2010 Nations Cup: Nigeria In Win Or Burst Encounter As Super Eagles Confront Mambas

Nigeria is on the precipice at the on-going 2010 Africa Cup of Nation in Angola, where the Super Eagles are facing the possibility of crashing out in the very first round

It is the final group matches of Group C and the Super Eagles must beat the Mambas of Mozambique to be sure of advancing to the quarter final stage.

Draw result in the tie may not be enough for Coach Shuaibu Amodu and his wards because a victory for the Squirrels of Benin Republic against and already qualified Egypt can edge out Nigeria if they fail to beat Mozambique.

Both of today’s group c deciders are delicately poised, as all the teams know what they must do to remain in the competition.

Despite all the brave talks from the players and bench about how they will spill blood today, most Nigerians may not easily give in to assurances of comfortable passage to the knockout stage.

After fumbling to a 1-3 loss to Egypt, and struggled to a heart stopping 1-0 victory over Benin, only an unlikely transformation in form, tactics and technical manoeuvring can see the Eagles romp to an easy victory today.

Interestingly, the Mambas have one or two scores to settle with the Super Eagles.

The Mozambicans, who were in the same qualifying group with Nigeria are in vengeance mood.

They believe that the match referee denied them victory in the first leg match of the qualifiers, and narrowly lost in Abuja 0-1.

Now, they want to take their own pound of flesh, however, the Super Eagles have the potentials to overcome the Mozambican hurdle, but the team must rise above its lethargic play, pedestrian organisation and woeful tactics.

Today’s game is one Nigeria cannot afford to toy with but will not get qualification ticket on a platter.

In the other match, Egypt is likely to rest most of their first team players, while Benin Republic will throw everything they have into the game.