As soon as once more, our darling nationwide crew, Tremendous Eagles, are on the stage the place they must chase a comfort bronze medal on the Africa Cup of Nations.
I tag it ‘Birthright Bronze’ as a result of now we have received a report eight AFCON third place matches through the years and we’ll hunt for the ninth this weekend in Morocco.
So it needs to be, after the Eagles did not fly towards the AFCON 2025 host nation’s crew, The Atlas Lions of Morocco this previous Wednesday.
So unhappy, I used to be and nonetheless am (repeatedly) that our star-studded crew couldn’t rise to the event when it mattered most. Somewhat than soar, they lived as much as their ignoble type of disappointing us when expectations about their chances are high highest.
It amazes me, although, that Nigerian soccer followers nonetheless hold boasting about this crew and can put their cash on them so confidently (blindly?) all within the identify of help.
Sure, I do prefer to help my crew, however I can’t do it blindly. So, as a substitute of claiming, ‘I’m positive we’ll beat Morocco,’ I most popular retorting, ‘I hope we’ll beat Morocco.’
That needs to be the chorus for Nigerian soccer stalwarts henceforth, in terms of supporting the Tremendous Eagles, particularly contemplating that no fan can enter the sphere to have a hand in deciding how the crew will play.
All the identical, I assume the incurable Nigerian optimist will need to have been buoyed by the euphoria of seeing how the Eagles soared majestically into the semi-finals as the highest scoring crew of this event – and two of our gamers had been within the operating for the award of highest purpose scorer.
On the identical time, Eric Chelle deserves an extended and loud spherical of applause for turning our squad right into a technically balanced crew that may dictate the tempo of any recreation they step into. That they did it gracefully and raised our hope, then sometimes deflated us on Wednesday.
Sadly, it was the sport that mattered most earlier than the ultimate. Sadly, within the true type of the standard Nigerian crew, Chelle’s Eagles reminded us that they excel when they’re written off and flop when everybody expects them to shine. So, they acquired to the river and refused to drink the bountiful provide of soothing liquid accessible.
Speak about failing on the level of success – the Tremendous Eagles are masters of it. So, it’s excessive time for us to all the time keep in mind this oddity when it’s time to help our crew. So, subsequent day trip, as a substitute of boasting that we’ll defeat the opponent ‘convincingly,’ let’s converse humbly and pray that every thing will work collectively for good.
Sadly, issues didn’t work collectively for good on Wednesday – as a result of the weather of soccer wished to show us recent classes about tips on how to play the sport deftly on and off the pitch.
That’s why our squad had their worst efficiency of this competitors – they usually acquired what they deserved. I give that verdict based mostly on the next observations:
1. Our gamers had been so clumsy with their passes and ball management.
2. They had been heavy in reacting to 50-50 balls.
3. The assault was blunt and their depth was low.
4. Our frontline had solely on shot at purpose and no single run into the field.
5. We dedicated too many errors whereas transferring into our opponents’ half.
6. Our greatest gamers had very sordid off days on the unsuitable time.
Different observations for me embody how Victor Osimhen confirmed that he doesn’t play effectively when he wears the skipper’s band, Adams Akor confirmed that he wants ball holding abilities, Ademola Lookman performs higher as a winger and now we have to rapidly begin grooming a alternative for Wilfred Ndidi.
Then again, kudos to the 4 defenders – Bruno Onyemachi, Brilliant Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi and (most particularly) Calvin Bassey – for retaining us within the recreation for 120 minutes. Thumbs up too for an improved present by Stanley Nwabali (however nonetheless room for enchancment).
Sadly, regardless of all of the tactical acumen Chelle confirmed in Nigeria’s first 5 matches at this competitors, I used to be shocked to see him commit such mundane errors when it got here to penalties … particularly as he must have learnt a number of classes from final 12 months’s loss to DR Congo through the identical route.
1. I’m not a coach, however I do know that left-footed gamers are normally suspect at penalties. So, why ship Samuel Chukwueze on at that essential level of the sport?
2. Our prime striker is a second ranked penalty selection at his membership in Europe. So, why pull Victor Osimhen out of the sport at that essential time limit?
These are two pricey questions that the solutions ought to have include frequent sense. Sadly, Eric Sekou Chelle didn’t present the proper solutions on Wednesday … and now he has fallen from the sting of glory to the depth of uncertainty.
