Test of character for Super Eagles

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday February 1, 2008 00:00

But as fate would have it, blood rivals Ghana and Nigeria confront each other in the first game of the last eight - an eagerly awaited clash pitting two of Africa's soccer giants.

The fact that the once legendary Black Stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are bitter enemies in West African football adds spice to the duel. The last time the two sides met in a decider at the African Cup of Nations was in 1992. Then the Black Stars narrowly edged out Nigeria 2-1 in a hard fought semi-final whose highlight was Abedi Pele's sensational header that settled the match.

Since then, a lot of things have happened to the two sides. The Super Eagles rose from the defeat to divest themselves of the longtime tag of the nearly men of African football while Ghana went on a major slump. Currently, the roles seem reversed - the Nigerians are on a slump while the Black Stars are buoyant after breaking the jinx that prevented them from qualifying for the World Cup. On Sunday, the Black Stars with massive home support start the game as clear favourites, given that a below par Super Eagles slipped through to the quarters via a minor miracle.

The game provides an opportunity for Nigeria to show that their presence in the quarters is no fluke.  

Some critics say that Ghana have not been able to play attractive football since the tournament started, though their coach Claude Le Roy can argue that they have done what matters most - scored goals and won all their group matches. As they head for the quarter-finals, Le Roy can take solace from the fact that he has won his first hurdle and will become the most adorable man in Ghana, if he can guide his charges to the semi-finals.

Ghana beat Guinea 2-1 in the opening game, huffed and puffed before beating minnows Namibia 1-0 and rounded off the group stages with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Morocco.

With the quality at Le Roy's disposal, there is no doubt that Ghana can overcome Nigeria despite the problems associated with supporters' threats over the poor performance of Asamoah Gyan. The men that can do the job for Ghana are Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Junior Agogo while in defence, John Pantsil and captain John Mensah will have to be at their best to stop the Nigerian attackers.

The problem with West Ham defender, Pantsil is that he tends to commit fouls in dangerous areas and with the dead ball skills of Nigeria's Taye Taiwo and John Mikel Obi, this could prove costly. Some pundits argue that Black Stars' goalkeeper Richard Kingson has not been tested in the tournament and he might be the weakest link as Ghana charge for their fifth continental title.

After what has been termed as 'miracle' qualification by the Nigerians, the Super Eagles have to prove to the continent that they are still a force to reckon with.

Since their arrival in Ghana, Nigeria have failed to prove why they are perched at the top of the African rankings.

The Super Eagles got off to a slow start suffering a 1-0 defeat against another bitter rival Ivory Coast, before settling for a dull 0-0 draw with Mali. In the last game against lightweights Benin on Tuesday, Nigeria cobbled a 2-0 win and squeezed through to the quarters on goal difference as the Malians surprisingly fell 3-0 to Ivory Coast.

It is understood that it took a tongue-lashing from captain Nwankwo Kanu at halftime against Benin to get the Nigerians going in the second half which started with the game still locked at 0-0. With all this in mind, coach Berti Vogts knows that if his charges cannot compete with the Black Stars from the onset, then their run in the competition will come to an end.

Young Nigerian striker, Osaze Odemwingie who will be suspended for the quarters, warned after their win over Benin that they now mean business in the tournament.

The Super Eagles might cause an upset if their misfiring strikers Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and John Utaka start delivering. Another man who will prove crucial to Nigeria's dreams of reaching the semis is Chelsea midfielder, Obi Mikel. He is a rare talent but he still has to prove that he is among Africa's finest, with a star performance in this game.