. Enyeama goes for 98th cap
. Ik Uche returns
Nigeria's possible campaign in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will apparently be ascertained on Saturday, as the Super Eagles confront the Diables Rouges of the Republic of the Congo in a qualifier billed for the Stade Municipal, Pointe-Noire.
A draw by the reigning African champions automatically rules Nigeria out of the bi-ennial championship now to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nigeria is third on the table with four points in the group dominated by South Africa with eight points while Congo follows on seven points.
Interestingly, the Red Devils in the first round proved many bookmakers wrong with a 3-2 victory over the star-studded Eagles at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, where Thiery Bifouma bagged a brace and the first strike by Prince Oniangue.
Thus Saturday's game serves as an avenue for the Super Eagles to redeem Nigeria's image and also brighten its hope of featuring in 2015 AFCON with a home game left against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who missed the Calabar game is expected to be on duty for the Eagles this time. Nigerians will surely pray for the CSKA Moscow player Ahmed Musa to be in his best element this time, alongside returnee Ikechuckwu Uche, who last played for Nigeria in February 2013. The Villareal of Spain forward, Uche, has been in a terrific form in recent times which makes Nigerians to call for his inclusion amid his perceived face-off with coach Stephen Keshi.
His recall has already boosted the camp of the Eagles as Enyeama said: "this is a good move for the team and I'm happy to have him back".
Nigeria will also bank on John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Godfrey Oboabona, Emmanuel Emenike, Raheem Lawal to produce another miracle in Point-Noire on Saturday.
The reinstatement of Keshi as the team's chief tactician by the presidency after his initial disengagement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is hailed by many soccer-loving Nigerians as a welcome development, as the former international is believed to still possess the magic wand that can take the Eagles back on track after a sloppy start.
Keshi while speaking before the team's departure expressed optimism about the Eagles' ability
to win in Point-Noire against all odds.
“I am sure we will win, We have done everything on our part. Now we just have to urge Nigerians to pray for us. We know what to expect in Congo. It’s never going to be an easy game but we have the players who are ready to play with their hearts and make Nigeria proud," said the former coach of Mali.
Meanwhile, Enyeama will be making his 98th international appearance in Congo since his debut in 2002, as the technical crew has certified him fit for the make or mar game amid the rumour that shoulder injury may stop him. The match holds at 3.30pm Nigeria time.
Caption: Vincent Enyeama gunning for the 98th cap against Congo.
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