It was a crushing blow for Nigeria when they fell to a lone goal defeat by Guinea in Conakry last October. The team under interim coach Austin Eguavoen had suffered in morale after the shameful World Cup performance. They managed a 2-0 victory over minnows Madagascar in Abuja in their first game, but lost the second. Now three points behind leaders Guinea in Group B, the Super Eagles will be looking to resurrect their chances of participating in the Gabon-Equatorial Guinea showpiece next year.
New coach Samson Siasia comes into his first competitive game in charge with the burden of a must-win game. Much hope has been placed on him and he is condemned to deliver.
However, he is facing a crisis with his strikers as three of them are out injured and one ineligible to play. This will surely be a big test for his career as national team coach.
Ethiopia look for an upset
Ethiopia began their qualification campaign with a 4-1 loss at home to group leaders Guinea. And if you thought all was lost, the Antelopes went to Antananarivo where they snatched a precious 1-0 victory over hosts Madagascar.
They know that miracles do happen with persistence in football and they will come to Abuja looking to upset their hosts. They are aware that the Super Eagles are at the beginning of a rebuilding process and they will look to exploit this.
Their Nigerian-born coach Iffy Onuora has been talking in the media and his knowledge will give his lads the psychological strength to enable them to get through the scathing Abuja heat.
TEAM NEWS
Nigeria
Nigeria are not sure of strikers Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Victor Anichebe who all showed up in camp with injuries. The team will also miss the services of Victor Moses, who will no longer be able to make his debut as FIFA declared he is not yet clear to play for Nigeria after wearing English colours at youth level.
Siasia is left with Obinna Nsofor, long-term injury returnee Ike Uche, Peter Utaka and Solomon Okoronkwo to choose from in attack.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba, Sunday Rotimi
Defenders: Chibuzor Okonkwo, Olubayo Adefemi, Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Joseph Yobo, Dele Adeleye, Efe Ambrose
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Joel Obi, Fengor Ogude, Kalu Uche, Ahmed Musa
Strikers: Osaze Odemwingie, Victor Anichebe, Peter Utaka, Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche, Ekigho Ehiosun, Solomon Okoronkwo, Obafemi Martins
Ethiopia
Iffy Onuora has his big strikers Fikru Tefera and Oumed Oukri available for this tie. Tefera, who plays at SuperSport United in South Africa is described as a tireless runner who will give the Nigerian defence a horrid time on Sunday.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Binyam Tefera, Binyam Habtamu, Jemal Tassew
Defenders: Daniel Deribe, Mengistu Assefa, Samson Mulugeta, Tesfaye Bekele
Midfielders: Girma Ashenafi, Tesfaye Alebachew, Shimelis Bekele
Strikers: Umed Ukuri, Tesfaye Tafese, Greg Ngoyi, Fikru Tefera, Yared Zinabu, Adane Girma
PREDICTION
Despite the pressure to perform and provide their home fans with a victory, the three points seem to be well within Nigeria's grasp.
Nigeria 2-0 Ethiopia
