By Daily Sports on November 7, 2016

‘Uyo World Cup Qualifier (WCQ) war: Super Eagles stake pride against Algeria might.’ The foregoing is a possible headline and rider you should look out for to adorn sports pages of traditional and online newspapers come November 12, when the Super Eagles will square up against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in their much hyped World Cup qualifier game for Russia 2018. 

The match will be played in Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa ibom State, the Nest of Champions. It is instructive to note that after our observation here penultimate week the arena, is going through resurfacing and work has been ongoing on the field to give it the much needed smoothening it desires for an all-important game like the one under discourse. The NFF team will undertake the final round of inspection of the playground few days to the now or never encounter.

I say look out for this headline because that will be the headline in our preview in Daily Sports, your refreshingly different and incisive number one online sports portal that is steadily taking root, firm and a grand stand amongst the authoritative and the thoughtful. As usual, our preview on the Big Game will be distinctively hot, hook on with the best!

Needless to emphasis that the game against Algeria will actually mark the beginning of the final countdown to the World Cup qualifier for the Super Eagles. The game in Uyo, will be the second match the big boys of the team will play under their new technical gaffer, Germot Rohr. Verily, verily, there must be a lot to look out for in that game of their lives.

 Algeria is one of the emerging strong national teams in the continent peopled with energetic young players. They can be daring even in your home soil. Like typical Arabs, they are easily agitated and quarrelsome in the field of play.  The North Africans have used such crude methods as weapon for intimidation against opponents. They export these anti-game antics where ever they play. They carry such unruly behavour even on an away soil. They are aggressive and always in mood to fight. It is one of the things the Eagles must guard against.

Algeria is the culprit in chief.  My take is, it will be a master cracker of a game. It gladdens my heart that it is a man with honour, the Gambian that will be in charge of the proceeding. He will be at the centre. He is a no nonsense FIFA referee that can never be gagged or carried away by any form of antics from players. He is trusted by FIFA because he has proved to be worthy.

Though, it is still early to come out with any rating of the Franco- German technical hand of the Eagles. However, fact is he knew what he wants and goes head-on for it. Indicators tilt towards that fact, Rohr may sooner than later become the most respected voice in the country’s football, especially in the technical aspect of the sport.   He is rebuilding the team that is why he continues to invite new foreign players. It shows experiments are allowed on this learning process window.

Anybody that knows football well and listens to the Germany analyse or seen his tactical formation will agree this man easily fits in as technical adviser of the Super Eagles. He will make a virtuous job of it. However, it is no exaggeration, but let’s leave this for the future, looking up to the maxim, ‘The Future Will Tell.’ I envisaged he will earn our trust after this game.

I have covered games that involved Nigeria and Algeria and would authoritatively say that the giant West African country has slight upper hand above their day’s opponent.  Germot’s views on this game are profound, unmistakable and understandable.  The teams are talking tough as well as the ex-internationals from both sides. The countries have also released their 23-man list for the Uyo battle field clash. The lists are intimidating however, Nigeria remains in better stead. Algeria even hires a new coach for this purpose. They are under intense pressure and the Eagles are expected to capitalise on that to humiliate them.

It won’t be an easy one. In short, no match involving the duo has been and this will not be an exception.  On ‘Uyo War’ let me share with you that I have a lot of faith in Gernot Rohr’s ability to tinker with the Eagles and it’s the reason I am sticking with him over his team of invited players so far for the Uyo encounter, even though he still left out some good materials.

We all can attest no coach can satisfy the expectations of the fans, administrators and the media when it comes to selections and sundry. The only option we have is to sit back and watch how events would unfold once the gaffer has made up his list on the players he wants for the make or mar game.

You know my stand on foreign coach and when Rohr came on board. I did tell my friend and Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Sir Chris Green that the Franco-German seems to know what he wants. Everything is not about winning games, if you are a keen and close watcher of the Eagles, you must have observed that sanity has returned to the team. Let’s leave it at that level. We have seen him, in two games in Uyo and Ndola. The third is coming up on November 12. It looks like his most difficult. So, which would truly put him into test? I believe he has the clout to turn Algeria back.

I am expecting Eagles to win this cracker of a game no matter the goal margin.  Really, the odds are in their favour. We should be bordered, because it is one of our home games. In the second leg, this Foxes will take the Eagles to wherever they like all in a bid to cut a pound of flesh. It is against such inflammable background therefore we must support Eagles to win this, so that Algeria will be down and out by the time both will meet in the concluding leg.

We have seen how Gernot deploys his men and how the team copes generally when under pressure. You asked my take? Yes, victory or nothing because we need it right in front of our fans to consolidate our leadership of group B.

You see, the last time l wrote on the Eagles chances for Russia 2018 qualifier, I did say the difference between ‘can win’ and ‘will win.’ It was purely for readers of Sports Pulse to be on stead platform to assess the strength of their team, the Eagles, so as to avoid, the temptation of underrating or over rating the team.

Let me be honest with you that in terms of history, pedigree, consistency and tradition the Eagles lost it, except if it is being rebuilt again. I must point out however, that such loss of value isn’t exclusive to the Nigerian side; many other once high flying teams in the continent have travelled this road also.  Eagles in terms of talent, potential and ability, the team are up there among the big boys of the round leather game. It is on record, despite….

It is based on that, that whatever happens to the crafty Desert Foxes of Algeria in the battle front in Uyo would cause more panic to the Indomitable Lions that the Eagles have come. Fact is that any team no matter how fortified that crosses our path on our good day no doubt is in trouble. November 12 is it. Silly mistakes by the defenders must be totally avoided. Algeria is coming like wounded lions.

Cameroun bruised them by sharing the point. It pained them to the bone marrow hence the revolt by the players against the coach which led to his resignation. The Algerians hardly forgive. Their state of mind remains terrible. They can be frustrating and desperate. The Eagles must contain effectively their age old antics. A word, they say is enough for the wise. No more, no less. The Algerians are angry and the Eagles must compound it for them. It is doable and Eagles must give us this day.

It is our prayer that the consistency that deserted the team comes back under Rohr. Algeria is a hurdle to crossed and crushed too. Eagles must play themselves back into a force to be reckoned with in continental and world football. The match will not be a tea party. The foreign pros both countries would unleash on each other tell the anticipated fireworks that would greet the grade A World Cup Qualifier ‘war’. Super Eagles have the trappings to wrap up this playing at home and brandishing quality younger players blended with more experienced ones. Eagles have the capacity and must show class early in the game. Let’s pray for Eagles and thumb up the leadership of the NFF for being themselves this time for the first time. They are working assiduously behind the scene to get things better and right for the crucial game. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Discussion Continues. Keep shooting hard. Till next week!

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 7, 2016

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