have explained that to the players, and we will go into the match in the right frame of mind. By His grace, we will overcome them.”
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Busari also urged calm from his young squad, saying their previous experience of winning important knockout games should serve as encouragement rather than pressure. “We have done it before, winning major knockout matches, so we only need to remind them,” he said. “They are children, and we do not want them to feel too much anxiety. They need to stay calm and focused. Without the ball, we must fight to win it back. With possession, we have to play, retain the ball well and take our opportunities.”
