Ernest Osogbue.
The lackadaisical world cup qualification, and issues concerning payment of allowances, Victor Osimhen’s uncharacteristic outbursts, and several other unreported matters, had made many Nigerians, including this writer, to give up on the Super Eagles. We had all had it up to here with the regular tantrums of the team, who many Nigerians believe, have been over pampered. These are footballers from mostly humble backgrounds, who are now blessed with a talent that has exposed them to fortunes their families could only have dreamt of. Yet when they represent Nigeria, they go on strike over minor pecuniary issues.
At the last count, President Bola Tinubu had pulled out all the stops, in order to appreciate the team after a second place finish at the 2023 AFCON; houses, lands, national honors, and thousands of dollars in the bank. The president had drawn flack from the opposition for over rewarding a silver medal winning team. Yet, the Super Eagles still grumble and complain when on international duties, embarrassing Nigeria, and dishonoring the nation. This is a team which failed to pick a world cup ticket from a supposedly easy group, and equally failed to make it through the playoffs. Why then does the team hold Nigerians to ransom over money? All these put together finally made some Nigerians to snap, and say ‘to hell with the Super Eagles.’ We don’t care what you do, win, lose, or draw, you are on your own.
You must recall, that the Super Eagles is Nigeria’s number one brand, the darling team of all Nigerians, the number one unifier of the nation. Irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or tribe, Nigerians love the Super Eagles almost to death, and so, the exploits of the team, be it positive or negative, affects the national psyche in unprecedented manners. These expectations put immense pressure on the team to always do well. The players know this, and Nigerians expect it. Since the teams victory at the 2013 AFCON, it was only in 2023, that the Eagles came near to lifting the national mood after winning a silver medal in Cote D’Ivoire. After failing to qualify for the 2026 world cup, however, most Nigerians gave up on the team, especially in the lead up to the current AFCON in Morocco.
Since arriving in Morocco, however, the team has posted a 100 percent record, smashing every team in front of them and scoring plenty of goals. The Super Eagles are currently the top scoring side in the championship with 14 goals in five matches. Suddenly, Nigerians are beginning to take note of their exploits, and most of those who had given up on the team, are becoming more optimistic about their chances and are beginning to sing a different song.
At the last count, veteran sports commentator Charles Anazodo of Supersports, who had distanced himself from the team, over the persistent disgrace it brings to Nigeria over allowances, is beginning to sing a new tune. Billionaire businessman, Abulsamad Abubakar, the chairman of the BUA group, is challenging the team, by promising them thousand of dollars in exchange for a great performance in the remaining games of the championship. The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, an ardent Super Eagles fan, who traveled to Morocco to support the team, now believes that the Eagles can go all the way. He even went further to commend the team for lifting the mood of the nation. Many more Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the teams efforts and are wishing them well. You could suddenly see a shift in the perception of the team in just a matter of days.
You may begin to wonder how this sudden about face came to be? It will surprise you to note that the scintillating performance of the Super Eagles against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the quarter finals of the 2025 AFCON, has suddenly brought renewed hope to Nigerians. Supporters are now more optimistic about the team’s performances and now have the belief that the pain of missing out on the 2026 world cup qualification, could finally be assuaged by the Super Eagles lifting a 4th AFCON title. For the first time in many months, the Super Eagles dazzled the whole world in a manner reminiscent of the 1994 team, which was rated the most entertaining team of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
They caged the Algerian foxes, with the lynchpin, Victor Osimhen a constant threat during the game, supported by Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams. In midfield, Frank Onyeka, alongside captain Wilfred Ndidi, stood strong. Some say that Alex Iwobi, has finally found his groove, after many years of being dismissed as a poor clone of his uncle, Austin Okocha. His precise passing and ball distribution have been the fulcrum on which the Super Eagles have built their exciting attack. At the back, strongman Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, have been the solid foil needed to shield Stanley Nwabali in goal, from unwanted and unwarranted attacks. While the Malian coach Eric Chelle, may not have got the Eagles job via open bidding, Nigerians are beginning to warm to him, and are now willing to give him his flowers. He has at least succeeded in steadying the rocky team he inherited, and a semblance of a core is beginning to emerge from the ashes of the team formerly tutored by the Franco/German coach Gernot Rohr.
It is now obvious that the Super Eagles mean business, if only they could do away with the distractions of paid or unpaid allowances. They must realize that with victory at the AFCON, would come the gratitude of a football crazy nation, rewards from the government, corporate bodies, political figures, individuals, and more. These put together, are more than the allowances for which the team is disgracing Nigeria over. The prayer of all Nigerians is that the team should remain focused, committed, and single minded in the quest for the title. They must remain attentive for 90 minutes, and more if required. They should practice penalties and have the best penalty takers marked out. The coach must have the presence of mind to make the required substitutions when needed in case a game is dragging to penalties. If these steps and others are taken, there’s no doubt that the Super Eagles will soar, and bring joy and happiness to a grateful nation. From here we say soar Eagles soar, and may God bless Nigeria!
