Cautious optimism necessary for Super Eagles fans

Three-time African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, will kick-start the chase for a fourth African title today against Equatorial Guinea at the ongoing 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. Unlike in the early 90s, when their supporters exuded extravagant confidence when pitched against such opposition, Super Eagles fans are now treading with cautious optimism ahead of the match at the Alassane Quattara Stadium.

The reason for the subdued confidence on the part of the teeming fans of the Super Eagles is not far-fetched. The build-up of the national team to the continental showpiece has left much to be desired. Apart from the fact that the squad is ravaged by injuries to key players like Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface and lately Sadiq Umar, with Kelechi Iheanacho a major doubt for the opening match, the Super Eagles suffered a 0-2 loss to Guinea in their final warm-up match. As usual, the incompetent Jose Peseiro gave funny excuses for the defeat.

Unknown to most Nigerians, the Super Eagles will be up against a highly motivated team that went 11 matches in 2023 without a single defeat. Apart from that, the Nzalang Nacional are always progressing to the last eight whenever they qualify for the AFCON. When the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon in the Round of 16, Equatorial Guinea went all the way to the quarterfinals. Apart from that feat, they also claimed two 2026 World Cup qualifying victories over Namibia and Liberia without conceding a goal.

It is necessary to bring out these facts about the Nzalang Nacional to let Nigerians know that their darling team has a mountain to climb. Maybe if reality dawns on them early, they may see the need to pray harder for the Super Eagles to overcome the first hurdle in Cote d’Ivoire. After all, Nigerians think they are the only people who can pray. At times, most of us forget that we are rewarded by what we do and not by faith alone. The Bible teaches that prayer or faith without works is dead. Before I am crucified by religious fanatics, I am not in any way trying to undermine the power of prayer.

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Now, having read and understood the danger posed by the Nzalang Nacional to the Super Eagles’ ambition of winning a fourth AFCON title, overzealous Nigerian football fans should choose whether to be realistic in their expectations or remain over-ambitious. The fact is that the Super Eagles may carry the day, but they are not going to stroll past their opponents who have a good reputation of proving bookmakers wrong whenever the chips are down. For instance, on their way to Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the highly-rated Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. This is to prove that the Nzalang Nacional are no respecters of names.

The Super Eagles are not clear favourites against Equatorial Guinea. However, one thing the former African champions are known for is their capacity to spring surprises. Whenever they are not given a chance, they thrive better. They did the same thing in 2013 when the squad led by Stephen Keshi was written off even before the commencement of hostilities in South Africa. Many wondered why the late Keshi included local players in his squad but in the end, it was one of the home boys, Sunday Mbah, who scored the goal that won the third title for the Super Eagles. The victory was indeed unexpected.

Therefore, even in Cote d’Ivoire, anything can happen, but the Super Eagles are faced with the same pessimism that trailed them to the tournament in South Africa. Most Nigerians who can read the handwriting on the wall have since adopted the ‘sit down look’ attitude but there are some who have been inspired by the ‘big names’ in the team and believe that another ‘miracle of South Africa’ is possible.

Of course, a team that is parading the best football player in Africa should be respected. But apart from Victor Osimhen, it is really difficult to find another player in the present Super Eagles squad who can easily instil fear into their opponents. Yes, we have the likes of Moses Simon, Samuel Chukuweze, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, and Kelechi Iheanacho in our front line, but they are not effective enough. None of them can be compared with either Mo Salah or Sadio Mane.

 This is not to undermine these young players because on a good day, they also can do the unexpected with the ball at their feet. However, the irrefutable fact remains that without Boniface in the team, Osimhen will be the only force upfront and once there isn’t another player to help divert attention from him, it will be difficult for him to perform optimally.

Unfortunately, the technical ineptitude of coach Peseiro won’t allow him to quickly plug the holes created by the injured players. We all know that he prefers to use the 4-4-2 formation but now there is no longer Boniface to pair with Osimhen in attack and Nididi to play alongside Iwobi in the midfield, so how is the clueless Portuguese going to rejig the team formation?

And we mustn’t forget that the goalkeeping crisis in the Super Eagles is not solved. After all the hullabaloo, Francis Uzoho will still man the posts because Peseiro believes the devil he knows is far better than an angel he does not know. But with Uzoho in between the sticks, Nigerians should be ready to watch proceedings with their hearts in their mouths.

In addition, Peseiro is going to entrust the heart of the defence in the care of Semi Ajayi and Calvin Chinedu Bassey, but the duo is yet to convince many of us. While Ajayi obviously lacks self-confidence, the younger Bassey is exuberant and is prone to wayward movement, which exposes the backline. And once the defence is left loose, Nzalang Nacional’s ball-carrying Jose Machin will easily disrupt it.

So, as the Super Eagles kick off their campaign in Cote d’Ivoire today, let’s pray for a good start. And even if they start well, they must maintain the momentum because starting strongly is one thing, and ending with the same energy is another thing.

Any team that blows hot and cold can not win a big tournament like the AFCON. The handlers of the Super Eagles have composed a battle cry known as ‘Let’s do it AGAIN’ but it can’t be done with word of mouth alone. It must be by the shedding of blood, if necessary. In all, cautious optimism is necessary even as we expect nothing but victory from the Super Eagles.