By Daily Sports on October 6, 2016

Elderson Echiejile has played down talks of any pressure on Nigeria ahead of the start of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualification in Africa this Sunday.

The Nigeria defender, currently on loan to Standard Liege from AS Monaco, explained that starting the World Cup qualifiers in Zambia "takes off the pressure" from the Super Eagles.

The 28-year-old left-back is also confident that the Nigerian team can come off with "a good result" in Ndola though admitted that it will not be an easy game against Zambia's Chipolopolo.

"To be sincere it is not going to be easy (against Zambia). With hard work, and commitment, and playing well as a team it is going to be a positive result at the end. First and foremost pressure is not on us; the first game we are going away and after that we come home to play. So I think it (the fixture) is a really good start for us. At least starting away is good because it takes off the pressure, so we will just go out there and get a good result. If we start very well with the away game that will be really good for us," Echiejile said.

The former Braga SC man also highlighted that Nigeria are drawn in "a very challenging group" with Algeria and Cameroon being the other two nations they will have to face in the qualification.

"It's a very challenging group but I think we are up to the task. In as much as we respect them, we will do our best to get good results in each of our games as they come," said Echiejile.

Echiejile is one of 23 players that the Nigeria manager, Gernot Rohr, has called up for this weekend's World Cup qualifying match in Zambia.(supersport.com)

•Photo shows Elderson Echiejile

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 5, 2016

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