Algiers 2007: Meteors vrs Dream Team IV

.. Siasia's Boys Ready to Down Ghana
Nigerian coach Samson Siasia admits that not having the services of his foreign-based players is a set-back, but insists that his home boys will do all that is necessary to unsettle Ghana's Black Meteors and pick the ticket to the All-Africa Games this afternoon in Abuja.

The Dream Team IV held Meteors to a goaless draw in Sunyani, two weeks ago, and should start as favourites for the train to Algiers when the whistle goes for kick-off inside the National Stadium, Abuja this evening.


A fortnight ago, after his locals had overcome the harsh weather and poor playing pitch of Sunyani creditably, Siasia called for respect for the breed he took to northern Ghana.


"They deserve pat on the back. Most of these boys were playing together for the first time, and some have no international experience. Yet, they stood in there and earned a result.


"It is unfortunate that we didn't have the foreign-based boys for this game, but we also have to do without them for the second leg as well. That means we will rely on these same boys. The first is always the toughest, and I believe they will do even better in the second leg".


Ghana coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, anticipates a hostile reception and a lot of intimidation at the Abuja National Stadium.

"It is always a difficult task playing another team on its home soil. The Nigerians are passionate about football and they'll come in their numbers and make a big din. But, we have a focus and that is to snatch the All-Africa Games ticket and go to Algiers in July".


Ghana FA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who was at the first game in Sunyani, told Saturday Sports that the Meteors have what it takes to surprise Siasia and his boys in the cauldron of the Abuja National Stadium.


"Our players had problem getting into the game during the first leg but they realize what awaits them back in Accra if they fail. They cannot afford to".


But, recent results do not put the Meteors up as a formidable side, as they lost 0-2 to Burkina Faso's U-23 side in a 2008 Olympics preliminary game in Ouagadougou five weeks ago and are only heading to the second round courtesy of a FIFA ban on the Burkinabes for fielding the ineligible duo of senior team star,s Sadi Panadentiguri and Fousseni Traore.


They also failed to spark against the Dream Team, with goalkeeper Eric Nii Bah, coming to their rescue a number of times as the Nigerians piled on the pressure occasionally.

Nii Bah will still be in goal for the Meteors, with Coach Attuquayefio also ruing the absence of his foreign legion. He particularly would have loved to have the trio of senior team boys- Asamoah Gyan, Emmanuel Boakye and Haminu Dramani.


But, defenders Kennedy Korley, Alfred Arthur, Bawa Mumuni and Isaac Vorsah did a good job in the first leg and will be retained for the showdown in Abuja this afternoon. Midfielders-Samson Kudjoe, Samuel Yeboah and Yao Kumudzi- have to lift their game this time and strikers, Emmanuel Allan, Tuaha Khemix and Emmanuel Clottey, have to be more clinical if they wish to fulfil Attuquayefio's prediction. But, Nigeria have not been resting on their oars and goalkeeper, Ambrose Vanzekin, is set to lead the troops to war as he personally promises to have another brilliant outing as he did in Sunyani.


"We know the expectation of Nigerians and that is for us to win the ticket to Algiers. With what we saw in the first leg, we believe that we can overcome the Ghanaians here on Saturday".


Vanzekin was team captain in Sunyani, in the absence of Isaac Promise, and will stand in again this afternoon as the Dream Team look to join the female team, Falcons, in the Algiers 2007 football tournament.


The U-23 Falcons bagged a ticket to the finals after opponents, Senegal, withdrew from their fixture a few days to their scheduled arrival in Ibadan for the first leg of the qualifier in February.

Siasia is likely to retain the defenceline of Adefemi Olubayo, Adeyinka Adedeji, Ambrose Efe and Monday James. The former Super Eagles' striker blamed defender Adedeji's injury for the disruption of team tactics in Sunyani. "We had to change tactics when Yinka had to go off due to injury. We didn't plan for that. He is a strong player with ability and he also does help in the attack".


Kaduna United skipper, Efe, who was playing his first international in Sunyani, earned Siasia'a praises for the way he overcome a tentative opening stage to put up a brilliant outing.


Kingsley Salami had a below-average game in Ghana and must improve tremendously to be able to curtail the antics of Emmanuel Allan and Clottey, or else, Siasia may have to deploy a more alert and physically strong player to do the job. Akwa United FC striker, Emmanuel Ekpo, also deserves a tough talk from the coach for his unnecessary showmanship in Sunyani. He has to be more urgent and punchy.


Brown Adegie, Ocean Boys' striker, failed to get a goal despite several opportunities, and should he again start today, the message has to be delivered to him to perform in the first half or be prepared to leave the stage for some more clinical finisher.


Kelvin Amuneke came close to scoring in the first leg, but, nearly kills no bird and that would not be tolerated today because there would not be a third leg. Odion Ighailo was anonymous in Sunyani and from the pack of Chijioke Ebigbo, Gift Atulewa and Andrew Igalio, a replacement may be found.

In other matches, Cameroon are all but through with a 6-0 wallop of Congo in Brazzaville to stand them in good stead, while Egypt will struggle to oust Ethiopia, who won the first leg 2-0 in Addis Ababa. Mozambique need a goal to qualify after holding Zimbabwe 0-0 in Harare and Angola have to overturn a 0-2 first leg deficit to Botswana. Gabon have qualified after opponents, DR Congo, withdrew.