Moses scored against Ethiopia at the last AFCON The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia go head-to-head this weeken...
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| Moses scored against Ethiopia at the last AFCON |
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia go head-to-head this weekend in the first leg clash as both teams battle in the ultimate round of qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014.
The match we hear would be officiated by Cameroonian referees Alioum Neant and it's going to take place Sunday, 13th of October, 2013 at the Addis Ababa stadium in Ethiopia.
A win by either side will guarantee their place for the 2014 World football finals in Brazil.
The Nigerians are currently ranked 36th on the world stage and 4th in Africa, while the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia are a distant 93rd in the FIFA World rankings and 25th on the continental of Africa, being the lowest ranked team of all remaining 10 teams fighting for a place in Brazil next year.
Playing the first leg at home hands Ethiopia’s first advantage, an emerging team that qualified for the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa after a 31-year absence and finished top of their World Cup qualifying group ahead of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player. It's almost certain that they would want to pose serious threats to their visitors.
PAST MEETINGS
Both sides have met seven times with Nigeria claiming four victories. Ethiopia recorded a famous win against the Super Eagles in a 1994 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with two further fixtures ending in stalemates.
The first ever battle between these two countries was at the 1982 AFCON in Libya, where the Super Eagles were victorious against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 3 massive goals to nil. The current Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Kechi, grabbed a brace on that eventful and exciting day. Ademola Adeshina was the other goal scorer.
In all seven meetings, the Super Eagles biggest victory was of course a 6nil annihilation of the East-Africans in the return leg of a 1994 Nations Cup qualifier, on July 24, 1993. The late Rashidi Yekini scored a hat-trick in that thrilling game that also marked the international debut for Sunday Oliseh. Clomens Westerhof was at the helm of affairs then for the Super Eagles.
The last meeting between these two sides at the Addis Ababa stadium in Ethiopia was a 2-2 draw in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers. Striker Saladin Said scored a brace for Ethiopia and it took a late equalizer from Joseph Yobo to salvage a point for the Super Eagles in the fiesty encounter, although Nigeria thumped them 4-0 in the return leg at the Abuja National Stadium.
The last time both teams met was in South Africa in a group stage match of the 2013 AFCON, where Nigeria needed two penalties in the last 15 minutes to force a 2nil victory over the East-Africans.
TEAM NEWS
Stephen Keshi has a very strong side to pick from for the encounter, the only doubt will be Brown Ideye who failed to train with the team yesterday after a slight injury.
Expected Line Up
Enyeama
Ambrose Oboabona Egwuekwe Echiejile
Mikel Obi Onazi Sunday Mba
Oduamadi Emenike Moses
PREDICTION
If am asked to predict the game;
I will say it's going to be a keenly contested battle. Naturally, you would expect the current champions of Africa to easily roll over the Antelopes, but, looking at the high altitude over there in Ethiopia, I daresay that the Super Eagles will struggle to get something off Addis Ababa.
A country that's situated very close to the equator is a difficult place to play football especially for visitors. Ask Brazil and Argentina, they've both not tasted victories in countries like Bolivia and Ecuador in 12 years, even the World Best's footballer was vomiting profusely the last time Argentina visited Ecuador.
Hence, I feel a draw won't be asking too much from the Super Eagles and African Champions.
So, all eyes are set on the first leg of this cracker on the 13th of October and the second leg is due to take place in Calaber on November 16 in front of a partisan U.J Esuene crowd here in Nigeria.
As African champions, all eyes will be on the Eagles to secure the ticket to play at the World Cup next year. With President Goodluck Jonathan giving approval for the airlifting of 200 fans to Ethiopia to cheer the Eagles, it shows the seriousness the government attaches to this match.
There is strong need for the star studded Nigerian team to tread the path with caution. Keshi and his team may possess a multi-talented set of players but they should be acutely aware of the threat posed by their hosts. He should deploy every skill at his disposal to win this match.
Written By: David Obasogie
