AFCON: Can Eagles qualify for quarter finals today?

By Nnamdi Ojiego

The final leg of Group C matches in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations holding in South Africa comes  up this evening. The fixtures are between Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Ethiopia; Zambia vs Burkina Faso.

Nigeria and Zambia go into their final group game chasing their first win having drawn their two previous matches, while Ethiopia are bottom of the pile with a point. Burkina Faso are leading the group with four points from a win and a draw.

Nigeria’s squad lines up before the Africa Cup of Nations Nigeria vs Burkina Faso group C football match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on January 21, 2013. AFP PHOTO

So, as it stands now, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia need to win their matches to reach the next level of the tournament while Burkina Faso need is to draw their game.

Therefore, If  Eagles win today’s match against Ethiopia, that will automatically qualify them irrespective of the outcome of the game between Burkina Faso and Zambia.

In the meantime, Ethiopian coach, Sewnet Bishaw has said today’s match against Nigeria would  afford his players the opportunity to show the world that they can play good football.

Even Keshi has acknowledged that Ethiopian players are good when he said after their game against Zambia: “We just have to get ahead and forge ahead against a very good Ethiopia team.”

So, do you see the Super Eagles beating Ethiopia? If you were Keshi, what tactics and formation will you employ in this game? What are your prediction of the match?