YES, I have been one of the harshest critics of Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi of recent. Therefore it’s only right to praise him when he did well, like he and his boys did in Pointe Noire on Saturday. Keshi led his team to a heartwarming 2-0 win away to Congo not only to avenge the tiny nation’s impudence of Match Day 1 when they surprisingly defeated us 3-2 in Calabar, but also to restore Nigeria firmly on the road to defend their crown next year in Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria got the desired margin of victory against their hosts to topple them on head-to-head rule. And the implication is that should the two teams finish level on points, the Super Eagles will join South Africa as qualifiers from our group since the 2-0 victory posted in Pointe Noire gives us better head-to-head result (4-3 aggregate) against the Central Africans.
The little matter that remains now is to defeat already-qualified South Africa by any margin to make doubly certain of qualification. A draw could also be enough in as much as Congo do not win in Sudan. But victory must be the goal against RSA, and a good one at that if it could be managed, not only to make qualification doubly sure, but also to send a big message to the rest of the continent that the holders are back, stronger and will not relinquish their crown without a big fight.
But we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves as victory against boastful Bafana Bafana, who secured group’s top spot with a game to spare, will not come easy. Win on Wednesday, and I’d support any campaign to see Keshi lead the team to their title defence in Equatorial Guinea as if there really has to be any campaign at all. Remember, the Big Boss has the ears of the powers that be in today’s Nigeria and he wouldn’t need any such campaign to keep his job.
As you prepare for the final battle against buoyant South Africa, I say thanks to Keshi and his boys for restoring our national pride once again. But the job you did in Congo will only make sense if you complete the task against the invading “Banana Bananas.” Best of luck guys!
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