Race to Brazil: Eagles poised to fly past Antelopes

From George Aluo, Addis Ababa
When the Confederation of African Football (CAF) paired Ethiopia against Nigeria in the final round of the race to Brazil last month in Cairo, the entire country erupted with joy as virtually everybody felt it was the best draw any country would have prayed for.
The only worry ahead of the game was how well prepared the Eagles would be going into the all-important match. A lackadaisical build up, soccer pundits warned was  the only thing that could stop Nigeria from getting past the lowly rated Ethiopians.
But today, the Eagles go into the game  inside the 60,000 capacity Ykdachew Tessema Stadium here in  Addis Ababa battle ready. Stephen Keshi before flying out of Abuja with his combat ready players had four solid days of training at home. Virtually all the players arrived camp early with the coaches identifying those who are fit and mentally prepared for today’s war.
Having come this far, the Ethiopians will do everything possible to win, including using undue home advantage. Virtually all the countries that came to Addis during the group stage left here gnashing their teeth. In fact South Africa who were group favorites left Addis Ababa pointless, with Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund, describing it as one of the most difficult venues to play football in the continent.
The turf here is bad and the advance party of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Barrister Chris Green sent words home to Keshi  warning that Eagles must be prepared to play on a pitch that should pass more for a horse racing arena.w
Aside the bad pitch, Keshi’s boys have the Ethiopian high altitude to contend with and these are factors the Antelopes are banking on to spring a surprise. Coach Sewnet Bishaw is confident his boys will get a result at home and come to Calabar on November 16 for roforofo fight.
Bishaw would be banking on the massive home support his boys enjoy to triumph.  Despite being very expensive, tickets for today’s match has been sold out days before the match. The Ethiopian players have vowed to play the match of their lives with Dedebit FC forward Minyahil Teshome assuring his country men that he would find the net.  Bishaw who is likely to start three strikers would also be banking on the duo of Salahdin Said and Shimeles Bekele. Salahdin who laces boots for Belgian side Lierse SK is the deadliest striker the Antelopes would be parading.
The Eagles have however vowed not to leave Addis Ababa unscathed and Keshi has a bunch of players that can withstand the pressure of their hosts. This is not the first time the Eagles would be playing in a difficult terrain. On the way to South Africa 2010, Nigeria needed a win in Nairobi, Kenya and got it beating Harambee Stars 3-2 at the Kasarani stadium. Given the quality of players at Keshi’s disposal, the Eagles have what it takes to get a result  today. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama would definitely get enough coverage from his defenders, just as John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi and Shola Ameobi wont allow any slip in the middle. Upfront Brown Ideye, Obinna Nsofor, Emmanuel Emenike and new comer Uche Nwofor are strikers that can go goalwire on a good day, which we all pray today would be.