Another revenge mission in view as Sudan looms before Nigeria

IT is less than 48 hours after their memorable defeat of the Pharaohs of Egypt in the opening match of Group D of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun and the Super Eagles have shifted their focus completely to tomorrow’s confrontation with the Falcons of Jediane ( Sudan) at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua.

Just as happened in their debut at 59 years ago, Nigeria had Egypt and Sudan lined up as their first two opponents of the competition. In 1963, the Egyptians hammered the Cinderellas ( Nigeria) 6- 3, and Sudan followed with a 4- 0 whiplash of the newcomers.

Tuesday’s 1- 0 success was Nigeria’s first- ever win over Egypt in a first match at the AFCON. Twelve years ago, in the Angolan city of Benguela, the Pharaohs came from deficit as a result of Chinedu Obasi’s early goal to beat the Eagles 3- 1.

Apart from their 4- 0 win over the Eagles in 1963 in Accra, the Falcons’ 1- 0 defeat of Nigeria in an AFCON qualifier in Khartoum in October 2014 was one of the principal reasons for the absence of the green- and- white in the 30th finals in Equatorial Guinea seven years ago.

So much has changed in 59 years and the Eagles are confident of victory over the Sudanese when both teams tango at the 30,000 – capacity venue in northern Cameroun.

“I am happy with our performance against Egypt, especially, the way the boys set up and approached the game the way we agreed was best. Everything worked. But we have shifted our focus completely to the next match and it is another day and another team and a different approach. I am happy with the playing personnel that we have got and the way they are ready to give their all,” Coach Eguavoen told thenffnews yesterday.