Abuja — The journey to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea begins today as the Super Eagles take on Madagascar in one of the qualifiers billed to hold at the U. J. Esuene stadium, Calabar.

       Already, the camp of the Super Eagles is bubbling with activities and all the invited players are poised to prove a point that a new Eagles have emerged after their dismal performance at the 2010 nations cup in Angola and 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

       Interim coach of the team, Augustine Eguavoen told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY Sports that the team is battle-ready for the crucial match and that his priority is to kick-start the nations cup campaign on a winning note before he hands over to new coach, Samson Siasia after the encounter.

      "The technical crew and the players have resolved to start the nations cup campaign on a bright note by beating Madagascar convincingly. The players still remember their experience against Mozambique in their opening qualifier for the 2010 nations cup. "I am aware that I am going to step down for Samson Siasia, but my main concern at the moment is to make sure the team wins well and tops the group. I am sure of victory on Sunday (today), hence I am not under any pressure."

       Besides Kalu Uche, Danny Shittu and Etuhu Dickson who are relatively old, other invited players are young and coach Eguavoen says, they will form the bulk of the new Eagles that will bring honour and pride to the nation.

       Calabar fans will have something to cheer as West Ham of England's new signing, Obinna Nsofor and Chelsea's midfield marvel, John Mikel Obi step out to wreck the Madagascans and put hope on the faces of Nigerians.

       According to Mikel Obi, "We are going to beat Madagascar, but not to white-wash them, because there is no minnow again in football."

       Nigeria has only won the cup of nations twice (in 1980 and 1994), but settled for silver in 2000 when she co-hosted the championship with Ghana, after losing to Cameroon on penalties.

       In 2002, coach Amodu Shuaibu led the team to a bronze medal in Mali while coach Christian Chukwu guided the Eagles to a bronze that tasted like gold at the 2004 edition in Tunisia.