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Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has disclosed that he will be relying on confidence and steam among his players to get victory over Egypt in their first match of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, megasportsarena.com reports.
‘Egu’ admitted that the Egyptians will enter the game in Garoua, Cameroon wirh as much gusto as the Eagles will offer, but his enthusiastic that his side will emerge victorious after the referee’s final whistle.
He will also rely on fond memories of the happy ending he got as a member of the Eagles’ squad that played against the same country back in 1990, when a lone goal by Rashidi Yekini consigned The Pharaohs to defeat in a group phase match in Algiers, Alguers.
He was also there in 1994, when both teams battled to a scoreless draw at Stade Chadli Zouiten in Tunis, Tunisia, with the former defender, who was fondly called ‘Cerezo,’ involved during that cagey encounter, but he expects a better run in Tuesday’s game at Stade Roumdé Adjia.
Although ‘Egu’ was noncommittal on his starting line-up, feelers from the Eagles’ training sessions indicate that Union Berlin of Germany striker, Taiwo Awoniyi could lead the line, with Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Peter Olayinka from Slavia Prague of Czech Republic jostling for the support role.
Other options upfront at captain of the side, Ahmed Musa and Villarreal of Spain winger, Samuel Chukwueze, who both hit target on Friday, during a build-up match with Cameroonian top club, Cotonsport Garoua, while Olympiakos of Greece winger, Henry Onyekuru and Almeria of Spain’s Umar Sadiq provide additional possibilities upfront.
Leicester’s Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi should start in the holding midfielder’s role, while Glasgow Rangers’ of Scotland’s Joe Aribo will step in ahead of Chile 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup-winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali drops to the bench for the playmaker’s role.
Italy-based right back Tyrone Ebuehi will probably start at right-back, while Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo hold sway in central central defence, with FC Porto of Portugal’s Zaidu Sanusi contending for the left back role with the versatile Olaoluwa Aina.
Victory will provide a confidence boost for the Eagles ahead of their other Group D ties against Sudan (January 15) and Guinea Bissau (January 19), but Eguavoen is staying upbeat that he and his wards have nothing to worry about, once they stay focused and determined.
“I look forward to an interesting game between two ambitious teams. As I said a couple of weeks ago, we will take it one match at a time. For now, we see the clash with Egypt and all our plan is how to earn the three points.
“The Egyptians are a strong team and will come with a lot of confidence and steam, but we will also be going to the field with a lot of confidence and steam. It is going to be an interesting evening,” Eguavoen enthused.
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