The Super Eagles face a tricky first leg
game against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes
in Addis Ababa in their final African
qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 World Cup,
writes ’TANA AIYEJINA
African champions Nigeria’s Super Eagles
are hoping to earn a favourable result
today against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes
in their Brazil 2014 final round, first leg
of the African qualifiers at the Addis
Ababa Stadium.
Eagles’ bragging rights
On paper, both teams are miles apart.
Nigeria are ranked 36th in the world and
4th in Africa while the Antelopes come
in a distant 93rd position in the world
and 25th in the continent.
Both sides have met seven times
before, with Nigeria winning four while
the North-East Africans have emerged
victorious once– in a 1994 Africa Cup of
Nations qualifier. The two other
encounters between both sides ended
in draws.
The last time the two teams met– at
the group stage of the 2013 AFCON–
the Eagles needed two moments of
magic in the match’s last 10 minutes
from Liverpool forward Victor Moses to
cruise past the Walya Antelopes, who
were appearing at the tournament for
the first time after a 31-year absence,
2-0.
Eagles admit hard game
The Ethiopians have improved
tremendously under Coach Sewnet
Bishaw since then, finishing top of their
World Cup qualifying group ahead of
South Africa, even after they had three
points deducted for fielding an ineligible
player in one of their matches.
They have been very dangerous with
their sleek passing game and resilience
but with the Eagles, the Antelopes are
facing their biggest opposition in the
qualifiers, and may need more than
resilience to win this battle.
With a team highly populated by players
who play in their domestic league, it still
remains to be seen how the Ethiopians
can perform well against a vastly
improved Nigerian side made up of a
rich blend of Europe–based stars and
players in the Nigerian Premier League.
Despite their favourites tag, the
Nigerians are not taking chances either.
Coach Stephen Keshi’s squad know that
they can only underrate the Ethiopians,
an emerging force in African football, at
their own peril.
Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has
kept more clean sheets– seven– than
any other keeper in Europe’s top five
leagues this season but the Eagles
captain says they are up against a tricky
tie at the bumpy and rough Addis Ababa
Stadium today.
“It’s going to be a hard game; it’s the
most important game for us. We hope
to beat them because we want to be in
Brazil,” Enyeama said.
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, said,
“We just have to prepare well and make
sure we are ready for the challenge
physically and mentally.”
Delegation palaver
In reaction to the Presidency’s approval
of funds to convey 200 supporters to
Addis Ababa, Ameobi told goal.com,
“We don’t need any extra motivation
whatsoever to beat Ethiopia. Every
player in this squad knows the
importance of being at the World Cup
and I think that is the motivation we
need to do our country proud.”
But ex-international Etim Esin says
having members of the National
Assembly in the delegation to Addis
Ababa, is a distraction.
“Yes, it is a bit of a distraction to the
team. All those people are uncalled for,
it is unnecessary. They are only going
there for a jamboree. Some of these
people don’t even like football.
“This is a crucial match that needs total
concentration and you have a delegation
of over 200 people made up of people
who know nothing about the game,” the
former Belgium-based player said.
Even though he admits the Eagles are
favourites, Esin warns that the
Ethiopians may have other ideas.
He said, “On paper, it’s a sure win for
the Eagles but on the pitch, the story
might be different. Football in Africa has
changed and every nation wants to play
at the World Cup.
“We shouldn’t underrate the Ethiopians.
We had to rely on two penalties to
defeat them at the last AFCON. We
hope the boys will raise their game
again and get a favourable result on
Sunday, then return to Calabar to finish
up the job next month.”
Ethiopian confidence
Playing Ethiopia on the rough Addis
Ababa Stadium is always a herculean
task for visiting teams. This time around,
the Ethiopian football authorities have
moved the kick-off time from 4pm to
2pm. The African champions will also be
playing at an altitude of 2,400m and
against vociferous home fans in Addis
Ababa.
But Bishaw is banking on his team’s
passing game, which he likens to that of
world and European champions, Spain,
to outplay the Nigerians.
“I feel confident that our passing game
will make the difference when we play
the Nigerians. It will be tough, but our
great passing game, which is like that of
the world champions Spain, will give us
the needed victory,” Bishaw told the
Ethiopian Herald.
“We can do what Spain did against the
Nigerians (at the Confederations Cup).
We showed glimpses of that when we
met them at the Africa Cup of Nations,”
Bishaw added.
Different tales
While Keshi has the full complement of
his squad, the same thing cannot be said
of the opposition. Even Ameobi, who
has been a source of concern, says he is
fit for the encounter.
But the Antelopes are sweating over the
loss of their top striker Kebede Gibeto,
who picked up an ankle injury while
playing for his South African club Bidvest
Wits. Officials of the team have
confirmed Kebede cannot take part in
the crucial encounter after futile efforts
to put him in shape.
Saladin Said Ahmed now has the sole
responsibility of goal scoring with the
absence of Kebede, who scored four
goals in the group stages of the
qualifying rounds.
Saladin scored twice against Nigeria in
Addis Ababa in 2011 during an AFCON
qualifier that ended in a 2-2 draw.
Nigeria vs Ethiopia: Head-to-head
1982: The two countries first met at the
Libya 1982 AFCON with Nigeria
defeating Ethiopia 3-0 courtesy of goals
from Keshi (two) and Ademola
Adeshina.
1993: Both teams met again in an
international friendly in Addis Ababa,
which the Eagles won 1-0.
1993: The Ethiopians grabbed their first
win over Nigeria– a 1-0 triumph– at
home in a 1994 AFCON qualifier in April
1993.
1993: In anger, the Eagles hammered
the Antelopes 6-0 in the return leg of
the 1994 AFCON qualifier in July 1993,
with the late Rashidi Yekini scoring a
hat-trick. It was Sunday Oliseh’s debut
game.
2011: Nigeria forced Ethiopia to a 2-2
draw in Addis Abba in a qualifier for the
2012 AFCON. A late Joseph Yobo
equaliser salvaged a point for the
Eagles.
2011: Nigeria beat Ethiopia 4-0 in the
second leg at the National Stadium,
Abuja. Peter Utaka and Ike Uche scored
two goals each.
2013: The Eagles defeated the
Antelopes 2-0 at the 2013 AFCON.
Victor Moses scored a brace of penalty
kicks to ensure progress to the last eight
of the tournament, which the Super
Eagles eventually won.
Punch
Goodluck
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