March, 24 2023.
As it is with tradition in all team sports, each success or failure precipitates the compelling need to make an inquest into the performances of the team as a unit and individual players, as squad members.
Following Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, one would have expected that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), players and officials of the Super Eagles, and even the fans would have learnt some lessons.
Rebuilding the team was like a concensus amongst football stakeholders in the country, as there was a glaring need to restructure our beloved Super Eagles.
Ranging from the manner the NFF hired José Peseiro as the man to steer the rebuilding process, the age long syndrome of always owing our coaches, and the seeming lack of commitment by some of the Super Eagles players, football enthusiasts and lovers of round leather game in Nigeria have become very critical of the stuttering of the three-time African Champions.
As if losing the ticket to the Mundial in Qatar in front of home fans in Abuja was not enough, a very uninspiring Super Eagles were at it again, by losing to lowly ranked Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau, at the same MKO Abiola National Stadium.
The defeat foisted on the Eagles by the underdogs, like every failure of Nigeria at any tournament, qualifier or even friendly has elicited a lot of talk, and criticism from all quarters.
Like the 1-1 draw, with which Ghana qualified for the World Cup on the away goal rule, defeat to Guinea Bissau was hard to swallow, and many could only manage to exit the Stadium, without encroaching into the pitch or vandalizing stadium facilities.
While some rated the result as one of the worst by the Super Eagles in a home game, a few others where simply philosophical about the loss, as an omen associated with the proverbial "ides of March".
Irrespective of how it is looked at, a glaring manifestation is that the Super Eagles of late, lacks hunger, and many of the players have not shown sufficient zeal, determination, and the character needed to instill fear into the opponents, and win matches.
Despite having more than 50 minutes to at least salvage a draw and retain top spot in the group, the Eagles rarely played as if anything was at stake. To again disappoint those that came to the Stadium, or were glued to their TV and Transistor Radios to watch and support the players, needs being redressed. There's need for restitution by way of an apology, or refund of money spent on tickets, as it is done in other climes.
Like one of the fans rightly posited, "I am not too happy with this result, we need urgent change and it is glaring that, some players should leave the national team for those who are hungry, a lot of Nigerian players playing both home and abroad, who are willing to put on the green white green jersey".
With the loss, Nigeria has now reclined to second on 6 points, one point adrift of Guinea Bissau, who will host the second leg in Morocco, in four days time. Hopefully, José Peseiro should be able to galvanize his men, and ensure that the Wild Dogs are well beaten. This peharps will help in restoring some of the battered pride of the Super Eagles.
_edited.png)
Comments