The Super Eagles of Nigeria, The best attacking side and the second best defense at the ongoing AFCON against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, the host with the most, the second most attacking side and the best defense in AFCON.
The Super Eagles for the third consecutive match lined up the same way except for the suspended skipper, Winfred Ndidi who was replaced by Onyedika, in the adopted 4:3:1:2 formation.
The match started on a rather slow note with both sides expressing caution but in the same way sizing up one another.
As the match progressed the battle was more intense in the middle of the pack. The match was full of suspense, intrigue, physical battles and the vociferous crowd backing the host team.
The Atlas Lions enjoyed the lion share of the ball possession in the first half and also profited from undue advantage offered to them by the center referee.
The second half was more intense with the two teams becoming more aggressive as they search for goals anywhere, anyhow by any means but both defenders were at their defensive best, especially the Nigerian defense and in particular Calvin Bassy who was unfairly booked very early in the first half.
The ball possession looked more balanced and looking like no man’s game, except for the officiating advantage given to Morocco.
A true manifestation of the two most potent attacks as well as most water tight defenses.
A game good enough to be tagged
“Final before Final”
Clearly the two best teams of the tournament having the stored of their boots covering every blade of grass on the very beautiful edifice of a stadium. As the time gradually approached the end Morocco made like 4 substitutions to Nigerian 1.
Towards the end of the match the pressure shifted to the Eagles half but no real threat to the goalkeeper, till the final whistle sounded. The Moroccans dominated possession doing everything possible to win the match in duration time.
Clearly the Super Eagles seriously missed the leadership and stabilizing ability of the inspirational skipper, Ndidi as his replacement Onyedika was overwhelmed by the occasion.
Into 30 minutes of extra time, evidently men have dropped sweat, energy were exhausted and legs were becoming tired yet the intensity never dropped, even some of the best players of the tournament were substituted, players like Brahmin Diaz that have scored in every match before the semifinal. Even the Victor “volcano” Osimhen, Jagun Jagun.
An unbelievable game of football, filled with more drama and entertainment.
At the end of 120 minutes, it was down to the lottery of penalty kicks. Morocco progressed though the lost one of their kicks while Nigeria lost two. A lackluster kick from Chukwueze and another miss kick by Onyemachi, both saved the Buno in goal for the Moroccans.
Morocco won on penalties 4-2.
Conclusion:
The Super Eagles must be commended for a gallant performance in the competition so far.
The Technical crew has also improved the team and quality of play, also adopting formations that have brought out the best out of the players by playing to their strengths.
As predicted, the Super Eagles played not only against the Atlas Lions but also against the crowd and officials.
However, clearly the team needed to improve on the depth on the bench because clearly, the quality of the captain Wilfred Ndidi was missed.
Also it was clear that the coaches were reluctant in making changes because the substitute on the bench were not trusted enough.
Once bitten, Twice shy,
Why must we fall down the same slope twice?
Nigeria lost to DR Congo in the final of the playoffs for the World Cup, now losing again on penalties was not good enough, especially having a goalkeeper that did so well in saving at least one of the kicks.
The team must pick themselves up to play and beat The Pharaoh of Egypt in the 3rd place match.
The match must be seen as another final, having it behind their minds that Nigeria will not be at the World Cup.
Moving forward, there must be a comprehensive technical report to review and appraise the activities of this tournament.
We need to go back to the grassroots because after the 2015 sets of U-17 we have struggled to produce football potentials talk less of stars. We have over relied on abroad brought up.
The Nigerian league must also be improved on by upgrading the standards. Private clubs must be encouraged to develop.
Football Academies must be well certified and censused.
Where heads are supposed to roll, let them go.
In the next NFF elections, later this year, the right set of Football technocrats should be installed into office not politicians.
The Sports Commission and the Football Federation must begin to put machinery in place to prepare for the next AFCON and World Cup qualifiers now, as in now, now.
They must also work with the Federal Government of Nigeria to fix our fading and rotting Sports facilities and infrastructure to be able to host AFCON and other age grade world championships.
Only in the City of Rabat there are 4 very good FIFA standard stadiums.
We can project to replicate this in Lagos and Abuja. Time to start is Now!
