2014 World Cup: Eagles Set For Last Hurdle

The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s quest of making it to Brazil 2014 World Cup faces litmus test Saturday when they host the Walya Ibex of Ethiopia in the second leg final play-offs. The match is billed for the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State southern Nigeria.

The Eagles are going into the encounter with a 1-2 away advantage courtesy of a brace from Fenerbahçe at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the first leg.

The U J Esuene Stadium has literarily become the Eagles’ slaughter slab and it is expected that they should have an easy ride over the East Africans, who many feel will be under intense pressure to turn the table against the Nigerians.

Nigeria is in pole position for another shot at qualifying to the premier football showpiece event but some football pundits have warned them against being complacent against their opponents come Sunday.

While two ex-internationals: Friday Ekpo and Tijani Babangida are optimistic of the Eagles of picking the ticket they were however quick caution the Eagles against underrating their opponents who have nothing to lose if they get defeated.

The duo strongly believes that the Eagles on paper are a force to reckon with based on the array of stars they boast of but stressed the need for precautionary measures.

Ekpo warned that the Eagles should not be complacent when they take on the Walya Ibex, “The Super Eagles have been favourites from the day they were drawn against Ethiopia and they proved that in the first leg by winning. It is impossible for the boys not to make sure that they qualify for the World Cup.

“Even without the coaches telling them I know the players know how important it is to play at the World Cup. So I’m confident they will not take chances with Ethiopia though they won the first leg,” warned Ekpo.

It is the same message that Babangida passed to the team leading into the game saying “It is not a do or die game, it is a game to finish up and the Ethiopians can’t escape the Eagles in Calabar Insha Allah but they have to watch it.”

There is also a war of words coming from both camps, Super Eagles striker, Obinna Nsofor and his Ethiopian counterpart, Asrat Megersa are already talking tough ahead of the mouthwatering tie.

While Nsofor feels the Eagles are not under undue pressure to pick the picket, Megersa thinks otherwise admitting that the Eagles are clear favourites but they can still spring surprise come Saturday in Nigeria.

According to Nsofor, who was recently called back to the Eagles “We are not under pressure but we would do all within our means to win the match and book our flight to Brazil for the Mundial next year.”

Megersa who returned back to Ethiopia after a stint in Israel playing for Hapoel Ramat Hasharon still feels they could get positive results against Nigeria away in Calabar.

“Nigeria are a good side with very talented players but in our first leg match in Addis we pushed them to the wall but crumbled late in the game despite the good game we played. We have a battle in our hands in the return leg on Saturday but I believe as footballers we cannot rule out a comeback at this stage as everything is possible in football.”

“We have all been dreaming big for the World cup and the mood in camp is very upbeat but we leave all to God to help guide us in Calabar one truth is that we are all proud of where we have come from since the qualifiers started. We hope for good results and that is what we are working hard for now,” Asrat muted.