Guardian

SUPER Eagles’ hero at the South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup, Sunday Mba, says it would be an aberration if Nigeria failed to qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Mba, who told FIFA.com that he hopes to shine on the bigger stages that the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup would provide, is of the opinion that the Super Eagles have the material to defeat Kenya and Namibia in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

“We have the World Cup qualifiers now and then soon after the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. These are very important engagements and we want to do very well - particularly as we are now the African champions,” Mba said.

The Super Eagles lead Africa’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group F on five points from three matches with Malawi now the closest rivals also on five points. Namibia are on three points, while Kenya are bottom of the standings on two points.

However, the African champions face a tricky trip to Nairobi on June 5 for a return leg match against the Harambee Stars, who were just minutes away from a famous victory in Nigeria in March before a last-gasp equaliser by Nnamdi Oduamadi.

When both teams last clashed in Nairobi in November 2009, the Eagles ran out dramatic 3-2 winners to book their passage to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Nigeria though will be without several of their top stars from the recent Nations Cup triumph like Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike, Chelsea winger Victor Moses and skipper Joseph Yobo.

“Yes, we will be without some of our top stars for the qualifiers, as well as, the Confederations Cup. We would have loved to have them with us, but we hope that we still get the results we need even without them,” assured the industrious midfielder.

“Last week, we showed character against Mexico in the 2-2 draw in Houston, Texas, and we believe we will also fly the flag high in Kenya, Namibia and also at the Confederations Cup. We have set a standard and Nigerians do not expect anything less,” he said.

Nigeria will compete at their second FIFA Confederations Cup after they first appeared in the inter-continental tournament in 1995 and finished fourth. They open their campaign on 17 June in Belo Horizonte against islanders Tahiti and also face meetings with world and European champions Spain, as well as, Uruguay.