10th October, 2014
Super Eagles of Nigeria will have their hands full when they confront Sudan in an away make or mar 2015 Africa Nation’s Cup qualifier slated for tomorrow in Khartoum.
Nigeria’s Eagles need an outright victory in the crucial tie to put their Nations Cup campaign back on track following unimpressive performance in their two previous matches against Congo and South Africa.
Nigeria occupy third position in group A table with one point, Congo who humiliated Africa champions 3-2 in Calabar, top the table with six points, while South Africa who drew 0-0 with Nigeria in Cape Town maintain second position with four points, while Sudan are with no point having lost their two previous matches.
It is obvious that Eagles will play under pressure knowing full well that a draw or loss to Sudan may end the country’s ambition to defend the AFCON title in next year’s tournament in Morocco.
Dolphins attacker, Emem Eduok has shared his thoughts and impressions about the game.
“It is not going to be an easy game, but we are going all out for the victory, so by God’s grace and hard work, we will achieve our target,” he said.
Previously, the youngster had never been invited to the Super Eagles setup, though he featured twice for the Under 20 Team at the FIFA U- 20 in Turkey last year.
The 20-year-old has smashed in 15 goals in all competitions this season, including 12 in the Nigeria Premier League.
Eagles’ goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama does not believe the weather conditions in Khartoum will detrimentally affect the player against Sudan.
Maximum temperatures in Khartoum on Saturday are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius with pundits predicting that the predominantly overseas-based Eagles will struggle under the hot conditions
Enyeama has waved off such suggestions, explaining that the players are already prepared to brave the conditions on Saturday.
“I don’t really know much about the weather in Sudan but we have been told to expect playing under very hot conditions.”
Footballers thrive under any kind of weather condition so the weather in Khartoum on Saturday.”
“It will be very hot and to be honest, it’s not really what we want but we don’t really have a choice,” Enyeama told supersport.com.
Enyeama, who will captain the team tomorrow, missed out on Nigeria’s first two 2015 AFCON qualifying games against Congo and South Africa because of “family reasons”.
Nigeria could only manage a solitary point from the two games in the absence of the OSC Lille man who has now firmly set his sights on strong performances against Sudan in the coming days.
“Those games against South Africa and Congo belong to the history books. I am one person that does not talk about history because I don’t believe in it.
“We are looking forward to the two games against Sudan and that’s really what matters; not what has happened in the past,” he said.