Preview: Sudan VS Nigeria (2015 Nations Cup Qualifiers) – Ayo-Oluwa Obafemi

Date: Saturday, 11th October, 2014

Venue: Municipal Stadium, Khartoum

Time: 6pm

The Falcons of Jediane are on the fringes after getting zero points from their opening two games against South Africa and Congo. They go into this fixture knowing fully well that anything less than three points will ultimately dissolve any chance of qualification for the AFCON competition in Morocco next year

The Super Eagles and Defending African Champions on the other hand face a ‘do-or-die’ battle after failing to inspire in their opening fixtures; collecting a miserly lone point against South Africa and losing at home to Congo. The pressure is building on their Coach, Stephen Keshi who is facing a possible sack if he fails to maneuver the whipping boys of the group. Meanwhile, Keshi has called upon the services of four new players; Ugonna Anyora and Hope Akpan (both midfielders) and Emmanuel Sunday and Aaron Samuel (Strikers). Their captain and Keeper, Vincent Enyeama is back in the fold after missing out from last fixtures.

Enough incentive lies on the table for both sides. Expect a high-octane fixture.

Head-to-Head STATISTICS:

Below are the head-to-head results of clashes between these two sides in their last five games.

16th Aug. 1992          Sudan             0  0      Nigeria            African Nations Cup Qualifier

23rd April, 1993         Nigeria            4  0      South Africa   African Nations Cup Qualifier

27th Jan. 2001            Nigeria            3  0      Sudan             FIFA WCQ

1st July 2001              Sudan             0  4      Nigeria            FIFA  WCQ

9th Jan. 2008              Nigeria            2  0      Sudan                         International Friendly

The Falcons of Jediane have played ELEVEN games with Nigeria, Losing 6 drawing 4 and winning just 1. The last and only time they have overcome the Super Eagles was in 1963.

LAST FIVE GAMES

SUDAN                        W D L L L

NIGERIA                      W L L L D

FIFA RANKING AS AT SEPTEMBER 18

SUDAN            133

NIGERIA          37

 

@ayooluwa2009

Ayo-oluwa Obafemi is a football analyst and an independent/freelance writer.

Views Expressed are Solely the Author’s.

 

 

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