World Cup Qualifying Preview: Ethiopia Vs Nigeria, Sunday 13th October 2013

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said on Friday in Abuja there were no injury worries after the team rounded off its training before heading to Addis Ababa.
The Eagles will leave Abuja on this morning for tomorrow's match against Ethiopia's Walya Antelopes.

The match is the first leg game in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination play-offs, and is scheduled for Addis Ababa, with the return leg on Nov. 16 in Calabar.

Keshi told newsmen the team was in high spirits ahead of the game, and expressed happiness that none of the players in camp was nursing injury.

"Thank God we have concluded our training successfully here in Abuja. The remaining job will be completed in Addis Ababa on Saturday and Sunday,'' he said.


Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, the team captain, urged Nigerians to pray for the team.

He said the match in Addis Ababa could be the decider for both teams, even though he was sure the Eagles would emerge from the encounter victorious.

"We just had our final training session and I guess that is what we really need to do, to keep training and keep working hard for the game in Ethiopia.

"It is a very important game for us and we know it will be tough, but we are aware of what is at stake and we want to be there in Brazil,'' Enyeama said.

Emmanuel Emenike, a Super Eagles striker, said the Eagles were a better side, even though the Walya Antelopes were a good side.

"The Ethiopians must be a good team to have got to this stage. So, it is not going to be an easy game.

"But we promise to give our best, and attack them from start to finish. We will be punished if we sit back and allow them dictate the pace of the game,'' he said.

NAN reports that the Eagles' camp had opened on Oct. 6 in Abuja, for a four-day training session at the mainbowl of the National Stadium which ended on Friday.

Friday's training gave team head coach Stephen Keshi the opportunity to test his possible starting line-up as all 23 invited players struggled for first team shirts.

The Super Eagles are expected to depart for Ethiopia Saturday morning through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in a chartered flight.

MATCH PREVIEW


The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia go head-to-head this weekend in their away leg clash counting for the ultimate round of qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014.

The match to be officiated by Cameroonian referees Alioum Neant takes place Sunday 2:00PM at the Addis Ababa stadium in Ethiopia. Playing at home constitutes Ethiopia's first advantage as they would want to pose serious threats to their visitors. The Walya Antelopes are known for their slick passing and the high pressing game they exhibited at the last AFCON in South Africa. However, the relative inexperience of the side might just be their undoing against the current African champions. A win by either side will guarantee their place for the 2014 World football jamboree in Brazil. Under the usual good care of Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles appear quite optimistic as they will be looking forward  to the World Cup qualifying double-header. The Nigerians are ranked 36th in the world and 4th in Africa, while the Antelopes are a distant 93rd in the FIFA rankings and 25th in the continental hierarchy. Ethiopia are considered an emerging force in African football, as they qualified for the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa after a 31-year absence and finished top of their World Cup qualifying group ahead of Bafana Bafana, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player. Both sides have met seven times with Nigeria claiming four victories. Ethiopia recorded a famous win against the Super Eagles in a 1994 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with two further fixtures ending in draws. After the next episode coming Sunday they will be preparing for the return leg billed for November 16 in Calabar.


Ethiopia squad

Goalkeepers (4): Dereje Alemu, Jemal Tasew, Samson Assefa and Sisay Bancha.

Defenders (9): A. Butako, Aynalem Hailu, Birhanu Bogale, Degu Debebe, Elias Biadgelegn, Moges Tadesse, S. Bergecho, Siyoum Tesfaye and Toke James.

Midfielders (6): Adane Mentesenot, Asrat Megersa, Behailu Assefa, Fasika Asfaw, Medhane Tadesse, Menyahel Teshome.

Forwards  (3): Adane Girma, Dawit Fekadu and Oumed Oukri.

 

Nigeria squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands).