Eagles, Blazers in battle of Kaliningrad
After all the razzmatazz associated with Super Eagles jersey and the Swag that followed their camping in Austria, take off and eventual landing in Russia, it is time to get down to business on the pitch.
And so today at the Kaliningrad Stadium the Gernot Rohr tutored side will file out against their Croatian counterpart in what many have dubbed a must win encounter if the beautifully kitted Eagles are to prove that all that glitters is indeed gold.
Of the five African countries in quest of glory in Russia, Nigeria is considered to be in a vintage position to rise to the occasion parading a team of young players who have proved in the course of the qualifiers that they can deliver. Although their performance in the friendly matches leading to the world cup were below par, some say the team would be fired up at the competition proper.
Coach Gernor Rohr who does not appear perturbed by the poor run of his boys in the friendly ties especially against England and Czech Republic, believes the boys will find their rhythm and will go all out against equally determined Croatia others called the Blazers.
Already the players have been speaking about their determination to give their best all the way.
Odion Ighalo one the players the German tactician expects to rise to the occasion said the team knows what is at stake and will not disappoint. The Eagles have a date with Iceland and Argentina respectively in Group D but analysts believe doing well in the first match will determine to a great extent how far the team can go. Nobody expects Croatia will be a tea party which means the tie will be a hard nut to crack.
Eagles must resist the temptation to delay coming to party as the Croatians have got pace and will not wait for any opponent that might want to boot before rising to the occasion.
Rohr having the full complement of his team must hand hungry players the starting shirt because of the need to earn points in this first match. The speed of Ahmed Musa will be needed to checkmate equally pacy players that will be on parade for Croatia including Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic among others.
Luckily for the Eagles Wilfred Ndidi is back and good to go. With the midfield comfortable being marshaled by Captain John Obi Mikel and enjoying the compliments of Ndidi the strikers must resist the temptation to gloss over begging chances while the back four now popularly called “oyibo wall” must be vigilant for the entire duration of the game.
A victory in this first match will not only serve as a ginger but will prove those who believe that the Eagles have gone to Russia to model impressive jersey.
The fashionable Eagles have landed, now let the Eagles fly!