Eagles ready for any intimidation

The Nigeria team arrived in Tunis on Thursday set to face any kind of intimidation from Tunisians before, during and after Saturday’s World Cup qualifying match at the November 7 Stadium in Rades.

Team captain Nwankwo Kanu minced no words when he said the Eagles do not expect niceties from the North Africans. "We are here to play an important match and that is what we will concentrate on. Our mission is to get a result; not bother how they try to undermine us. Football is serious business and the World Cup is much more serious business."

After three days of useful tactical and technical training in Ta Qali, the capital city of the tiny European country of Malta, the Eagles travelled 65 minutes by air into Tunis, the Mediterranean –bordered capital city of Tunisia, arriving in the early hours of Thursday.

Officials confirmed that the 23 Eagles who were in Malta trained on natural grass and artificial turf at different times. "We wanted to be prepared for any eventuality," said a Member of the technical crew.

On arrival at the Aeroport Tunis de Carthage on Thursday, the players and officials were received by the Ambassador of Nigeria in Tunis, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulkadir Musa and staff of the Mission. They were driven to the Hotel Laico, the top –ranking hotel in Tunis, which used to be known as Hotel Abou Nawas.

At lunch on Thursday, Ambassador Musa urged the players to be focused and expect all kinds of intimidation from players of the Tunisian team and even the fans. "However, I know that you are all professionals and will not allow those things to bother you", he said. Ambassador Musa could not be at the team’s training session yesterday because he was invited by the British Embassy to attend the birthday ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth 2.

Just after lunch, the team was pleasantly surprised to see defender Joseph Yobo, goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, striker John Utaka and assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi, who were actually being expected in the evening. The players decided to travel by British Airways out of Nigeria and Wednesday and by their ticket were expected to land in Tunis by 18h00 on Thursday.

"We chartered a flight from London to Tunis in the morning when we realized we could miss the training session in the evening. That would not be good because these players missed all the training sessions in Malta," explained Amokachi.

All 26 players in camp are in high spirit and Head Coach Shuaibu Amodu confirmed: "Everyone is in great shape. We will be able to pick the best from the lot."

PLAYERS IN CAMP: Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Bamidele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide; defenders Joseph Yobo, Ayodele Adeleye, Onyekachi Apam, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri, Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Yusuf Mohammed, Olubayo Adefemi and Sam Sodje; midfielders Nwankwo Kanu, Osaze Odemwingie, Sani Kaita, Kalu Uche, Olufemi Ajilore, Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana and Dickson Etuhu; strikers Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche, Joseph Akpala, John Utaka and Michael Eneramo.

The last time both teams played on the turf of November 7 Stadium, in February 2004, it was the semi finals of the African Cup of Nations. The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, with both goals coming through penalties. Nigeria scored first after Nwankwo Kanu was double –teamed in the box, and Beninoise referee Codjia Coffi pointed to the spot. Skipper Jay Jay Okocha converted.

Riadh Bouazizi equalized for Tunisia with only 13 minutes left, after Seyi Olofinjana was adjudged to have fouled Ziad Jaziri in the Nigeria box.

But Nigeria players will remember the day for the antics of Tunisian officials, who played the old Nigeria anthem of ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ before kick–off and only played the right one of ‘Arise o Compatriots’ at the start of the second half. The Nigeria team bus was stoned severally as the Eagles made their way out of the Stadium that night.

The weather is fine in Tunis as this is summer, and the Nigeria team will train this evening at the hour of the match: 19h00. Saturday’s game will start at 19h10.

The chartered Arik aircraft that will convey Members of the Presidential Task Force, ministers, other politicians and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will land in Tunis by 16h00 Friday, according to the schedule.