The early goal, goalkeeper errors and the five key points that will determine the victory of Nigeria against Cote D’Ivoire

The Elephants have the star players and the experience but the Super Eagles are youthful and very unpredictable as they go into Sunday’s important Afcon quarter final encounter.

As Nigeria’s Super Eagles get set to confront the overwhelming favourites for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations crown, there are some things that the underdogs can exploit whilst the favourites can also press home their superiority.

NewsJoint.info looks at five areas that will prove important as both sides seek victory on Sunday.

1 NIGERIA’S DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS

With Fegor Ogude out, it will be up to Obiorah Nwankwo, Ogenyi Onazi or Reuben Gabriel, if he can overcome his injury worries to help the Super Eagles steady the ship against the barrage of attacks that the Elephants will conjure on Sunday.

That the Elephants will attack is stating the obvious as the team is composed and built to attack with Gervinho, Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou given the freedom to roam. If they find the needed spaces in between the lines, they will hurt the Eagles mercilessly.

So Stephen Keshi has a huge task of getting someone who is technically sound to mark the spaces that will open up and the energy to close these spaces. In 2008, Mikel Obi was introduced in midfield instead of Austin Okocha against Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba and we all know the outcome. The Eagles must not make the same mistake again.

2 OFFENSIVE TRANSITION FOR THE SUPER EAGLES

As much as the Elephants have to be feared with their forwards, the Eagles also have players......read more http://newsjoint.info/five-key-points-that-will-determine-the-outcome-of-nigeria-vs-cote-divoire

Abeg enough of this 100 and 50 key points for super eagles jor, by this time tomorrow, we go don dey swear for ahmed musa and efe ambrose, when our plane don dey ready to land for MMIA. Anyway I wish them what they wish themselves o.