Nations Cup Qualifiers: Eagles’ Fate Lies In Guinea Tie — Akwuegbu

Despite the 2-0 victory Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded against Barea of Madagascar on Sunday in the Africa of Nations qualifier played in Antananarivo last weekend, the chances of the Eagles to feature in the Nations Cup depend on the outcome of yet to be played last qualifying game against Guniea on 8 October at the Abuja National Stadium.

Nigeria will only qualify for the Nations Cup if they beat Syil Nationale of Guinea with at a goal if their visitors do not score any goal in the match. This is a gospel according to the CAF’s head to head rule.

Nigerians soccer fans will keep a date with history on 8 October to see whether their darling Eagles will be among the 16 countries that will play in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations or miss out in the biennual competition.

The last time Nigeria failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations was when Egypt hosted the event in 1986 and since then, the two time winners of the Nations have been participating in all the editions.

Tension mounted among soccer loving Nigerians ahead of Nigeria’s crucial encounter against Guinea, who are leading Group B with 13 points, while Nigeria have 10 points. Ethiopia and Madagascar, also in the group, have 4 and 1 points respectively.

Former Eagles player, Benedict Akwuegbu, warned the the Nigerian team not to be complacent when they confront Guinea next month

Akwuegbu is optimistic that Nigeria can beat Guinea when they meet in the their last qualifying match.

“Guinea beat Nigeria 1-0 in Conakry at the beginning of the Africa Cup Of Nations, qualifers. This is the time coach Samson Siasia should wake up and go for victory against the group leaders, as this will guarantee us a place in next year’s Nations Cup,” he said.

Akwuegbu, who was satisfied with the Eagles’ performance against Madagascar, cautioned Nigerians not to celebrate yet, saying that their last match against Guinea will determine their qualification for the competition.

In the same vein, former Super Eagles’ coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, is upbeat that Nigeria will come out victorious. He said the Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify for the Nations Cup at the expense of Guinea

“We all know the importance of the match, so there is no point asking me what I think about it. But if you ask me, I will say Siasia must instruct his wards never to miss any chance that comes their way in the first half. They should score as many goals as possible.

“Although we need at least two goals, but I am saying that the Eagles should score as many goals as possible in the first half to demoralise their opponents,’ Onigbinde said.

Meanwhile, the Guineans are hoping to upset the Nigeria’s team in the race for the only ticket of the group for the African Cup of Nations.

According to reports on the Guinean web site, Chairman of the Coordination Committee of Guinea football, Amadou Diaby, told reporters in Dakar, Senegal that Guinea would not miss the rare opportunity the team have at the moment to reach Gabon and Equatorial Guinea 2012, after chalking-up 13 points from five games to top Group B ahead of favourites Nigeria who are on 10 points.

“We have the players and the desire to qualify this time around, so we can’t afford to fall. We’ll do everything possible to stay atop the group to clinch our ticket,” he said.

“We’ve got a very youthful team with full potentials and coach Michel Dussuyer is doing a very great job with little hurdles left on our way towards next year’s continental showpiece,” Diaby told Senegal Press Agency, APS.

—Sunday Akintoye