25 March 2011
MTNFootball.com will bring you live Play-by-Play coverage of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this weekend – Nigeria vs Ethiopia (Sunday from 20h00).
We will also bring you live coverage of all the goals as they go in around the continent on both Saturday and Sunday!
– Madagascar v Guinea, 27 March
– Nigeria v Ethiopia, 27 March, Abuja
After stumbling in Conakry in October, Nigerias Super Eagles are now fighting to close the gap at the top of Group B beginning with Sundays match against Ethiopia in Abuja.
A fifth minute strike by Chievo ace Kevin Constant gave the Syli Stars full points against the star-studded Eagles and opened a three-point lead at the top of the standings.
It was a disorganised team, low on confidence who travelled to Guinea in October amid uncertainties surrounding the game as a result of a provisional FIFA ban on Nigeria.
More pressure will be added to the Eagles even if they beat Ethiopia in Abuja as expected and Guinea win away at bottom side Madagascar this weekend.
The challenge for Nigeria is to win their remaining two matches away to Ethiopia in June and Madagascar in September, before they finish off group leaders Guinea in their final game of the series in October.
And in doing so, they will also have to be mindful of raking up goals as Guinea already enjoy a healthy goals difference of +4.
But before all these permutations, the Eagles will have to fly over Ethiopia on Sunday to keep alive their qualification hopes.
Nigeria are 39th in the FIFA world ranking, while the Walya Antelopes are ranked 124th. And the Ethiopians let in four unreplied goals on their last visit to Nigeria 18 years ago.
However, Nigeria could be missing several key players as a result of injury. First choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has withdrawn as a result of an ankle problem, while England-based strikers Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins are injury doubts.
South Africa-based Nigeria goalkeeper Greg Etafia has also sounded a note of warning that skipper Joseph Yobo and his fellow defenders must pay special attention to Ethiopia striker Fikru Tefera.
Hes a striker who chases lost causes. Hes big, strong and loves to mix it up with his markers, Etafia warned about the Supersport United of South Africa forward and only overseas pro on the Ethiopian squad, who arrived Abuja Wednesday.
An added twist to this clash is that Ethiopia will be led by Nigeria-born coach, Iffy Onoura, who would wish for nothing better than to get one over his compatriots.
In Madagascar, veteran Guinea striker Ibrahim Yatarra will be the man to watch after netting a brace in a 4-1 win in Ethiopia in September.
Hosts Madagascar are yet to feature in the Nations Cup finals and are yet to earn a point in the latest qualifiers.
They lost by the odd goal in front of their fans in October and Guinea may again prove to be too strong for this youthful team on Sunday.
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