Super Eagles of Nigeria Heading To Glory In Cote D’Ivoire 2023 Tomorrow!

By Sportsgister

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are not at their best form, in the last few years and they need to opt for their first game in the AFCON on Sunday at the Olympic stadium of Ebimbé, Abidjan against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau.

A quick look at the possibilities the Nigerian squad has, in defending its nation on Day 1.

Jose Peseiro with a big opportunity to start very strong in the AFCON on Sunday, as Nigeria faces Equatorial Guinea and proves his numerous critics wrong.

IN GOAL

Who Nigeria starts in goal will determine if the defense will start with pressure from behind or not. Peseiro has his plan for this position and he and his technical department alone can tell who they decide to use amongst Nwabili, Uzoho, and Olorunleke.

DEFENCE

Coming out with a MOM as a defender surely depends on how many risks and sacrifices you are ready to stake for your team after 90 minutes.

Peseiro has gifted wingbacks in his defense but we’ve not yet seen them on fire for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and we hope these young guys show the class they claim to be, by covering the defense and as well running the wings. The options for the coach in this position are many. Bassey, the bullish wing-back, Zeid the explosive flying wing-back, Aina the versatile engine house, and Onyemaechi are several good choices the coach has to choose from.

The central defense of Nigeria has become very shaky when playing against quick wingers and strikers who play on the break. We are hoping Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo sacrifice themselves like the days they ‘first’ represented Nigeria, then things might be stable again at the Super Eagles’ back. The combination, Peseiro decides to use, come Sunday, he will have Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Ajayi, Bright-Osaye, and Awaziem to change the narrative from behind. Super Eagles not conceding a goal in a game is possible, if these defenders selected for these positions are bent on coming out clean on Sunday.

MIDFIELD

Of a truth, the Super Eagles of Nigeria cannot boast of great midfielders like Austin Jay jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh till date. But the absence of the engine room of the midfield of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Wilfred Ndidi, is supposed to be a moment Jose Peseiro could apply creativity in the midfield and start this AFCON in style.

Given the midfield players at his disposal at the AFCON, if Jose Peseiro would be bold enough to start playing with 3 of his midfielders, then the team could start on a strong note.

Iwobi, Onyeka, Onyedika, Aribo, and Yusuf are gifted well enough to hold the game on every level for Nigeria on the opening day. Onyeka has so much to offer the team in that middle and the coach has to let these midfield marshalls know they owe Nigeria a good game and make Ndidi also smile watching as they dominate the midfield of the Djurtus of Equatorial Guinea.

ATTACK

Nigeria is believed to currently be so gifted with talented attackers which normally should scare any defense. Have they proved that point so far? No. The Super Eagles’s attack remains a shadow of itself when they play against any team that stays behind to match them. Musa, Osimhen, Moses, Chukwueze, and Co., should know, this isn’t about the pride of any individual player any longer. It is about making a difference as a national team player in the Nations Cup that matters now.

The Super Eagles have a clear winning record against Equatorial Guinea and should let that winning joy against them continue.

Equatorial Guinea on the other hand aren’t just spoilers but have a big ambition. They played in the last round of 8 in 2021 and had been in the semifinals in 2015.

They love upsetting giant teams and the Super Eagles of Nigeria are their next target. Their powerhouse is from behind with their hard-tackling Sául Coco. They are a deadly force in the second half.

If need be, Nigeria will be ready to give Jose Peseiro a taste of the Holy Ghost, so he can clear his eyes and make the best selection, come tomorrow.

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