As the countdown for the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Malawi on September 6 begins, former Super Eagles' goalkeeper trainer, Joe Erico, has charged the team's handlers not to lose sleep over the hiring of Belgian Tom Saintfiet by the Malawian Football Association.
Saintfiet was earlier hired by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under questionable circumstances as technical director, but the appointment was overturned by the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abudulahi, who preferred home breed coaches for the position.
But the Belgian was on July 8, hired by the Malawian FA on an interim basis with the mandate to beat Nigeria in Abuja to qualify for the play-offs.
In an interview with our correspondent, Erico noted that there is the need for the Coach Stephen Keshi led side to prepare adequately for the match since the young Belgian will be coming for revenge against the country for his failed ambition to work for the NFF.
According to him, Saintfiet has traversed the entire African continent with a good knowledge of the Super Eagles and as such Keshi must map out strategies on how to prevent the Flames from even getting a draw in Nigeria.
"I believe that Saintfiet took the job because he wants to get his pound of flesh from the country after he was denied the opportunity of becoming the country's technical director.
"There is also the need for Coach Stephen Keshi and his technical crew to take his threat serious and prepare well for the match and ensure that he does not even get a draw here in Nigeria," Erico said.
"They should also understand that the Belgian having traversed the continent in search of job understands African style of play and as such he should be taken seriously.
Erico, while expressing confidence that the Eagles have what it takes to beat the Flames noted that there is the need for the team to be on top of their game ahead of the crucial world cup qualifier because Nigerians will not accept any excuse for failure to be in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the new Malawian coach has announced his decision to carry out a radical overhaul of the Flames ahead of their September World Cup trip to Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday with "Nyasa Times" one of the leading newspapers in the Southern African country shortly after the team crashed out of the Cosafa Castle Cup, Saintfiet disclosed that he would create a new Malawian team that would spring surprises in Abuja.
The 40-year-old tactician whose reign started with two defeats to Zimbabwe and Angola, noted that many of the present crop of Flames players are not hungry for success and will be replaced with more committed players to enable him achieve his dream of taking Malawi to the 2014 World Cup.
