Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallists Taribo West and Abiodun Baruwa have backed the Super Eagles to secure an emphatic win in their last 2014 World Cup qualifying group game against Malawi in Calabar on Saturday. Nigeria lead Group F on nine points, two ahead of Malawi. The Flames need a win to sail through while a draw will be enough for the African champions to reach the last round. The winners of the 10 groups will contest the final round of the qualifiers where they will be paired into five for home-and-away ties in Cairo on September 16. The champions of each group will grab a ticket to represent Africa at the World Cup final in Brazil. Africa have five World Cup slots, and Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet insists the Flames have the quality to pull off an upset against the Eagles today. But Taribo and Baruwa dismissed the Belgian coach’s threat, tipping Nigeria to be among the 32 countries to play in Brazil. In separate interviews with our correspondent during the week, the duo, who made the France ’98 World Cup squad, expressed confidence that the Eagles would beat the Malawians and progress to seal their place at the World Cup. “I expect Malawi to compete very strongly against us but they can’t stop Eagles from qualifying for the World Cup,” Taribo told our correspondent on the telephone. “Keshi knows what to do. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations and has built a strong team for the country.” The former AC Milan and Inter Milan defender called for the return of the Eagles’ substantive captain Joseph Yobo and Cardiff City’s new signing Osaze Odemwingie to the team. “Yobo still has a lot to offer the country,” the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist said. “He’s playing very well at Fenerbahce. I watched him against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League and he was fantastic. “I think his experience will be useful to the national team and the young players. “Osaze is one player we can’t afford to ignore because of his qualities and abilities. “But I will only support his return to the Eagles if he has changed. He hasn’t played for a long time due to disciplinary problems. “If he’s playing well at Cardiff City, Keshi should invite him. If not, he should be ignored because I won’t support a player who will divide our team.” Former Nigeria goalkeeper Baruwa backed the Eagles to stroll through the Flames in the crucial match, predicting a 2-0 victory for them in the clash. “The players are professionals and know what’s at stake,” the ex-Shooting Stars keeper told our correspondent. “I think we’ll beat them 2-0.”
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 07:04:20 +0000