COACH Stephen Keshi and his Super Eagles will today at the Kamuzu Banda Stadium, Blantyre, Malawi, continue their quest for a place in the last qualifying round of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Nigerian side is billed to battle with the Flames of Malawi after a scrapping to a 1-0 defeat of Namibia last weekend. Being the second competitive match under Coach Keshi, the team will have to be at their best if they hope to surmount the youthful Malawian side. Apart from the three points at stake, OLALEKAN OKUSAN writes that Malawi is also aiming to break their losing streak to Nigeria.Coach Kinnah Phiri and midfielder, Robert Ng'ambi of Malawi are not bothered by the quality of players Nigeria's Super Eagles will be parading today when the two teams clash in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Blantyre.The Flames of Malawi forced Harambee Stars of Kenya to a 0-0 draw in Nairobi, while the Eagles struggled to a 1-0 victory over the Brave Warriors of Namibia in Calabar last weekend, so today's game will give the winner the leadership of group F of the African regional qualifiers.Ng'ambi, who returns to national team duty after missing the first encounter against Kenya, said there was no panic in Flames camp contrary to the belief that the Eagles are intimidating the team.The Platinum Stars skipper said during the week that the game against Nigeria was an opportunity for every player to prove he is worth his place in the national team.'We have never beaten them, but it is not cast in stone that we cannot end that bad record against Nigeria. It is not easy beating a team of Nigeria's profile but we can do it. More pressure is on them since they missed out on qualification for the last Africa Cup of Nations finals.'On the contrary, this is the type of a game any worthwhile player must stand out and be counted. You need to prove yourself against the best team to be a best player. I am personally up to the task; no nerves whatsoever.'Ng'ambi, who missed the Nairobi tie due to an illness, said the Flames were capable of beating Nigeria despite the team's recent form that has seen them draw their last four games.'There is no cause for panic. We need to rectify this as quickly as possible. It's all in our heads as players. Let us hope playing at home would help us end this winless patch,' he said.On the benefits of playing at home, Ng'ambi said: 'It is a plus for us to play at home but nothing is achieved yet. Our home record will matter depending on the squad we have. We have some young players being integrated in the team by the coach but in this type of a match, you need more experienced players. Obviously, the coach knows better, but we need experienced players, who can handle the pressure of facing a giant like Nigeria.'Malawian Coach, Kinnah Phiri, who has been boasting of beating Nigeria in Blantyre since his charges held Kenya to a goalless draw in Nairobi, says there would be no escape route for the Super Eagles. 'We will roast Nigeria at home. I don't care if Nigeria carries their whole contingent of stars to Blantyre but one thing they should not expect when they come to our home is mercy. Football dynamics have changed and I would only be concerned if they were to play with 20 players, but as long as it will be only 11 then I can promise them fireworks.'He added: 'We are going to give them pound for pound as my players are younger and energetic. Our philosophy is to play as a team, but Nigeria depends a lot on individual players and that will be their undoing in Malawi. Our main aim is not to qualify for the World Cup but this does not mean we will be losing games as our main focus is making it back to the African cup of Nations.'The coach described the Eagles as a side living in the past following their recent poor form in both competitive and friendly matches.The Flames handler said despite being his first game in-charge of the team against Nigeria in any competitive game, he was indeed looking forward to a good outing.'I have watched them play here when they beat Malawi in 2003, so I have an idea of how they play. I also watched some of the recent matches, which Nigeria played. I will not disclose what I learnt and analysed from watching them but I have a clear picture of what to expect from them,' Phiri said.The historical element in today's match is that when Malawi drew with Nigeria at the 1984 Nations Cup in Cote d'Ivoire, Phiri was Flames' team manager, while Keshi was then the skipper of the Eagles.The Flames will take solace in the fact that they have drawn their last four matches, while the Eagles have lost two and drawn one, with last weekend's victory against Namibia.With the return of the trio of captain Peter Mponda, defender Harry Nyirenda and Ng'ambi into the squad, Phiri believes this would surely boost the team's morale against the Eagles.'Mponda is the team's captain and his presence always inspires other players. Nyirenda and Ng'ambi will also add depth to the team. These are our senior players,' the coach said.A down-to-earth Eagles' Coach, Keshi has admitted that playing a draw against the Flames would be a good result for the team that is yet to get its rhythm.'A good result for us is definitely not to lose; we will be happy to come out in Blantyre with a win or a draw, which will consolidate our position as the group leader. We should be satisfied with any outcome like that,' Keshi said.On his knowledge about the Flames, the erstwhile Mali's coach said: 'I won't tell you, but I have an idea of how they play and we are going to work on that. They are physically strong side and like to play the 4-4-2 formation. We hope to play 90 minutes of focused football and change a lot of things about us, which I believe will give us the edge we are looking for.'Returnee Eagles' star, John Utaka who netted the goal that gave Nigeria a 1-0 win against Malawi in Blantyre in 2003, promises to re-enact the feat again today.'The game was played a long time ago, but if history beckons on me I will grab the opportunity with both hands,' Utaka revealed.The World football governing body, FIFA, has directed the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to ensure that only 25,000 people are allowed into the Kamuzu Stadium due to security concerns on the structure's lifespan.
Click here to read full news..
