The tremendously talented Super Eagles. If they play timid one more time they will be home enjoying egusi.
Nigeria stands at the bottom of Group D in the World Cup tournament but could catapult to second place out of four teams with a win over Iceland today.
The Super Eagles last Saturday seemed timid in their opening game with Croatia yielding an own goal by Oghenekaro Etebo and then handing a gift penalty with one of the most irrational fouls ever. All defenders nudge opposing forwards during corner kicks or yank at their jerseys– they try to create plausible deniability. Not so with Nigeria’s William Ekong who bear-hugged his opponent, Mario Mandzukic, leading to the freebie. Luka Modric converted the penalty.
All of the Super Eagles’ malaise could change in a matter of hours.
Thanks to Croatia’s 3-0 annihilation of overrated Argentina the standings in Group D are as follows: Croatia 6 points; Argentina 1 point; Iceland 1 point; and Nigeria 0 points.
Iceland and Argentina tied 1-1.
Argentina and Croatia have both played two matches each. A win could propel Nigeria to the second spot with 3 huge points, completely reversing its fortunes. Of course a loss to Iceland would doom the Super Eagles chances since at best they would earn 3 points even if they won their last game. Iceland would be in a great position to sail through.
So far Senegal is the only African team to win a match in this World Cup tournament. They play a tough match Sunday against Japan. Both sides play fast-paced freewheeling soccer and the game should be a thriller.
African soccer fans have been demanding that Nigeria step up its game and play the kind of fast-paced fun soccer with an eye to the goal, like Senegal, instead of booting the ball around timidly with no purpose or game plan.
Morocco and Egypt have been knocked out of this World Cup. Tunisia is in a tough group that includes England and Belgium. It would need to beat Belgium and Panama and hope that either Belgium or England knocks the other team out.
In other games Thursday France beat Peru 1-0 and Australia and Denmark tied 1-1.
