D-Day for Eagles in Abidjan

Although the Eagles are going into the return leg with a 4-1 advantage, it promises to be a ding-dong affair because this is certainly a grudge match. Apart from the fact that the Ivorians won’t like to go down without a fight, it is too early to forget that it was Nigeria that eliminated the […]

Although the Eagles are going into the return leg with a 4-1 advantage, it promises to be a ding-dong affair because this is certainly a grudge match. Apart from the fact that the Ivorians won’t like to go down without a fight, it is too early to forget that it was Nigeria that eliminated the ‘almighty Elephants’ in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Indeed it was the quarter-final victory that emboldened the Eagles to go all the way to their third AFCON trophy.
Furthermore, if the hostile attitude displayed by Elephants in Kaduna in the first leg of the CHAN qualifiers is anything to go by, Eagles will be in for very difficult times in Abidjan. The Ivorians exhibited so much aggression on and off the field of play. It will be recalled that Eagles victory over the Elephants was facilitated by the two red cards that were picked by the Ivorians. There and then, the visitors’ body language showed clearly that they felt ‘cheated’ and would stop at nothing to get back their pound of the flesh.
Although the 4-1 defeat inflicted on Cote d’Ivoire is good enough to induce confidence ahead of the return leg, the Eagles know that it is not yet uhuru. There is therefore a collective desire in the camp of the team to break the CHAN jinx.
It is an open secret that since the inception of the championship in 2009, Nigeria has failed to attend the two editions. The Ivorians may pose a serious threat yet again but there is mounting confidence in the camp of the Eagles and high hopes among Nigerians.
A look at the final list of players picked by Coach Keshi for the battle of Abidjan shows that the core of the team that demolished the Elephants in Kaduna is intact. There have been only three quality additions in Alhaji Gero, a member of the Flying Eagles squad to the just concluded FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, Warri Wolves Etebor Ogehenekaro and Kano Pillars mercurial midfielder, Rabiu Ali.
Consequently, the following tested and experienced home Home-based Eagles  Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomom Kwambe, Kunle Odunlami, Benjamin Francis, Chibuzo Okonkwo, Sunday Mba, Ayo Saka, Olufemi Oladapo, Etebor Oghenekaro, Gomo Onduku, Ifdeanyi Ede, Ezekeil Mba, Gero Abdulahi, Joseph Osadiaye, and Rabiu Ali make up the team for the battle of Abidjan.
It is pertinent to reiterate here that things are really looking up for Eagles this time because of the calibre of players in the team. Even apart from Sunday Mba and Godfrey Obaobana who have become integral members of the Super Eagles, other players like Agbim, Egweuike, Kwambe and have always been there with the main national team.
In all fairness to the team, the Eagles failed on previous occasions due to the haphazard manner in which the teams were assembled for the qualifiers. This time, the story is certainly different as the players and their officials have had the opportunity to stay together for a long time for the much needed team cohesion.
Although it is not going to be an easy battle for the Eagles in Abidjan, the Eagles are optimistic that they will get a good result that would take Nigeria to her first CHAN appearance. Certainly, Elephants slayer, Mba is carrying the weight of Nigerians expectations on his shoulders but the Enugu Rangers man is undaunted. He is confident Nigeria’s flag will fly high in South Africa again in 2014.
His team mates also share in his confidence as the trio of Rabiu Ali, Alhaji Gero and Solomon Kwambe who spoke to Shot! before the team’s departure all exuded similar confidence in the ability of the Eagles to survive the battle of Abidjan.
Kano Pillars man, Ali said he is looking forward to his debut for the national team and would give his all, if fielded against Cote d’Ivoire. He said it is going to be a very difficult match but the team is fully ready to take everything that would be thrown at it by the Ivorians.
“I want to thank the coaches for this opportunity to represent my fatherland. I waited long for this to happen in my life and now that the opportunity is here, I will grab it with two hands.
“I know it is not going to be an easy battle but we are ready for the challenge. We want to qualify Nigeria for the championship and write our names in gold. And to achieve this we must be ready to face the heat.
“Personally, I am ready to make any sacrifice to qualify Nigeria for the championship. I am confident of another victory over Cote ‘d’Ivoire”
Rangers and former Flying Eagles striker, Alhaji Gero also said he is confident of victory over the Elephants of Cote’d’Ivoire because of the quality of players in the Home-based Eagles team.
He said it is great honour for Coach Keshi to have reposed so much confidence in him. Gero said apart from playing to help qualify Nigeria for her first CHAN championship, he would like to reciprocate Keshi’s kind gesture.
“For me, I want to thank Coach Keshi for showing so much confidence in me. Few days after I returned from the World Cup, he invited me to the senior national team and now I am part of the team that is saddled with the responsibility of breaking the CHAN jinx.
“I am going to give my hundred per cent in the match. I want to help the team qualify and also thank the coaches for this opportunity to serve my country at the senior level.
Solomon Kwambe of Sunshine Stars also toed the path of his team mates as he said Eagles will not settle for anything less than the ticket to South Africa 2014.
He said the ticket has been elusive but this time, the Eagles will prove that they are the true champions of Africa. According to Kwambe, the team is strong enough to withstand any antics and pressure that would come from the host.
“We are battle ready. I know it is not going to be an easy one but as professionals, we know what to do. Everybody is looking up to some of us who have been with the senior national team for some time now but I want to say it is has to be everybody’s responsibility. While we shall be playing as a team on the field, Nigerians at home and in Abidjan must queue behind us for the much needed victory”, he said.