•As Eagles attack faces fresh test
By GEORGE ALUO
Will Super Eagles attack jell in today’s international friendly against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa? This is a question one will want to ask, if the team’s showing at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil this summer was anything to go by
.
After conquering Africa early this year at the AFCON 2013 Nations Cup, the Eagles attack was simply not there in Brazil during the Confederations Cup and Nigerian soccer fans were to say the least not impressed with what they saw.
Many soccer pundits believed the absence of injured AFCON 2013 top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike took its toll on the Stephen Keshi tutored side. The duo of Brown Ideye and Tony Ujah failed to deliver, a situation that saw the Eagles falling to Uruguay and world champions Spain.
Unfortunately, Emenike who had since recovered from the injury he copped at the Nations Cup would again not be in action for Nigeria today at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. The lethal finisher, who had just signed the dotted lines for Turkey’s Fernerbache FC pleaded with Keshi to be left out in a bid to fully settle down in his new club.
With Emenike out of the way, all eyes would now be on returnee, Obinna Nsofor, who is staging a come back to the Eagles. Nsofor was one of those who held sway when Samson Siasia was in charge of the team. Himself, alongside the other “Siasia boys” were declared surplus to requirement when Keshi took over.
Siasia had since hailed the decision of Keshi to recall the 26-year-old Russia based striker. All eyes would definitely be on him today should Keshi opt to use him. For Nsofor , the friendly in honour of former South African president, Dr. Nelson Mandela is an opportunity to herald his return in grand style. He must win Keshi’s heart the way he won that of Siasia with goals. His Igbo name “Obinna” literally means “Father’s heart.” So, for Obinna, the challenge is to win Keshi’s heart.
The Eagles left the Durban Stadium during AFCON 2013 celebrating after beating Mali there by 4-1 in the semi final . Nigerians expect them to go goalwire again at that venue today and the warm weather of Durban is a good setting for Keshi and his boys.
A good result would put the team in the right psychological frame of mind ahead of the September 6 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar
By GEORGE ALUO
Will Super Eagles attack jell in today’s international friendly against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa? This is a question one will want to ask, if the team’s showing at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil this summer was anything to go by
.
After conquering Africa early this year at the AFCON 2013 Nations Cup, the Eagles attack was simply not there in Brazil during the Confederations Cup and Nigerian soccer fans were to say the least not impressed with what they saw.
Many soccer pundits believed the absence of injured AFCON 2013 top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike took its toll on the Stephen Keshi tutored side. The duo of Brown Ideye and Tony Ujah failed to deliver, a situation that saw the Eagles falling to Uruguay and world champions Spain.
Unfortunately, Emenike who had since recovered from the injury he copped at the Nations Cup would again not be in action for Nigeria today at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. The lethal finisher, who had just signed the dotted lines for Turkey’s Fernerbache FC pleaded with Keshi to be left out in a bid to fully settle down in his new club.
With Emenike out of the way, all eyes would now be on returnee, Obinna Nsofor, who is staging a come back to the Eagles. Nsofor was one of those who held sway when Samson Siasia was in charge of the team. Himself, alongside the other “Siasia boys” were declared surplus to requirement when Keshi took over.
Siasia had since hailed the decision of Keshi to recall the 26-year-old Russia based striker. All eyes would definitely be on him today should Keshi opt to use him. For Nsofor , the friendly in honour of former South African president, Dr. Nelson Mandela is an opportunity to herald his return in grand style. He must win Keshi’s heart the way he won that of Siasia with goals. His Igbo name “Obinna” literally means “Father’s heart.” So, for Obinna, the challenge is to win Keshi’s heart.
The Eagles left the Durban Stadium during AFCON 2013 celebrating after beating Mali there by 4-1 in the semi final . Nigerians expect them to go goalwire again at that venue today and the warm weather of Durban is a good setting for Keshi and his boys.
A good result would put the team in the right psychological frame of mind ahead of the September 6 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar
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