Here we go………….

By Segun Olushola

• The Super Eagles

About  a month after winning Africa’s most coveted and glamorous football competition the nations cup, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin her quest to claim a spot at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they host the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the Canaan City of Calabar which will be the first baptism for the team after the victory in South Africa.

The team still basking in the euphoria of winning the AFCON trophy in the rainbow city of South Africa will face a fierce rivalry from the Kenyan national team who have always been a pain in the neck for the Super Eagles of Nigeria considering the hard fought victory over the Kenyans in the race to the 2010 world cup where a YakubuAiyegbeni and Obafemi Martin’s goal gave us maximum three points in the encounter. Though the Kenyans are bottom of the group despite being the Super Eagles’ most obvious challenger in Group F after a disappointing home stalemate with Malawi, and a dismal defeat away to Namibia both in June 2012, which has left the East African giants with only one point from a possible six, there will be an added impetus for them to defeat the reigning African champions in their first encounter after the cup and defeat to Nigeria in Calabar would leave them six points off the Super Eagles currently occupying the sole qualifying spot with three games to play.

For Nigeria however, and Keshi, a win would maintain clear distance between themselves and the minnows in their group, putting them in pole position to advance from the group as the Super Eagles go into the match as clear favourites considering their powerful display at the nation’s cup which saw them defeat powerhouse Ivory Coast, Mali and one of the surprise package of the tournament, the Burkina babes. The Super Eagles team has changed to a great extent over the years in their play and setup since the emergence of Stephen Keshi as head coach of the team after the inability of the team to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations under the reins of Samson Siasia which the determined Zambian team won.

Since the emergence of Keshi, the team has evolved into one that many Nigerians can be proud of and support and they put the icing on the cake by winning the title in South Africa with great resilience and determination which is the hallmark of a true Nigerian team setup. The team has also witnessed a revolution as household name players in the Super Eagles like Taye Taiwo, Kalu Uche, Obinna Nsofor, Chinedu Obasi, not forgetting the controversial Osaze Odewingie who had an outburst against Keshi and the Nigeria football setup has been left out of the team which is a great audacity and courage from the coach though it came with so many tongue wagging before proving them wrong by winning the coveted trophy after nineteen years.

New playerslike John Oguas well as Babatunde Michael have also been given a look into the team which has made many Nigerians raise their eye brows as to the quality they will be bringing to the team at the expense of tested international talents like Kalu Uche who is currently the highest goal scorer in the Turkish League. 

Haven stated the above, it is imperative for the team to realize that the party is over and every team will want to have their own pound of flesh on the reigning African champions meaning the level of play has to be great and also show the supremacy that winning the cup was not a fluke. Nigerians will not be patient enough considering we just won the nations cup but will want to see the tiki-taka style of play that saw them capture the heart of millions of sports lovers all around the world.

The coach of the team has also realize this also by stating that there is no automatic shirt for any member of the team which is a welcomed development for the effective workings of the team. The Kenyans are also talking tough with Captain Dennis Oliech promising the Super Eagles hell in Calabar which should be held in high regards considering that the Kenyans have nothing to lose in the encounter which means all hands should be on deck in making sure Nigeria gets maximum three points so the green white green flag of the nation can be hoisted in Brazil come 2014.