Awaziem back to fitness as Eagles round off group phase campaign

By Albert Akota

Versatile defender Chidozie Awaziem has been confirmed by Super Eagles’ medics to have returned to full fitness, on the eve of the team’s final group phase game of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations against the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau.

The athletic right back, who can also play in central defence, is likely to get a taste of AFCON action when the three-time champions take the pitch against the competition debutants at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua on Wednesday night.

The Alanyaspor FC of Turkey player did not play any part in the team’s two previous games against Egypt and Sudan, and is keen to have a taste of the action in his second Africa Cup of Nations outing, having been part of the bronze-winning squad in Egypt 30 months ago.

Nigeria top Group D with 6 points and are insurmountable going into the last round of matches, with three-pointer Egypt, who are second on the log and also with the arithmetic possibility of ending up with 6 points, having lost to the Eagles in their first match and therefore inferior to Nigeria on the head-to-take rule that takes premium in team ranking here.

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen reiterated at Tuesday afternoon’s press conference that the Nigeria camp will take nothing for granted as they go in full throttle for the three points, even as some fresh legs may see action on Wednesday night.

“There is no room for complacency. We want to remain at the high level that we have found ourselves and that means putting in the solid shift that will continue to guarantee victory in our matches,” he said.

The match will commence at 8pm.

In the second match of Group D, Egypt’s Pharaohs will contend with Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane. The Sudanese have only one point and would be able to proceed if they snatch all three points from the seven-time champions.