How Eagles can get to Argentina

How Eagles can get to Argentina

By Clem Oluwole 

Last Sunday at the National Stadium ‘Slaughter House’, Surulere, Lagos, our Green Eagles fulfilled the aspiration of millions of Nigerian soccer fans when they crushed the Elephants of Ivory Coast by 4 – 0 in the first leg of the 1978 World Cup qualifying series.

The return leg will be played in Bouake, Ivory Coast, to decide the winners of Group Three. Africa is divided into three groups. Tunisia are already on top of Group One. The winners of Group Two will be decided between Zambia and Egypt, although the crack Zambia are favourites to win.

Having frightened off the Elephants with a 4 – 0 defeat, and judging by their standard of play, the Ivorians cannot reverse the scores next Saturday. Not even our old ‘friend’ referee N’diaye can help them.

I am quite confident that Nigeria will eventually emerge as leaders of Group Three. But a fresh battle will be pitched to decide Africa’s sole entry for the finals in Argentina next year.

Egypt or Zambia are no match for us. We have beaten Egypt twice, first during the Second All-Africa Games (4 – 2) and second in the 10th Africa Cup of Nations in Addis Ababa (3 – 2).

Against Zambia four years ago, our Golden Eagles were slaughtered 5 – 1 in the 1974 World Cup elimination series. It was a disastrous defeat. And according to a Nigerian soccer commentator, our Eagles were so battered that when the final whistle went, some of them were asking one another how many goals the Zambians actually scored! We could only beat them 3 – 2 in the return leg in Lagos.

But against our present-day Eagles, the Zambians stand no chance at all. The Eagles clobbered them 3 – 1 during their playing tour of East Africa in readiness for the 10th Nations Cup Finals.

One country that is likely to pose a serious threat to us is Tunisia. The Tunisians knocked out Morocco in an earlier round of the series. Remember, Morocco are the current holders of the Africa Cup of Nations. And to consolidate their position, they went on to eliminate Algeria and Guinea, to top Group One. A team that saw Morocco and Guinea out, therefore, should be dreaded.

And it is not too premature to start plotting Tunisia’s downfall.

According to available record, the Tunisians can boast of the most formidable midfield formation in the continent today. Their goalkeeper – Attonga is his name – is as good as Okala.

In plotting Tunisia’s downfall, there is the need to reflect on the Eagles’ recent matches particularly the last one against the Elephants of Ivory Coast. Eagles’ defence still leaves much to be desired. The culprits are left full-back Sam Ojebode and left half-back Godwin Odiye. Individually, the two are dependable defenders who can hold their own any day. But as a team, they make unpardonable mistakes quite often. Our chances will be very slim if this weakness is not taken care of against the Tunisian lightning attacks.

Adokie and Odegbami will be quite useful against Tunisia’s midfield formation. If we could not match Senegalese midfield, I don’t see how we can cope with that of Tunisia. Our wingers’ speed and pull-outs will certainly pose serious problems to Tunisia’s midfield and defence plus their goalkeeper if our arrow heads can make the best use of their heads, that is. Against the Elephants, so many beautiful lobs and powerful long-throws were wasted because our arrow heads seemed not to see any need to contest the ball in the air.

There is no doubt that if these weaknesses and loopholes are plugged, we would not only kill off the Elephants in the second leg next Saturday but also go ahead to represent Africa in Argentina. After all, aren’t we called the ‘Giant of Africa’?

(Culled from Saturday Commentary, first published on July 16, 1977).