For Nigeria, the focus will be the outcome of the crunch fixture between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Dessert Foxes of Algeria in Uyo at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (Nest of Champions) in a game which all three points will be at stake.
The Eagles are in pole position in the group which also features the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun and the Chipolopolo of Zambia and come into this Match Day Two fixture as favourites after winning the opening group game away at Ndola against a hard fighting Zambian side.
The Eagles have found in Uyo a new home ground with the massive support base, the warmth and hospitality given to the team in previous games, the serene and conducive accommodation at the Ibom Le Meridien Resort and the very world class International stadium which has become the new fortress of the senior national team.
The Eagles lead the group with three points having edged the Zambians by 2-1 while the Dessert Foxes were forced to a 1-1 score line at home against the Indomitable Lions and will be coming out in full attack if they hope to still be in contention for the sole ticket from the group.
Winning in Zambia does not mean that the Eagles will win at home as all teams in the group have equal chances to pick the sole ticket but the Gernot Rohr tutored side must ensure that they put away that victory and work to ensure that all three points at stake must be achieved to ease the pressure on the team and anxiety on the millions of fans and supporters who will follow the game intensely.
The Algerians have been working hard after that home draw, sacking a their previous coach and appointing a new one who immediately swung into action releasing a n eighteen man team list for this crack encounter. The team official where in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to have a pre- knowledge of the facilities at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the Ibom Meridien Resort, the airport facilities and a feel of the city and have also acquired tapes of the Eagles especially in their last fixture.
On paper, the Algerians have a lot to play for as they a ranked higher than Nigeria on the FIFA rankings, have a set of players who have been together in the last three to four years and have rebuilt a new side that has made Africa proud in recent global competitions.
The Eagles have no excuse not to win this weekend in Uyo as the the team is highly motivated by the Nigeria Football Federation and a massive support base where the fans are already talking about the match and the need to mobilize effectively for the team as the likes of Dele Alampasu, Daniel Akpeyi, Elderson Echeijile, Kenneth Omeruo,Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong ,Ogenyi Onazi, John Mikel Obi ,John Ogu, Nosa Igiebor, Etebo Oghenekaro, Wilfred Ndidi,Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Victor Moses, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho just to mention a few will be some of the stars that will storm Uyo by Thursday for the big encounter.
Under new Coach Gernot Rorh, the Eagles have been re-defined to soar with a string of outings that have brought the passion and commitment from the players to excel and the fans to once again throng out to support the team.
In their first group game against the Zambians in Ndola, the Eagles showed class with a display that brought back memories of the glorious outings in the nineties. The strongest department of the present team lies in the attack where the Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi hold sway and they dazzled the Zambians with their deft displays to nick the three points on an away soil.
It will surely be a different side this weekend as the Algerians also have players that have excelled in their various clubs but the Eagles must by now realize that the key to being in Russia will be winning all three home matches and they will be in Russia 2018 that is why every level of distraction must be avoided at this stage.
We are more concerned at those issues which tend to distract the team and the Nigeria Football Federation in crucial games like this and we believe that the welfare of the players and technical crew must have been addressed by now.
The recent visit by Gernot Rorh to some European Clubs to see his players and meet the coaches was a milestone and a commitment on his part that he is ready to work and succeed. For the first time we are having a coach who did not travel to Europe and make phone calls to players but found time to meet the managers of these players at his own expense is commendable and he should be given the utmost support.
We saw pictures of the soft spoken coach with Arsene Wenger of Arsenal, Claudio Ranieri of Leicester City and Antonio Conte of Chelsea,Pep Gourdiolla of Manchester City as he brings more respect for the players and new content of orientation for the team.
His absolute support for his Captain Mikel Obi has been outstanding despite his lack of palying yime under new Coach Antonio Conte but he has continued to assure his experienced captain who has guided the team in unity and patriotic commitment that he will be his captain. That is keeping the faith with a leader in order not to rock the team.
However, despite being at the summit of her group, the Eagles still have a lot of work to do on their defence especially the central position which failed to hold forte and conceded that late sloe goal by the Zambians but with the return of Leon Balogun to the side and playing in a familiar bturf in Uyo the team pair of William Ekong and Leon Balogun will likely hold their own against the Algerians.
The absence of goal keeper, Carl Ikeme is definitely a big blow to the team as he has gradually won the hearts of fans with his heroics in recent matches and fans have come to accept him as a worthy replacement for retired Vincent Enyeama.
The likes of Dele Alampasu, Daniel Akpeyi may not have the pedigree expected to meet the expectations of the fans but with a good midfield and defence line expected to hold the rampaging Algerians whose speed remains their greatest assets, the Eagles do not need to expose their flanks but to get the job done without pressure and hold on to the expected victory.
The players will officially start their training session on Monday evening at the Abuja Stadium and a full camp is expected by Tuesday morning as the team will train twice a day and arrive Uyo on Thursday.
Preparations in Uyo has been at its peak with the Local Organizing Committee working hard to ensure another milestone for the nation this weekend. Already, the pitch at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is looking lush green. The stadium is wearing a new look. The officials of the Nigeria Football Federation led by First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi have been to Uyo severally to inspect the Stadium and have given it a pass mark.
The accommodation for both teams at the posh Ibom le Meredien Golf Resort remains a tourist delight which both teams will savour the warmth and hospitality and the good road network from all routes will make access smooth.
The success story this weekend against the Algerians in Uyo will be another milestone for the Dakkada re-birth philosophy of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel under whose leadership has brought a new renaissance in sports development in Akwa Ibom State and has propelled the state as a sports tourist destination not just in the country but the world as visitors storm this city to watch this epic encounter.
For the fans, this game is another moment in history and a time to support our own pride to excel. The fans in Uyo have been known to always give their best to support their national teams and this weekend will be even bigger as the fans will give no space in that 30,000 capacity seater at the Nest of Champions as they fill the seats adorned in their Green and White replica jerseys backed with a vociferous supporters club cheering the team to victory.
We must forget about our FIFA rankings at the moment. It doesn’t maater if the Algerians are better ranked at this moment, what matters is that the best team in Africa at the moment, the Super Eagles are about to fly past their opponents this weekend and all hands must be on deck to ensure that all three points are in our kitty.
We have the best players in Africa and we believe in this set of players and the road to Russia 2018 will be beautiful as we look forward to another exciting and rewarding fixture at the Nest of Champions this weekend in Uyo, a city where sporting excellence thrives. These Eagles will surely fly. Good luck.
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