After overcoming Kenya last week, Nigerians urge the Super Eagles to go all out for a win in the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of June 12, reports 'TANA AIYEJINA
June 12, 1993 is a significant date in the history of Nigeria. It was the day that sports philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, contesting on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, overwhelmingly defeated his National Republican Convention opponent, Bashir Tofa, in what was rated by international analysts as the freest and fairest election ever held in the country.
But military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the elections, a decision that plunged Nigeria into political crisis, with the country almost on the brink of collapse.
Thereafter, Nigerians have celebrated the day. This year's anniversary, which comes up on Wednesday, is the 20th and it coincides with Nigeria's Super Eagles' Brazil 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier against the Brave Warriors of Namibia at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.
Group leaders Eagles, who beat bottom place Kenya's Harambee Stars 1-0 in Nairobi on Wednesday, will qualify for the final stage of the African World Cup qualifiers if they beat their third-place hosts on Wednesday while Kenya beat second-place Malawi in Blantyre.
And Nigerians have urged the Eagles, African champions — despite their hectic schedule in June — to make their 20th June 12 anniversary celebration worthwhile with a resounding win over the Namibians.
After Wednesday's match, the Eagles will leave for South Africa, from where they will fly to Brazil for the Confederations Cup.
"June 12 is an important date in the life of every Nigerian and a victory for the Eagles in Windhoek is non-negotiable," ex-Nigeria goalkeeper, Joe Erico, said in a telephone interview.
Erico, an assistant coach of the Eagles at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, said the packed schedule was a blessing in disguise for the national team.
"They won away against Kenya and they need to win again in Namibia. They are not rebuilding anymore, so they must win.
"I prefer the tight schedule because it will allow them play once and for all. I feel it is good for us because after the win over Kenya, the team remains together, rather than dispersing. This means they are still intact and the closer they are, the better for the team," Erico added.
Former Enyimba coach, Godfrey Esu, also shares Erico's view.
Esu said, "The Kenya game is a big boost for us. No one gave us a chance against the East Africans because our big boys didn't play the friendly game against Mexico.
"But Keshi instilled confidence in the new boys and the home-based players and they went to Kenya and won.
"Against Namibia, all we need is total victory on Wednesday and bearing in mind that the game is played on an important date will even ginger our boys more.
"All they need to do is to correct our lapses against Kenya and then hope that there are no injury worries and we should come out with the three points in the bag."
However, don't expect the Brave Warriors to sit back at home and clap for the Eagles, at least not when they recently moved five places up in the FIFA rankings, which was released on Wednesday.
The team climbed five positions to 120 in the world. During the period under review, Namibia played two 0-0 draws – at home against Zambia on May 26, and away to Malawi on June 5.
And now ranked 34th in Africa, they are in high spirits and ready to upset their more fancied visitors in Windhoek.
"Namibia can still make it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup if they beat Nigeria, the African Champions. Besides the distraction of an impending FIFA Confederations Cup campaign, a vociferous home support for the Brave Warriors should be enough to unnerve the Nigerians," Namibian columnist, Sheefeni Nikodemus, wrote on Friday.
Brave Warriors coach, Roger Palmgren, is hopeful of an upset and the 50-year-old Swede cannot be taken for granted.
He has some knowledge of Nigerian football after managing Kwara United in the Nigerian domestic topflight league in the 2006/07 season.
"I believe in this team (Brave Warriors), they showed me what they are made of (against Malawi) and we will be better prepared for Nigeria on 12 June," Palmgren told the Windhoek Observer.
Meanwhile, the Football Kenya Federation and Harambee Stars coach, Adel Amrouche, have thrown their weight behind the Kenyan national team, ahead of Wednesday's Group F fixture against Malawi in Blantyre, saying the squad was capable of recovering from the loss to Nigeria.
The loss to Nigeria virtually extinguished the country's hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup tournament in Brazil next year.
But Amrouche and FKF chairman, Sam Nyamweya, have expressed hope that the team can recover to beat Malawi in Lilongwe and Namibia in Nairobi in the remaining matches.
Stars' performance against the African champions at Kasarani has been subject of intense discussion by Kenyans on the streets, on social media and radio talk shows as opinion remains divided on the way forward.
"I'm happy, delighted and satisfied with the performance of my boys," Amrouche told Daily Nation Thursday, adding: "Under the circumstances, there is little we could have done to change that result. Kenyans are good people, very supportive. I urge them to give us more time. The technical bench has been in charge of only two games. I'm sure we will improve with time"
Nyamweya, in a statement, termed the team's performance 'a platform to build on for future progress.'
"FKF notes the improved results recorded by the national team in the past six months and especially the influence brought by coach Adel Amrouche. Our assignment is to ensure the team wins the remaining World Cup qualifiers away to Malawi and at home to Namibia, and prepares well to win the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi this year," Nyamweya said in the statement.
