Can Keshi’s Eagles fly over Wasps?

Even then, there were no minnows in African football but the Eagles would thoroughly humble some of the lesser known countries in football that attempted to stand in their way. In July 1991, Eagles led by late Rashidi Yekini whipped Burkina Faso 7-1 in the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Stadium […]

Even then, there were no minnows in African football but the Eagles would thoroughly humble some of the lesser known countries in football that attempted to stand in their way. In July 1991, Eagles led by late Rashidi Yekini whipped Burkina Faso 7-1 in the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Stadium Lagos.

Made up of predominately home based players, the Super Eagles built around the late gangling Rashidi Yekini Super Eagles all time highest goals scorer, the team qualified for all major tournaments without any fuss. In 1994, the team earned its highest ever FIFA ranking when it ranked fourth in the whole world and first in Africa. Super Eagles were also the most entertaining team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

But all that is now history as the Eagles of today struggle to win even against the lowliest rated opponents. The country’s rating too has dropped to all time low with its present ranking of 60 position in the World and 11 in Africa.

Nigerians are now made to endure energy sapping permutations anytime Eagles are to qualify for a major championship. Things got worse when the team failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The Chipolopolo of Zambia emerged winners of the Championship in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea.

At the moment, former Eagles captain, Stephen Keshi is in the saddle. Although he arrived with huge experience having coached the national teams of Togo and Mali with results to show especially with the Hawks of Togo, Nigerians are expecting so much from him. Unfortunately, the story has not changed much.

Although he is still popular among Nigerians for accepting to work with more of the home based players, he is yet to really make a difference. Apart from the friendly matches against Zambia and Liberia which his team won, it has been the same old story of playing so well yet losing.

On June 3 in Calabar, the team struggled to beat Namibia 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup qualifier. The following weekend, Keshi and his boys travelled to Blantyre and squandered a golden opportunity to garner all six points in the World Cup qualifiers. The match ended 1-1 with the Malawians scoring the equalizer with the last kick of the ball.

This afternoon at the U.J Esuene Stadium Calabar, the Eagles will be up against the Wasps of Rwanda in the return leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The first leg played in Rwanda in March ended 1-1 with the Eagles narrowly escaping defeat.

Going by what the Eagles exhibited against Namibia and Malawi, it is becoming increasingly clear that those who want to see the team return to the Westerhof days should be prepared to wait a little longer.

It is an open secret that the Eagles are still struggling and cannot easily subdue opponents just the way the likes of Late RashidiYekini, Dan Amokachie, Emmanuel Amunike, Finidi George, Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba, Uche Okechukwu, Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo, Jay Jay Okocha, Taribo West, did in their days.

As they go against Wasps today, the question on the lips of many football fans is will the Eagles pick the maximum points without struggling against the hitherto minnows?.

Former International, Garba Lawal said it is possible but the Eagles must show more determination and accuracy in front of goal. “I am confident Eagles will beat Rwanda even if it is by one goal. However, it is not going to be an easy match. Every country that is taking on Nigeria plays as if it is a cup final.

“But I want Eagles to change their attitude to games. They lack the fighting spirit we showed in our days. I know the players want to bring back the lost glory but they must be ready to give everything to win matches”.

Another ex-international Barnabas Imenger said Keshi is doing a wonderful job by playing more local players in the team. He expressed confidence that the team will soar over Wasps but that is only if the strikers are ready to convert chances into goals.

“I see the Eagles coming out victorious but victory will not come on a platter of gold. The first leg result must have buoyed the visitors and they would like to come and give the Eagles a shocker in their back yard.

“It will be a difficult one just like the match against Namibia but in the end, Super Eagles will triumph to take the leadership of the group. My only worry is the inability of the strikers to score despite creating chances. I just hope Keshi will find a solution to this”.

On his part, ex Super Eagles goalkeeper and Olympian, Dosu Joseph said even as the team keeps missing chances, he is not worried because it is normal with teams that are re-building.

He therefore urged the Eagles to show courage in front of goal to spell Rwanda with goals. “There are no more pushovers in African football but I am confident Eagles will fly past Rwanda. If you look at the matches played by the team, the players have done very well.

“They scored two goals against Zambia, two against Liberia, one against Rwanda, two against Egypt, one against Namibia and one against Malawi recently. This is to say the team can score. This team is re-building so we are bound to see some of the challenges being faced”, he enthused.

Although optimism is high in the team and among football pundits that Eagles will soar above Wasps, going by the team’s goal shyness, it is hard to say how high the Eagles will soar above the Wasps of Rwanda in today’s AFCON 2013 qualifier at the U.J Esuene stadium Calabar. In few hours from now, it will be seen if the Eagles would put their acts together to give Nigerians something to celebrate and a hope for a return to the glory days.