Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-17 03:26:05
The past few days have been filled with excitement for fans of the Super Eagles. Despite not being considered a strong contender before the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, the team surpassed expectations and finished as the second best team at the championship. Upon their return, the team received a warm welcome from their fans, who were eager to show their appreciation for their efforts.
The defeat in the final game against Cote d’Ivoire was disappointing for many fans, but the fact that the team had managed to win back the trust and support of their compatriots was a significant achievement. In the last two years, the Super Eagles had been subject to criticism from Nigerian football fans, who were dissatisfied with the team’s performance and saw them as a poor representation of the country’s game. The Africa Cup of Nations was seen as a turning point that offered the hope of a brighter future for Nigerian football.
One of the optimists who see potential in the Super Eagles is the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau. He expressed his satisfaction that Nigerians had started to support the team again, rather than criticize them as they had in the past. He assured the public that the NFF would continue to uphold the team’s high standards, starting with the selection of a coach.
Segun Odegbami, a former national team captain, also supported the Super Eagles’ journey and believed that the team could reclaim its position among the best in world football. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the positive momentum and making careful choices for the team’s future.
Following the Africa Cup of Nations, many discussions revolved around the need to find a top-quality coach to take over from Jose Peseiro. Reports suggested that the Algeria Football Federation was interested in recruiting Peseiro. However, there were divided opinions on whether Peseiro was the right choice for the position. Some believed that his performance at the AFCON was not satisfactory, while others cautioned against hiring coaches with limited experience.
There were also concerns about the upcoming World Cup qualifier against South Africa and the implications of not qualifying for the competition. It was emphasized that the NFF must make decisions promptly to ensure the team was prepared for the upcoming games.
Overall, the recent success of the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations had brought renewed optimism and support for the team. Now, the focus was on sustaining this positive momentum and making careful choices for the team’s future, including the selection of a coach and preparations for upcoming competitions.
