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Sunday Oliseh, coach of the Super Eagles

Super Eagles regroup for Cameroun challenge

Sunday Oliseh
Sunday Oliseh

After suffering his first defeat into his new career as coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh will look forward to Sunday’s international friendly match at the Stade Edmond Machtens in far away Brussels, Belgium, against Cameroon to reposition the team back on track in the hearts of football fans in the country.
Following the euphoria that heralded his appointment, in addition to the high expectations from football fans, recent happenings in the camp of the national football team leaves a lot to be desired as far as these fans in the country are concerned.
The Super Eagles will be looking to redeem themselves after being humbled by DR Congo on Thursday night losing 2-0 to the Leopards and even more so go all out to reassure Nigerians of their intentions to secure tickets for major international tournaments, which the match itself is designed to ensure.
Former captain Vincent Enyeama had a fall out with Oliseh and subsequently left the Eagles camp. A few hours later, he announced his international retirement. And even much later the team lost scandalously to DR Congo.
The build up to the game had been chaotic from the start with players getting injured and Oliseh having to make do with a tiny squad as he opened camp due to the inability of some players to get entry visas to Belgium.
The Indomitable Lions defeated Belgian Jupiler Liga side KV Oostende 3-1 on Thursday night in a friendly game almost the same time Nigeria was pummelled by the DRC.
Nigerian striker Joseph Akpala scored for Oostende as early as the second minute but Cameroun scored three times through Vincent Aboubakar, Aurelin Chedjou and Clinton Njie to win the game.
Oliseh will have to get his charges ready to face a rampant Cameroun side who will be looking to do a number on Nigeria considering the much documented rivalry between the two sides.
The last time Nigeria and Cameroun met, it was a 2-1 victory for the Super Eagles as a Jay Jay Okocha inspired Eagles lead Nigeria to a quarter final win over the Lions at the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 2004.
Nigeria will welcome the duo of Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo who weren’t involved in the first game because they got to Belgium late after being held up in Nigeria due to visa issues.
‘Air Nigeria’ as Ahmed Musa is popularly called will test his wits against Cameroun centre back Chedjou on match day. The Nigeria skipper was a shadow of himself against DR Congo and would want to make amends against Cameroun.
He is going to come up against a tough centre back who is good in the tackle and excellent aerially.
Musa’s pace will definitely be an issue for the Galatasaray defender who isn’t exactly the quickest defender out there.
So far, Sunday Oliseh’s reign has not exactly started off on a flyer. The former Borussia Dortmund player has played three games-winning one, losing one and drawing one.
His reign has been tumultuous to say the least and recent incidents in the team’s camp have done nothing to douse frayed nerves among Nigerians.
Oliseh will seek redemption when his team files out against Cameroun on Sunday knowing a win will ease up the pressure from fans and boost team confidence.
Yet, another insipid performance, like the one against DR Congo, might just pump up the pressure and get Oliseh nearer to the sin bin.

About Global Patriot Staff

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