the West Africans (Nigeria and Mali) set to lock horns one again in an
international friendly at the Stade Robort Diochon in Rouen tomorrow many eyes
will be watching how the match proceedings pains out. The Super Eagles may be
missing some star players like John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses due to injury
but nevertheless Nigerians are confidence of a positive result against the
Malians this evening. The Super Eagles might have dominated recent outcome
between both side and the stage is set for them to renew their dominance or
will the Malian put up a strong fight against all odds following decent run in
the African qualifying series. With the Eagles dominance over Mali we cast our
light on some players, who have contributed to this dominance by virtue of
finding the back of the net against the Malians.
After
the first the first games at the African Cup of Nations in the group stage
where the trio of Emenike, Ideye and Musa were meant to partner in attack, the
forward Musa fell short and was replaced in the starting eleven as Victor Moses
return to the starting line-up. In the semi – final of the triumph in 2013 the
Eagles defeat Mali 4 – 1 with Musa coming on as a substitute to grab the 4th
goal for the Eagles before the Malians grab a consolation to make it 4 – 1 .Ahmed
Musa show face and composure to get on to a through ball from Mikel to finish
between the goal keeper legs with great aplomb.
IDEYE
forward was behind the trio of Musa, Emenike and Moses in the pecking order in
attack but benefitted from Victor Moses illness in the opening game against the
Burkina Faso to establish himself in the starting line and putted up a brilliant
performance against the Burkina Faso with a Superb back heel assist for Emenike
to finish following a wonderful long pass by John Obi Mikel .Ideye continued to
grow wings in the team and was part of a three man attack that demolished Mali
4 – 1 in the semi-final. With the Super Eagles on top of occasion he was alert
to get onto Emmanuel Emenike’s low cross to apply the finishing touch for a
goal to further add salt to the Mali wounds and as well cap off a wonderful
performance in style and all eye will be on him tonight as he marks along absense
from the National team with an appearance against Mali with a possible chance
of replicating such performance.
UMAR
young talented forward may be new to international football with few caps to
his name but with the withdrawal of Moses (Victor) and Aaron Samuel due to injury
his chances of featuring and making a mark against the Malians looks very bright
following his previous exploit against Mali. Though at the junior level with
the flying Eagles Umar can still prove a point that he is a capable of shooting
down the West African opponent tonight. After losing 0 – 1 to Mali in the
opening game Umar was on hand to complete a revenge mission against Mali in the
third place match of the 2013 U – 20 African championship in Morocco scoring a
brace to gift the flying Eagles the bronze medal defeating Mali 2 – 1 and
claiming the top scored award with 4 goals alongside the inspiration of talented
duo of Abdul Ajagun and Olarenwaju Kayode .Umar might just have one chance to
find the back of the net against Mali tonight to mark his debut goal in the
Super Eagles by all standards.