WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Super Eagles Face Tough Test against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks

*Century cap beckons for Ahmed Musa

Duro Ikhazuagbe

After Super Eagles’ light work out on the astroturf pitch of the 5,000-capacity Estádio Municipal Adérito Sena on the Mindelo Island yesterday, Head Coach of the team, Gernot Rohr announced that his wards were set to consolidate with victory against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.

Today’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier is the first competitive game between both countries. The first and only time them met was in an international friendly in 2013 which ended goalless.

Although Rohr admitted the absence of his regular UK-based internationals, the Franco-German gaffer believes the 19 other players will show presence of mind and win the match.

Speaking with reporters after training yesterday, Rohr said the astroturf in Mindelo will not be a problem to his wards.

“This astroturf is better than the pitch we played in at home in Lagos last Friday. It is softer and allows for ball free movement. The one in Lagos (Teslim Balogun) was too hard for our players.

“Anyway, what matters is for us is to win and go back home with the three points,” observed Rohr.

With all 10 UK-based Super Eagles players back to their clubs due to strict Covid-19 restrictions on countries on high risk list, Rohr insisted he has confidence in the squad to file out against the Blue Sharks this evening.

“Yes we miss the regular players based in the UK but are not here today. There is nothing we can do about that now but to be hopeful that those standing in for them will make all of us proud.

The absence of Olaoluwa Aina, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun probably means that Chidozie Awaziem of FC Boavista in Portugal and Spain –based Kenneth Omeruo will start against the Blue Sharks this evening.

The departures of two-goal hero Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi also open the door for perhaps Terem Moffi and Henry Onyekuru.

But it is in the midfield that Coach Gernot Rohr would have to empanel entirely unaccustomed partners and charge them to deliver.

Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo have all returned to the UK. Coach Rohr may opt to deploy the versatile Abdullahi Shehu to the midfield as he has done a couple of times, most recently in Sierra Leone against the Leone Stars in a 2021 AFCON qualifier.

Russia –based Chidera Ejuke, Italy-based former junior international Kingsley Michael and new face Innocent Bonke from Sweden are all available.

Captain Ahmed Musa will earn his 100th cap for Nigeria, two days on 11 years after he won his first against Madagascar in Calabar, if he takes any part in Tuesday’s encounter.

A win will guarantee Nigeria a minimum three points ahead of any other team in the Group C pool, despite Liberia’s Lone Star 1- 0 victory against Central African Republic in Monrovia yesterday.

EAGLES IN CAPE VERDE

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Valentine Ozornwafor (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium);

Midfielders: Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Kingsley Michael (Bologna FC, Italy); Adekunele Adeleke (Abia Warriors);

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece)

RESULTS

Djibouti 2-4 Niger

Liberia 1-0 CAR

I’Coast 2-1 Cameroon

Uganda 0-0 Mali

S’Africa 1-0 Ghana

Benin 1-1 DR Congo

Guinea v Morocco (PP)

TODAY

B’Faso v Algeria

Zambia v Tunisia

E’Guinea v Mauritania