It is now or never for Eagles

Nigeria will qualify for the 2010 World Cup if they beat Kenya 2-0 and Mozambique beat Tunisia or the match ends in a draw. It is a tall order indeed for the Super Eagles, who have not scored two goals on the road since 2005 when they scored five goals against Algeria.

Controversial build up

While there has been no controversy in Nigeria’s build up to the Nyayo Stadium encounter, Kenya has been hit with all forms of crises. Kenya Football Limited (KFL) have insisted that the coach take some players into the team but the coach refused and he had to abandon the team. The Prime Minister has waded into the whole brouhaha. It now appears that Antoine Hey is in his last days as Kenya coach.

“The writing is on the wall. One of our conditions was qualifying for the African Cup of Nations,” said FKL vice-chairman Titus Kasuve.

“The coach has had his way in the last five matches and we have seen the results. The fans have been calling for the changes. It is time to bring in everybody in a last ditch effort to qualify for Angola,” Kasuve continued.

The players causing the friction between the coach and FKL are Denis Oliech and Denmark-based midfielder Emmanuel Ake. Oliech said: “I have no bad feelings for the coach. I believe he knows what he wants for the team. There has been a lot of talk about my fitness, but if those claims are true, how come I’ve been fielded by Auxerre in the French league?” This scenario assumes that the Harambee Stars are in disarray but that could be far from the real situation as the outcome of the match depends on the players. If the players are mightily desirous of going to the Nations Cup in January, then the Eagles must expect a tough confrontation on Saturday.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya last featured at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, and victory over Nigeria and a favourable result from Maputo would send them to Angola. They have three points from five matches and are a point behind third-placed Mozambique.

Not in our hands

With the last gasp win against Mozambique last month in Abuja, 140 million Nigerians will hope for favourable results from Nairobi and Maputo. The positive result is getting a win or a draw for the Mambas against Tunisia but the Eagles have to win in Nairobi to stand any chance.

Though the Eagles are yet to lose a competitive match under Amodu Shuaibu, they have under performed and have put the country in a tight spot.

Meanwhile, Mozambique coach, Maart Nooij has urged the Super Eagles to defeat Kenya on Saturday, promising to repay them by beating the visiting Carthage Lions of Tunisia. According to Mozambique newspaper, Daily Champion, Nooij said despite the injury that has sidelined his main central defender; he has a team capable of getting maximum points from the North Africans. “Yes we have one injury problem but we will be able to defeat Tunisia, so let Nigeria win in Kenya since we will get the desired result here at the Mashaba Stadium,” he stated.

What was originally thought to be an easy route to South Africa has been made cumbersome with the 2-2 draw at home to Tunisia on September 6, 2009 and now everyone is praying that the Eagles should berth in South Africa.

Osaze Odemwingie, who has been the outstanding player for the Eagles is expected to lead the attack with Obafemi Martins, who has been scoring goals for his club, Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga.

Eagles highest goal scorer in the qualifiers, Ikechukwu Uche, will be absent with a long-term knee injury, while Danny Shittu, Sani Kaita, Yusuf Mohammed and Adefemi Olubayo are also sidelined with injuries.

John Obi Mikel is fit again but he has not played since September 26 and could be match rusty. Chidi Odiah has been called up to cover the right side of defence.

The Eagles are expected to have departed Abuja by chartered flight this morning (1am) for Kenya. There have been concerns over the high altitude in Nairobi, but officials have insisted that with a 48-hour stay there, the Eagles will handle the problem.