Whither Eagles, after roasting Algerian Foxes?

Some analysts tagged it "The Battle of the Desert," orthers coined it "The Battle of Survival;" yet another looked and christened it "The Battle of Oran."...the Africa Zone, World Cup 2006 qualifier match between Algerian Desert Foxes and Nigerian Super Eagles, that was. The day has since come and slided its way into the annals of World Football Books of Record, as one on which, the Nigerian giant soccer birds, Super Eagles, left none in doubts, as to their superiority over the Algerians, when the chips are really, really down via their bold 5-2 victory statement.

But that feat spelt another one ,for which most candid analysts have again, haunched in their library all-night, burning candles in frantic searches for what life would be as far as the lone Germany 2006 World Cup ticket in their Group, would be to the Eagles, after their demolition of the Algerian baricade. As it were, while some make bold to predict a "no chance situation" for the Nigerian soccer flag-bearers, some pundits have their "Eagles-will-be-in-Germany" fact files jealously tucked away under their armpits.

Hear the first group of 'Doubting Thomases': "You see, we are easily carried away by sentiments. The fact that, we succeeded in beating the Algerians at home ... infact, whipping them harshly and harder than even the Gabonese did, does not denote the fact that, we are already through. Do not forget that we were able to beat the Gabonese 2-0 at almost the end of the encounter after a heart-tearing first half.

The same Gabonese team was whipped 3-0 by the Angolans; so what informs the confidence of some of us, of the ability of the Rwandese, who are the whipping babies of the Group, to beat the Angolans in the final encounter of the Group in Kigali? We agree that, we will beat the Zimbabweans here in Abuja;what about the Rwandese, who were beaten silly by a Zimbabwean side that we humiliated 3-0 in Harare?

Can they even attempt to hold the smoking Angolans, who are not only thirsty of World Cup actions, but so power-packed now, that they are ready to smash any team, which constitutes a hinderance to their World Cup first appearance next year. Did you see how determined and aggressively the Camerounian Indomitable Lions swooped on their Ivoirien hosts? Did it not surprise you that, they could put up such a fearless show to beat their hosts in Abidjan? Let us not decieve ourselves...I am a Nigerian and would be happy to see my country at the Finals, but I tell you, we are making "hey" when the sun is almost covered by the cloud."

As far as the Eagles' staunch believers are concerned, that was a self-defeatist recitation by fevered brain cowards in human skin. " What is the talk about Rwanda not being able to either, hold Angola to a draw or, beating them outrightly? What makes them feel that, the Rwandese would entertain two straight losses - having been humiliated by the Gabonese last weekend?

"This is football and in this game, anything can happen. The so-called low-rated Rwandese also want to prove a point and that would be their watchword in their encounter against the Angolans in October. They would not want to entertain any speculations or rumours of match-fixing if they loose to Angola in October; whether they have a Nations Cup attendance ticket at stake, or not.

"I see a situation, where the Angolans would be too careful so much, so that, they would be putting the wrong foot in the right places during their encounter against the Rwandese Wasps in October. This could be due to the excessive preassure that the thought of a World Cup qualification, would mount on them mentally. And one cannot rule out such situations in such stressful matches," the othe group countered.

These were the reactions of Nigerians back home, soon after the Super Eagles whipped the Algerians child-likely in Oran last weekend in their highly orchestrated World Cup qualifier encounter.

Link | 2005-09-06 18:37
okwuchukwu,obinabo (lagos)

please nfa sports ministry let your eyes be on kigali tha is ruwanda and and angola match and we I MEAN NIGERIA AS country will start praying and fasting about oct match between nigeria and zebabwe that GOD will take control amen.

Link | 2005-09-06 19:35
Abolade (Denver)

Well if Nigeria does not go to the World Cup then it is a sign of several things. First, the NFA should be blamed and needs to be reconstructed; second, it shows that Nigeria football is not progressing and it may take a while for football to heal; And thirdly, the sins of the past will not be forgotten or healed as the NFA thoughtlessly decided to remove key players and coaches before going to the World Cup. And now until NFA makes amends for the players and coaches that qualified Nigeria for the 2002 World Cup edition, then expect Nigeria to be tumbling down the ground.

Link | 2005-09-06 19:36
Nnamdy (Port Harcourt,Nigeria.)

NIGERIANS FAST AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS,OBASANJO IT IS TIME TO PLAY FOOTBALL POLITICS SINCE YOU CLAIM TO BE AN EMINENT AFRICAN LEADER TALK TO PAUL KAGAME WITH REGARDS TO THIS MATCH SO THAT HIS COUNTRYMEN WON'T SELL THE MATCH TO ANGOLA REMEMBER THE EGYPTIAN REFEREE BRIBERY INCIDENT BEFORE WE PLAYED A ANGOLA,ANGOLA LOOK GOOD IN THE POLITICS OF THE GAME SO SPORTS MINISTER ,NFA WATCH OUT BFOR THE MATCH OFFICIALS TO BE APPOINTED FOR BOTH GAMES,PLEASE FIFA AND CAF SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.NFA AND SPORTS MINISTRY SHOOULD SEND SECRET ASSESORS (TO ANGOLA AND RWANDA)TO MONITOR PROCEEDINGS AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE GAME.WE ALL HAVE OUR ROLES TO PLAY TO ENSURE SUCCESS.INSHA ALLAH WE SHALL QUALIFY
IN JESUS NAME WE SHALL QUALIFY.
08033131084

Link | 2005-09-07 17:45
Sam G Ivwurie (Colorado Springs, USA)

My people, I go tell nna say Nigeria go go to the world cup 2006. But dem no go move pass 2nd round. Our boys, na shine dem wan to shine, not to play as team. Because, the bad belle wen dey between dem no be small. And to add salt to enjury, NFA get favorise players and most of dem no the BEST players. Since our officials dey planty pass the players, e go good make dem kuku enter field and play the match. E go better!
Na me, Football fan in Colorado Springs, CO.

Link | 2005-09-07 17:58
Eziunor (Port harcourt)

I want to categorically state here that the head-to-head rule is faulty and dosen't mean well to Soccer- It is only dragging the beautiful game backward. Let us consider a situation whereby Nigeria losses to Zimbabwe in the final group game, say by a lone goal, and Angola also looses to Ruwanda. It then means that these 3 countries will tie at the top of the group with 18 pts each. Using the head-to-head rule, which country should be awarded the winner?Angola will have a better head-to-head than NIG, but not against ZIM. NIG has a better head-to-head against ZIM but not against ANG. Also, ZIM has a better head-to-head against ANG but not agains NIG. I'm sure this wasn't taken into consideration b/4 the introduction of that rule. However, I'll still like some explation and guidance to the implementation of the rule, especially to the scenerio as mentioned above by you guys in nigeriasports.com. Thanks in advance.

Link | 2005-09-08 16:24
Chijioke Okany (New York)

What baffles me sometimes is how we Nigerians always like to day-dream. How on earth do we still think we are going to the World cup at this stage? Angolans are ready to defeat Nigeria again anywhere, any time. So, to rest our hope in Rwandans is simply a wishful thinking! I am warning the NFA now to stars preparing for African Cup of Nation and forget about Germany 2006. Tacticians and football wizards have read the handwriting on the wall and declared Nigeria wanting in Germany 2006! So why is it difficult for us to accept the fate and move on with what lies ahead! I'll be very upset if loose at both ends!

Link | 2005-09-08 18:59
Nnamdy (Port Harcourt,Nigeria.)

Chijioke 'Mr.New Yorker'who told you that Angola can defeat Nigeria any again,please qwe know you now think American but we in NAIJA will keep you well informed.The chances of Nigeria qualifying is dependent on Angola's last game but there is still hope left.Wetin una think NIGERIANS.

Link | 2005-09-10 12:48
Zu BOY (london)

u know what, nnamdy u iz rite 2 put dat dude from NY is chattin a lot of shit.hopefully we will qualify 4 dis izzle by da grace of GOD. but 4 this guy 2 say da angolans will beat us anywhere is he must b smokin sum new york weed. angola were lucky 2 have beaten us away, we have learnt from dis and next time we meet them whether nations cup or friendly we will eliminate themby no means. Dont 4 get we are tryin 2 build a betta team than the class of 94, i know eith da quality we have 2day they are better than dat of 94. lets just pray we qualify then concentrate on the cup of nations, hopefully we shall meet angola again.one more thing people are sayin rwanda havent lost a home game, they lost their first home game 2 zimbabwe. so people talkin should do their stats well cuz this talk will not help. but they have fixed up since then and not lost at home hopefully they will carry on not losing to angola. DIS MESSAGE IZ 2 ANGOLA, WE SHALL MEET AGAIN AND WHEN WE DO PRAY U ONLY CONCEDE 2 GOALS, CUZ U HAV BEEN LUCKY ANYTIME U PLAY US WE NEVER HAV THE REAL GUERILLAZ IN DA TEAM. SO TILL NEXT TIME. SUPER EAGLES GOOD LUCK IN OCTOBER AND ALSO RWANDA STAY FOCUSED. WE HAVE LEARNT FROM OUR LESSONS THIS WILL NOT BE REPEATED NEXT TIME. SUPER EAGLES 2 GUNNZ UP .

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Whither Eagles, after roasting Algerian Foxes?

Link | 2005-09-06 18:37 okwuchukwu,obinabo (lagos)

Link | 2005-09-06 19:35 Abolade (Denver)

Link | 2005-09-06 19:36 Nnamdy (Port Harcourt,Nigeria.)

Link | 2005-09-07 17:45 Sam G Ivwurie (Colorado Springs, USA)

Link | 2005-09-07 17:58 Eziunor (Port harcourt)

Link | 2005-09-08 16:24 Chijioke Okany (New York)

Link | 2005-09-08 18:59 Nnamdy (Port Harcourt,Nigeria.)

Link | 2005-09-10 12:48 Zu BOY (london)

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