After considering the large Mexican population here in Houston, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said one thing: “We will be playing away in the game against Mexico.”
The match comes up at 8pm here, 2 am, Saturday morning in Nigeria. Callistus Ebare of AIT said in the Eagles hotel here that their television will broadcast the match live to Nigerians.
That Mexicans will outnumber Nigerians at the Reliant Stadium here is not, however, a problem for Keshi.
What is more important to him is how the players can adjust to different tactics and take on any nation. If they qualify for the World Cup, they will be playing countries from different continents. It even begins with the Confederation Cup in Brazil.
They are African champions and have shown that they can adapt to the rugged play of African teams. Before the Nations Cup in South Africa, they also showed guts against Catalonia in Spain. Tomorrow, in the early morning, they play a team that has a blend of South American football and a little of European touch.
Mexicans pass the ball well and they also have speed especially on the counter attack. Keshi, would, therefore, be exploring a way to curb their possession and use power game to muscle them out of their stride while a blistering attack may boost their goal chances.
Two top players who added weight to the strength of the team during the Nations Cup in South Africa will not play tomorrow.
Mikel Obi and Victor Moses. But others have trained so well that Keshi feels that they can hold their own against Mexico, a country that can boast of good youth development going by the feats of their youth teams recently.
But a third position in the ongoing World Cup qualifying group games makes Keshi feel that they are not on top of their game and not a team that should beat the African champions.
“We have trained well and the boys are excited about this international friendly match. I hope that they show that excitement on the field,” Keshi said at the Westin Galleri Eagles Hotel on Alabama Road. The Hotel is located in one of the biggest malls in Houston.
Keshi’s assistant Valere Houndonou said that the fighting spirit in the Eagles camp is a thing of joy to the technical crew.
“Everybody wants to play. And I think most of the players here will have a chance to play,” Valere said.
The performance of two home-based Eagles has impressed him. Emeka Eze, an attacker with Enugu Rangers and Ebenezer Ogulami, a midfielder from Sunshine Stars of Akure have done well to earn their first caps.
And so is Tony Ujah of Cologne FC, Germany. Valere said Ujah is a player Nigerians should watch out for. John Ogwu was invited for the game against Kenya in Calabar.
He was dressed up but did not play. He may get a chance tomorrow morning. Joseph Akpala played few games under Samson Siasia but has not played under Keshi. He may also get a chance to play.
“I think that we have a good team with Egwuekwe, Oboabona, Echiejele, Onazi, Brown Ideye, Vincent Enyeama etc.”