[img]http://nationalmirroronline.net/thumbnail.php?file=/The_Super_Eagles_of_Nigeria_line_up_before_a_match._Inset__Eagles_coach__Stephen_Keshi._581974104.jpg&size=article_large[/img]



Nigeria arrived in the UAE confident and certainly looking different than the team that could not make the ANC earlier on this year.

After being unable to beat Nigeria for 47 straight years Egypt pummeled her 3-1 on her way to claim her 7th ANC crown the last time the two met. While it is something Nigeria has not forgotten the million Naira question remains – “What now will she do about it in Doha ?”

Under Siasia the Eagles looked like a high maintenance sports car sputtering with bad fuel. Under Keshi with the infusion of at least a score of local players from the NPL they have grown back some of their initial swagger and have yet to be beaten.

Though they will face a slightly depleted Egyptian team who will be missing Shikabala for disciplinary reasons as well as Zaki who is now out with an ear infection Nigeria would be daft to take Coach Bradley’s current experiment lightly particularly with the return from retirement of veteran midfielder, Mohammed Aboutreika and goalie, Essam El Hadary.

It’s a mistake few doubt they will make as both Keshi and Amokachi seem to have their team playing humble, spry and with full confidence. Coach Keshi, mirrored the look of his new team telling SuperSport “We will not blink and give it our best ”.

So too say’s Wolves minder and new Nigeria Captain, Chigozie Agbim who bristles with confidence in regards to the domestic Eagles he has been picked to lead. He added “ We are quite capable of pulling off the upset and we will”.

Either way it looks like we have the making of a real thriller on hand and at the speed at which tickets are being sold it seems nobody wants to miss it.

Match will kick off @ 8pm UAE time which is 5pm Nigerian time and will be played at the El Nasry Club Stadium in the centre of Dubai and will attract fans from Nigeria, Egypt and the host nation, UAE.

ola_pluto: So far so brilliant. These guys are really making me happy. They can dribble, they can attack, they can counter attack, they can hold the ball, they can string passes, they can even do cheeky goals. This is the real Nigerian team.
Halftime: 2-2. egypt's second goal was one dubious penalty.
Link: http://www.justin.tv/bro_movies2/popout

macob: Please which tv station is showing nigeria vs egypt friendly match

Seems the home-based lads really played well cos everyone seems to be impressed. Can't remember the last time I read such positive comments about the Super Eagles and the name on everyone's lips is Ejike Uzoenyi lol

Monitored the match via KickoffNigeria and the comments mirror the comments here. See some of them . . . .

Olu: 2012-04-12 18:59
2-2 good game, impressive homebase players...

sonny: 2012-04-12 19:00
This home based boys can play football. they have been impressive so far in the first half.

regeaman: 2012-04-12 19:01
SE are playing good football

oge: 2012-04-12 19:04
GOOD LAWD,Ejike Uzoenyi is da bomb,that guy is goooood,anyone here know who that no 9 player is pls?what a cheeky goal from him after that brilliant dribble run and ferocious cross from the dimunitive uzoenyi.if this team draw or even lose by less than 2-0 margin,i,ll still congratulate them,they are doing very well.

MalenkoMijito: 2012-04-12 19:04
2-2 2nd Nigerian goal from Uche Kalu of Enyimba. Been quite impressed with the Home based Eagles, but they just need to change the high line of defence they're playing

Banky1985: 2012-04-12 19:06
This home boys play good. 2-2

Pls who is feeling the fighting spirit in the Nigerian midfield especially from that No.12 guy. He, no.5 and no.7 are super impressive. Good job boys

MalenkoMijito: 2012-04-12 19:07
Ejike Uzoenyi is a very intriguing prospect on that left-wing (No. 7). He is probably the first natural left sided winger I have seen for Nigeria since the great Emmanuel Amuneke

sonny: 2012-04-12 19:07
... these boys still need to work on their defending, though, both Egyptian goals could have been avoided. I believe the defending will get better with time.

Birikiti: 2012-04-12 19:07
I must confess I have been so impressed with these guys! Watched the last 8 minutes of this 1st half and these home-based SE can play o!
Well let's wait to see the 2nd half before concluding on the suitability or otherwise of this bunch.

But I must confess, I am impressed with their confidence on the ball (especially Ejike), their control, movement on & off the ball! This is how Nigeria played in the Golden era.

Kudos Keshi & co but finish the job well in the 2nd half o. No come fall my hand!

Game147: 2012-04-12 19:09
These Guys are good. Playing against Abouterika led team and still playing well ?. They're very impressive , it wouldn't be a bad idea if they're retained for the match against Rwanda.

A team of 'primary school' students from Nigeria can give any team in the world a run for their money , especially when they play with extreme zeal and patriotism .

Keshi dey try sha.

Abeg , can anyone interpret what the commentators are saying

regeaman: 2012-04-12 19:11
SE are playing good football

Banky1985: 2012-04-12 19:16
@ Malenko Mojito: Good observation. That's where an experienced Joseph Yobo comes in. With Yobo he would help them keep good offside traps. The only saving grace is that number 5 guy. the guy dey throw leg for everything. Chaiii!!! The guy has helped them a lot. But on a positive note I like the fighting spirit of the whole team and they have blistering speed. Damn!

Game147: 2012-04-12 19:19
Guys , give these guys credit. The defenders are doing well. The defender misjudged the bounce of the ball probably due to the pitch condition and the second goal was a penalty . Even world class defenders make silly mistakes. Joseph Yobo played in 2010 and Egypt trashed Nigeria 3-1.

Jboc: 2012-04-12 19:22
Guys r u sure dese r home based?

Game147: 2012-04-12 19:22
The number 9 looks like Uche Kalu from Enyimba

Game147: 2012-04-12 19:42
These guys are good in fact.

Game147: 2012-04-12 19:49
It seems Nigeria have found Emmanuel Amuneke's replacement......EJIKE UZOENYI

MalenkoMijito: 2012-04-12 20:05
I have been impressed also with the Home-based boys commitment overall in the game today against Egypt. The Foreign-based Eagles could well learn from this correcting their lackadaisical approach to games

MalenkoMijito: 2012-04-12 20:06
Darn 3-2 to Egypt, but still good try from the Naija boys tonight!

oge: 2012-04-12 20:07
GOSH..how cld they after playing and defending so well...whatever they,ve done well...

Banky1985: 2012-04-12 20:09
This is the best I have seen from any Nigerian side (both under age and over age) play so impressively.

MalenkoMijito: 2012-04-12 20:17
Today just showed that there are good and committed players around in Nigeria. I say any of the European-based boys play wayo & think they are too big for the team then to hell with them!

SUYA: 2012-04-12 20:18
Not bad, not bad at all! I saw an exciting game today with a solid defense that refused to be drawn out by Egypt.I am sure that with a little more coaching and exposure, this team will go places. The pace that has been lacking and lagging in earlier matches with our so-called oversea players, has started to come back. Mr Coach, please play these guys so they will grow in confidence.
We lost, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. Good job guys.

ola_pluto: Egypt struggling to get out of their own half. Nigerian forward players pressing and working hard. Still 2-2

ola_pluto: Match highlights....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTYRQgaj88&feature=youtu.be
Enjoy

Thanks for the vid

Saw so much that pleased me in that short clip i.e direct forward play & taking on defenders (from our two goals), speed and increased pace of play, fighting & ready to die spirit (see how our defenders were scrambling to cover the Egyptian strikers and block the pass that led to the 3rd goal) etc etc

Can't say I'm impressed with our captain and goalie, Chigozie Agbim though. His positioning in the box for those two goals no be am at all, at all. The guy too dey beh & rush out quickly. . . .

All in all, the team will get better with more friendly matches. . .Good result IMO.