Eagles in operation dim Lone Star

One of the most interesting fixtures is certainly going to be the clash between the Lone Star of Liberia and the Super Eagles in Monrovia. For the Super Eagles it is a must win match as the one time power house of football on the continent failed to qualify for the last edition in Gabon/Equatorial […]

One of the most interesting fixtures is certainly going to be the clash between the Lone Star of Liberia and the Super Eagles in Monrovia. For the Super Eagles it is a must win match as the one time power house of football on the continent failed to qualify for the last edition in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

It will be recalled that the Super Eagles lost the ticket to the 2012 Africa Nations Cup right in front of their teeming fans at the Abuja national stadium when they could not fly past the Syli Nationale of Guinea.

The build up to the make or mar encounter on September 8 in Monrovia has generated so much interest. Having lost 2-0 at home in an international friendly match against the Eagles earlier in the year, the Liberians want to have their pound of fresh and are not leaving anything to chance.

Few days ago, the Lone Star quenched the Flames of Malawi 1-0 in a friendly and that could serve as a morale booster for the West African country against their bigger opponents. In addition, the President of Liberia, Mrs. Sirleaf is said to be the one orchestrating the operation crush the Super Eagles.

It is widely reported that the President has charged the Lone Star to beat Eagles or be disbanded. This may sound like a tough order but the Liberians have taken it seriously are banking on home advantage to avoid the impending the presidential hammer.

The mind game has since commenced and the Super Eagles are also talking tough. The team’s confidence was boosted on Wednesday evening when President Goodluck Jonathan paid members of the Eagles a surprise visit at their training venue.

The President and his vice, Architect Namadi Sambo, the governor of Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Super Eagles and other top government functionaries stormed the Eagles camp and the message was simple and straight forward- Go and beat the Lone Star right there in Monrovia.

It was not just an empty charge for victory as the President promised to give the team all the necessary support in the operation dim the Lone Star of Liberia. He said anything less than outright win in Monrovia would not be good enough.

Psychologically, the presidential visit has served as a big boost for the Super Eagles. But even before the timely and tactical move by the President, the Eagles were in high spirits. It was a collective resolve to go and do the business in Monrovia.

Leading the Eagles charge on the part of the players was Captain Joseph Yobo who said the team has resolved to beat the Lone Star to make the second leg in Nigeria a lot easier. He said missing out of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nation would be a total disaster and he cannot even imagine it.

“The involvement of the two Presidents tells you the importance of the game. Every nation wants to be in South Africa. Nigeria had a big disappointment last time and it is going to be a big disaster, if we fail to qualify again and I cannot even imagine it.

“When we did not qualify last time, many people did not know the damage that happened to us first before anybody else. We want to make sure our careers are on, our families are happy, the fans are happy.

“We have to fight hard. But this is a two leg game. If we do not lose away, we have a big advantage. We want to go out there and push really hard to win and make the return leg a lot easier”.

Eagles coach Stephen Keshi wrapped up the spirit in the team’s camp when he lauded the existing unity among the players. He said such open display of love for one another and determination to do the country proud is what the Eagles need for a good result on Saturday.

“The good thing is that the players all know one another. Those at home play against each other in the Nigerian league. They have been together for some time now. It’s very little things I would bring in, to use your words, cement them together. It’s just to build the chemistry on the field. We have to defend our nation.

“The house is talking shape, with what I saw yesterday (Tuesday).  I saw a great atmosphere on the field and in the dining hall when we were eating. You could see that they know what they want which is good”.