By Gbenga Jolaosho
Abuja
Super Eagles will go into tomorrow’s match with the aim of securing a total victory against Congo in Point Noire, bearing in mind that anything short of raking the maximum three points in the encounter will automatically knock them out from featuring at the finals of the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria find themselves in a precarious position in Group D after gathering only four points from four matches which leaves them no choice other than to win their remaining two games against Congo and South Africa at home, hence the Point Noire battle is a must-win for Coach Stephen Keshi and his ward if they are to keep the hope of defending the Nations Cup trophy won in 2013.
Congo, with their seven points and second position in the group, have a real chance of making it to the finals if they win the three points at stake, even a draw will be very helpful as they will be facing Sudan in the last round. So to this end, the encounter is expected to stretch the two sides to their limit as the Congolese will want to be all out to consolidate on their advantage position to make it through and as well proof that their 3-2 defeat of Eagles in Calabar was no fluke.
Apart from deploying high tactical expertise into the game, Coach Keshi will also need to pray for fitness of his key players as some of them seem to be battling one injury of the other.
Raheem Lawal may have added to growing injury worries for the team as he failed to finish the team’s final training on Thursday morning before their departure for Zambia.
It was observed that the Turkey-based midfielder, who started last month’s Afcon qualifier against Sudan in Abuja, had an ice pack around his left thigh suggesting he may have suffered a hamstring injury in training.
Also, skipper Vincent Enyeama is nursing a strain on his right shoulder, but team officials are hopeful he will be fit for the crucial battle.
Similarly, Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has only recently recovered from a minor knee injury while Babatunde Michael had to be replaced by Enyimba youngster Kingsley Sokari after he underwent a knee surgery at his base in Ukraine and will be out for at least three weeks.
In spite this coach Keshi is however highly optimistic that the country will emerge victorious.
“We are committing everything into the game, though we had little time to really prepare ourselves.
“Am just glad that the players are in high spirit, and psychologically ready for the battle. All we just need now is the prayers of every Nigerian and we shall do our best to make them happy,” said the former Eagles skipper.
Sharing Keshi’s optimism, NFF Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akniwunmi declares the federation’s absolute confidence in the team to wallop the Congolese in the enclave.
“We have absolute believe in this team and the technical crew and we are certain that we will not only win away from home in Congo, but come back in Uyo to pick the Nations Cup ticket.
“It’s difficult for a few people like you players to carry the weight of 170million Nigerians but I urge you to please carry it and make Nigerians proud again, because we want to defend our title early next year”, he told the team before jetting out of the country yesterday.