A new Super Eagles!
I am missing Nigeria at the ongoing World Cup 2026.
If Nigeria had managed, somehow, to qualify and to be participating, the Super Eagles, under Eric Chelle, and with the increasing number of gifted Nigerian players caught in Eric’s scouting web around Europe these past few months, would have been one of the teams to beat in this World Cup.
I am truly excited about the emerging new Eagles after the World Cup. Their prospects in Africa and in the world in the next decade are very high and promise great excitement and success! Watch out!
World Cup unites the world
Meanwhile, in the past two weeks, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has provided a healthy feast, a soothing and healing balm for a world that was miserably embroiled in many self-inflicted conflicts amongst nations and peoples, before then.
Then came the World Cup.
At a point, many of us wondered if the global event would even take place at all.
Since the kick-off on June 11, however, the world has set aside many of its problems and embraced the single human activity that has defied divisions and differences, and continues to bring humanity together in true celebration of friendship.
Also Read: Super Eagles: Missed At The World Cup! — Odegbami
In the terraces of stadia scattered across North America, in local bars, fun parks and on the streets of host cities, those following the FIFA World Cup matches have seen more than enough evidence to conclude that Sport, indeed, has the power to unite people like no other activity. Even political ‘enemies’ have mellowed down their rhetorics and actions, in order to be accommodate the prevailing spirit of healthy competition being demonstrated by countries on the field of ‘battle’.
Football has become the essential reminder that the earth can be a beautiful place to live in peace and harmony with one another if humanity will only imbibe the lessons derivable from the impact of ‘the beautiful game’.
I have read in some media reports that Scottish fans went on a drinking binge on the night their team was humbled by Brazil. They still happily emptied all the beer in the bars around Boston where their team played. That is the spirit encapsulated in the Olympic charter, one that acknowledges and celebrates participation either in blissful victory or in painful defeat!
Aside that, the matches of the World Cup have been unpredictable and dramatic.
The best teams!
African teams have put up a mixed bag of performances. They have also confirmed that African teams can no longer be under-rated. Winning the World Cup is definitely now within sight and touching distance.
The performances of Morocco, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt and Cape Verde have been impressive. Ghana showed awesome discipline and fighting spirit against England. DR Congo have been super athletes, running and fighting with determination. Senegal were in a most difficult group and could not fly!
On the whole, as the last matches of the Group stage are to be concluded this weekend, a few teams have stood out, albeit it temporarily, to me – France, Argentina, Holland, Mexico.
Where would I wager my bet?
The frontline of France appears to me to be a little bit sharper, faster and more inventive than all the others. With Mbape and Tembele, the French look unstoppable by most defenses.
Lionel Messi
Can a tree make a forest? In his case he can.
Messi is a god! He is the only player in the world now who plays completely freely, without guidance and as economically as he chooses on the field. He walks and struts as he pleases, with an occasional sudden burst of dangerous speed on the field as he pleases. Planning to mark him has been a challenge for opposing managers.
Also Read: Fed. Govt, Allen Onyema To Immortalize Stephen Keshi! — Odegbami
Messi is treated with reverence on the field by his team.
I also think that his presence makes the entire Argentine team to play with bewildering ease, with calmness and confidence bordering on arrogance. They play as if they are ordained champions already.
England don’t have enough great talent in their overrated team.
Germany are loaded with many young players and an aged goalkeeper. They can’t win big.
Holland are dangerous, look good during this championship but have no history and experience to cross the finish line unscathed.
I can’t wait for the Group of 32 to start! Thats when the men will be separated from the boys.
My final thoughts – The NSC and NFF collaboration
I miss the Super Eagles!
A few days ago, I read about the contribution of the National Sports Commission to the future of football in Nigeria through interventions that point progressively northward.
The improvement and extension of the contract of Eric Chelle, the Manager of the Super Eagles (now to also handle the Olympic Eagles); the improvement of the prize moneys for the Nigerian Professional League; the interventions on how the domestic leagues will now be run with consideration for improved wages for the players; and so on. For a sector that has not known much visible and measurable improvements for many years the NSC’s current reported intervention is very much welcome.
I hear that these interventions are being done with the active participation of the NFF. Should they not ‘report’ the NSC to FIFA as interfering in their internal affairs, I hope they will embrace also amending the constitution of the Federation to accommodate all bona fide constituencies, as well as present equal representation of its members ( one each) in the electorate of future elections.
These will be the greatest achievement of the NSC!
