Eagles go for broke!

The Syli Stars won the reverse fixture a year ago thanks to a fifth minute strike by Italy-based star Kevin Constant. Guinea have led the standings in Group B since the first day of action when they defeated Ethiopia 4-1 in Addis Ababa and Nigeria could only manage a 2-0 home win over Madagascar in […]

The Syli Stars won the reverse fixture a year ago thanks to a fifth minute strike by Italy-based star Kevin Constant.

Guinea have led the standings in Group B since the first day of action when they defeated Ethiopia 4-1 in Addis Ababa and Nigeria could only manage a 2-0 home win over Madagascar in Calabar.

Guinea are now three points clear of their closest rivals with 13 points from five matches.

The Syli Stars will win the group if they get a draw or lose marginally in Abuja on Saturday, while Nigeria will book their ticket to the finals if they win by at least 1-0.

The last time Guinea visited Nigeria was in 1997, when they fell 2-1 in a 1998 World Cup qualifier in Lagos.

An early kick-off as ordered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as well as the dropping of first-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama have dominated the build-up to one of Nigeria’s most important games in recent memory.

Saturday’s clash will begin at 2pm local time and after the initial protests from both players and officials about this timing, the Eagles now say they will soldier through the heat from this early kick-off so as to march on to the Nations Cup.

Coach Samson Siasia has again failed to pick Lille goalkeeper Enyeama after he questioned the team’s travel plans to Madagascar last month.

Enyeama issued a public apology for this, but Siasia has insisted discipline must be maintained and in Enyeama’s absence, Israel-based Dele Aiyenugba will keep the number one shirt after he featured in Madagascar as well as the friendly against Argentina in Bangladesh.

The main injury doubt for Nigeria is Heartland right fullback Chibuzor Okonkwo, who suffered a thigh injury against Argentina and so missed out on the Federation Cup final involving his club Heartland.

Should Okonkwo fail a fitness test, his place will most likely be taken up by Ukraine-based defender Dele Adeleye.

Skipper Joseph Yobo is in line for his 83rd international cap and another appearance for the Eagles in Tuesday’s friendly against the Black Stars of Ghana will see him equal the all-time record of international appearances for Nigeria, which is shared by the late Muda Lawal and Nwankwo Kanu.

“We have to be very determined because Guinea will not surrender very easily. They know a draw will be good for them so I expect them to be very negative,” warned Yobo.

West Bromwich Albion striker Osaze Odemwingie, who has been forgiven after he walked out on the team in March, is expected to lead the Eagles attack.

Guinea have revised their squad for this match and have recalled former skipper Pascal Feindouno, who posted a tentative display against Ethiopia in Conakry last month. But if he finds his rhythm, he could pose a big threat for the Eagles defence.

In addtion, the Syli Nationale may be without two of key players has selected for Saturday’s all or nothing 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Abuja National Stadium.

The duo of defender, Kamil Zayatte who plays for Turkish side, Istanbul Büyüksehir Belediyespor and striker Ibrahima Sory Conté who plays in Belgium for KAA Gent may be unavailable for selection if they fail to recover from the respective groin and ankle injuries that have afflicted them.

“I am not sure of the availability of Zayatte and Ibrahima. Both are down with injury. Zayatte didn’t play for his club in Turkey at the weekend and we are hoping both will be available for selection on Saturday,” coach Michel Dessuyer said.

Zayatte has scored four goals from his defensive position since he started playing for Guinea at the senior level while Sory Conté was part of the Guinean 2004 African Nations Cup team who finished second in their group in the first round of competition, before losing in the quarter finals to Mali.

No doubt, pressure is on Siasia’s team to churn out a good result from this encounter. Thus, the Eagles tactician may opt for a 4-3-3 formation that will be premised on speed and offensive style of play with Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa forming an attacking trident.

Guinea will be the dark horses but they have some mercurial talents at their disposal – Fode Mansare, Pascal Feindouno and Ismael Bangoura are prime examples – but they will have to be at their absolute best if they are to beat Nigeria to top spot in this qualifying group.

Their coach, Dussuyer, a 51-year-old Frenchman who is having his second spell in charge of Guinea – in fact, managing the Syli National from 2002 to 2004 was his first full time, senior coaching appointment. In between, he took charge of French club AS Cannes and the Benin national team.