Akpala dreams action and goals against Kenya

When the Super Eagles get to file out against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday, November 14 a whole lot will be expected from the players, especially the strikers who have the primary responsibility of scoring the needed goals that may propel Nigeria to next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

One of the players expected to deliver the goals for the Super Eagles is Club Brugge of Belgium forward, Joseph Akpala and he looks forward to a successful outing against the Harambee Stars at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

A successful outing in Akpala’s context, however, dwells more on a win over the Kenyans rather than a bagful of goals, that is if he gets to feature in the match.

With fellow forwards: Obafemi Martins, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Obinna Nsofor and Michael Eneramo, even the versatile Osaze Odemwingie, all invited for the match against the Kenyans, Akpala’s chances of earning a starter’s shirt appears limited, but he remains undeterred about what he can do for the team whenever the coaching crew decides to call upon his services.

“I would love to play against them and it would also be nice to score against them, but it is up to the coaches to decide who gets to play,” said Akpala in an interview with NEXTSports.

“Every striker wants to play and score but more important for me right now is not whether I get to play or how many goals I can score but how we have to win and qualify for the World Cup.” A win over the Harambee Stars is imperative for the Super Eagles if they want to be at next year’s World Cup, but they will at the same time be hoping that Mozambique prevents Tunisia from achieving a win in Maputo as that will ensure that the Tunisians, rather than the Super Eagles, get to advance to South Africa 2010.

World Cup dream

“Every player dreams of playing at the World Cup but our fate is no longer completely in our hands as we have to hope that Mozambique does us a favour by beating Tunisia, while we do the same to the Kenyans,” continued the Club Brugge of Belgium attacker who doesn’t however feel the Kenyans will just sit back and allow the Super Eagles to soar over them in front of their teeming fans.

“It will not be an easy match though because the Kenyans still have a lot to play for and will not want to lose to us in front of their fans,” added Akpala.

Indeed the Harambee Stars have a whole lot to play for as they are still in with a chance of beating Mozambique to Group B’s last available ticket to next year’s African Cup of Nations tournament in Angola but only if they beat Nigeria while the Mozambicans fail to do likewise against the Tunisians.