Enyeama: Nigeria does not fear Spain
Vincent Enyeama says Nigeria has nothing to fear when it faces Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Sunday with a place in the semifinals on the line. Follow GOAL.COM on Twitter
The Super Eagles can still qualify from Group B if they beat La Roja and end the group with a better goal differential than Uruguay, against whom the African side suffered its first defeat in 20 matches on Thursday.
Spain is undefeated in its last 14 encounters at the international level, but Enyeama insists Nigeria should not be afraid of the reigning world and European champions' all-star side.
"I don't think there's any Nigerian player here who is scared," Enyeama told reporters. "We're so proud of our teams in Nigeria. The teams in Spain are much bigger than the teams in Nigeria, but we're very proud of our league and we're proud of our country.
"We're here to represent our colors, and we'll stake everything for our colors. We respect Spain, they're a great side, but we're not afraid of them."
The Africa Cup of Nations winner also believes that preparation for next year's World Cup is going according to plan despite widespread public demonstrations over poor public services in Brazil throughout the Confederations Cup.
"I think Brazil should be ready in one year's time," Enyeama said. "From what I've seen, the hotels are OK, the food is nice, the pitches are amazing, the organization, logistics for me is perfect.
"You get to training when you should, you get to meetings when you should. You've got security. For me, it's fine. I don't know what more might be necessary to be added. I think Brazil will be ready."
Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says it would not be a famous upset as many are portraying if his side were to beat Vicente del Bosque's men.
"Would it be a rare result? I don't think so. There are two teams that are playing and one has to win," Keshi said. "We have a lot of respect for Spain -- they're the world and European champions -- but we're African champions, and Africa is a great continent.
"So a little bit of respect for us, please. If we go out there and beat Spain, it's because we're good enough to win the game."
There has been one encounter between the two teams in the past, and the Super Eagles emerged as 3-2 winners in the group stage at the 1998 World Cup.
