The Super Eagles are bound to have a new look central defence pairing for Wednesday’s last qualifier in the race to next year’s Africa Cup o...
The Super Eagles are bound to have a new look central defence pairing for Wednesday’s last qualifier in the race to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, as Rizespor of Turkey stopper, Godfrey Oboabona is ruled out with multiple yellow cards, which has necessitated another change of partnership in the heart of the squad’s back-four.
Dramatically, while Oboabona is not eligible for the midweek clincher at the brand new Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, soccer fans will be thrilled to learn that Middlesbrough of England youngster, Kenneth Omeruo has been cleared to feature against the visiting South Africans, despite missing Saturday’s 2-0 win away to Congo Republic.
A groin injury kept Omeruo out of action against The Red Devils at Stade Municipal, Point Noire, which paved way for a shock starting role for towering Warri Wolves skipper, Azubuike Egwuekwe, who had a shaky start and a head cut in the first half, but settled down to put up a commendable all-round performance.
Egwuekwe initially appeared in doubt for Wednesday’s match, due to the head injury suffered against Congo, but has now been cleared to partner Omeruo in central defence, while Reading of England midfielder, Hope Akpan, who bowed out in Point Noire with a shoulder dislocation will not have a taste of action against Bafana.
Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi had on arrival in Uyo extended an invitation to Sharks of Port Harcourt schemer, Josiah Nathaniel to fill in for Akpan, but the revelation in the 1-0 win against Ghana’s Black Meteors is unlikely to start at same venue.
While Keshi may line out John Mikel Obi, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi and Raheem Oluwole Lawal in midfield, SportsDay learnt exclusively that The Big Boss is now working on putting Omeruo and Egwuekwe into proper shape for their first ever competitive partnership in the Nigerian national team’s central defence.
More details have emerged in the chain of events that led to returnee Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche taking and scoring the penalty that fetched Nigeria a crucial opening goal in last Saturday’s 2-0 win away to Congo Republic, as sources in the national team’s camp have exclusively told SportsDay it was an agreement between him and Fernebahce of Turkey star, Emmanuel Emenike.
The latest revelation is coming in the wake of an initial report that IK Uche had doused any form of malice from Emenike against him for taking the kick, while also ruling out a desire for self-aaggrandizementon his part.
Uche felt the need to put the records straight on arrival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for Wednesday’s last match of the AFCON 2015 qualifiers, as the rumour mill had already been abuzz with speculation that Emenike did not take kindly to the Villarreal striker’s move in taking the penalty.
Both players were obviously almost desperate to play their way back into the heart of Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, as Emenike has not scored for the national team in over five months, while IK was playing his first match in the green-and-white since the February 10, 2013 AFCON 2013 final against Burkina Faso.
The first half penalty won by Emenike was, therefore, a golden opportunity for either of them to seal a remarkable and crucial revival in the Eagles’ shirts, but it was Uche who got the honour of stepping forward to convert the kick and put Nigeria en route to a heartwarming win in the Congolese cauldron.
