Nigeria Coming to Attack

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
+2316106293

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are coming for an outright win in the first leg pairing with hosts Liberia Lone Star. According to voiceofnigeria.org Nigeria’s Coach Stephen Keshi met with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Sub-Committee on his conviction of a win in Liberia.

Judging from the list of 11 professionals called for the match, the Super Eagles have called on more attack minded players who will join their local counterparts for the Liberia mission. According to reports the local based listing is expected to be released later on Saturday, just a week to the crunch pairing.

Though the duo of John Obi Mikel and Peter Obdemwingie of Chelsea and West Bromwich respectively are conspicuously absent from the list, the neutrals say it is still a crack selection.

Experienced campaigner Vincent Enyeama who has been serving as captain for the past few matches will be in goal. The Israeli club Meccabi Tel Aviv returnee will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against an unpredictable Lone Star. After a bench warming season at former French Champions Lille, the goalie who was outstanding in South Africa despite the Super Eagles poor outing in the 2010 World Cup returned to Israel, a place he had vowed never to return. From the list there is no right back of the eleven players called which means one of the lads from the Nigerian Premiership will occupy such position. The 24 year old Ederson Echiejile will serve at the left back position.

The Portuguese club Sporting Braga adventurous full back will be hoping to mark another wonderful cap. Captain Joseph Yobo of Turkey club Fenerbache returns to the side after missing three matches and will take the Captain armband from Enyeama. His partner will be the 23 year old Efe Ambrose of Israeli outfit Ashdod. In what should be a block formation 4-4-2, the 21 year old former Inter Milan harder worker Obiora Nwanko will play in front the back four. The Italian club Calcio Padova asset could just be one reason John Obi Mikel is out of the squad for now. Playing ahead of him in the play maker role should be the 23 year old Spanish Premier Liga club Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor. In the wide areas should be two piercing wingers in the Russian club CSKA Moscow scampering winger Ahmed Musa who has already told teammate Sekou Jabateh Oliseh that they will beat his Lone Star side, will change flanks frequently with new Chelsea signee Victor Moses, formerly of Premiership strugglers Wigan.

The front two will include top scorer Ikechukwu Uche of Spanish club Villareal who now has 17 goals from 38 matches and the in-form Emmanuel Eminike of Russian side Spartak Moscow.

The Super Eagles could however play a 4-3-3 formation where Musa and Moses will operate as wide strikers with Uche as the lone center striker.

This means there will be an additional holding midfielder from the local league in Nigeria that is regarded as the best league on the continent according to the International Football Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS) which has since been given the right by FIFA to find the World’s best leagues each year. Whatever the situation or the formation, Keshi’s squad will still be offense oriented or highly positive which could place the Lone Star in murky water.