Will Harambee Stars reach the sky

Kenya will revive their 2014 World Cup hopes if they beat Nigeria in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier at Moi Kasarani. Harambee Stars are currently at the bottom of Group F with just two points after picking two draws against Malawi and Nigeria.

Going into Wednesday’s fixture, the odds are seemingly stuck against the home team, who have never beaten the Super Eagles in 11 encounters so far between the two sides.

The situation is even more complicated for the Stars this time around with the team’s all-time highest scorer Dennis Oliech suspended for the fixture. The situation leaves coach Adel Amrouche with limited choices in front of goal yet the team needs goals.
In the absence of Oliech, Amrouche is likely to use Kepha Aswani upfront. Aswani is coming back into the team on the back of an outstanding performance for his Oman side Al Nasr for whom he scored seven goals in the just concluded season.
Home-ground advantage will play a key role in pushing the Stars to victory. The Super Eagles will be motivated by their past dominance against Kenya even on home soil and so far there is no reason to believe they cannot pick victory in Nairobi.
Nigeria have had good preparations for this match which included a two week training camp in Germany culminating in a 2-2 draw against Mexico last Friday in a friendly match.
Even in the absence of Chelsea star Victor Moses, the Super Eagles still have enough fire power upfront with Ideye Brown and John Obi Mikel controlling things in midfield.

Sunday Mba: We will get the desired result in Kenya

Sunday Mba is one of the players that Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi will be relying upon to get a win against the Harambee Stars Kenya tomorrow  at the Moi Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. The undoubted hero from the last Africa Cup of Nations believes that though the team is shorn of some of its star players, the current squad will get the reslt needed against Kenya.

In the first leg in Calabar in April, Mba started but was replaced midway into the second half with the Eagles chasing an equaliser which Nnamdi Oduamadi got in added time to force the Harambee Stars to a 1-1 draw.

The Enugu Rangers midfielder played against Mexico in a friendly last Friday in which the Eagles were forced to a 2-2 draw.

“Last week, we showed character against Mexico in the 2-2 draw in Houston, Texas, and we believe we will also fly the flag high in Kenya, Namibia and also at the Confederations Cup.

“We have set a standard and Nigerians do not expect anything less,” Mba concluded.

Nigeria are ahead of Malawi on the Group F table courtesy of scoring more goals in the three matches played as both countries have five points.