Special report: 2008 Olympic Games
LAGOS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- South African Under-23 striker, Eleazor Rodgers, has warned their Nigerian counterparts Dream Team IV to be ready for a tough encounter when both teams clash at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday to determine the team to pick the final African ticket of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"It's going to be tough, but the pressure is not on us. We can just relax and enjoy ourselves. An upset is possible, we have the talent and ability. There is a motivation to do well, hopefully this time around we can get the goals we have been missing," Rodgers said.
With Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire already qualified, 1996 gold medalists Nigeria must beat South Africa to pick the ticket.
A draw or a defeat will allow Ghana to qualify. On paper it would seem a routine assignment for the Eagles, who host a side without a win in three of previous qualifiers.
With the arrival of France-based Taye Taiwo, England-based Victor Anichebe and Chievo Verona of Italy striker, Obinna Nsofor, Nigeria's Coach Samson Siasia is optimistic of getting the three points at stake to propel Nigeria to another Olympic Games football event.
Nigeria are two points behind leaders Ghana in the standings but their west African rivals have already completed their campaign. Ghana ended up with seven points from four matches in Group C, which was cut down to just three teams after the withdrawal of Equatorial Guinea.
The Ghanaians could have qualified last November had they beaten Nigeria at home in their final match but found their rivals' rearguard too stubborn and the game ended in a goalless draw.
Nigeria started their campaign with a 3-2 win over Ghana followed by two away draws to give them five points. The Dream Team IV now have their destiny in their own hands against their South African opponents.
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