AFTER his top flight
performance with Dream Team IV at the Beijing 2008
Olympics, Bayelsa United defence ace, Chibuzor Okonkwo is looking
forward to another glorious outing as Nigeria confronts Ghana in a
crucial African Nations Championship (CHAN 2009) qualifier in
Accra, this weekend.
Okonkwo is expected to
marshal the defence of the home-based Super Eagles in the
encounter billed for the magnificent Ohene Djan Stadium, where
Ghana failed early this year to win the Nations Cup after losing
to Cameroon in the semi-final.
Okonkwo, who was one of the
few home-based players that did Nigeria proud in Beijing, winning
silver in the soccer event, told Sporting Champion last
weekend in Ibadan after Bayelsa’s 3-1 victory over Gombe United in
a Glo Premier League tie that Ghana can’t stop Nigeria from
featuring in the inaugural edition of the African Nations
Championship to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
Okonkwo said just like
Dream Team IV stopped Ghana from getting to the Olympics
during the qualifiers for Beijing 2008 soccer event, the
home-based Eagles will deny the Black Stars the opportunity of
landing in Cote d"Ivoire.
"We are battle ready for the
Accra encounter. We know what is at stake and we are not going to
toy with our chances of being in the very first edition of the
African Nations Championship. Moreover, the soccer rivalry between
Nigeria and Ghana will make the match very explosive. For us, it
is an opportunity to prove that the domestic league is not as bad
as some Nigerians see it," Okonkwo said.
Just like Okonkwo, team
handler, Okey Emordi said he is battle ready for the Accra
showdown.
Emordi, a one-time CAF Coach
of the Year, pointed out that the hundred per cent record posted
by the foreign-based Super Eagles in the race to South Africa 2010
would be a driving force for his squad.
"We hope to emulate the
excellent display of the foreign-based Super Eagles in their race
to South Africa 2010. We know it will be tough out there in Accra,
but we will survive the battle," he said.
Ghana on their part are
leaving no stone unturned in their quest to humiliate Nigeria. The
home-based Black Stars are being tinkered by Ghana’s Serbian
technical adviser, Milovan Rajevac, who has been told in very
clear terms by Ghana Football Association (GFA) that he is
condemned to beating Nigeria. One thing going for the Serbian
tactician is the fact that he has in his squad three players that
have been part of Black Stars campaign in the South Africa 2010
qualifiers. The trio are Samuel Inkoom, Dan Yeboah and Eric Bekoe,
who are all plying their trade with Ghana One Touch league
champions, Ashanti Kotoko.
The Nigeria, Ghana clash is
interestingly the first litmus test for Rajevac, who was only
hired by GFA two months ago.
Nigeria, it would be noted,
had in the first round of the qualifiers defeated Burkina Faso
home and away, while Ghana overran neighbours Togo by 4-2 to set
the stage for this final showdown. Nigeria will after the Accra
first leg on Sunday host Ghana in the second leg on December 13 at
the Abuja National Stadium.
Olofinjana looks ahead to
Newcastle clash
By Kazeem BUSARI
It is still one week to
their encounter at the Tyne side, but Stoke’s midfielder, Seyi
Olofinjana is already looking ahead to the match bearing in mind
that he would have to devise some means of stopping fellow
countryman, and Newcastle’s hot shot, Obafemi Martins.
Olofinjana believes Stoke
must improve on their travels if they are to have a successful
season, especially now that they need every point they can garner.
Stoke’s five wins in the
Premier League have all come at the Britannia Stadium and they
have picked up just two points from seven away games.
Manchester United crushed
the Potters 5-0 penultimate Saturday, although Olofinjana accepts
that it would have been difficult to pick up any points at Old
Trafford.
"It was a wonderful
experience. We went there and had a go but it didn’t go well," the
midfielder said.
"It is always a tough place
to go and it would have been like getting six points if we had
won, but that has nothing to do with our season.
"We are looking forward to
our other games."
Stoke face fellow promoted
side Hull at home in tomorrow’s match and face Newcastle in the
coming week, and Olofinjana is targeting two consecutive
victories.
However, he realises that
Stoke cannot rely on their home form, adding: "Every game is
important.
"We have not done well away
this season and that is something we are looking to build on.
"I feel that playing at home
in tomorrow’s game will be very crucial after beating West Brom
last weekend. The outcome of tomorrow’s game will definitely give
the players some strength towards our trip to Newcastle; we need
to win that one too.
"The fans have been
brilliant all season and that is very positive for us."
While Olofinjana is planning
double victories, he is not overlooking the fact that they might
face stiff opposition in their away engagement.
"Newcastle are a strong
side, especially at home. They had a brilliant game against
Chelsea last weekend, and they will be playing with lots of
confidence against any team after that. But we know all these and
we have just what it takes to punish them on their ground," he
concluded.
