World

Africa

Nigeria

DO or DIE for Dueling Eagles

September 6th, 2009 | By: Lola | 33 Comments »

That is the situation facing the Super Eagles a few hours ahead of the showdown in Abuja. The Carthage Eagles have 7 points to our 5, and it’s highly probable that the winner of this match will go on to SA2010. Expectations are high, and the anticipation is palpable. With the sting of missing out on 2006 still ringing in our ears, Nigerians are highly expectant of a good result.

For their part, the Carthage Eagles played a friendly against Cote D’Ivoire, putting in a solid performance. Although they failed to score, they had some good opportunities, and Coach Coehlo got a chance to work out some kinks in his line up (see here for more on that). Nigeria has not played an international match since then, but Coach Amodu is making some changes of his own. Most notably, the execrable Obafemi Martins will not make an appearance in this match. Even Amodu has grown weary of his unprofessional attitude towards the Nigerian team, and he’s giving Martins a time out. We’re still experimenting in the midfield, with the younger players like Kaita and Ajilore being given more opportunity.

So who might make a difference in this match? Here are my players to watch:

Jemaa (CE): Will he make good choices or hang on too long to the ball?
Kasraoui (CE): On his A-game, our job is that much more difficult.
Korbi (CE): Can he keep his cool or will he blow his top and get sent off? OTOH, will any Nigerian players delibrately provoke him?

Ogbuke-Obasi (SE): Is he back to his pre-injury form both physically and mentally?
Olofinjana (SE): Can he show leadership and be creative in the midfield?
Ikechuwku Uche (SE): Will he be able to get past Hagui and Kasraoui to find the net?

The unknowable answers to these questions would provide a clearer picture of how the match would work, and make the next few hours more bearable for many of us. However, Nigerians can hope that with the 12th man (fans) out on the field with our boys, they will be able to do here what they were not able to do in Rades, and what Nigeria has been unable to do twice in the past: give Tunisia the run of a lifetime.

Prediction (or hope, really): Nigeria 2 Tunisia 1

Squad Lists

Nigeria

Goalkeepers – Vincent Enyeama(Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Austin Ejide (Bastia/FRA), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR)

Defenders – Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA), Yusuf Mohammed (FC Sion/SWI), Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG), Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion/SWI), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/FRA), Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), Olubayo Adefemi (Boulogne/FRA)

Midfielders – John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Sani Kaita (FC Kuban/RUS), Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Oluwafemi Ajilore (FC Groningen/NED)

Forwards – Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/ENG), Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow/RUS), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga/SPA), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA), Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), John Utaka (Portsmouth/ENG), Chinedu Ogbuke-Obasi (Hoffenheim/GER)

Tunisia

Goalkeepers: Hamdi Kasraoui (Lens), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile), Jassem Khaloufi (CS Sfaxien)

Defenders: Karim Hagui (Hannover/Germany), Yassine Mikari (Sochaux/France), Seif Ghezal (Young Boys/Switzerland), Aymen Abdennour (Etoile), Khaled Souissi (Club Africain), Radhouane (1860 Munich), Bilel Ifaa (Club Africain), Ammar Jmel (Etoile)

Midfielders: Chaouki Ben Saada (Nice/France), Houcine Ragued (Slavia Prague/Czech), Fahd Ben Khalfakllah (Valencienne/France), Sofiene Chahed (Hannover/Germany), Chadi Hammami (CS Sfaxien), Khaled Korbi (Esperance), Haythem M’rabet (Sfaxien), Nabil Taider (Xanthi/Greece)

Strikers: Oussama Darragi (Esperance), Issam Jomaa (Lens/France), Sami Allagui (Grüther Fürt/Germany), Ali Zitouni (Antalya Sport/Turkey), Zouheir Dhaouadi (Club Africain)

Tags: Team News

Nigeria World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:DO or DIE for Dueling Eagles

stumbleupon:DO or DIE for Dueling Eagles

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 33 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By bassem | September 6th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

TUNISIE TUNISIE TUNISIE ole ole ole TUNISIE TUNSIE inshALLAH marbouha OLE TUNISIE TUNISIE HEEEEEE mana RABI OU NABI!!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Abdullah | September 6th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

TOUNESSSSSSSSS WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYY 4th WORLD CUP IN A ROW!!!!!!!!!

Posted from Netherlands

By Jose | September 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

You stay classy, Tunisia fans.

By bassem | September 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Like always, never forget the Africa Cup in tunisia after the match
We deserved even more over there and you know it. But i think you granted the officials with a nice lady box in the hotel room like in the movie lord of war. Bizar decision making over there! Can’t say more about that only that God SWT gave us strenght and courage!

Posted from Netherlands

By bassem | September 6th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Our Eagle Won over your Eagle by pure strenght and courage! The Chartago Eagle striked your eagle to the ground letting him dazed!

Posted from Netherlands

By Abdullah | September 6th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Didnt you see they were throwing hundreds of bottles and other garbage at darragi after his goal + nearly every Nigerian was predicting unimaginable scores feeling superior.

Btw these reactions are only supposed to effect those Nigerians, everyone who respected us i respect too, but clearly the majority dont see us as equals so this is ment for them.

EAT IT, FEEL THE WRATH, FEEL THE PAIN!

Posted from Netherlands

By Omar | September 6th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

I would like a petition to be sent to the CAF about changing the “Super Egales” to the “Super Ducks”. Who wants to sign it?

By victor philip | September 6th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

I don’t think or believe that the so called super eagle and the technical crew know how big Nigeria is. They take Nigeria to be nothing hence they are making mess of it. The whole world know that Nigeria got far more than what it takes to qualify for 2010 world cup without conceeding a goal. Then what is wrong? These people have so messed up Nigeria football that the citizies are no longer proud, rather feel ashame to be called Nigerian. Though, it may be so early to conclude that Nigeria cannot qualify for world cup, but when a reasonable person view the table and the macthes left and still come up will the saying that they will qualify, that means he or she is just trying to comfort the lovers of Nigeria football. I do believe that with God all things are possible. That means if Nigeria eventually qualify, it will be a glory to God rather than paising the team itsef. So will need to pray now for a miracle to happen! Yes that is all we need.

Posted from United Kingdom

By victor philip | September 6th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

I don’t think or believe that the so called super eagle and the technical crew know how big Nigeria is. They take Nigeria to be nothing hence they are making mess of it. The whole world know that Nigeria got far more than what it takes to qualify for 2010 world cup without conceeding a goal. Then what is wrong? These people have so messed up Nigeria football that the citizies are no longer proud, rather feel ashame to be called Nigerian. Though, it may be so early to conclude that Nigeria cannot qualify for world cup, but when a reasonable person view the table and the macthes left and still come up will the saying that they will qualify, that means he or she is just trying to comfort the lovers of Nigeria football. I do believe that with God all things are possible. That means if Nigeria eventually qualify, it will be a glory to God rather than praising the team itsef. So will need to pray now for a miracle to happen! Yes that is all we need.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Rachid | September 6th, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Any way you look at it my friend, IT’S OVER! I can hear the old lady singing, and I think it sounds Tunisian. We will play Kenya next in Tunis, and with all due respect to Kenya, that encounter should have a goal festival for the Tunisian side. The greater the number of goals, the more Nigeria’s chances evaporate, EVEN if, God forbid, we don’t beat Mozambique during our last game. I had lower expectations from our team, but today they surprised the hell out of me. That’s purely the Tunisian style: keep a low profile and then kick ass and take names! It bothered me a lot to see Eneramo, who plays for Esperance in Tunisia, celebrate that much after scoring the 2nd goal, but I was especially delighted to see his bubble getting burst by his own Esperance teammate Darragi. The Tunisian spirit never dies, and that was exhibited today in the best of ways. With that said, it feels especially good to qualify for SA 2010 with Nigeria in our group. You might say “WE EARNED IT”!!!

By bassem | September 6th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

Miracles belong to ALLAH SWT, and a goal in the 90th minute is a miracle that can only be granted by ALLAH SWT. ALLAH SWT doesn’t like the none believers. There bodys are a fuel to Hell fire!

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | September 7th, 2009 at 9:23 am

Keep God out this Bassem, by mixing God and soccer your are blaspheming during the holy month, and the Nigerians are our brothers and deserve God’s kindness as much as we do.

By bassem | September 7th, 2009 at 10:03 am

no Alex, i don´t even think you know what blaspheming means man! you can´t tell me what to do by the way thats second, so again thank ALLAH SWT we one! I can thank ALLAH SWT for everything. I am doing it right know by going and doeing my prayers. Do you pray

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | September 7th, 2009 at 10:18 am

I am humbled by your devoutness and holiness Bassem, you should be a teacher and guide to all future generations. While people pray for the children of Ghaza and World Peace, you pray for soccer games and medals, knowing in all your glorious wisdom that Tunisian Muslims deserve better than Nigerian Muslims (and Christians who are also people of the book). But what shines the most from your virtuous holiness is your incredible practice and knowledge of prayer since you have perfected the discipline to the point where you can devout all of your consciousness to Allah SWT and simultaneously read internet blog comments and respond to them. Kifech tarka3 wou tappi 3al clavier nefss il wa9t? 3allamni aman 9immet el 5chou5 mte3ek!

By bassem | September 7th, 2009 at 10:42 am

Alex, wich goal did you like best? the first or the second? I liked them both man~! What a goals! What you said above i never tried to say, thats your conclusion. Maby you are the frustrated one, look at your post at Tunisia. Still burning i think. Playing God thats not good man.

Posted from Netherlands

By bassem | September 7th, 2009 at 10:43 am

If this is Tunisian i didn’t understand a thing you where trying to say, please speak your own language Kifech tarka3 wou tappi 3al clavier nefss il wa9t? 3allamni aman 9immet el 5chou5 mte3ek! This is not Tunisian nor Arabic. Clavier? i don’t understand.

Posted from Netherlands

By Lola | September 7th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

alright, guys. i think you can move your discussions of tunisia’s performance to the tunisia page. i don’t want to have to mute this thread. thanks!

By Seun | September 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

It is hard to believe that the players fielded yesterday play for professional clubs, let alone top ones. Outside of Peter not one person performed with distinction among the Nigerian players, Taiwo’s blunder for Tunisia’s second equalizer is nigh unforgivable. It would have been unforgivable had i held out any hope for qualification for South Africa. Anyone who watched Nigeria labor in ACON last year knows that the Decline in its football is snowballing. I find it Ironic that the Nigerian Men’s National team still inspire respect among outsiders simply because of the team that shook the world 14 years ago. I would like to tell them that that team is long dead and rising form its ashes is a debased excuse for a football team.

Posted from United States

By zed | September 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

bassem u sound like u need help “the bodies of unb…..” ur statement stinks i wonder y tunisia has never won d world cup b4 with d help of ur allah??? u better calm down it is not over yet nigeria will still qualify & i am sure we will be better reps than tunisia u guys have never gotten to d 2nd round at d world cup

Posted from United States

By Abdullah | September 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

zed ur statements make no sense either, what does history have to do with this?

If you want win in your own backyard from us, what makes you think you can South-Africa against equal or better teams?

You have a lot of hope for a Nigerian, just keep hoping we slip up, but all likelyness is pointing in our favours direction, 1 match at home against Kenya wich will be easier than the away match, if we win that one there is no way our boys won’t do whatever it takes to achieve a win agains Mozambique in Maputo.

Plus it works both ways, Mozambique has nothing to lose after they won against Kenya they will be going all out against you guys

Posted from Netherlands

By Abdullah | September 10th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

want= can’t hehe

Posted from Netherlands

By Nijaombudsman | September 15th, 2009 at 8:15 am

The performance of our national team is a reflection of the current state of our nation. sadly, we have so much but mediocrity seems to pervade our corridors. We have more than enough talents to form more than 5 national teams our world class. Unfortunately, our technical team and players don’t seem to just get it. Soccer like any other sport is more than a game of chance, if you have not done your homework do not expect a miracle (although I believe in miracles).

Its sad how things have degenerated. I met a couple of guys recently outside Nigeria and I was surprised how much interest they had in Nigeria soccer based on our outstanding performances in the past, when we had the likes of Odegbami, Yekimi, Iroha, Eguavoen…. Our players should see their national assignments as way of putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians. They have to work extra hard for it, many teams work twice harder when they are paired against Nigeria. We have always been a team others want to beat, though the odds are higher, I believe with very hard work we can still qualify.

The site moderator should try find a way of moderating and screening out some of the irrelevant comments posted here.

Posted from Finland

By Nuno | September 18th, 2009 at 4:40 am

GO GO Nigéria!
One of the best football in the world!

Posted from Portugal

By nigerialist | October 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am

Its going to be a tough match but I am going to go for Nigeria

By olumide cole | October 11th, 2009 at 9:06 am

i personaly feel nigeria is not fit to lift the world cup, we no where near it.if we find it so difficult to qualify why waste other better countries chance or even reaching south africa with a struggle,hope or chance whatever you may call it and making a fool of ourseleves. Brother and sisters we are NOT just READY lets focus on 2014. Get the foundation right from the start and you cannot stumble.

Posted from United Kingdom

Comments are closed