Super Eagles are battle ready for tomorrow’s AFCON 2015 qualifying tie against the Red Devils of Congo in Calabar, Rivers State, with Coach Stephen Keshi now having the full complement of players at his disposal to prosecute the game.
The Saturday’s showdown at the U. J. Esuene Stadium is the first of six matches for each of the teams in seven groups of four teams in the qualifying series for the finals scheduled for Morocco early next year, and it is important that Eagles record a convincing victory in the encounter so as to make the return leg in Brazzaville next Wednesday a mere formality.
Clashes between Nigeria and Congo at international level are few and far between, but the Devils famously held the Eagles to a 0-0 draw in Lagos in a group phase match at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, and last year, the Golden Eaglets mauled the Congo U-17 side 7-0 at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco.
The Red Devils, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon 42 years ago, were restored to the campaign after losing on penalty shoot –out to Rwanda’s Amavubi, following CAF’s disqualification of Rwanda for using an ineligible player. And for this reason they would want to prove a hard nut to crack and jostle to run away with at least a point in the encounter.
However, the Eagles are not unmindful of the importance of the game have left no stone unturned in their preparations.
On Wednesday Head Coach Keshi, and his technical crew even including backroom staff were all out in the rain for their evening training.
According to Keshi, “the essence of training in the rain is to make the boys adapt to the weather and the pich as well as maintain the tactics and game plan in case we have to play in the rain.”
He said the arrival of Emmanuel Emenike of Fernabahce of Turkey and Inter Milan’s Joel Obi has completed his game plan and assured that Nigerians will not be disappointed as the team is poised to win.
…Agbim wants chance to shine
Nigeria international goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim has fixed his sights on a starting place between the sticks when Nigeria takes on Congo on Saturday in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game.
The Super Eagles and the Red Devils go toe to toe at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar and Agbim will not be satisfied with a place on the bench especially with first-choice, Vincent Enyeama absent.
Enyeama, widely regarded as Africa’s best goalkeeper, asked to be excused from the fixture and Agbim reckons he may never get a better chance to start a game for the Super Eagles.
“Everyone knows that in the absence of Enyeama, Ejide who is the usual second-choice is the favourite to play.
“Those who know me very well however know that I will be doing everything possible to get the nod of the coaches.
“I have been working hard in training,” he told supersport.com.
The Gombe United goalkeeper then took the time to discuss Saturday’s opponents, Congo.
“The game is a must-win. We are the African champions and we are at a level where everybody wants to beat us.
“We want to go to the Nations Cup next year to defend our title next year,” he said.
Nigeria are in Group A of 2015 Afcon qualifying alongside Congo, South Africa and Sudan.
