Eagles set to feast on Harambee Stars

While Super Eagles sit comfortably on top of the group with four points garnered from a win at home against Namibia and a draw at away against Malawi, the Kenyans are placed last with just one point. Consequently, to stand any chance of making it to Brazil in 2014, the Harambee Stars must pick the […]

While Super Eagles sit comfortably on top of the group with four points garnered from a win at home against Namibia and a draw at away against Malawi, the Kenyans are placed last with just one point. Consequently, to stand any chance of making it to Brazil in 2014, the Harambee Stars must pick the maximum points in today’s match.
However, looking at results of matches involving the two countries in the past ten years and the current form of the two teams, the Super Eagles should have no problem pocketing the three points at stake this evening.
Out of the last ten matches played between Nigeria and Kenya, the Super Eagles drew only once, winning nine times with the last victory coming in 2011 when the Eagles thrashed the Harambee Stars 3-0 in a friendly match played in Abuja.
The Stars only draw against the Super Eagles came as far back as 1998 when the East African country played 1-1 with Nigeria in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Nairobi. Although football is not mathematics where 1+1 equals to 2, if the Eagles will put their acts together, it would be difficult for the Stars to escape defeat.
It is interesting to note that apart from Efe Ambrose, Ikechuwkwu Uche, Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Emenike who would not be part of this World Cup qualifier, Coach Keshi has kept faith with the squad that won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.
In place of these four players, the coach has called up old war horse Obefemi Martins who has just switched from the Spanish league to the Major Soccer League in the USA, Italy-based winger Nnamdi Oduamadi, youngster John Ogu who is based in Portugal and Babatunde Michael of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.
From all indications, Coach Keshi will like to continue with the same players who gave him the ultimate prize in South Africa. No coach would want to change a winning team.
Consequently, apart from the right full back where Sunshine Stars overlapping defender, Solomon Kwambe is favoured to come in in place of missing Celtic man, Efe Ambrose, the squad may not witness any major changes.
Moreover most football pundits have called on Keshi to give the AFCON winning team the opportunity to play together for a longer period of time for enhanced team cohesion. One of such people who believe the coach should not tamper with the squad is former international, Tijani Babangida who told Shot! that the time for experiment is over and so the coach should stick with the South Africa 2013 Eagles.
He said even as some Nigerians want more players to be given a chance under the present dispensation, this is not the time for Keshi to experiment with players. Babangida said before the 2013 AFCON, the coach tested so many players from where he arrived at those who gave him the AFCON trophy.
According to the former Ajax of Amsterdam speed star, what Keshi needs to do now is to give the present crop of players enough playing time for them to blend and become a formidable team.
“I want Keshi to keep the 2013 AFCON Eagles. He should use the same players who gave us result in South Africa. The match against Kenya is not for experiment. I know many people are talking about discovering more home-based players but I feel strongly that those discovered should be given a chance to build the required confidence and understanding.
“You don’t change a winning team. These players proved to everyone that they are ready to return Nigeria to the past glory so let us give them enough time to play together. If keshi decides to introduce one or two new players, I see no problem with that but majority of the players he took to South Africa should play against Kenya”, he advised.
Former NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima on his part charged the Eagles not to underrate the Harambee Stars. Speaking to Shot!, the football administrator said by winning the 2013 AFCON, the Eagles have proved to the entire world that they are a force to be reckoned with in the continent.
He, however, said that should not be enough reason for the Eagles to underrate their opponents. Galadima said instead of becoming complacent, the team should be fired by the victory to do more to prove to their critics that the victory in South Africa was not by accident.
“At the moment, the Super Eagles are high in spirit because of the victory in South Africa. On paper, they are favoured to win the match but that should not make the players to become complacent. They must not underrate the Harambee Stars.
“My advice to the Eagles is that they should use the match to prove that they are worthy champions. If they are able to beat Harambee Stars convincingly, they would do their image a lot of good”.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles and their officials who are still basking in the euphoria of the AFCON 2013 victory are talking tough. Unlike what was obtainable in the past, the tenure of Keshi has witnessed a change in attitude of even the ‘big boys’ in the team. The unity in the team’s camp is said to be infectious.
At the last count all the foreign based players were in camp and rearing to go. Returnee Obafemi Martins and Nnamdi Odumadi have vowed to help dim the Harambee Stars.
Although the Kenyan team has been hit by instability in its technical department, the Eagles should expect a difficult match. Being his first real test in charge of the East African country, Coach Adel Amrouche would like to make an impression.
The Algerian tactician who is former coach of Burundi will be relying on experienced players like Victor Wanyama. The Celtic Glasgow star believes the Stars can cage the Super Eagles. “We are a good team. We can beat Nigeria if we do things right on the pitch”.