Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-05 11:06:11
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angola on Friday. Ademola Lookman’s first-time left-footed finish in the 41st minute, courtesy of an assist from Moses Simon, secured the victory for Nigeria in the quarter-final match.
Although this was the Super Eagles’ fifth game of the tournament, five players from the 25-man squad have yet to see any playing time. Olorunleke Ojo, a goalkeeper from the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), has struggled to dislodge the first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and backup Francis Uzoho. Despite his accolades in the NPFL, Ojo’s lack of international experience has limited his opportunities.
Bruno Onyemaechi, a left-back from Boavista in Portugal, has also struggled to find playing time due to the strong performances of Zaidu Sanusi. The Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, has yet to feature in any games, but coach Jose Peseiro has emphasized Musa’s importance as a leader for the team.
Kelechi Iheanacho, a striker from Leicester City in England, has also been held back by a muscle injury and has not seen any playing time in the tournament so far. Finally, Terem Moffi of OGC Nice in France was initially not included in the final 25-man squad but was brought in as a replacement for an injured player.
As Nigeria prepares to face South Africa in the semi-final, these five players will be looking for a chance to make an impact on the field. Despite their limited playing time in the tournament so far, Peseiro has emphasized their importance to the team and their potential contributions beyond the pitch. With two more matches to play, these players remain hopeful for an opportunity to showcase their abilities and make an impact in the African Cup of Nations.
