By Albert Akota
The Super Eagles fans that saw their beloved team conquer Africa in 2013 are completely astonished after the team picked just a point in available six points in the qualifiers of the same competition where they would be expected to defend the trophy they won (that’s if they qualify).
Super Eagles have found themselves in that position where they’ll need to depend on another team to do them a big favour to qualify for major competitions. No doubt, Nigerians aren’t new to doing such calculations during qualifiers or in a group stage of a tournament.
The journey to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2015 is gradually shaping up after just two games played.
The African champion who was knocked out of the World Cup, Brazil 2014 round of 16 started the AFCON qualifiers with a loss and a draw claiming just a point and that left them in third position in Group A behind South Africa who are on four points and Congo who are on six points.
With just two guaranteed slots from each group to Morocco 2015, it’s obvious that the reigning African kings aren’t in a good position.
If Nigeria wants to qualifier for Morocco 2015 then the only option is to pick the maximum point in the remaining four matches but the big question here is, can Nigeria pick the points up for grabs?
Nigeria’s next fixture is against the weeping boys in Group A, Sudan who lost at home to South Africa and also lost away to the Red Devils of Congo. On the 10th of October Sudan Vs Nigeria, 15th of October Nigeria Vs Sudan.
Meanwhile, South Africa and Congo will also do battle on the same date. That means another 6 points up for grabs for the top two teams in Group A.
If Nigeria fails to pick six points off Sudan then Nigeria should simply wish all the teams that will eventually qualify for Morocco 2015 all the best.
The last two matches in the group will be against the two teams who Nigeria couldn’t defeat, Congo and South Africa on the 14th and 19th of November.
If Nigeria picks six points against Sudan that means they will have to go all out against Congo and South Africa in the last match.
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