FRENCH BOAST

CHIEDOZIE OGBENE says Ireland are in it to win it against Group B favourites France.

And after scoring his fourth international goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Latvia, he wants to add to his tally when the World Cup finalists visit Dublin.

“I hope so. I hope not just five, maybe six,” said the confident attacker (above).

“But the main focus on Monday is to win, prepare to win. That’s the way we are training, that’s the mentality we have.

“We know what kind of quality they possess, but the agenda is to win the game.”

Ogbene says he has no choice but to be bullish about Ireland’s chances against Didier Deschamps’ side, who opened their campaign on Friday night with a 4-0 hammering of Holland (below).

“You have to be confident. I see the way we train, the way we prepare, we have to be confident. If you are not confident there is no point in showing up,” he insisted.

“As I said, we are preparing to win the game, we are not going out there to try and stay in the game or draw the game, we are preparing to win.

“When you have that mentality, you know how football can be, it’s unpredictable, you never know what can happen.

“It is a big game for the country, I am very passionate and I really want us to get the result on Monday.

“There are some butterflies and nerves there, but that’s a good sign obviously, I care about the game and I really want us to win this game.

“The dream is to get to Germany, that’s what is at stake.”

As for Monday, he said: “I think positions are up for grabs. Evan (Ferguson) is a fantastic player. I have said many times, I really like Ev.

“I think he plays like a player who already had many caps under his belt, he is very mature.

“For an 18-year old his hold-up play is very good. He is physically strong.”