All eyes on Uche as Eagles clash with Devils

the 52-year-old former Anderlecht defender was quoted as saying in a statement by the team’s Media officer Ben Alaiya.

When Nigeria walked a tightrope in the USA ’94 World Cup qualifiers, Keshi played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ 1-0 victory over the Red Devils in Pointe Noire on December 20, 1992.

Dutchman Clemens Westerhof opted for a defensive game with Keshi commanding Uche Okafor (late), Uche Okechukwu, Ben Iroha and Austin Eguavoen in the rear after Rashidi Yekini (late) hit the target in the 22nd minute.

Other players who featured in the crucial win, which revived Nigeria’s qualification hopes, were Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Finidi George, Alloy Agu, Precious Monye, Friday Ekpo (came in for Finidi), and Taofik Malik (came in for Monye). Nigeria won the return leg fixture 2-0 in Lagos on February 7, 1993.

But Congo coach Claude Le Roy has vowed to lead his side to victory over Nigeria again.

The well-travelled Frenchman, who became the Red Devils manager in   2013, will face Keshi for the fourth time.

Keshi was 26-year-old when he captained Nigeria at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nigeria met Cameroon, with Le Roy their manager, in the group stages of the tournament and they settled for a 1-1 draw.

The Eagles shot into the lead in the second minute through Sam Okwaraji (late) but the Indomitable Lions   equalised after   21 minutes after Roger Milla beat Peter Rufai in goal.

Cameroon won the tournament after beating Nigeria   1-0 through Emmanuel Kunde’s 55th minute penalty to become champions for the second time at Nigeria’s expense. Cameroon had won the 1984 finals in Ivory Coast after defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the final.

Former Ghana coach Le Roy, who guided Congo to a 3-2 win against Nigeria in Calabar last September, is confident Congo will stop Nigeria this time around.