OWN CORRESPONDENT, Lagos | Saturday 6.00pm.
THE stage is set for Nigeria to reclaim their place as the leading football power on the continent by defeating Cameroon in the African Nations Cup final on Sunday.
Home advantage gives the Super Eagles a huge psychological advantage with the national team unbeaten at the 60000-seat Surulere Stadium since 1981, when Algeria won a World Cup qualifier.
Tradition also suggests Nigerian supporters will be celebrating as nine of the 11 hosts who reached the final of the biennial African showpiece have lifted the rocket-shaped trophy.
It takes more than history to conquer Africa, though, and the Nigerians have it in the form of a star-studded squad containing players from many leading European clubs.
African Footballer of the Year Nwankwo Kanu comes from Arsenal, Celestine Babayaro from Chelsea, Taribo West from AC Milan, captain Sunday Oliseh from Juventus, Tijani Babangida from Ajax and Emmanuel Amunike from Barcelona.
Then there is astute Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere, whose timely introduction of supersub Julius Aghahowa rescued a quarter-final against Senegal that was slipping from the Eagles’ grasp.
He switched slightly-built Babangida from the right to the left flank of attack for the semi-finals showdown with Bafana Bafana and the striker had the ball in the net within 40 seconds.
Nigeria did not defend the African Nations Cup in 1996 because of political differences with hosts South Africa — an action that barred them from the next tournament in Burkina Faso.
Cameroon won two previous final showdowns with Nigeria, coming from behind in 1984 for a 3-1 triumph in Cote d’Ivoire while a goal from the penalty spot separated the countries in Morocco four years later. — AFP