AFCON

Consistently inconsistent Super Eagles give Guinea-Bissau the impetus to dream dreams

Published

9 months ago

December 23, 2023

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

As it was last year at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations played in Cameroon, the Nigeria Super Eagles will again play against Guinea Bissau in their last group match at the same competition holding next month in Cote d’Ivoire.

Thus, the 22 January 2024 match at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan will be a match of familiar foes as both also met in the qualifying series in Abuja and Bissau.

Undoubtedly, Guinea Bissau gave Nigeria a big scare in what ordinarily could had been a stroll in the park.

The country previously known as Portuguese Guinea shocked the Super Eagles with a 1-0 defeat in Abuja before the Nigerian side laboured to a 1-0 revenge days later in Bissau courtesy of a 30^th minute penalty kick.

Giving the Super Eagles a tough time in the qualifying series has given Guinea Bissau the drive to dream. They are grouped along with the other Guinea

While this is Nigeria’s 20^th Africa Cup of Nations, Guinea Bissau are in the competition for the fourth time and had never made it past the group stage.

They now dream dreams, possibly because of their performance against Nigeria in the qualifying round as well as the fluctuating forms of the Super Eagles who lack consistency in performance.

Guinea Bissau’s key player is Mama Samba Balde. He scored the 29^th minute goal with which they beat Nigeria in Abuja earlier this year.

He remains the country’s best export playing for Olympique Lyonnais, commonly referred to as simply FC Lyon. Balde is an explosive winger who is comfortable on the ball with both feet and possesses great abilities of eliminating his opponents.

The Nigerian defence line will attest to this if they reflect on their qualifying match of 24 March in Abuja.

Baldé possesses a great physique which works to his advantage in tight duels and highly physical defenders. In addition to his crossing ability, he also has a knack for goals when in good goalscoring positions. Nigeria Francis Uzoho will not forgive him as he blasted into Nigeria’s goal in the 24 March 2023 match in Abuja.

AFCON

Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.

It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.

Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.

The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.

The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.

Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.

AFCON

‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful!’, Rev Ikpea calls on football fans to rally round Super Eagles

Published

13 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.

Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.

“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.

“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”

“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.

“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.

AFCON

Will Super Eagles regain their winning mentality?

Published

15 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10^th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.

Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.

A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.

Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.

The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.

A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.