.. Arrive Brazil, Hopeful Of Upset

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are expected to have  arrived in Brazil yesterday  to compete in the 2013 FIFA  Confederations Cup somewhat rattled after some far from convincing displays but still hopeful of causing a surprise.

Africa’s representatives at the eight-team tournament, which pits continental champions against each other over the next two weeks, have shown patchy form since they won the African Nations Cup in February with an inexperienced squad devoid of many of their major exports to the European leagues.

In four matches since their success in Johannesburg, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have drawn three and won just once,  a last gasp triumph against Kenya last week in a World Cup qualifier.

On Wednesday night they needed another late goal, from a free kick, to force a 1-1 draw against lowly Namibia and stay on course to qualify for next year’s finals.

The draw, though, again raises questions over the Super Eagles chances at the Confederation Cup, where they started with a supposedly easy game against Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday but then meet both Uruguay and Spain in their next group games.