Olubayo optimistic of victory over Kenya

The Super Eagles will converge in Abuja on Monday to prepare for their last 2010 World Cup qualifying match against the Kenya national football team. Though the Tunisians are leading the group, the Eagles can still nick the sole ticket to South Africa if the Tunisians lose to Mozambique and the Eagles win in Kenya but it will be without FC Boulogne defender, Adefemi Olubayo.

The Super Eagles substantive right back is injured but he spoke concerning the all important match with the Harambe Stars of Kenya billed for the Kasarani Stadium on November 14, charging his teammates to do all they can to achieve victory in the make-or-mar encounter.

"I am very optimistic of a good result from the team as I have confidence in the ability of every member of the team invited," he said.

Injury

Olubayo copped a knee injury in training with his Ligue One club side, Boulogne two weeks ago. The defender, who has been a key figure in the Eagles defence rued his absence in the team to Kenya, saying he had really been looking forward to the game.

"No one wants to get injured as you know, but injury is part of the game. It came at a very important time for me but I still have to move on but I am very optimistic of our chances of making it to the World Cup," he said.

For now, Olubayo has no plans of joining the train of supporters to Kenya even though his heart is with his teammates and wishes to be with them.

"Team doctors over here (France) have suggested I should use this international match days to rest so as to get properly okay as well as to be ready for the upcoming matches for my team; I would have loved to come even if it's just to see them there in Nigeria," he said in a telephone interview from his base in France.

Kenya team

Taking a look at the Harambee Stars, Olubayo, who played the first leg against the Kenyans in Abuja in which Nigeria emerged 3-0 victors says the team is a crack side though, noting that the Eagles can still nick an away victory.

"We can do it again in their home ground, we only hope that the other game - the Tunisia versus Mozambique match - will also go in our favour," he said.

Already, Almeria of Spain midfielder, Uche Kalu, has been called up to replace Olubayo on the 23-man list that is expected to face Kenya.