years ago - nothing has changed for Africa's representatives in the
pre-World Cup event. No team from the continent has won the
competition, so the Super Eagles fly into Brazil with another chance
to write the script.
To do that, they will have to surpass expectations, but they are no
strangers to that, either. At this year's African Cupof Nations,
Stephen Keshi took a squad that was criticized for its lack of
recognized names in favour of a locally tinged side and won the
continental cup. Along the way they beat Ivory Coast, who are ranked
above them by FIFA, which underlined how Keshi turned their potential
into success.
Keshi's Confederations Cup squad has nine different faces from the one
that lifted the trophy in Johannesburg and there are some much tougher
teams to beat. Nigeria's group includes world champions Spain and
South American heavyweights Uruguay and the Super Eagles will do well
if they can advance from it.
Tahiti are their other opposition, and Nigerian fans will be relieved
they comeup against them first. No doubt Nigeria will be jetlagged
following two World Cup qualifiers away from home in sevendays, plus a
trip to Texas before that to play Mexico in a friendly, but not even
fatigue will be an acceptable excuse if they do not beat Tahiti.
While that will be seen as a straightforward exercise, the next two
games will demonstrate how good Nigeria have really become, and test
their depth. Without Emmanuel Emenike- the joint top scorer at the
Nations Cup- Kalu Uche and Victor Moses, they will have to find other
ways of scoring goalsbut Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa havealready shown
that is not impossible.
Considering Uruguay's recent relationship with Africa during the
2010World Cup - a dalliance that included a handball, Luis Suarez and
Ghana's exit -that will be the grudge match. Should Nigeria triumph,
they will probably go through to the semifinals, so the emphasis
placed on that clash will be enormous. Few will give them a similar
chance against Spain, but if momentum is on their side and Keshi
applies the right type of pressure, they could just pull it off.
One reason that may not happen is because this tournament is not the
mainfocus of Nigeria's year. Qualifying for next year's World Cup
takes that spot. The country's sports minister made it clear to the
footballing authorities that going to Brazil in a year's time is far
more important than anything Nigeria achieve there now and has asked
that their priorities reflect that.
So far they have. Nigeria lead their qualifying group, so Keshi is
free to swerve away from that mission and impose his aims, which are
largely based on reputation. The Big Boss cannot stand inadequacy and
has often required of Nigeria that they play like the "champions that
we are" and he willdemand from them that they meet a minimum standard.
He is also intent on showcasing locally nurtured talent and his squad
includes eight Nigerian-based players, ahead of the likes of Peter
Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins. For Keshi, that means fewer egos and
more team unity. The one superstar he cannot do without is John Obi
Mikel and the Chelsea midfielder will be the engine room of the side.
Defensively, Nigeria are solid and imposing with Efe Ambrose and
Elderson Echiejile holding fort and the experience of Vincent Enyeama
in goal. Nigeria have the individuals to better Africa's record at the
tournament, but whether that improvement can result in silverware is
still a matter of some debate.
Tactics Nigeria will stick to a 4-3-3 formation, which has been their
strength in the last few months. "We have perfected it with time,"
Keshi said recently.
Measure of success Although everyone from John Obi Mikel to Sunday Mba
hasvoiced their desire for Nigeria to win the Confederations Cup, they
will be satisfied with less. If the Super Eagles qualify for the
semifinals, it will likely be considered achievement enough. Failing
to beat Tahiti will be unforgivable, but the other two matcheswill
demand that Nigeria put up a confident enough showing to prove they
can hold their own.
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