Eagles Hope Ramadan Timing Will Hurt Tunisia

Eagles hope Ramadan timing will hurt Tunisia
By Olawale Ajimotokan, 08.27.2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Assistant Secretary General in the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) James Peters, is hoping ahead of the heavyweight World Cup 2010 qualifying match against Tunisia that the timing of the match – smack in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan – would offer a huge advantage to the Super Eagles.
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Nigeria, who presently trail Carthage Eagles of Tunisia by two points, need to win the second leg of the Group B match coming up between the two on September 6 to really be in the driving seat for the single ticket at stake.

The official match kick off time is 5 pm, some two hours before the Muslim faithful members of the team are due to break their fast.

With the day already well spent, and with over tens hour into a 12-hour fast day, this would mean the players of the Carthage Eagles that are observing the Ramadan fast would not be operating on full throttle in the match – and most; apart from one or two among them, would be fasting.

In contrast, on the part of Nigeria, the number of players that would be fasting and featuring in the match, would not be more than two; three at the most.

Given this reality, it would definitely mean the Super Eagles would be much more stronger than the Carthage Eagles, both physically and mentally. This two area of strength could be a cursor for superiority in a third segment, psychology.

Coach Peters says he believes Eagles players would be quite aware of these areas of disadvantage on the part of their opponents, and strengh on their own part, and would not waste the golden chance to suffer the Tunisian fool gladly from that position of advantage.

"Of course, we have Muslims in our team too, buy we all know the number is not that significant; not in the level they have on the Tunisia side. Almost every member of the Tunisia side would be on the fast.

“Playing a full length match while fasting would definitely leave a player tired and dehydrated after an hour. So, the last 20 minutes of the match could be crucial for us and critical for them,” Peters said.

Known members of the Nigeria side that could be fasting on the day of the match include Taye Taiwo, Yusuf Ayila and Sani Kaita.