The Super Eagles is seeking to make another history in World Cup as they tackle France in the knockout stages of the tournament.
A place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals awaits the Eagles if they win France later today. The French team looks extremely deadly in their opening two matches of the World Cup as they thrashed Honduras 3-0 and hammered Switzerland 5-2.
Super Eagle forward, Osaze Odemwingie
French top striker, Karim Benzema, who has three goals and two assists, leads the strong French attack, which has been solid by finding ways to create scoring chances from the midfield.
Benzema is refusing to write off Nigeria’s chances and insists France will take them seriously.
“We have qualified, so one must be happy about that. It was a tough, tough match, and although we had a lot of success in front of goal in our previous games this time we came across a team who caused up problems on a physical level. “We had some good chances to score, we had opportunities but we came across a keeper who played out of his skin. “Now we have to rest, recover and get 100 per cent ready for the knock-out match against Nigeria, who are a good, strong team, but we must do everything to win.”
The French will be at full strength and fresh for this match, as Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena all rested in the last group match facing Ecuador. France has a solid midfield, but they are an attacking one that pushes forward and may play into the hands of Nigeria.
French striker, Karim Benzema
Nigeria qualified for the knockout stages of the competition after finishing second in Group F behind one of the tournament favourites Argentina. The Super Eagles claimed a total of four points thanks to a goalless draw against Iran and a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Their only defeat was a narrow 3-2 loss against Lionel Messi band of merry men.
Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi was delighted to guide the Super Eagles side out of the Group Stages for the first time since 1998, but he wants them to improve against the French. He said: “It’s an honour and we’re very happy to reach the next round. I think we lost the game because we showed them too much respect in the first half. “After the break we managed to play our game, attacked more, had more possession and were better overall. But Argentina are a great team and Messi’s a great player. He’s blessed and there’s no way you can escape him. Messi’s from Jupiter.” Nigeria appears to be overmatched in the midfield and John Obi Mikel who is supposed to be solid in that area of the pitch hasn’t been too impressive in the tournament so far.
The eagles will also be posing a threat to the French defence with the counter-attacking abilities of Ahmed Musa, Osaze Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike. The French have issues on defense, especially from Mathieu Debuchy and Patrice Evra. And while they conceded two goals in the group stage, they did not face a strong attacking force like Nigeria.
Nigeria can pull off the shocker here and oust France, moving a step closer to making a World Cup history in the process.
Coach Stephen Keshi disproves claims that weather conditions in Brasilia, when Nigeria and France get their second round match underway, will favour the Africans and hinder the former champions.
“Don’t have it in mind because we are from Africa everywhere is hot,” Keshi said in his pre-game conference.
Stephen Keshi Passes Instructions to His Wards During the 3-2 Loss to Argentina.
“Most of our players are from Europe, so we have the same problem. In Cuiaba the temperature was terrible and we had a problem with it but managed to finish. If it’s going to be bad for France, it’s going to be bad for Nigeria.”
Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel was also of the opinion that “both sides will be affected by the weather”, but adds the African champions will stop at nothing to ensure victory.
Coach Didier Deschamp hopes his squad rotation policy favours ‘Les Bleus’ against a physical Nigeria team today. The former midfielder, who played a vital role in the side that lifted the title at the Stade des France 16 years ago chopped off six regular starters in their final group draw with Ecuador.
Deschamp reckons his team could not allow any margin of error against the Eagles who boast of sharp attackers like Ahmed Musa and co.
“They (Nigeria) will undoubtedly cause us problems on a physical level and they have forwards who can make the difference at any moment,” he noted.
The last and only time both nations met at senior international level, Nigeria emerged tops courtesy of a Joseph Akpala strike in St. Etienne.
France- inspired by the in-form Karim Benzema- scored eight goals to top Group E.
Nigeria emerged Group F runners-up, after a goalless draw against Iran, followed with a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Hercegovina and a narrow loss to eventual group winners Argentina.
Joseph Yobo hopes the spell of positive outcomes continues in favour of the Nigeria national team, who he says are fired up to face the best in the knockout stage of the World Cup.
The Super Eagles are rated far outsiders to pip France to the quarter-finals of the tournament, as both nations prepare for a crucial last-16 battle on Monday, but skipper Yobo insists his side are ready to scale the most difficult hurdle on their part to glory.
Two encouraging results against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Argentina has returned “confidence” back in coach Stephen Keshi’s squad who were hidden in the disappointment of an uninspiring draw against Iran after their first match in Brazil, but it can always get better for the side that fought back from drawing their first two matches to clinching a third Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in South Africa last year.
Joseph Yobo Answers the Media During a Press Briefing.
“I’ve played in this side for many years, so I’ve been able to see it evolve,” Yobo told Fifa.com.
“We won the Africa Cup of Nations, booked our place in the World Cup without any trouble and now we’ve qualified for the second round. It’s not often that I’ve experienced so many pieces of good news in a row.
“That shows you we’re improving. This team is young, but it’s growing fast and learning quickly. We’re taking confidence from our campaign so that it can help us in our next match.”
Having featured in two World Cup campaigns prior to Brazil, Yobo, 33, is an undisputed leader on and off the pitch and will crown his commitment to the West African nation with a 100 international cap against France, if selected.
Those experience have defied even the most terrific skills of many attackers in the past and is still raring to go. ‘Les Bleus’ are sure to provide another probing examination, particularly with Karim Benzema in a form of his life but such threat does not faze the Fenerbahce defender again.
“We’ve just played against the best forward in the world, so we’re ready to measure ourselves against anybody,” said Yobo, before adding with a grin: “I don’t see what we should be afraid of. I believe in this team, and I think we can do it.”
“If we don’t win the next game, there won’t be a 102nd cap and so on. But what if I can make it to 104 in Brazil?”
The Minister for Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC) Dr. Tammy Danagogo over the weekend revealed that billionaire businessman Otunba Mike Adenuga gave him $250,000 to give to the Super Eagles in Brazil to encourage them to beat France today, promising to do more if they win and advance to the quarter-final stage.
According to Danagogo, who has since presented the money to the team, Mike Adenuga, while presenting the money to him said;
“This is a token and if the team goes ahead and shock the world, I will join Mr President to shock the team.”
