Antelopes no match for Eagles —Agali

Victor Agali
| credits: File copy

Former Nigeria striker, Victor Agali, has tipped the Super Eagles to beat Ethiopia in the first leg final qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World Cup in Addis Ababa on October 13. The second leg will be played in Calabar on November 16.

Agali admits that the Eagles will face a lot of difficulties in both legs, but insists that the African champions are overwhelming favourites over the Walya Antelopes to clinch one of the continent’s five tickets to next year’s Mundial.

The former Olympique Marseille forward, who represented Nigeria at the Mali 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, said, “It is not going to be easy, no doubt about that. For Ethiopia to have reached the final stage of the African qualifiers, it means that they have a good team.

“But they are no match for the Eagles; we are the current African champions and invariably the best team in Africa. Besides, we have an intimidating record against them.

“When we played them at the Africa Cup of Nations, we beat them 2-0. Though it was a difficult game, but it will give our players a psychological edge.”

However, the Walya Antelopes are not resting on their laurels and are also targeting a first ever World Cup qualification.

Midfielder Minyahil Teshome was quoted by Addis Guday as saying, “We know them and are confident that we are going to defeat them to qualify for our first World Cup, we are counting on our fans to help us achieve this objective.

“In fact, we are already seeing beyond Nigeria, it is the World Cup we are preparing for, where we hope to play against Spain and Argentina.”

But Agali dismissed the Ethiopian’s optimism, saying “they are only playing mind games”.

“In football anything is possible but you need to play one game at a time. You must qualify first before thinking of playing any country at the World Cup. Football is played on the pitch and that is just what the Eagles will do when they meet the Ethiopians in both legs.”

He called for support for coach Stephen Keshi, urging Nigerians to rally around the team.

Agali, who also represented Nigeria at the 2000 Olympic Games added, “Keshi is one of the best coaches in Africa. He once helped Togo qualify for the World Cup and now, he is just two games from taking his country to Brazil 2014.

“The coaches and the players need the support of all Nigerians in this crucial period. We must back the team to ensure that we qualify for our fifth World Cup.”