The Tremendous Eagles have been rated with a 50/50 probability of getting back from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with the trophy, however the gamers should work exhausting so as to enhance their probabilities of successful the ultimate early subsequent yr.
Sports247 experiences that this down-to-earth verdict got here from a teenager and present captain of United Squad Soccer Academy of Kosofe, Lagos, Isiaka Adewale Abiodun, who reckoned additional that the Eagles should add dedication to their expertise so as to grow to be champions of Africa.
He additionally urged Nigerians to wish that Galatasaray of Turkey striker Victor Osimhen wouldn’t undergo any damage throughout the competitors, as he believes the 2023 African Footballer of The 12 months is the Eagles’ greatest asset for victory.
Abiodun, who performs as a striker and adores the fashion of former Chelsea of England hitman, Didier Drogba, aired his views throughout ‘Athlete’s Nook’ on ‘Inside Naija Sports activities,’ a dwell streaming programme through YouTube, from the studio of Sports247 Naija TV, beginning at 11:45am each Friday.
The fast-rising attacker added, “I’ll say it’s a 50% chance for Nigeria at this coming AFCON. I gained’t say we are able to’t win it … as a result of something can occur.
“You will get there, and one thing can change. That is soccer, and everyone is aware of it may possibly generally be humorous.
“You could begin considering that we are able to’t win, after which they get there to shock us. The one drawback is that we rely an excessive amount of on Victor Osimhen.”
The dark-skinned striker, who additionally loves the skilful fashion of former Liverpool of England striker, Fernando Torres, went additional by giving explanation why he offers the Eagles solely a half probability of successful AFCON 2025.
“The potential for us successful this cup just isn’t sure, as a result of we don’t have gamers who work exhausting for victory. Now we have the like of (Ademola) Lookman, (Alex) Iwobi, (Wilfred) Ndidi and so forth, however the principle drawback is that all of them see themselves as ‘large boys.’
“They don’t need to play with all their power, the best way we do in grassroots soccer. They consider that, since they’re taking part in for large golf equipment in Europe, they’ve gained all of it.
“They aren’t considering of serving to their nation. Issues they can’t do at their golf equipment on account of self-discipline, they’ll do it within the Tremendous Eagles, as a result of they consider they’ve arrived on the prime,” Abiodun reasoned.
He concluded by advocating the identical die-hard mentality of Osimhen for all gamers in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad, with a touch that any strategy that falls wanting the Galatasaray star’s all-action fashion would merely go away the Eagles returning house empty handed in January.
“It’s solely Osimhen that provides 100% effort in that workforce, and he offers it for 90 minutes. All our different gamers must do the identical.
“Now we have a few of the finest gamers in Africa. They even gained the earlier two African Participant of The 12 months awards in 2023 and 2024.
“All of them play effectively at their golf equipment however, when it’s time to do it for his or her nation, they at all times loosen up. They do this as a result of they assume they’ve arrived – however they will’t win AFCON with that kind of mentality,” Abiodun pressured.
