Having watched the opening match and some matches in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote’d Ivoire, I observed that African football has come of age and the era of minnows in the tournament has gone.
Of course the host played good football against Guinea Bissau in the opening game but their next match against Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday would be a litmus test for the host.
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Although the Eagles failed to fly in their opening match and their performance was not too bad against Equatorial Guinea compared to other countries in other groups.
We controlled the game, especially in the second half unfortunately the three-time Africa champions were wasteful in front of goals.
Many football stakeholders have written the Eagles off on Thursday’s match but my take on the match is that the Eagles would win or at worst draw.
The host would play before their teeming fans and they would be under pressure especially if the Eagles could get an early goal avoid conceding an early goal or possibly cage the host in the first half, Nigeria would win the game, I repeat Nigeria will win the game and at worst draw.
My advice for Peseiro is to stick by the players that played against Equatorial Guinea except one or two players can be replaced.
The danger of this match is that failure to win or draw, Nigeria may be on the verge of eliminating from the group stage so it is going to be a Cup final for both West African countries.
The players are not happy after playing a draw with Equatorial Guinea. In their training session on Monday, the faces of the players were gloomy and they even had serious discussions ahead of Thursday’s match.
The Eagles know that they have disappointed soccer-loving Nigerians in their opener and they want to do everything to redeem its image in their next game. Like I said Eagles would be more desperate against the host and knowing full well that anything short. of victory would put them in a dangerous position on the table.
It is a match to watch and Nigerians should not lose hope on the team. Let’s wait and see what would happen on Thursday. Wishing Nigeria all the best.
