Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel (Photo: Reuters)
Nigerian Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi said on Wednesday it is unnecessary to set targets for his country's national team ahead of the World Cup, believing that such talks could be counterproductive before next year's Brazil finals.
Abdullahi said he naturally dreams of a World Cup triumph for the Super Eagles but that he prefers to liberate his players from "unnecessary pressure".
"What I wish for is for us to win the World Cup and I think that is what every Nigerian wishes for," Abdullahi told Kickoff Nigeria on Wednesday.
"But for talks of setting target for coach Stephen Keshi, I don’t think that is necessary because it would put him under unnecessary pressure."
Nigeria qualified f or the World Cup for the fifth time following a 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia in a playoff.
They were drawn in Group F of the World Cup along with Argentina, Iran and debutants Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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