Eagles walk tight rope in Khartoum

It is a must win match for the reigning African champions who currently occupy the third place in Group A behind Congo and South Africa. Eagles have just a single point out of six points. Nigeria lost 2-3 to Congo in Calabar in their opening group match before going to South Africa to play a […]

It is a must win match for the reigning African champions who currently occupy the third place in Group A behind Congo and South Africa. Eagles have just a single point out of six points. Nigeria lost 2-3 to Congo in Calabar in their opening group match before going to South Africa to play a barren draw.
Meanwhile, Congo who have recorded two big wins are sitting on top of the table with six points with South Africa trailing in second place with four points following their away victory over Sudan and home draw with the Super Eagles.
Against this background, it is only right to say the Eagles are walking a tight rope. Anything less than the three points on Saturday will not do Eagles any good. They are condemned to win today’s match even as victory by whatever margin won’t shoot them to the top of the group. It is only South Africa that can topple Congo. But Congo will fight to stretch their lead with victory over the Bafana Bafana.
Going by the performance of Sudan in their two group matches against South Africa and Congo, it will be tempting to say the Eagles too would get the maximum points but the champions of Africa are faced with hurdles they may not be able to surmount.
They will be up against wounded lions as the Sudanese would be out to atone for the two defeats they have suffered so far in the campaign. Secondly, weather condition which is going to be at a boiling point would have adverse effect on most of the Super Eagles who ply their trade in Europe where the weather is usually cold. Thirdly the match has been moved from Omdurman to Khartoum where the Eagles will have to play on artificial turf. Fourthly, the Eagles would face a partisan crowd but this should not pose any serious challenge as they are used to playing before vociferous fans in some of the leading leagues in Europe.
Head to head, the Eagles stand taller than the Falcons. The two countries have played against each other 11 times with Nigeria winning six of these matches, drawing four times and losing only once which was in 1963. Nigeria lost 4-0 to Sudan in the 1964 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The last meeting between the two countries was a friendly match which Nigeria won 2-0 with Ikechukwu Uche and Manasseh Ishyaku scoring the goals that gave the Super Eagles victory.
Going by the above record, the odds favour the Super Eagles but since the African champions have suffered serious decline in their performance, it will be dangerous to dismiss their opponents with a wave of the hand.
Moreover signals emanating from the Eagles camp have shown that the team will not be heading to Khartoum in the right spirit. Apart from the obvious fact that Keshi is no longer in firm control of his players, especially the ‘big boys’, the team will miss the services of Victor Moses and Michael Babatunde who were integral members of the World Cup team to Brazil.
Furthermore, eye brows have been raised over the invitation of players by Keshi. Some of the players the coach has invited have not inspired confidence in the minds of Nigerian football fans.
It is however, not all gloom for the Eagles ahead of today’s clash as team captain Vincent Enyeama who missed the two previous matches is back in the team. It is a known fact that apart from his outstanding performances between the sticks, he helps in organising the defence. Consequently, his presence will inspire confidence in his team mates.
Super Eagles new invitee, Emem Eduok is confident the Eagles will devour the Falcons of Sudan today to begin the recovery process.
“We are going to face an uphill task in Sudan but it is not mission impossible. If we put our acts together, we would pick the maximum points in Khartoum,” he said.
Former international, Garba Lawal sees a difficult game for the Eagles and said only luck will save the African champions in the hands of desperate Sudanese team.
“I foresee a very difficult match on Saturday. It is not going to be an easy one for the Eagles. Sudan are yet to pick a single point in the qualifiers and they would like to get their first three points on Saturday. On paper, the Eagles are highly rated but going by their recent performances, nobody can confidently say what is going to happen.
“However, if they can step up their game and play with the required determination and commitment, they might come out with victory. Like I said before, anything short of victory will be a disaster,” he said.
Early in the week, the coach of Sudan, Mohamed Abdallah sent a warning signal that it is not going to be a stroll in the park for the Eagles. He said the Falcons will be fighting for the maximum points. We must fight to get a win against Nigeria because another defeat will end our chances of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco.”
 Interestingly, today’s match is the first for Mr. Amanju Pinnick who was recently elected NFF president.
When he visited the Eagles in Abuja on Tuesday, he charged them to go for the full points just as he assured them that NFF would play its role in ensuring they receive the necessary support to get the job done in Khartoum.