Daily Independent (Lagos)
Peter Edema
20 June 2009
Super Eagles will this afternoon play the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in Rades in a make-or-break encounter. This tie will decide the fate of both countries for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Captain, Nwakwo Kanu, said on Friday in Tunis that the players do not expect to be treated nicely by the Tunisians and are prepared for the worse.
He said football is business and the World Cup is a bigger business for that matter, saying for this reason, the team is focused on the business of the day; getting a good result.
"We do not expect niceties from the North Africans," said Kanu adding, "We are here to play an important match and that is what we will concentrate on.
Super Eagles midfielder, Dickson Etuhu, has told Nigerians not to panic, as the outcome of the match would be in favour of the country.
He stated that difficult as the encounter may be, the players are aware of the importance of the match and its relevance to the country's World Cup aspiration to allow the chance slip.
According to him the worry being expressed by fans is tending to national panic, which he believes is not necessary.
"We know how important the result is to our aspiration and I believe we are capable of picking a good result against them. We have the players and anybody that is given the opportunity knows how important this game is to the country.
We should believe and the team and give it all the support. We are sure we won't disappoint," he stated.
Nigeria is two points adrift of Tunisia in Group B of the African qualifiers with four points. The two points difference was the outcome of the goalless draw Nigeria recorded against Mozambique in Maputo on March 29 in the first group qualifiers. Tunisia on the other hand got the maximum three points off Kenya in Nairobi the previous day.
Since both countries won their second group matches a fortnight ago, the only safe passage left for the Super Eagles is to grab four points off Tunisia in the two legged encounter. Nigeria defeated Kenya in Abuja 3-0 while Tunisia secured a 2-0 victory over Mozambique in Tunis.
A victory for Super Eagles in Tunis will guarantee its qualification provided it wins or draws the reverse match in Abuja in September. A draw today will put Nigeria under great pressure since the Abuja tie becomes a must win. A lost will end the country's quest.
But host Tunisia will be under pressure to maintain its perfect record in the qualifiers against a Nigerian team whose spirits have been lifted by a big win over Kenya at home two weeks ago. Aside the above, Super Eagles morale has been boosted by the Presidential Task Force after it redeemed its pledge of $200,000 made if it defeated Kenya now that the Task Force has pledged another $250,000 aside the winning bonus.
The pressure though appears to be catching up on the Tunisians after they struggled to beat the Mambas of Mozambique a fortnight ago in front of their own fans.
The home team, which prepared for this tie in Portugal, will be without several key players including the suspended Sochaux defender, Yassine Mikari. Also, the team's leading scorer, Issam Jemaa (knee) and Lassaad Nouioui (hamstring) have been ruled out of the all-important clash as a result of injury. But Chaouki Ben Saada, comfortable either as an attacking midfielder or a striker, will be available.
Both the public and press tore into the Super Eagles after it failed to beat Mozambique in Maputo in March. That may well have got them to raise their game leading to a 3-0 home win over Kenya two weeks ago.
The Eagles achieved this result without several of their top stars like Joseph Yobo, Mikel John Obi and Taye Taiwo, who were dropped for staying away from recent friendly matches.
All has now been forgiven, and after a short training stint in Malta, Nigeria is in a better shape for a game it cannot afford to lose.
Against Kenya in Abuja, the experimental defence parading the likes of Sam Sodje, Dele Adeleye and Elderson Echiejile gifted the Harambee Stars at least two sitters, which the East Africans failed to put away.
But Coach Shuaibu Amodu has recalled the more experienced Yobo and Taiwo to the back four. Chelsea midfielder Mikel will also likely regain his place in the starting XI, particularly in the absence of Dynamo Kiev star Yusuf Ayila, who was left out of the trip to Malta after a heart scare.
Ahead of this match, Mikel said: "There is nothing special about Tunisia, so there is nothing that will stop us from winning in Tunis because we have a better squad. It is either we win, or say goodbye to the World Cup, even though we know that a draw will still keep the race wide open."
Ogbuke Obasi, who has missed the qualifiers due to injury will enliven the Eagles attack.
One face on the Nigerian team that is very familiar to the Tunisians will be striker Michael Eneramo, top scorer in the Tunisian league with 18 goals for champions Esperance.
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