The Super Eagles’ bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a serious setback last Friday night after the three-time African Champions managed to play another draw with arch rivals, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Before the grudge match which is the third for both countries in the qualification series, expectations were high that the Super Eagles who got the better of their opponents at the 2023 AFCON would record their first win after draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately, it was another draw result that brought so much pressure on the Super Eagles, who automatically dropped to fifth in the group with a miserable three points from a possible nine.
It will be recalled that the Super Eagles had missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was staged in Qatar after they lost the ticket to the Black Stars of Ghana right here in Nigeria. Actually, that was the second time that Nigeria missed out on the global football showpiece since 1994 when the Super Eagles debuted at the Mundial in the USA.
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The first time Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup was in 2006 when Germany was the host. So, before the commencement of the ongoing qualifiers, many thought the Super Eagles would learn from their past mistakes to avoid another mishap. Unfortunately, after three matches, it is beginning to appear like the Super Eagles are not ready to turn a new leaf.
Well, for those of us who have been following the happenings around the team, the result of Friday’s match didn’t come to us as a big surprise. Instead of complaining, we have decided to thank God that the Super Eagles didn’t lose the three points completely. At least they managed to avoid defeat, which would have put them in a more precarious situation going into the remaining group C matches.
Obviously, the Bafana Bafana played better as they were more purposeful and tactical in their approach to the match. The Super Eagles literally struggled to contain their opponents for a reasonable duration of the match. The fans who thronged the Godswill Akpabio Stadium must have endured difficult spells watching their darling team.
What the expectant fans went through was expected because preparations for the match, which began with the invitation of the players, left so much to be desired. After so much dilly-dallying, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed former international Finidi George as the substantive coach of the Super Eagles. He was immediately given the mandate to qualify the team for the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup.
The choice of George, who had assisted the immediate past coach, Jose Peseiro, for two years, didn’t inspire confidence in many Nigerians who questioned his competence. Well, despite the pessimism, it was decided that Finidi should be given a chance to lead the team. Therefore, he was unveiled by the NFF at a colourful ceremony in Abuja.
His first assignment was to invite the best players to camp for the clash with South Africa and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. When the list was released, it drew condemnation from many football analysts who questioned the exclusion of some key players. Of course, many are aware that the MVP at the last AFCON, William Troost-Ekong, had surgery not long ago, so there weren’t many complaints over his exclusion. However, when the player himself came out to say he was ready to play, many wondered why Finidi hurriedly excluded him.
Apart from Ekong and Omeruo, Ola Aina, who made the CAF Best eleven at the 2023 AFCON, was also overlooked without any good reason. So, many wondered out loud how the defence of the Super Eagles would look against South Africa. But Finidi’s body language right from the beginning showed clearly that he was going to make bold decisions.
Therefore, last Friday, it didn’t surprise some of us when the coach produced a line-up against South Africa that raised more questions than answers. The defence that has remained a huge suspect in the present Super Eagles was composed of defenders with doubtful abilities. In fact, the youngster, Benjamin Tanimu, who, until recently played for Bendel Insurance, was listed to make a competitive debut for Nigeria.
So, with Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Tanimu, the South Africans kept slicing through the Super Eagles defence like hot knife through butter. Sadly, Zwane scored Bafana Bafana’s goal unchallenged.
In fact, in the course of the match, it was obvious that the defence line was missing the rich experience of Ekong, who did a yeoman’s job at the last AFCON. Without undermining their efforts, the defenders most times failed to push up to keep the South Africans at bay.
They sat back to absorb pressure while the midfielders disappeared due to the physical presence of Teboho Mokoena, Yaya Sithole, and Themba Zwane, who snatched the middle of the park from them.
Therefore, many wondered why the ‘armoured tank’ Frank Onyeka was kept on the bench throughout the match. During the AFCON in Cote d’ Ivoire, he literally battled the hard as nail South Africans to a standstill in the midfield.
And when the news broke that the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, was going to miss the match due to injury, many felt it will be a golden opportunity for Victor Boniface, who missed the AFCON as a result of injury, to lead the Super Eagles’ attack.
Surprisingly, Boniface, who did exceptionally well in the just concluded Bundesliga and Europa League with Bayer Leverkusen, inexplicably warmed the bench, while Paul Onuachu struggled to make an impression. Even when the Super Eagles were desperate to score, Finidi didn’t deem it fit to bring on Boniface. His reliance on off form Kelechi Iheanacho was another risky decision by the coach.
It is now obvious that Finidi has come with the will to make some changes in the team. He wants to make courageous decisions like handing Tanimu and Fisayo Dele-Bashuru competitive debuts, who scored the equaliser. But he must tread cautiously. Otherwise, it will backfire, and those who vehemently opposed his appointment will be vindicated.
Anyway, come tomorrow, the Super Eagles will take on the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan. Finidi needs no seer to tell him what is at stake. It is a must-win match, so he has to field his best legs to prosecute the match. Of course, coaches sometimes take risks to win matches, but taking too many at a time can be counter-productive at times.
Although I am yet to lose faith in the coach, the NFF should quickly resolve the issues in its contract with Daniel Amokachi, who was announced as Finidi’s assistant. The senior national team is too big for a greenhorn to handle alone. Amokachi’s wealth of experience and familiarity with the Super Eagles will help the team a great deal. So, I am calling on the NFF to expedite action on the ‘demeaning contract’ for ‘Da Bull’ to come on board to help salvage what is left of Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
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