This evening at the Khartoun Stadium, tempers will flare, tears will flow and egos will be bruised as the Super Eagles confront Sudan in a battle of survival as the race to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations reaches its mid-way point across the continent.
When the qualifying process for next year’s tournament holding in Morocco started last month, the Eagles could not have pictured themselves in the state they are in today. As defending champions, they are staring elimination, no thanks to 3-2 home defeat to Congo and a barren draw with South Africa.
Unthinkable as it may look, the three-time champions of |Africa are rooted to the third position in Group A, with a solitary point. Sudan are on the base, without a point.
South Africa are second with four points while Congo have notched up an impregnable six points from two matches, to lead the way while others toe behind.
It is with this consciousness that the Eagles will step into the stadium to play Sudan in a game of sweat and blood, which will almost certainly produce tears as the losers will surely kiss an early good night to Morocco 2015.
It is an acid test for the Eagles, who do not want to earn the unenviable tag of being the first defending champions in recent years, to fail to qualify to defend their trophy, after just three matches.
Coach Stephen Keshi, angling for a contract, has told his troops that beating Sudan was non-negotiable, warning of the dire consequences of dropping points will be to their chances of closing the gap on South Africa and Congo.
“We are here for three points. No more, no less. Just three points and we will be back on track. Anything short of three points is failure”, Keshi told his players
And resonating their readiness for war, captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who missed the previous games against Congo and South Africa said the players will go the extra mile to get the three points.
“We know what we are up against and promise to fight with all we have to get the victory. We are ready for the battle”, said the Lille of France shot-stopper.
Also speaking, new boy from Reading, Hope Akpan, who will play in the midfield if Keshi decides to hand him a debut appearance today, said Eagles cannot afford to fail Nigerians against Sudan.
“The stakes are high and we cannot afford to fail our country”, said Akpan, who is relishing the prospects of playing in the battle of Omdurman.
“It will be a thing of great honour to play for the first time for my country at such a competitive level and If given the chance by the coach, I promise to make the most of the opportunity, by helping my country win”, said the 23-year old Akpan, who was born in Liverpool, England but opted to play for Nigeria, the country of his father.
To stop the hosts from scoring, Eagles must cage Sudan’s star striker Mohamed Tahir and the likes of Nader Eltayeb, Ali Gafab and Nazad Hamid. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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