Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to play Madagascar in Antananarivo today, in a CAF Nations Cuo qualifier, and it is a game the Eagles must win.
?The Super Eagles currently trail the Syli Stars of Guinea by three points and anything less than three points will see the team sit-out the Nations Cup.
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In the first leg last September, the Eagles, then in the care of temporary coach Austin Eguavoen, beat Madagascar 2-0 in? Calabar. Nigeria has seven points from four matches, three points behind group leaders Guinea, with only the group winners assured of an automatic ticket. Ethiopia are third in the standings with four points, while Madagascar take the rear with a point. The Super Eagles’ squad has been rocked by injuries, with at least four players forced to pull out of the crunch tie, as a result. Taye Taiwo, Osaze Odemwingie, Danny Shittu and Yusuf Ayila have all withdrawn? due to a variation of injuries.
Some of the players have promised to do their best against Madagascar.
“We have to win, no matter the state of the pitch. We may not have the best conditions (in Madagascar) but we are professionals and so we have to deal with such things,” said Everton of England striker Victor Anichebe.
Besides the deplorable state of the pitch at the Stade Municipal de Mahamasina, Nigeria will most likely change hotels after the one they were booked into by the hosts was described by officials as “sub-standard”.
“The objective is to win this very important match today,”added? Locomotiv Moscow of Russia forward, Obinna Nsofor.
Speedy winger and starlet Ahmed Musa said, “I’m confident that we will win this game. We, the players, know that this is a game we must win, because we want to play in the Nations Cup. But it will not be easy.
“The bad pitch won’t be an excuse for us. We have heard that the pitch is bad, but I believe this team is very good and we can beat anybody, anywhere. We also have a very good coach, so by God’s grace we will win this one,” said Musa.
Asked if he was worried that the Super Eagles currently trail their Guinean counterparts in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Musa doused such fear.
“I’m not worried. We just need to concentrate on our game against Madagascar and win it. Then we can worry about Guinea later.”
Here are five ways the Eagles can pick the maximum points at stake in Madagascar, today:
Score early. Since Samson Siasia took over as coach of the Eagles, most games the Eagles gained confidence in most games in which they scored early. The match against Madagascar will be no different. The Super Eagles need to score early to put pressure on the Madagascans.
Stick together. African teams have been severally criticised for their lack of uniformity,discipline and tendency to showboat, and the Nigerian side is no exception. The team must stick to the tactical plan of the coach.
Be ruthless in front of goal. The Super Eagles must take most of their chances. With the likes of Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor,Ike Uche? and Emmanuel Emenike, the Eagles must be clinical in front of goal.
Utilise the pace of Ahmed Musa. Due to the bad condition of the pitch, the passing game will not work in Eagles’ favour. There is need for a tactical change. The wing play may prove to be more effective with Ahmed Musa using his pace on the right side of midfield and possibly Nsofor on the left wing. The team can do damage through the flanks. we have seen what Ahmed Musa can do, as he was one of Nigeria’s outstanding performers in the FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship in Colombia.
Confident play. The Super Eagles’ away form has been suspect for a couple of games. To break this jinx, they must approach this game with confidence and the right mentality. But not too over-confident, because the Madagascans have been poor throughout the qualifying series, and on Thursday the entire team was sacked and replaced with the Olympic team. Coach? Maurice Mosa was? also replaced? with Frank Rajaonarisamba.
While they have drawn just one of their home games against Guinea, they have lost the others, but in such an eager-to-impress form and with the backing of the home crowd, the new team will be playing. Summarily, the Eagles need to be cautious this afternoon.
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