Former Super Eagles’ player, Benedict Akwegbu has joined other pundits in pointing out the importance of the back-to-back fixtures the Super Eagles of Nigeria have with the Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in the final phase of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The first leg of the encounter comes up in the last week of August in Uyo. A week later, both teams meet in Yaoundé.
Akwegbu, a member of the early 2000 squad of the Nigerian team said that winning the first leg is very crucial as it would make the Super Eagles to attain a nine-point head start and give a seven-point difference going to Cameroon for the return leg.
That in his opinion would have mathematically edged out Cameroon from the race. But to achieve this, the Nigerian team manager, Gernot Rohr must select a team devoid of sentiments.
“Team selection should be limited to those very active in their various clubs. Playing in the best league shouldn’t be a yardstick for making the first team. I urge him to feature players who play regularly.”
Nigeria with six points, currently lead the pack in Group B and are followed by Cameroon which have two points. A win for Nigeria in the next fixture increases the gap between the two teams.
But as Benedict Akwegbu remarked, Cameroon’s winning of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations has buoyed the confidence of the Indomitable Lions.
“They are currently chasing us on the log with players who play regularly in their club sides and are willing to make name. Nigeria is full of talented footballer and those Rohr invited for Nigeria’s next clash are also good but I urge him to play the best legs and feature players on merit”, he said.
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