Kanu

Date: April 8, 2005 JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwe soccer fans may be happy by the Warriors’ victory over Angola but Nigeria’s top star Nwankwo Kanu is certainly much happier. Zimbabwe’s victory against Angola has enhanced The Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. Kanu said after The Super Eagles had triumphed over Gabon many of the players did not relax waiting with baited breath for the Harare result. "We were very delighted when the result came in indicating that Zimbabwe had done us a big favour by beating Angola,” Kanu said in an interview with a Nigerian daily, This Day. “Now our aim is not to let go of our advantage by beating Rwanda away and Angola here in Nigeria so that unlike in our previous qualification campaigns we would have secured the ticket before our last game against Zimbabwe."

Nigeria laboured to an unconvincing 2-0 win over Gabon last Saturday, but 24 hours later they received a hug psychological boost when news filtered in that Zimbabwe had done them a massive favour by beating Angola 2-0 in Harare.

And now the Nigerian players are happy that Zimbabwe’s win was a huge shot in the arm, which could guarantee them a ticket to Germany.

Before the weekend games Angola were leading the log with 11 points from five outings while Nigeria were second with 10 points from as many games. Zimbabwe’s Warriors were on fourth position with five points.

Now The Super Eagles lead the pack with 13 points after the 2 – 0 win over Gabon and Angola’s 2 -0 fall at the National Sports Stadium. Angola are now second while Zimbabwe jumped to third position enhancing their chances of having another dance with continental football in Egypt next year.