SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA ON THE RISE AGAIN!

 

Yesterday at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Nigeria's Super Eagles walloped the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0, at the AFCON 2023 Competition. This victory takes Nigeria to the quarter-final phase of the competition to play against the Palancas Negras of Angola. With this result, they have exceeded their performance in the last AFCON Competition.

Several things stand out from yesterday's performance of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. With the huge criticism that greeted their 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, the players were said to have a meeting, wherein legendary captain Ahmed Musa, assured Nigerians of better performances in the subsequent matches. They beat hosts Cote d’Ivoire 1-0, Guinea Bissau 2-0, and Cameroon in the group of 16. They put up very solid performances in these games to register their resolve to ink their names on the sands of time in Nigeria's rich football history.  There's no doubt that the Eagles have landed!

 

THE RESURGENT SUPER EAGLES

Watching the entire team, from the elasticity of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lukeman, and Moses Simon, attacking and defending from the attack to Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Onyeka, and others attacking from the defense, cutting opposition passes, it's obvious that for any team to beat the Super Eagles in the 34th AFCON 2023 competition, they'd have to climb the Mount Everest within ninety minutes. This team has conceded just one goal in four matches and they look like a brick wall to break down. Their confidence has continued to increase in their successive matches and so is the team cohesion. Virtually every player in the team has proven to deserve his spot.

Senegal, the defending Champions and the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco are yet to play their second-round matches and look the greatest threat to the Eagles quest but the optimism about their success is overwhelming. The Super Eagles’ collection of players is astounding and it would take extreme tact for any team to beat the Eagles if they continue with the level they've raised their game.  Several quality players have not been given a minute on the pitch, yet the Super Eagles glow with so much radiance.

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE AFCON

Watching the Palancas Negras beat Namibia gives an insight into how entertaining their quarter-final match with Nigeria would be. Coach Pedro Goncalves appears to have built a very solid team, anchored by the midfield creativity of their captain, Fredy, the attacking trickery of Gelson Dala, and Mabululu, and not to forget the defensive doggedness of Gaspar. The Angolan team appears a very strong unit and their results during this competition affirm this. Striker, Dala, has scored four goals, so far in this competition.  The Eagles team looks strong enough to tackle Angola, though the outcome could be determined by little details.

The results of matches at AFCON 2023 remain a true reflection of how much African football has transformed within a few decades. Like in the evolution of political states across the World, we have witnessed the rise of several Nations and the decadence of others. This is the excitement that makes sport a veritable ointment to remove pain and give excitement to its enthusiasts!