as Eagles confront Guinea
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Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, is praying and hoping that his top striker, Chisom Chikatara, will pass a late fitness test to feature in today’s last Group C game against Guinea.

Nigeria, top of the group with four points, needs only a draw to qualify for the quarter finals, while Guinea must beat the Eagles to advance to the last eight.

Reports from the Eagles’ Rubavu camp reveal that the team’s doctors are working hard on Chikatara and Usman Mohammed, who got some knocks during Nigeria’s game against Tunisia.

An official of the team, Tijjani Babangida, admitted that it would be a massive setback if Chikatara were not available for the game.

He said: “Both Chikatara and Usman Mohammed trained apart from the main squad because they have some knocks.

“Chikatara is our leading scorer with four goals from two matches.

The doctors have had a look at the player and we are confident he will make the team as the medical team are working round the clock to ensure this happens.”

Even if Chikatara missed the game, officials of the team (NFF) said the Eagles still have enough in reserve to overcome the Syli Nationale.

According to the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will put out another high -level display today.

Victory by any margin will guarantee the Eagles top spot in Group C, and a quarterfinal date with the second–placed team in Group D.

A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria has a two –point margin on second–placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia achieve a high–score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be guaranteed.

Guinea have drawn each of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and Niger Republic, coming from behind each time. They pose a big threat because of the skill and guile of their strikers.

Oliseh was in the Nigerian squad that earned a 1998 FIFA World Cup ticket at the expense of Syli Nationale. But the Guineans also stopped Nigeria reaching the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, when drawing 2-2 with the Super Eagles in Abuja in October 2011.