Sunday, January 20, 2013

Nigeria vs Burkina Faso preview

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has a full strength squad to choose from as they begin their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Burkina Faso in Nelspruit on Monday.

Keshi has rejected reports in the local media that he travelled with unfit players in Gabriel Rueben, fever-hit Azubuike Egwuekwe, Joseph Yobo, Austin Ejide and Fegor Ogude.

"The truth is you can never have any player that is 100 percent fit, because football is a contact sport,

"I have nothing to say to those writing these stories but all I know is that we don't have injuries to be worried about."

They have selected six locally-based players and 17 debutants in all, Keshi also dismissed insinuations that his inexperienced side will struggle in Group C.

"We are prepared for Burkina Faso and I believe in this young team. Our focus is on the future and these boys will not let us down.

"To be honest, I don't know much about this opponent but we will prepare with the litle information we have."

Top scorer during qualifiers Ikechukwu Uche is present in his second Nations Cup after Ghana 2008, after he missed the previous competition through injury.

Captain Joseph Yobo is poised to equal Nwankwo Kanu's record of six Nations Cup appearances for Nigeria. 

They have a point to prove in South Africa having missed the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Under coach Stephen Keshi, who took over in October 2011 following the sacking of Samson Siasia, the Super Eagles were unbeaten in 2012.

The 1998 hosts Burkina Faso will be without striker Alain Traore and midfielder Charles Kabore.

Traore failed to recover from a nasty heel injury while Marseille's Kabore will serve out a suspension.

Burkina Faso have gone 17 matches without a win in the Cup of Nations.

The team failed to win a point at the tournament in 2012, but with striker Aristide Bance fit to start there is an air of optimism around the squad. 

Interestingly, both sides have only clashed once in this tournament.

The Stallions lost 4-2 to Nigeria in 1978, but coach Paul Put is aiming for a winning start against the Super Eagles.

"Nigeria have players playing in major championships in England and Italy, but having individually talented players does not necessarily mean they have a great team."

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Date: Monday, 21 January
Kick-off: 18:00 GMT

Nigeria probable line-up: Enyeama, -  Ambrose, Yobo, Oboabona, Elderson, Mikel, Igiebor, Ogude, Moses, Emenike, Musa.

1 comment:

  1. Akanno Chibuike OweweJanuary 21, 2013 at 10:46 AM

    As a Nigerian,which am proud to be,am wishing them well but forget not that how you prepare is how you will fight in the ring.

    ReplyDelete