Former Nigerian midfielder, Emmanuel Amuneke says the Super Eagles have the fire power to conquer Cape Verde at home in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria are top of Group C on three points after defeating Lone Star of Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Friday while Central Africa Republic (CAR) held Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw.
The Super Eagles who will be hoping to maintain their leadership position in the group will battle Cape Verde on Tuesday without some key players.
Recall that players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo, William Troost-Ekong, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun will the game due to UK covid-19 restriction.
Before now players plying their trade in the UK are sure to miss the game after their countries insisted that players will not be allowed to travel to covid 19 red alert countries in which Cape Verde is one of them.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Cape Verde To Host Super Eagles Without Home Fans
Reacting to the development, the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist told Completesports.com that the Super Eagles won’t be short of talents to overcome Cape Verde at their backyard.
“It is so sad that some of our key players will not feature against Cape Verde due to UK Covid-19 rules, which places the country as a red-zone.
“For sure it would have been a thing of delight for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr to play the game with his full strength team but then, with the caliber of players still within the squad I don’t think Cape Verde will escape defeat.
“Mind you, the other players that will step into their positions will be willing to make an impression against Cape Verde.”
9 Comments
Cape Verde will be making a big mistake to think they will have an easy game against SE…… This game will be played by hungry players who have a point to prove…..These players want Nigerians and coach Rhor to see what they are made up of…..These player also want to be in the first eleven in subsequent games so they will fight like their international football careers depend on it……These predicament will work in our favor……mark my words
0-0 FT
all this ex-internationals contributing 77% of our problem. how come non of this ex that, ex this has not say anything about the horrible &, rubbish pitch & urge nff to take super eagles back to uyo. stupid people…
Wow, you indirectly tag Amuneke “stupid”?
An AFCON winner? Olympic gold medalist? FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach? “Stupid”????
Chai, una get guts oh….well I’m out.
I wonder o. What ha amuneke done wrong again. Nigerians are just comfortable criticising and condemning people.
On the match, Samuel kalu is there and ready to prove a point.
You can ONLY get such vile vibes from Nigerians oh…..dem no dey send your track record, it’s such a pity.. maybe Amuneke has now become a member of NFF board, or perhaps, Sunday Dare, that will be directing affairs on where the matches should be played.
Smh!
Likely starting eleven:
MADUEKE
AINA. AWAZIEM. OMERUAH. COLLINS
SHEHU. BONKE.
CHIDERA/KALU
SIMON. OSIMHEN. ONYEKURU
The super eagles will lose their height advantage as most of the taller players wont be available. Osimhen will have to do most of the work up front in terms of getting the goals. I hope the midfield can hold together, thats my main concern.
Atleast osimhen is capable of getting the ball inside the net… It all depends on the midfield…
Have you forgotten that Paul Onuachu is the tallest Nigerian footballer at the moment and he is going to play in Cape Verde?