Taiwo Adelu

Super Eagles : to tackle Guinea

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B and their Guinea counterparts have a score to settle Tuesday as they battle for the quarter final ticket of the ongoing Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Home Eagles need at least a draw for them to pick one of Group C slots for the knock out stage of the CHAN being staged for players in the domestic leagues on the African continent.

Rwanda 2016 is the fourth edition of CHAN

The Eagles, who camped at the Gorilla Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach in Rubavu, Rwanda are said to be injury free going into Tuesday’s game against Syli National who only picked two points in their two matches. The Nigerian team are leading the logs with four points, while Tunisia and Niger have two and one point respectively.

The Eagles had their first training session in Rubavu on Sunday, and on Monday, the team had a feel of Tuesday’s match venue, The Rubavu Stadium.

Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, said that all the 23 players who made the trip are in excellent physical and mental shape ahead of the crucial West African derby with the tricky Guineans.

He said Chief Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will put out another high -level display on Tuesday.

Victory by any margin on Tuesday will guarantee the Eagles top spot in Group C, and a quarter –final date with the second –placed team in Group D. A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria have a two –point margin on second –placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia achieve a high –score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be guaranteed.

Guinea have drawn each of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and Niger Republic, coming from behind each time. They pose a big threat because of the skill and guile of their strikers.

Nigeria forward Chisom Chikatara, on four goals, will pose the biggest threat to the Guineans at the Rubavu Stadium. His excellent positioning can get him the goals to be top scorer of this championship.

Coach Sunday Oliseh, was in the Nigerian squad that earned a 1998 FIFA World Cup ticket at the expense of Syli Nationale. But the Guineans also stopped Nigeria reaching the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, when they  drew 2-2 with the Super Eagles in Abuja in October 2011.