Fear grips Eagles over Antananarivo pitch

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are bracing for atrocious playing conditions at the Antananarivo Stadium where they will take on Madagascar in a win or bust 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier on September 4.

A preliminary inspection of the pitch by an advanced party found the pitch in woeful condition.

Parts of the grass are untended, with pockets in places looking uneven and dangerously like pot-holes.

There was even what looked like a sleeping, or even dead animal on the field.

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia was shocked at the conditions

”This is a shocking sight. But we have no option but to play on this.

”At least we have seen it ahead of time so we know what we are going to be up against.

”We need to win this game, and this is the first thing the boys are going to see when they arrive at the camp.”

The Super Eagles are due to travel to Madagascar on Tuesday, giving them a full four days to familiarize themselves with the conditions, although they are only allowed to train on the match day pitch 24 hours to the game.