AFCON
AFTER THE SCARE, SUPER EAGLES SET FOR OPENING MATCH
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Nigerians were rattled by news from the Super Eagles’ camp last night. While still grappling with the report that many players reacted adversely to the weather condition in Egypt, they also got a more disturbing one that Bordeaux forward Samuel Kalu collapsed in training. Exaggerated stories followed in torrents.
But it turned out that the 21-year-old Eagle suffered dehydration during training and had been confirmed okay after treatment.
The Super Eagles, three-time champions, are expected to put that scare behind them when they face Burundi this evening in Alexandria.
Although they created an earlier panic among their critical fans by losing their last friendly to Senegal 0-1, Gernot Rohr’s team shouldn’t sweat so much over Burundi, who are making their debut in the tournament.
Known as the Swallows in the War, Burundi were lined up against Mali, Gabon and South Sudan in Group C of the qualifiers and managed to win two matches and drew the remaining four to pick Egypt 2019 ticket behind Mali.
Their unbeaten run in that phase should however send danger signals to the Super Eagles and other teams in Group B of this AFCON. Burundi lost their last friendly to Tunisia 1-2 after playing Algeria 1-1.
In the other fixture of the group, Guinea will go up against another debutante Madagascar, the country of CAF President Ahmad.
The farthest Guinea had travelled in Africa’s No 1 tournament was being runners-up when Morocco lifted the crown in Ethiopia 1976 following a final phase round-robin that also involved Nigeria (bronze medalists) and Egypt.
Despite boasting an unbeaten run in the qualifiers (won 3, drawn 3) in a group that paraded log leaders Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde Islands and Rwanda, Guinea lost their last two friendlies: 0-1 to Benin Republic and 1-3 to Egypt.
Madagascar were among the first set of qualifiers for Egypt 2019. In Group A with the continent’s highest rated side Senegal, the Barea proved they are up to the task winning three of the six matches after coming through the preliminary round by beating São Tomé e Príncipe 4-2 aggregate.
In the friendlies for AFCON 2019 however, Madagascar lost two of the three matches (0-1 to Kenya and 1-3 to Mauritania) and forced Luxembourg to 3-3 stalemate.
In Group A, one of the 10 former champions on parade in Egypt 2019, DR Congo will step out against Uganda to start the campaign to win the title for the third time.
The last two times (as Zaire in 1968 and 1974) had been so long away that the present generation of football fans might have forgotten.
In the buildup to this tournament, the Congolese played two friendlies, each ending in deadlock: goalless against Burkina Faso and 1-1 versus Kenya.
With hosts Egypt the next opponents after this match, coach Jean-Florent Ibenge and his squad will like to make the best of this opening fixture.
Uganda’s best performance in this competition is being runners-up way back in 1978 when Ghana hosted and won the title for the third time.
The Cranes may however prove ready this time going by their run in the qualifiers for Egypt 2019.
Uganda posted one of the most inspiring statistics – four wins out of six matches with just one defeat to Tanzania, coached by ex-Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke.
Since concluding the qualifiers, Uganda had featured in the COSAFA Cup, the annual tournament for Southern African national teams organised by Council of Southern Africa Football Associations.
They lost 4-5 to Lesotho and 2-4 to South Africa, both via penalties. Last Saturday however, the Cranes beat Côte d’Ivoire by a lone goal in their last friendly before Egypt 2019 commences.
Today’s fixtures…
Group A:
- DR Congo v Uganda (3:30pm)
Group B:
- Nigeria v Burundi (6pm)
- Guinea v Madagascar (9pm)
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.
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.
The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10th 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.
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