Sodje says England are scared of Nigeria's potential

In This Day, President Olusegun Obasanjo spells out the nation's expectations in Korea and Japan.

"The Eagles must win the World Cup as a resounding way to pay tribute to our late sports minister Ishaya Aku."

In The Guardian, former national team captain Segun Odegbami is unhappy with the delay in naming the Super Eagles World Cup squad.

"We should have trimmed the squad to 25 by now," he complained.

South Africa

The Mail and Guardian dismisses Bafana Bafana's chances at the World Cup.

Issa believes that South Africa can do well

"That South Africa is by no means ready to put up a credible performance cannot be subject to debate.

"The question is how big a debacle might the adventure be," it writes.

But defender Pierre Issa does not agree with the newspaper's pessimism.

"If we establish a great sense of unity and work hard, we might stand a chance," he says.

Cameroon

Coach Winfried Schafer tells Cameroon Tribune that he will not give up on taking injured Patrick Mboma to Japan.

"He is a very important player for us," Schafer said.

Cameroon's government expects the Indomitable Lions to go all the way at the World Cup.

In The Herald, Prime Minister Peter Musonge charges the Lions to "fight honourably and win."

Senegal

In Walfadjiri L 'aurore, President Abdoulaye Wade tells members of the Senegalese team to roar "like true lions" in Korea.

Wade (in jersey) says the Lions are Africa's hope

"You are the hopes of the people of Senegal and Africa.

"Be determined to be heard positively," Wade said.

Team captain Aliou Cisse was overwhelmed by the president's support.

"We will express our gratitude on the field," he promises in Sud Quotidien.

Tunisia

Coach Ammar Souayah explains the significance of Tunisia's one-week training camp in France to Lapresse.

"We need the tranquillity to work on physical and tactical aspects of our preparations.

"The mental aspect comes later," he says.