South Africa 2010 W/Cup Qualifier
DECISION DAY !
• Super Eagles stake all against Harambee Stars in Nairobi
...Mozambique, Tunisia hold the ace
By EMMA NJOKU
Saturday, November 14, 2009

Super Eagles •Photo: Sun News Publishing

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Whether the green and white flag of Nigeria will be hoisted among the 24 countries that will converge in South Africa for next year's World Cup will be known later today. For the umpteenth time, Nigerians would have to go through 90 minutes of tension and anxiety on the last day of the African qualifiers, praying fervently for the Super Eagles to land safely at the world's greatest showpiece.

It took a tension-soaked away victory over Algeria for Nigeria to make her first appearance at the World Cup in the United States in 1994. It was the same scenario ahead of the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup finals when the Super Eagles had to engage the Sudanese national team in the famous 'Battle of Omdurman', which ended in a massive 4-0 victory in favour of Nigeria. But the Super Eagles had the Black Stars of Ghana to thank as their victory over the Lone Star in Liberia confirmed Nigeria's ticket to the World Cup in the Asian continent.

Luck, however, failed to smile on Nigeria on the last day of the African qualifiers ahead of the 2006 edition of the mundial staged in Germany, when, despite a comprehensive 5-1 win over Zimbabwe, Angola snatched the sole group ticket courtesy of the head-to-head rule even though both sides ended on the same points.

The 'Palencas Negras', as the Angolan side are known, had won the Super Eagles in their first leg encounter in Kigali, while the return leg in Kano ended in a draw.

Victory for Nigeria in today's crucial game against Kenya in Nairobi will count for nothing if Tunisia win Mozambique in Maputo as the race for tickets to next year's World Cup ends today across Africa. Tunisia currently top Group B with 11 points, while Nigeria follow with nine points. It's, therefore, a must-win situation for Nigeria, as anything short of that automatically puts paid to the Super Eagles' chance of making it to the Rainbow Nation next year even if Tunisia lose to Mozambique in Maputo today.

At the moment, Nigeria and Tunisia tie on same goal difference of +4. A draw for Tunisia and a win for Nigeria will leave both nations on 12 points each. Nigeria, therefore, need a comprehensive win to beat Tunisia to the sole group ticket to the first World Cup on African soil.

All the four teams in Group B have everything to play for in today's last round qualifying fixtures. While Nigeria and Tunisia go to the wires for the World Cup ticket, Mozambique and Kenya are desperate to go to Angola for next year's Africa Cup of Nations. Should Nigeria win Kenya and Mozambique beat Tunisia, Nigeria go to South Africa, while Tunisia and Mozambique will qualify for the Nations Cup. Conversely, should Tunisia win Mozambique and Kenya beat Nigeria, Tunisia will qualify for the World Cup, while Nigeria and Kenya go to the Nations Cup in Angola next year.

To underline the importance of today's crucial encounter, Kenya Football Federation have compelled the German Coach of Harambee Stars, Antoine Hey, to recalled Denmark-based midfielder, Emmanuel Ake and striker Dennis Oliech of Auxerre, France, as replacements for the injured duo of MacDonald Maringa and Robert Mambo, who are ruled out of the battle of Nairobi.
Kenya have vowed to spoil the party for Nigeria in order to realise their dream of featuring at next year's Nations Cup in Angola. But the Super Eagles are equally committed to victory over the Kenyans in order to land in South Africa next year.

Led by Nigeria's reigning Footballer of the Year, Osaze Odemwingie, the Super Eagles are poised to take the fight to the Harambee Stars this afternoon even in front of their partisan home fans.
“Nigerians should believe that we are going to qualify for the World Cup. I want the same atmosphere we had before the game against Tunisia when we went to Tunis and got a positive result. The game against Kenya will be a hard one, but we have to do our best to take the advantage,” Osaze remarked.
“It is unfortunate that picking a slot in the 2010 World Cup does not just depend on the result of our match against Kenya. We have to pray that Tunisia drop points from their match against Mozambique. But there is still a chance for us and we will not stop fighting for it,” Osaze vowed.

“I'm sure we will face difficulties, but we won the first leg against the Kenyans and we have to do it again. I hope we can get the full points we need and also increase our goal difference in case we tie on points with Tunisia after their match against Mozambique,” Obafemi Martins added his voice ahead of today's crucial clash.

Coach Amodu Shaibu is familiar with the crucial nature of today's match. He was in charge of the Super Eagles when Nigeria faced Sudan in the famous 'Battle of Omdurman' where the Eagles grabbed their ticket to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan with a massive 4-0 win over the Sudanese side.
Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Mike Eneramo are likely to start in Nigeria's attack against the Kenyans, while captain Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Akpala are other options for Amodu in front. The midfield options include Yusuf Ayila, John Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana, Kalu Uche, Olufemi Ajilore and workaholic Osaze.

In the defence are Joseph Yobo, Taiye Taiwo, Onyekachi Apam and returnee Chidi Odiah. Others are Dele Adeleye, Elderson Echiejile and Obinna Nwaneri. While Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba or Greg Etafia will man the goalposts for Nigeria.

Interestingly, a certain Prophet Timothy Okechukwu Ibe has told Nigerians not to get hypertensive over today's match, assuring that the Super Eagles' victory over the Harambee Stars is not only a done deal, but will come with a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline. According to the prophet, Mozambique would also beat Tunisia 2-1 to confirm Nigeria's ticket to South Africa for next year's World Cup.
Both the match between Nigeria and Kenya, as well as the tie between Mozambique and Tunisia will start at 2.00pm Nigerian time today.

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