Eagles, Antelopes begin battle for World Cup ticket

The Super Eagles face a tricky first leg game against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa in their final African qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, writes ’TANA AIYEJINA

African champions Nigeria’s Super Eagles are hoping to earn a favourable result today against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in their Brazil 2014 final round, first leg of the African qualifiers at the Addis Ababa Stadium.

Eagles’ bragging rights

On paper, both teams are miles apart. Nigeria are ranked 36th in the world and 4th in Africa while  the Antelopes come in a distant 93rd position in the world and 25th in the continent.

Both sides have met seven times before, with Nigeria winning four while the North-East Africans have emerged victorious once– in a 1994 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The two other encounters between both sides ended in draws.

The last time the two teams met– at the group stage of the 2013 AFCON– the Eagles needed two moments of magic in the match’s last 10 minutes from Liverpool forward Victor Moses to cruise past the Walya Antelopes, who were appearing at the tournament for the first time after a 31-year absence, 2-0.

Eagles admit hard game

The Ethiopians have improved tremendously under Coach Sewnet Bishaw since then, finishing top of their World Cup qualifying group ahead of South Africa, even after they had three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player in one of their matches.

They have been very dangerous with their sleek passing game and resilience but with the Eagles, the Antelopes are facing their biggest opposition in the qualifiers, and may need more than resilience to win this battle.

With a team highly populated by players who play in their domestic league, it still remains to be seen how the Ethiopians can perform well against a vastly improved Nigerian side made up of a rich blend of Europe–based stars and players in the Nigerian Premier League.

Despite their favourites tag, the Nigerians are not taking chances either. Coach Stephen Keshi’s squad know that they can only underrate the Ethiopians, an emerging force in African football, at their own peril.

Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has kept more clean sheets– seven– than any other keeper in Europe’s top five leagues this season but the Eagles captain says they are up against a tricky tie at the bumpy and rough Addis Ababa Stadium today.

“It’s going to be a hard game; it’s the most important game for us. We hope to beat them because we want to be in Brazil,” Enyeama said.

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, said, “We just have to prepare well and make sure we are ready for the challenge physically and mentally.”

Delegation palaver

In reaction to the Presidency’s approval of funds to convey 200 supporters to Addis Ababa, Ameobi told goal.com, “We don’t need any extra motivation whatsoever to beat Ethiopia. Every player in this squad knows the importance of being at the World Cup and I think that is the motivation we need to do our country proud.”

But ex-international Etim Esin says having members of the National Assembly in the delegation to Addis Ababa, is a distraction.

“Yes, it is a bit of a distraction to the team. All those people are uncalled for, it is unnecessary. They are only going there for a jamboree. Some of these people don’t even like football.

“This is a crucial match that needs total concentration and you have a delegation of over 200 people made up of people who know nothing about the game,” the former Belgium-based player said.

Even though he admits the Eagles are favourites, Esin warns that the Ethiopians may have other ideas.

He said, “On paper, it’s a sure win for the Eagles but on the pitch, the story might be different. Football in Africa has changed and every nation wants to play at the World Cup.

“We shouldn’t underrate the Ethiopians. We had to rely on two penalties to defeat them at the last AFCON. We hope the boys will raise their game again and get a favourable result on Sunday, then return to Calabar to finish up the job next month.”

Ethiopian confidence

Playing Ethiopia on the rough Addis Ababa Stadium is always a herculean task for visiting teams. This time around, the Ethiopian football authorities have moved the kick-off time from 4pm to 2pm. The African champions will also be playing at an altitude of 2,400m and against vociferous home fans in Addis Ababa.

But Bishaw is banking on his team’s passing game, which he likens to that of world and European champions, Spain, to outplay the Nigerians.

“I feel confident that our passing game will make the difference when we play the Nigerians. It will be tough, but our great passing game, which is like that of the world champions Spain, will give us the needed victory,” Bishaw told the Ethiopian Herald.

“We can do what Spain did against the Nigerians (at the Confederations Cup). We showed glimpses of that when we met them at the Africa Cup of Nations,” Bishaw added.

Different tales

While Keshi has the full complement of his squad, the same thing cannot be said of the opposition. Even Ameobi, who has been a source of concern, says he is fit for the encounter.

But the Antelopes are sweating over the loss of their top striker Kebede Gibeto, who picked up an ankle injury while playing for his South African club Bidvest Wits. Officials of the team have confirmed Kebede cannot take part in the crucial encounter after futile efforts to put him in shape.

Saladin Said Ahmed now has the sole responsibility of goal scoring with the absence of Kebede, who scored four goals in the group stages of the qualifying rounds.

Saladin scored twice against Nigeria in Addis Ababa in 2011 during an AFCON qualifier that ended in a 2-2 draw.

Nigeria vs Ethiopia: Head-to-head

1982: The two countries first met at the Libya 1982 AFCON with Nigeria defeating Ethiopia 3-0 courtesy of goals from Keshi (two) and Ademola Adeshina.

1993: Both teams met again in an international friendly in Addis Ababa, which the Eagles won 1-0.

1993: The Ethiopians grabbed their first win over Nigeria– a 1-0 triumph– at home in a 1994 AFCON qualifier in April 1993.

1993: In anger, the Eagles hammered the Antelopes 6-0 in the return leg of the 1994 AFCON qualifier in July 1993, with the late Rashidi Yekini scoring a hat-trick. It was Sunday Oliseh’s debut game.

 2011: Nigeria forced Ethiopia to a 2-2 draw in Addis Abba in a qualifier for the 2012 AFCON. A late Joseph Yobo equaliser salvaged a point for the Eagles.

2011: Nigeria beat Ethiopia 4-0 in the second leg at the National Stadium, Abuja. Peter Utaka and Ike Uche scored two goals each.

2013: The Eagles defeated the Antelopes 2-0 at the 2013 AFCON. Victor Moses scored a brace of penalty kicks to ensure progress to the last eight of the tournament, which the Super Eagles eventually won