25 January 2008
Lagos — Super Eagles will hope to redeem their qualification to the next round of the African Nations Cup in Ghana when they take on another Group B opponents, Eagles of Mali in a make or break encounter at the Sekondi-Takorodi Stadium.
Still licking the wound of the 0-1 painful defeat suffered in the hands of Elephants of Ivory Coast in their first match, the Nigerian side are expected to go all out in search of a victory knowing that a draw or unexpected defeat could earned the team an early exit from the Africa soccer fiesta.
Currently occupying the bottom position on the group table, Nigeria will enter the game as favourites to win today's game if words emanating from the team's camp are anything to go bye.
Reports have it that the camp of Super Eagles have been recharged with resolution to restore smile to the faces of their fans and supporters, who are yet to come to terms with Ivory Coast victory over Nigeria.
Eagles coach, Berti Vogts will be hoping to cool off his pressure when he calls on Richard Eromoigbe, Seyi Olofinjana and Mikel Obi to duty in the midfield, while Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins and Ike Uche will add firepower with Kanu Nwankwo expected to recover for the encounter.
However, Mali will be desperate to earn a point as a draw could see them through having recorded a lone goal victory in their opening game against the Squirrels of Benin.
Seville's hit-man, Frederic Kanoute and Mamady Sidibe are the stars of the show for Mali and both players will be their side's main goal threat as they look to cause another upset against highly rated Nigerian side.
Mali have perhaps the strangest record in the history of the Nations Cup. They have only contested four tournaments, yet have been semi-finalists on every occasion.
Until Mali lost friendlies to both Senegal and Algeria in November, Coach Jean-Francois Jodar had spent the first 16 months of his reign unbeaten. How much of this is Mali able to show in Ghana remain to be seen as they take on Nigeria today.
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