Football Nigeria -- Eagles Etcetera

When CAF announced months ago that the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) would suddenly include 24 instead of 16 teams, many frowned at the move. There were those who immediately predicted a watered down AFCON, an AFCON where the big guns will destroy the minnows, and several unwatchable games. Yet, by the time the 24-team event ended in Egypt, those doom day forecasts have suddenly disappeared under the pit of dystopia from where it had raised its ugly head. The new reality is that so little differentiates the so-called big guns and the imagined minnows of African football. The difference is simply the narrow margin that determines who has opportunity to win the entire thing and those who struggle to get to that point of opportunity. Why the Gap Has Closed One thing is clear, the narrowed gap between the supposed big guns and the imagined minnows should have been apparent to those who cared to observe in the recent past. The Confederation's diligent move to establish the ...

Egypt -- Odion Ighalo scored his fifth goal to match Rashidi Yekini's Nigerian record set at the 1994 tournament and it was all that was needed for Nigeria to finish third ahead of Tunisia. However, the disappointment of having to appear in this third place game put the damper on the win. Apart from some sparkle early and then late, this game was played under a cloud of inconsequentiality. Although the team rallied to win, it is obvious that a significant number of Nigerians are baying for the Coach to be fired. The Federation has indicated that Coach Rohr will see his contract through December but knowing the fluidity of the Nigerian environment, nothing should be considered certain. This match, in large part, reflects the angst of the Nigerian public. The inability of the Nigerian team to dominate possession over its opponents was , again, evident. In none of Nigeria's four games, after the group phase, has the team controlled possession. Against Tunisia, the story was the ...

Cairo, EGYPT -- Nigeria's quest for a championship crumbled today in Cairo, Egypt as the Super Eagles lost 1-2 to Algeria. Now, Nigeria is left to vie for third-place in the 2019 AFCON against the Tunisians who also lost in the other semi-final. Nigeria was outplayed in this game and the deciding goal deep into injury time reflected much of the play. Nigeria was, again, dominated in terms of ball possession but this time the opponent repeatedly had opportunities which they could not put away. At least on two separate occasions, before the half hour mark, Nigeria was lucky to keep the game at 0-0. Eventually, the ball found its way into Nigeria's net. It came in the 39th minute. Collins had been beaten badly by Mahrez on the right but it appeared that the Nigerian defense was in position to defend Mahrez's cross. Instead, William Ekong deflected the cross beyond his own goalkeeper and into the net.  Nigeria looked revived in the second half with Alex Iwobi becoming ...

Cairo, Egypt -- A late goal by William Ekong, who had received the captain's armband just six minutes earlier, when he hit home a cornerback from substitute Moses Simon put Nigeria through to the semi-final. At last, it seems Gernot Rohr's decision to bring in Moses for Musa worked its magic. Musa was repeatedly getting past his man but his final ball on crosses was either overhit or intercepted. Remarkably,  hitting a cross accurately was exactly what substitute Moses did. Although, Simon was fortuitous because the South African goalkeeper Williams had inexplicably missed the cross entirely presenting Ekong with the easiest of goals. Nigeria had appeared better in the opening half, surprisingly passing the ball better than the South Africans and winning the ball easier than expected in the recovery phase. Importantly, the much vaunted South African team speed was shackled as Nigeria closed down the spaces and Percy Tau was virtually erased. Deservedly, Nigeria went ahead af...

Alexandria, EGYPT -- In one of the most memorable game in the Nigeria v Cameroon series, Nigeria overcame Cameroon 3-2 to reach the quarter final of the AFCON. The game had several moments that will be long remembered and kept many on the edge of their seats until the very end. With Manager Gernot Rohr's job under threat, he lived to manage yet another game. Today, he proved the critics wrong on two factors that the critics had proclaimed as his great failings. First, his team, derided for inability to score goals, produced three of them today against the defending champion. Second, his team came back from being behind in a competition game. The way the game began, Nigeria was clearly the better team as they pressed high and had Cameroon chasing the ball all of the field. It looked like Nigeria was about to overrun Cameroon. That Nigeria went ahead after 18 minutes was a goal long in coming. It was Ighalo. You may debate whether he was attempting to shoot or that it may have ...