EAGLES MUST STOP GUINEA -LADIPO

It is now a do-or-die affair for Nigeria's Super Eagles to claim the only ticket at stake in Group 2 of the 2012 Nations Cup event, according to the President General of the nation's Supporters Club, Dr Rauf Oladipo.

Speaking to the Daily Sunsports in Lagos yesterday on Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the event, Dr Oladipo charged Coach Samson Siasia's boys to go all out and dismantle the might of the dreaded Guineans in Abuja next month.

Guinea is staying afloat of the group with 13 points, ahead of Nigeria's 10 after her 2-0 away win over Madagascar recently, and Eagles need an outright victory to upstage the leader. However, Oladipo is optimistic that the Nations Cup ticket won't in any way elude Nigeria irrespective of Guinea's game plan for the qualifier.'Guinea must fall in Abuja. We have everything to stop them. Although they beat Eagles in their first match, the story will change in Abuja,' he began.

'The team has been assured of maximum support by the football house and we in the Supporters Club are also not resting on our oars to cheer the boys to victory. We are pledging our full support because the team's qualification is our happiness. If Eagles fail to qualify for the Nations Cup, we in the Supporters Club won't have any business at the championship.

'So, we are appealing to Nigerians to give Eagles their full support and by the grace of God victory would be ours. It would not be easy, but with determination on the part of the players and sound tactics from the coaches, Nigeria will smile at the end,' he said. On the security arrangements at the stadium, Oladipo urged the federal government to take charge of activities around the Abuja National Stadium for at least one week before the match.

The fear of Boko Haram has been a major threat to the Nations Cup duel following the recent bombing of the United Nations Office in Abuja, but Dr Oladipo said it would never have any bad effect on the match. The cheering leader said that the Supporters Club would encourage fans to come to the stadium and watch the match.

He urged those in authority to ensure they provide adequate security at the match venue, even a week before the match to fully monitor the movement of people in and out of the arena.