The stage is set for ‘War’.Between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the AFCON Gold trophy of 2023 stands an old formidable foe.
They respect Nigerian players, but not Nigerian football.
They always think the football in their country is of a better brand than Nigeria’s. What bothers them is that they cannot understand why the statistics of matches between the two neighbouring countries is heavily in favour of Nigeria, although at AFCON the ‘scores’ are even, 3-3.
The Indomitable Lions must fall tonight in Abidjan for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to glean better the realisation of my assertion before AFCON 2023 began, that this is an edition specially designed by the Elements for the Eagles to win it. They have Cameroun as hurdle to climb over to achieve ultimate success.
Abidjan is set for that ‘War’, a neutral battleground for the two teams. Except for Victor Osimhen, neither teams boast of truly outstanding stars coming to the championship. Even Victor is still trying to find his feet and cope with the huge responsibility that comes with the tag of Africa’s current best player. He has not justified it yet at the AFCON.
Both teams have been unconvincing in their games so far. They both need to win this do-or-die encounter to earn respect and sustain their reputation and exalted place in African football despite the current surge of ambitious new entrants into the club of ‘giants’.
The good news from the Eagles’ camp is that all the players are now fully fit. Injured ones have fully recovered and the psychological burden of being halted at the group stage has been lifted off their shoulders.
Fortunately for Jose Paseiro, a classic Cameroun/Nigeria match has little to do with a coach’s input and any coaching for that matter. Both teams know this. They are usually psychologically so pumped up that the matches often are brutally physical battles. The players get their motivation, determination and strategy from the energy the match generates. This match tonight will not be an exception.
This could very easily be the best match both teams will play at AFCON because of the acute rivalry involved, but at the end only one will survive. I will not be surprised if the match is settled with penalty kicks.
It will be interesting though to find out what Paseiro’s first team will look like with all his players now fit and available. So far, he has shuffled players around and left no one with any clear idea who will make his first team.
Osimhen will be tested to the limit!
Victor Osimhen does not have a history of great performances at AFCON. This is his second visit and it has been difficult for him to find his feet, even though he is working very hard in every game.
The match tonight, in my estimation, will test him to the limit. It will show his mental strength – how he manages the pressures he faces in not living up to his pre-tournament reputation; his ranking as the best player in the continent; and the player most relied on by his nation to deliver AFCON 2023.
It is not going to be easy for him, and will even get more difficult against Cameroun, a very physical, hard tackling and endlessly running team, with ‘intimidation’ as its basic tactic. He has to win for the Super eagles despite the hurdles.
