The Battle of Windhoek

Certain factors put together made it look like it was a mountain to surmount. The team had to travel from its Nuremberg training camp in Germany to Houston, Texas, USA for a friendly match with Mexico on 31 May, fly back to Frankfurt, Germany and then connect Nairobi through Addis Ababa on the first leg […]

Certain factors put together made it look like it was a mountain to surmount. The team had to travel from its Nuremberg training camp in Germany to Houston, Texas, USA for a friendly match with Mexico on 31 May, fly back to Frankfurt, Germany and then connect Nairobi through Addis Ababa on the first leg of what promises to be a testy summer for the African champions.
Earning a 2-2 draw against Mexico in Houston was commendable against the backdrop of the forced absence of some influential players, including Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Kalu Uche, Gabriel Reuben and John Mikel Obi.
The Mexicans paraded a top-quality team with all their big names, including Javier Hernandez (Chicarito). But they still had to force the African champions to a draw on the night.
Indeed, the results against the Mexicans and the Kenyans have gone some way to prove that our triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations was no fluke, but rather the result of huge commitment by players and officials  and good planning and dogged pursuit of vision by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The players showed grit and composure against the Mexicans (one of the top 15 teams in the world). I was impressed by the teamwork and the way they carried out the Coach’s tactical plan, and of course, their spirit.
In Nairobi on Wednesday, I was truly proud after the final whistle and we had not only picked up three points, but confirmed superiority over a Kenyan team that boasted so much ahead of the match.
While it might have ended 1-0, the Super Eagles should really have won far more convincingly. Yet, the important thing was to go away with the maximum points and it is increasingly looking like our opponents in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil are in for the rude shock.
I must at this stage, praise the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Kenya, Ambassador Akin Oyateru, his Minister (A. F. Okoh) and other mission staff for their total dedication and the support they gave to the Nigeria Football Federation in planning well ahead of the match.
Ambassador Oyateru showed so much interest in the match and actually ensured his mission staff fed the NFF back on the various schemes of the Kenyans to carry the day. So excited was he after the match. And on Thursday evening, he played the perfect host in treating the players and officials to excellent Nigerian dishes at the Nigerian House in Nairobi.
I must also congratulate and commend the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi for his concern and sincere keen interest in the team, and he was most joyful when he learnt that the Eagles had won.
Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has been working assiduously with the High Commission of Nigeria in Windhoek, Namibia, Ambassador Nath Olorunfemi on the Eagles’ match against Namibia in that country’s capital on Wednesday evening.
Certainly, the approach would be different from what obtained against the Kenyans as the two teams are not the same, the playing turf is of a different nature and the match time also not the same.
While the weather in Kenya was fair and comfortable for the team, the southern African region is becoming somewhat chilly at this period and the fact that the match would start at 8pm in the night means Coach Keshi would have to adopt another plan.
Also, the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek is artificial turf, unlike the Kasarani Stadium that is of natural grass.
However, the Nigeria Football Federation is confident that the Super Eagles will triumph, what with five whole days (Friday – Tuesday) that the boys have to train to master the Coach’s tactical approach to that match.
Perhaps, after victory on Wednesday in Windhoek, there would be no need to talk about the Group F race against, should Kenya hold Malawi in Blantyre on the same day.
It is also my joy that the Super Eagles will have those five days to train, and plan not only for the match in Windhoek, but also for the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, to which they fly on June 13.
The Confederations Cup is surely a prestigeous tournament and with the win in Kenya and imminent win in Namibia about to send the Eagles straight into the final qualifying fixture (which is not until October), the African champions can now concentrate on doing continent proud at the prestigeous tournament in Brazil.
Congrats, Nsekera…
Burundi’s long-time FA President, Mrs Lydia Nsekera was on Friday last week in Port Louis, Mauritius voted into the Executive Committee of FIFA, at the 63rd FIFA Congress in that country.
Victory over two other women makes Madam Nsekera the first woman on the most powerful committee of the world football-governing body.
The Nigeria Football Federation congratulates Mrs Nsekera and sincerely wish her several years of fruitful service to the international game in that exalted position.
NEXT WEEK: Eagles Not There To Make Up Number