Elephants Vs Super Eagles semi-final preview

February 7th, 2006 | by: Ade Lamidi | Comments Off

The Elephants take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria is the first semi-final of the Nations Cup this afternoon.

Both teams should be at full strength although the Nigerians will miss defensive midfielder Yusuf Ayila who failed to recover from a knee injury. Cote d’Ivoire striker Aruna Didane will not take part as he has returned to France because of injury.

Captain Jay-Jay Okocha is expected to play his first game for the Super Eagles, after overcoming his thigh injury. This might well be his farewell match as the talented talisman is retiring from international football at the end of this tournament.

This match will showcase two very enterprising and talented teams and I expect a tight and physical game. Also, I see a strong battle in midfield and both sets of defenders will have to have to be at full alert for the 90mins.

As the Cote d’Ivoire blogger on Worldcupblog.org, I have a big interest in this match as I am actually from Nigeria but I promise not to be biased whatever the outcome of the match.