It’s a win or die match for Nigeria’s Super Eagles today as they battle Swaziland national team for a place in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
Kick off time is 4pm Nigerian time, with Namibian referee, Jackson Pavaza taking the centre stage.
The first leg of the match had ended goalless on Friday in Swaziland, with the Eagles knowing that a sloppy performance against the minnows from Swaziland at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt today, will only lead to their shocking ouster from the competition.
A shocking ouster is what the Swazi team, nicknamed Sihlangu Somnikati, are planning against the Super Eagles.
The Swazis are hoping to create an unprecedented upset in African soccer by beating Eagles at home.
Coach of the Swaziland team said his wards will go on the offensive immediately referee Jackson Pavaza’s whistle sounds for kick –off .
Sihlangu’s Coach, Harries Bulunga, sounded in a manner to send jitters to the Nigerian camp: “We held our own very well in the first leg and we will go for broke on Tuesday.”
Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh, however, has expressed confidence in his boys to “do the job on Tuesday and get us into the group stage.”
Both teams finished the opening leg scoreless as the Sihlangu stifled the Eagles on the artificial turf of the poorly –lit Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.
Bulunga will depend largely on the speed of team captain Tony Tsabedze on the counter, as well as footworks of Siyabonga Mdluli, Mthunzi Mkhontfo, Mcolisi Lukhele, Felix Badenhorst, Saneliso Dlamini, Menzi Sithole and Sabelo Ndzinisa.
The Nigerians are not the only team thirsty for a win today. The Black Stars of Ghana are also desperate having played a goalless draw in Comoros on Friday as well. They host the tiny islanders in Accra today.
Egypt’s Pharaohs are also in need of a desperate win in Cairo. They were stunned last week in Ndjamena, when they lost 0-1 to Chad.