We are going for outright win, Keshi boasts

SUPER Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, wants to beat Argentina Wednesday to avoid the situation where Nigeria’s qualification for the second round of the on-going Brazil 2014 World Cup would depend on what happens between Iran and Bosnia in the second Group F game also scheduled for the same time.

  Argentina have already qualified for the last 16 of the Copa Do Mundo having won two games, but they need to beat Nigeria or play a draw to win the group.

  Nigeria must get at least a draw to be sure of qualification, but a low score draw could still take the Eagles to the second round. That is, if Bosnia beat or draw with Iran.

  Looking forward to a tough encounter against the Argies, Keshi believes he has the players to beat Messi and co, arguing that events of the last 12 days have shown that no team is unbeatable.

  One thing that could work against Keshi’s team is the mammoth support the Argentines would get from their compatriots, who have been crossing the border to Porto Alegre to lend their backing to their team.

  Nigeria has about 250 members of the Supporters Club from Nigeria in Brazil, with a handful of South America-based fans here supporting the Eagles.

  Defeat to Argentina, who sit top with wins over Iran and Bosnia, could still see Stephen Keshi’s men prolong their stay in Brazil, if Iran fail to beat Bosnia up in Salvador. And FIFA might even have to get out their straws for the drawing of lots should Iran win 1-0 and Nigeria lose by the same score, leaving the sides inseparable on points, goal difference, number of goals and head-to-head results.

  But Keshi says he wants to avoid anything that would leave his team’s fate to chance.

   The Super Eagles coach will still be without the injured Godfrey Oboabona, with Skipper Joseph Yobo retaining his position alongside Kenneth Omeruo in the central defence.

 The impressive Babatunde Michael, who fell to the heavy tackles of Bosnian defenders on Saturday, will see the medics this afternoon to determine if he is fit to play.

  Victor Moses, who missed the game against Bosnia, could return if Keshi feels he has discarded the tactical indiscipline that ruined his game against Iran.