“Defeating
the Burkina babes would not be a difficult task for Vincent Enyeama’s led side,
we should do it with style as we consolidate our status as kings of the
continent, have fun watch the game with some level of ease and urge our dear
supporters in Kaduna and neigbouring states to mobilize and be at the stadium
to cheer the team to victory”
Nigeria
national football team, the Super Eagles will on Wednesday, September 11, 2013
file out in Kaduna against their West African rivals and 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations finalist, Bukina Faso in a high profile friendly to keep the team in
shape.
The Bukina Faso national
football team nicknamed Les Etalons (The Stallions) arrived the country over
the weekend and have since settled in the ancient northern city ready for the
challenge of the African Champions and if I by stroke of luck, hope to dent the
record of the Super Eagles at home under the tutelage of coach Stephen Keshi.
The team has improved
vastly on the continent with top scorer Moumouni Dagano providing the sides’
main attacking threat and Jonathan Pritopia, Alain Traore and Charles Kabore
have emerged as leaders in the midfield thanks to the expression they have
gained in Europe.
The international
friendly remains timely for the Eagles as Keshi hopes to complement on the
success of the team so far as Nigerians look forward to a great team that will
bring pride and glory to the nation.
It is also another
oportunity for the players to showcase their talents and for the technical crew
to re-assess the technical depth and deficiencies of the team.
It is also another major
boost to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in keeping the team busy and
ensuring that the players are duly engaged during the FIFA Windows as this week
presents yet another opportunity.
Watching the Eagles play
in recent times, major concerns have been expressed by soccer pundits on the
stamina of the team through the duration of the game and the loss of
concentration in the defence line as duo of Godfrey Ogbaoboama and Kenneth
Omeruo held sway before Kenneth’s injury and the combination of Ogbaoboana and
Azubuike Egureke witout captain Joseph Yobo.
It is believed that the
challenge of the Stallions of Burkina Faso should be able to stretch the team
as we hope to see the lapses and the reactionary challenges of the technical
crew.
Perhaps, Nigeria and
Burkina Faso would be a massive test run for the Eagles ahead of the final
qualifiers on home and away basis for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Africa Zone.
The draws for the last
round of matches to pick Africa’s five representatives will be held this month
while the matches will take place between October and November this year.
It is also worhty to note
to state that the Nigerian team will be seeded for the final draws as that puts
the Eagles on the drivers’ seat and a firm advantage as the opportunity creates
a first leg away appearance for the team, while hoping to come back home for
the second leg and get the job done clinically.
This FIFA friendly window
would be the last for the team also and it must be taken seriously to engage
the team to success.
In as much as I would
have loved some established stars like Captain Joseph Yobo to make a return to
the team, I believe the quality of players on ground would be capable of
uplifting their standards and stand tall to excel in the team.
Keshi needs to instill
more confidence in his players especially his attack line where Brown Ideye has
become a major culprit in his near misses infront of the goal post a recent
case being the Confederations Cup which took place in June in Brazil.
The Stallions of Burkina
Faso play almost the same pattern with the Eagles with a different flair, but
are also physical like other West African nations, as such, the Eagles must be
able to show character on the pitch and contain their moves with all amount of
professionalism.
The team must step up
their team work, passes and the midfield in my modest opinion should be able to
take charge of every activity as we look forward to a great outing for the
team.
I must commend Stephen
Keshi so far, though in my honest opinion, I still rate him far below my
expectations as the national team manager due to his excesses, for giving the
players in the national team, the opportunity to excel, show hunger and bring
glory to the country and the continent.
The Alhaji Aminu Maigari
led board of the NFF must truly be commended for so far showing much promise to
transform Nigerian football at levels especially the senior national team which
remains our global export and rallying point of unity.
They must be commended
for the existing partnership with the team especially the technical crew as we
put behind the unfortunate national embarrassment after the Namibia encounter
in Windhoek and strictly abide by the new code of conduct for the team.
Defeating the Burkina
babes would not be a difficult task for Vincent Enyeama’s led side, we should
do it with style as we consolidate our status as kings of the continent, have
fun watch the game with some level of ease and urge our dear supporters in
Kaduna and neigbouring states to mobilize and be at the stadium to cheer the
team to victory.
This game remains another
feather to Keshi’s success story so far and like the NFF Technical Committee
chairman stated last week, Keshi can become a legend if he keeps his heads down
and gets the job done and this game provides yet another opportunity for the
team to excel. And for these, the Eagles need to consolidate on their successes.
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