Ikpeba:Mathematically, Group B is still open

The Group B of the African Zone of the South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifiers have witnessed some twists which have thrown the group's qualification open to all the four teams, indicating that Nigeria could still qualify if Tunisia slip and the Super Eagles win all their remaining two matches. He explains further.



Hope not lost

In my opinion, the tight corner we are in today started very early. I mean, it has been like this all the way from when we played the first game against Mozambique in Maputo on the first day of the qualifiers when we played 0-0, while Tunisia travelled to Kasarani to beat Kenya. This was where Tunisia assumed the two-point lead ahead of us and still maintain it till today.



You will recall that on the night when we thrashed Kenya 3-0 in Abuja, they also defeated Mozambique in Rades. The second mistake we made was in Rades, we thought that Tunisia were a great side and were there for a draw. As it turned out, they never showed sparks and sadly, we never took advantage of Tunisia's poor runs and allowed the North Africans to escape with a goalless draw. I did not quite like it and I warned that we might find it difficult in Abuja in the return tie. And that is exactly what happened in Abuja.



We laboured to score through Osaze's beautiful sole effort but while we were still celebrating that goal, Tunisia equalised. In the second half, the North Africans played more defensively and occasionally harassed us. Just six minutes to go, substitute Mike Eneramoh got the second goal for us but as it happened in the first half, Tunisia equalised almost immediately and this is why we are where we are now. But all hope is not lost. Tunisia may get a draw in Maputo or even lose outrightly. In this case, if we win all our matches, we shall obviously qualify. We have to do our beat first and see how it goes.

The problem is that our destiny is no longer in our hands. We now depend our qualification based on what happens in other teams' games.



Team's spirit

This is the time to show patriotism, professionalism, team spirit and determination. Really, this is a depressing moment. A situation like this makes so many things to go wrong. For instance, there may be lack of confidence among the players. The team might even be divided as the strikers may blame the defence and the goalkeeper for the team's woes, claiming that things would have been different had the back four defended all the two goals we scored. All the same, this is a time to prove that in football, it is not yet over until it is over. Our players should be more determined and dedicated to national course now than ever before because our integrity is at stake and their future is also involved.



2010 without Nigeria

It will be painful to think about another World Cup Finals, this time, in Africa, without Nigeria. I do not want to think about it and I am praying it does not happen. Not that heavens will fall or the world will come to an end, but it will not be good for Nigeria, Africa and the Black World. Nigeria are Africa's giant and the pride of the Black World, thus we ought to be in South Africa 2010 World Cup. By the way, why are not the hosting country? Anyway, this is by the way. I do not want to believe that Nigeria will miss the South Africa 2010 World Cup Finals.