Over 170 million soccer loving Nigerians all around the world will be hoping for nothing but victory today as Nigeria host Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna in the first of two 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
With 10 titles between them, Egypt have failed to qualify over the last three editions while Nigeria have missed out on two of the last three competitions.
Despite winning an unprecedented three titles back to back between 2006 and 2010, the Pharaohs have lost their invincibility leading to their absence from the tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Such is the fall from grace that Egyptian football has suffered that their legacy is almost forgotten. Gone are the players from the golden era of Aboutreika and the Hassans, coach Hector Cuper had to call up veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in order to remind the new crop of players about their glorious past.
The Egyptians have less pressure though as they lead Group G with six points, two more than their hosts.
On the other hand, Nigeria, winners of their third title as recently as 2013, have faced their own problems. Samson Siasia is the third coach since the Super Eagles began their Afcon qualifying campaign in June 2015.
The former striker took over in an interim role from Sunday Oliseh who unceremoniously resigned in February citing breach of his contract by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The Super Eagles are in a precarious situation as they trail the Pharaohs and need to win to keep up their challenge for a place at Gabon 2017.
Both coaches would be calling on their top Europe-based stars for this game.
Nigeria have in tow Watford striker Odion Ighalo who has scored 14 goals thus far in the English Premier League. Siasia also has returnee Victor Moses and youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi to call on when things get tough. The experience of Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel will be key as the new team captain has spoken about leading by example.
The result of this game and the return leg could determine if Siasia gets to keep the job on a permanent basis.
While Cuper has only called up five players based abroad, the understanding of his core of Al Ahly and Zamalek players will be helped by the presence of Roma forward Mohamed Salah and hardworking new Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
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