After
19 years of waiting for another continental title and thirteen years
since appearing in the final, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the
threshold of history as they face the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the
final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg today. And
Nigerians are highly expectant.
For
Coach Stephen Keshi, the day represents a turning point in his romance
with the round leather game. In 1994, he won the trophy as captain of
the Nigerian team, the last time Nigeria lifted the cup. If he leads the
Super Eagles to win the trophy today, he then becomes only the second
man to have won the tournament as player and coach after Egyptian
legend, late Mahmoud El Gohary.
The
stage for this epochal occasion is the magnificent National Stadium,
formerly Soccer City, famed for staging the final of the 2010 FIFA World
Cup. The high and mighty, including host
President, Jacob Zuma, FIFA
President Sepp Blatter, CAF boss, Issa Hayatou and the over 10 million
television viewers around the globe will witness the final of Africa’s
soccer showpiece.
From
a sluggish start in the group stage, the Stephen Keshi tutored Super
Eagles have, within three weeks, transformed into an all-conquering
side which Malian keeper, Mommodu Samassa has described as “Brazil”
after suffering a 4-1 humiliating defeat in the semi final.
Ironically,
it was the same Burkina Faso the Super Eagles met in the opening group
game which ended 1-1. The Nigerians ended the match with ten men after
Efe Ambrose received the referee’s marching order. Today’s battle could
therefore be a battle for superiority, particularly, as the Stallions
finished tops ahead of Eagles in the group.
All
that has changed as the Nigerians look destined for greatness if they
can maintain their quarter final and semi final form. With the duo of
Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses declared fit for this all-important
clash, the attack which will also parade power-playing Brown Ideye may
not slag. Midfield maestro Mikel Obi’s partnership with Lazio kid star,
Ogenyi Onazi seems to have rolled back the glory years of the Eagles
mobile midfield, noted for its fluidity and seamless linkage between the
defence and the attack. With the roving role of home boy, Sunday Mba
they have provided good transition between the rear and the attack.
Should they keep their nerves, the Burkinabes will find the Super Eagles
even tougher than they expect.
Coach
Stephen Keshi should leave his match-winning, time tested defensive
fortress intact. Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona,
Elderson Echejile and Kenneth Omeruo have proved too reliable to be
tampered with. The technical crew should not fall into the temptation of
bringing in Yobo early in the match. This a very crucial moment that
should not be gambled with. Yobo can continue playing the ceremonial
figure head he has been saddled with and be prepared to receive the
trophy at the end of the match.
But
the Eagles have an up-hill task in the resilient Burkinabes. Looking at
the final match, former Nigerian international, Peter Rufai said, “it
is not going to be an easy match because Burkina Faso do not play
take-it-easy kind of game. They are tactically sound and they take the
fight to their opponents without ceasing- they fight to the end. That’s
why our defenders must not relax till the final whistle.”
Rufai
advised the Nigerian players to approach the game with discipline and
sound mental strength. “I foresee an explosive game,” the former Nigeria
captain said.
With
the loss of Alain Traore to injury, Burkina Faso’s potency could be
slightly reduced. However, with the return of earlier suspended Jonathan
Pitriopa and dreaded Seidu Bancey still raring to go and the depth in
coach Paul Put’s armoury, we may not have seen the last yet to what
Burkina Faso have off their sleeves.
It is against this background that Keshi has pleaded with his players to give Nigeria this day.
“We
have done enough to win this cup. We have worked hard and we expect to
win. I pray that the boys live up to expectation and give us this day.
Yes, they can”.
Source: Vanguard