Is AFCON 2021 Coming Home? By Ibiremi Ibikunle
Shoddy preparations – check; missing key players – check; uncertain local fanbase- check; cautious expectations – check, Nigeria has headed to the 2021 African Cup of Nations as dark horses. In the race for continental glory, not many expect the Super Eagles to emerge victoriously, but that could be the fuel for triumph.
The timing of the dismissal of immediate Super Eagles coach, Franco-German Gernot Rohr has been criticised as the NFF didn’t seem to have a hold on the situation. Although Nigerians weren’t certain about Rohr’s outputs again and accepted the news of his dismissal on the 12th of December, the decisions that followed his sack have left many disillusioned.
Following this, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed a former Super Eagle coach and current Technical Director of the NFF, Austin Eguavoen as the Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles on an interim basis. Cerezo’s choice has divided fans’ opinions but many see it as a convenient option for the federation.
On 2021 Christmas day, while people celebrated the yuletide in their homes, Eguavoen gave Nigerians jollof rice and chicken, after all, that’s as Nigerian in identity as the Super Eagles too. He released the full list of its provisional 28-man squad for the 2021 AFCON which is set to take place in Cameroon from 9 January to 6 February 2022. What followed Eguavoen’s beggar’s belief but in the fullness of time, has proven to situations we’d rather sulk over or accept.
Attacker Victor Osimhen, arguably Nigeria’s biggest and best player at the moment tested positive for COVID-19. His resolve to play at the AFCON got extinguished. Days after Osimhen was declared unavailable, Watford reiterated their stance on not releasing Emmanuel Dennis, Nigeria’s best player in Europe at the moment. In popular Nigeria social media street parlance, it’s a pot of beans.
Hit or Miss: The List
The release of the list comes after the controversial withdrawal of one of Nigeria’s finest forward, Osihmen. Aside Osihmen, NFF also confirmed that three other players were out of the squad including Dennis, Leon Balogun, and Shehu Abdullahi. The good news was that they were immediately replaced by Henry Onyekuru, Peter Olayinka, Semi Ajayi, and Tyrone Ebuehi. To Nigerians, to date, this isn’t considered very good news.
Despite all these, preparations to become Africa’s Champions for the fourth time has continued. Late arrivals have emerged. Early birds have been seen but just when you think your eyes are fixated on the next phase, the NFF throws the hat again.
During the holidays, NFF endorsed a proposal by its Technical and Development sub-committee for the appointment of Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
Recently, NFF Boss, Amaju Pinnick announced that Peseiro will be heading to Garoua with two assistant coaches, adding that “He’s a big coach and he’s very, very hungry for success.” However, he won’t be in charge.
On Wednesday night the Super Eagles squad left Abuja for Garoua, Cameroon (the country hosting the 2021 AFCON). The squad included 25 players with initial expectations that three others including Odion Ighalo, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Jamiliu Collins will join the team later.
Thursday came with nailed coffins, in the case of Odion Ighalo. There was a change in gear as NFF confirmed in a statement that “forward Odion Ighalo is no longer expected as a result of issues with his Saudi Arabian club,” and can’t be replaced because of the timing. This leaves Nigeria narrow and thin with barely two attackers in the team in Taiwo Awoniyi and Umar Sadiq. Will they deliver? Time will tell.
In 2019, Odion announced his retirement from international football but Pinnick hinted his return for the 2021 AFCON campaign.
However, things are currently not working as played as the major names in the squad have withdrawn. Nigerians are at the nadir of expectations. Whatever happens now won’t be a surprise but that’s where their strength lies.
Are Nigerians hopeful of becoming Champions again? That will play out as Super Eagles take on Egypt on Tuesday, January 11; Sudan on Saturday, January 15; and Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, January 19 to scale through the group stage of the race.
Nevertheless, Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa has assured Nigerians of going past the group stage.
“Everyone is talking about Salah but if you look at our team, we have lots of players they will be worried about,” Musa said.
“So, we don’t have to think about Salah, they have to think about our own players.
“They talk about Salah but we have players like Samuel Chukwueze and others on the wings who are very dangerous – so that’s football.”
An AFCON triumph for Nigeria will border on the miraculous but it’s football, the unexpected has its room.
