African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, are talking tough ahead of this afternoon’s crucial World Cup qualifier against hosts Harambee Stars of Kenya scheduled to kick off 2pm Nigerian time in Nairobi.

Speaking for the team, marksman Brown Ideye, who netted from the penalty spot in last weekend’s 2-2 with Mexico in a top-grade friendly in the USA, told journalists that the Eagles have no option than to win the match. He said the same would apply next week against Namibia.

His words: “Whether it is tough or easy, we will go for all the three points, we just need to be more ruthless and be confident and we will get the result we need.

“We did our best and played well against Mexico, but like we all know, the fans expected us to win. We now hope to improve on this against Kenya and Namibia.

“Personally, I expect a big challenge from Kenya and Namibia. It is going to be difficult, but we must conquer them to get closer to our World Cup dream.”

Nigeria lead Group F on five points from three matches. Malawi, who host Namibia today, are also on five points, but boast an inferior goals’ difference, while Namibia are third on three points.

In the circumstances, anything short of victory in the match billed for the Moi International Sports Centre will harm the chances of Stephen Keshi’s team making it to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Super Eagles are yet to lose a game in their last 16 encounters.

•Photo courtesy goal.com shows Ideye in action at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.