Eagles, Black Stars battle for final ticket

Nigeria and Ghana will today relieve their age-long rivalry in football as the Super Eagles and the Black Stars take on each other in the semi final of the ongoing WAFU Cup at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta. It will be the second of the semi final fixtures that will come after Togo and Liberia would have settled scores in their match fixed to kick off 2 pm.

The much anticipated Nigeria/Ghana match has been tagged the final before final as the two sides have been doing everything possible to ensure victory.

Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has said his team would not underrate the Ghanaians who against all expectations fell via penalties to Togo Tuesday in their second group match. That loss set up the tie with the Eagles who topped Group A, after recording two straight victories over Liberia and Niger in grand fashion.

“We are not under any pressure but that is not to say the other teams in the competition are weak. We respect them all and we are prepared for any team,” Siasia said.

The Eagles coach who is yet to lose a match as national team handler, however, expressed worry over the incidence of injury in his squad. “Two of my key players will not be playing, but I have drafted in some one else to play in the middle. I have been talking to him to condition his mind against his new role.”

Despite the injury worry, Siasia still has at his disposal the new Super Eagles hit man, Ekigho Ehiosun, two-goal hero in the match against Niger, Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Christantus and Julius Ubido, among others who have been consistent since the tournament started.