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Can Nigeria survive the battle of the
Eagles as they face Mali?
By Richard Avornyotse _GNA Sports
Accra, Jan. 24, Ghanadot/GNA – It
will be a battle of the Eagles; the Super Eagles of Nigeria
versus the Eagles of Mali at the Sekondi Sports Stadium on
Friday, January 25.
This second “Group B” encounter between the two Eagles has
different consequences for the two sides. A win for Mali
will see them through to the next round of the championship,
while such a result will resign the Nigerians to an early
elimination, shame and condemnation.
Yes indeed. It will be a fight of the Eagles and a fierce
one at that and Nigeria must ensure the scale does not tilt
in favour of their opponents else, the dreams of the most
populous country in Africa will be utterly shattered.
It is this scenario that puts the Nigerians in a precarious
position, with their necks in the hangman’s noose, waiting
to be condemned to early elimination, as they line up
against skipper Mamoudu Diara and his compatriots.
Though the Super Eagles arrived in Ghana with a full cream
of top brass players that includes star actors from the
English Premiership, raising the hopes of their countrymen
for a third title to make real their belief in the
coronation of their team after every 14 years, they are now
faced with reality and chances are that nervousness and
stage fright will overwhelm the team against Mali.
Kanu Nwankwo; Danny Shittu; Joseph Yobo; Yakubu Aiyegbeni;
Obafemi Martins; John Utaka and Mikel Obi are some of the
Nigerian players who received rave reviews in the British
media week after week.
Whether their good form in England will be carried over to
the continental championship or not, Friday’s challenge from
the Malians will provide answers to the question.
And with Mali fully loaded to the hilt, particularly in
attack where Frederick Kanoute is the arrowhead, ably
supported by Seydou Keita and skipper Mamoudu Diara, the
Malians have the capacity to score goals.
If Diarra Souleymane; Diakite Drissa; Coulibaly Adama and
Dramane Traore find their rhythm, the Malian Eagles will be
fed enough to glide tireless and pose “a go home” threat to
the Nigerians.
The technical benches of the two sides will have a major
role to play in this cliff hanger of a fixture.
“Group B” pacesetters, Cote d’Ivoire, who beat Nigeria 1-0
on the opening day, have a tricky assignment against Benin
in the other match of the Sekondi venue.
On paper, Didier Drogba and his compatriots are miles ahead
of the Squirrels of Benin, who, however, can be very
dangerous customers in Razack Omotoyosi; Stephane Sessegnon
and Mouritala Ogunbiyi.
On a good day, the trio can cause havoc to any team and the
Elephants must be mindful of an impending danger should they
decide to underrate Benin.
Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Ebue and their colleagues at the back
will have to be vigilant, while Salomon Kalou, Aruna Dindane
and Drogba concentrate of their attacking duties to avoid an
upset.
A win for Cote d’Ivoire will see them through to the second
round with one round of matches to play, while a win for
Benin will throw the group wide open.
GNA
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