Super Eagles face Sierra Leone in a two-legged qualifier later this month with a squad list that will be the envy of any African country.
From French league trailblazer Osihmen to the toast of the town in the South African league in the way of a resurging Daniel Akpeyi, the quality of the list released by Rohr can be regarded as an overkill considering the opposition but, I am not complaining
The Leone Star will draw inspiration from the last time they won us, citing the fact that the squad was a high quality one.
The year was 2001 and the coach was Jo Bonfrere whose squad that included Yobo, Yakubu, Okocha, Finidi, Aghaowa, West, Udeze, Oliseh and Idah fell to a Sidique Mansaray solitary goal on 21 April 2001 in a crucial World Cup qualifier. 1:0 it ended in their favour.
Where is Okocha? I hear the Sierra Leoneans ask. Have they ever replaced Aghaowa? Is Ndidi an Oliseh? Has Gernot Rohr won for them Olympic gold? Can Chukwueze ever reach the heights of Finidi George?
If we can beat them in 2001, we sure can beat them now!
And my answer to that is: WRONG!
The Super Eagles are currently unbeaten in 4 competitive matches. Some of those have been against heavyweights Brazil and Ukraine.
This squad of players are exciting, dynamic, resourceful, hungry, determined and focused. I am taking nothing away from the Sierra Leoneans when I say that I expect nothing but maximum of 6 points across the both legs against a team ranked 116 by FIFA.
Am I being arrogant? I guess so, but I will indulge myself.
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