SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA AND LESSONS FROM ABIDJAN

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria narrowly lost 2-1 to the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in the 34th AFCON Competition.  Several Nigerian football supporters felt a deep loss but in retrospect, the team exceeded the expectations of Nigerians by getting to the final of the tournament. For some, it was a good result for Nigeria and for many others, the result could have been better.

 

ASSESSING THE SUPER EAGLES AT AFCON

For the past two years, it has been an underwhelming performance for the Super Eagles in their matches. The team plays without a style, character, or purpose, leaving their matches boring and abysmal. Though they qualified for the 34th AFCON despite losing to minnows such as CAR, their records of losses and draws in friendly matches were mind-boggling. To further exacerbate the situation was the perennial errors in the back line, but specifically with goalkeeping. For a long period, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been a great pain to watch, despite the large collection of Nigerian footballers across the World when Joe Peseiro took over; everyone expected that this journeyman could take Nigeria to paradise, and truly he did but at great tool to the mental health of most fans. Even at the 34^th AFCON, the Super Eagles performed far below their optimal level and despite the final result, Nigerian Football must do their utmost to get the right coach to take the team to a better level.

The capabilities of a coach to use the assets available to meet the desired mandate given to him remain the greatest yardstick by which they’re judged throughout their reign. Apart from match results, it’s also important for teams to create excitement for their supporters for herein lies the essence of every sport. Fortunately for Jose Peseiro, the outcome of the 34th AFCON competition counts in his favor but everyone would admit that the team played far below their potential. The players sacrificed beyond their physical capabilities and the spectators toiled to watch these matches due to formations that put unnecessary pressure on the team.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SUPER EAGLES AFTER AFCON

Nigerians look forward to the World Cup qualifiers and the next AFCON with positive vibes and expect the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF) to use the lessons of the 34th AFCON to rejig the coaching team to enable the team seamlessly achieve their desired goals. Stanley Bobo Nwabali has solved the goalkeeping conundrum for the moment and we must find a lasting solution to getting some creative playmakers to enable the Super Eagles to operate at full throttle. Frank Onyeka and Alhassan Yusuf, at different times, did their best as spoilers in the midfield but the team needs a better ball-distributing player; this was greatly lacking at the AFCON. Victor Osimhen barely used his hustling instincts to make himself relevant as he never got optimal services to excel and the same can be said about many other players.

The rebuild has started and this is the best time to upgrade to a better future for the Super Eagles. Congratulations Nigeria!