Nigeria: Copa De La Republica – Danilo Can Torment Flying Eagles Again

20 July 2011

Guinea Bissau-born Danilo Pereira will be the man the Flying Eagles will be weary of when Portugal and Nigeria do battle again Wednesday in the Copa de la Republica in Panama.

The Parma midfielder is the heart and soul of the Portugal U20 team and showed this when both teams first clashed a week ago in Lisbon.

The former Benfica starlet not only dictated how Portugal play, but on Monday night in Panama City he also showed he can also get among the goals as his two late strikes rescued a point when by half time they looked dead and buried by Mexico.

Danilo, who has been sought after to play for Guinea Bissau at full international level, is one of several players in the Portugal team for Colombia 2011 with roots in the tiny West African island.

The others are midfielder Pele from Italian club Genoa, midfielder Lassana Camara of Real Valladolid and big Cercle Brugge striker Amido Balde.

In the first clash, which finished 0-0, Nigeria were without at least three key players – Ahmed Musa, Terna Suswan and Emmanuel Anyanwu.

All three were in action Monday night in another barren draw versus hosts Panama.

Musa was quick, made several incursions into the opposing box and even scored a goal that was disallowed for offside.

However, he struggled in his decision-making – should he cross to the strikers from the right or should he go for goal?

Anyanwu played in his familiar central defence position for the first time for the Flying eagles after he was played as a make shift left back at the African Youth Championship.

He was Nigeria’s top act against Panama along with Abduljaleel Ajagun in central midfield.

The Enyimba defender was solid and was never really ruffled even by the blistering pace of daredevil striker Cecilio Waterman.

Suswan also posted a decent shift at right back, often joining up with the attack in the second half.

Kwara United goalkeeper Kazim Yekini completed a competent showing by the defence as he played a pivotal role to ensure the Flying Eagles get a result in this pre-World Cup game.

Yekini was equally impressive against Portugal in Lisbon before he was replaced after he could no longer stomach the pains from the injury he suffered on his side during pre-match warm-up.

The Flying Eagles are proving to be very difficult to break down, but upfront they have struggled to make hay.

“We did not convert our chances,” admitted coach John Obuh.

In the other match of this four-nation invitational, hosts Panama will be up against a Mexican side who rely on wing play and who would have buried Portugal on the opening day of action but for some poor finishing.

Alan Pulido will be the key for Mexico to unlock an organised and uncompromising Panama back four.

AllAfrica – All the Time