What does John Powers Know that I Don’t?

In a preview of the North American World Cup qualifying match between the US and Mexico, the Boston Globe’s John Powers (pictured at the right) also included a state of play on the other continental races. Specifically with regards to Africa:

Nigeria likely will earn [a spot] by beating Tunisia at home, where the Super Eagles are unbeaten with a plus-10 goal differential since qualifying began.

I suppose that’s technically true if you neglect the nuances of form, cohesion, and practice that make football dynamically mesmerizing. I do hope he’s right because I can’t imagine sitting through another World Cup where the Super Eagles are unrepresented.

That said, what is Tunisia, our main rival for this berth, doing today? Playing Cote D’Ivoire in a friendly to prepare for our September 6 clash. Meanwhile, Nigerian coach Shaibu Amodu currently has no plans for a friendly prior to that date. Should I really keep asking “what is wrong with Nigerian football?”