The Africa Cup of Nations is here again, this time two-time winners Ivory Coast are the hosts. The Nigerian Super Eagles are preparing to fight their way to the final and probably win the trophy, not because of the solidity of their preparation. , the quality of the friendlies, the pedigree of the coaching staff, but for the providential character that has been granted to us as a country. By having some very sensible players in the mold of Victor Osimhen and the enthusiasm of the German League, Victor Bonifacio, of Bayer Leverkusen.
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But winning the Africa Cup of Nations or even the primary football tournaments goes beyond the quality of the players and coaches, it also implies responsibilities in the football management of the country, cascading on the part of the Minister of Sports: his dynamism, his personality, from his air of mystery and his influence within the president’s office to the aura of the president of the Football Federation, the tactical intensity of the coaching staff and, very importantly, the commitment, passion, courage, energy, technique and pitch of the team. players separately and collectively.
Another major factor in winning tournaments is the quality of the opposition.
Today in Africa, the current champions are the Teranga Lions of Senegal, and FIFA’s global ranking places them ahead of Nigeria. Morocco is a country that is expected to stand out thanks to the very good performance of the Atlas Lions at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. , where they qualified for the semi-finals.
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The host country, Côte d’Ivoire, is a candidate because it has a mythical youth football culture, spitting out wonderful legends from beyond such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Omar Ben Sallah and Abdullahi Traore.
Among the contenders for each edition are the six-time winners, The Pharaohs of Egypt. Not only have they ingrained a strong club football culture at home, but they also own the continent’s most productive groups in Al Ahli, the former Ahli National and Zamalek Sporting Club. They have been home to generations of legends such as goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, Hossam Hassan Hussein and one of the biggest African exporters to the English Premier League today, Liverpool’s Mohammed Sallah. It’s not recognising Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, the southern African Percy Tau, the three-time Cameroon champion with André Onana and Bayern Munich’s Choupo-Moting.
Even with all these great players, no country is guaranteed to excel without the tactical prowess of their coaches. Here we are talking about the formation and style of play of a team. Gernot Rohr, for instance, when he was the Super Eagles gaffer, was accused of not being offensive enough in the team’s play. Peseiro has also been criticized for a weak defence and choice of sloppy, error-prone goalkeepers like Francis Uzoho.
José Peseiro, head coach of the Super Eagles
But with the abundance of talent Nigeria has today, how do we evolve a team that defends well, enforces a good defensive midfield wall and even without the mercurial skills of Jay Jay Okocha, creates defence-splitting passes to feed Osimhen and Boniface?
In the absence of a winning team and a strategy with the coaching staff, I would recommend Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabili in goal, as the South African league tests you quite a bit, especially as a first-team goalkeeper. Football in the African Cup of Nations is difficult, difficult and rigorous. I’m not sure if Francis Uzoho is that tough and robust, or if he can concentrate optimally for 90 minutes in the African climate.
Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi are experienced and will be a smart 4 for me. Wilfred Ndidi sits in front of the back 4, while Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho play in the back 8 and 10. Of course, the 3 attackers will be Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor. . Osimhen, who leads the attack.
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Tactically, the definitive transition from defence to attack is not only extremely key, it is also imperative. And on the field of play, Ndidi and “Senior Man” Iheanacho must assume leadership on the pitch and service the attackers.
After attending 12 AFCON tournaments and 6 World Cups between Spain 1982 and South Africa 2010, I suppose we have acquired an instinct and a sixth sense that orients us towards the winners, the contenders and the contenders for the title. I dare say that countries like Cameroon, Cape Verde and Ghana may just be surprises of the tournament, even if they weren’t at the top of the rankings.
As a note of caution, I was in Ivory Coast in 1984 when the Super Eagles boasted of the likes of Stephen Keshi, Emmanuel Okala, Muda Lawal, and Henry Nwosu and Cameroon knocked us out in the final with a star-studded team that comprised of Thomas Nkono, Stephen Tataw Eta, Djonkep Bonaventure and Francois N’Doumbe Lea. Super Eagles were overpowered by their stars. The reverse is the case today. We have the stars like Osimhen and Ndidi.
Can we defeat Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and the host Ivory Coast? Will dollar problems and officials’ greed distract the team? Is there any possibility related to Nigerian sports presidents and ministers in our favor in the tournaments?
In less than 14 days, the games will start in Abidjan, and then the real challenge will begin. I dare say that the success or failure of the Super Eagles will depend not only on the technical and tactical methods in the box, but also on the diplomacy, politics, management and positivity of all Nigerians towards the team. As we head into battle, I love the new jerseys, but the players want to know that wearing those jerseys means they bring the hopes, dreams, and pride of two hundred million. We can only reprimand them and say, “Super Eagles are flying, fly!”
Dr. Danladi Bako (the Grandmaster) has attended six FIFA World Cup finals and 12 AFCON tournaments and was President of the Sokoto State Football Association from 2000 to 2003.