By: Christopher Emenyonu
The Super Eagles crowned their return to the Nest of Champions with an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of São-Tomé and Principe in an AFCON Qualifier.
Osimhen bagged a hat trick, having scored a haul in the reverse fixture in June last year. Taiwo Awoniyi, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze join Osimhen on the scoresheet.
It was indeed a show as promised by the assistant captain of the team, William Troost Ekong who didn’t get to play on the night.
“Hearing that the Governor has very kindly donated all the tickets for the game,it’s a great gesture and makes us feel very welcomed and even more so for us to put on a show for the fans that are going to be here.”
The fans enjoyed the show. The goals, the dribbles, the passes, and the chants of Baloon D’or nominee “Osimhen.”
Nest of Champions is home
The governor of Akwa Ibom state, Umo Eno bought out all the tickets for the match and his people responded by turning up in thousands to the stadium.
The 30,000 capacity was overfilled to the latter. Indeed, it could be called home. The players did enjoy the pitch, the fluidity of passes, and the bounce of the ball. Perhaps, the once-in-a-while comments of “the pitch no good” have come to an end.
And with crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers ahead, it is crucial that the NFF maintain a stadium to be home to the Super Eagles.
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers is next
In November 2023, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers begin. The Super Eagles do have former coach, Gernot Rohr tutored the Benin Republic to face a tough game against South Africa.
It is still on the minds of Nigerians how the team missed out on the Qatar 2022 World Cup – on away goals to Ghana.
When asked if the team is already looking ahead to the qualifiers, stand-in captain Wilfred Ndidi said “We are still hurt about 2022, so we are already talking about it (2026 qualifiers) in camp.”
With the caliber of players in the Super Eagles squad, fans will not accept anything but an automatic qualification to the World Cup which only comes by finishing top of the qualifiers group.
AFCON Qualifier: Osimhen, Awoniyi, Boniface: Blessings abound
Nigerian strikers are on fire. Victor Osimhen bagged a hattrick, Awoniyi scored a beauty, and Victor Boniface laid up Samuel Chukwueze’s goal.
Kelechi Iheanacho assisted Awoniyi’s goal, and Ademola Lookman scored a stunning solo goal. Indeed the blessings abound.
Gift Orban was not involved due to a knock picked up in training, Moses Simon was an unused substitute while a lot of other Nigerian strikers in Europe were not invited.
If Jose Peseiro is having any problems, this one is a good problem. The gaffer is blessed with lots of options and if the players keep firing like this till January, then the 2023 AFCON trophy might be in Nigeria at the end of the tournament.
AFCON Qualifier: Iwobi’s absence, a big hole in the heart
Alex Iwobi was missing from the squad due to an injury. In the last 4 years, the new Fulham man has been the major link of the midfield and attack for the Super Eagles.
Despite putting 6 past their opponents, the reverse fixtures when Alex was involved saw 10 goals scored. And it was obvious in the style of play as everything meaningful came via the wingers – Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Wilfred Ndidi did come up with some of the eye of the needle passes but it was not as smooth. The attacking midfield position is where the Super Eagles have a huge problem even though the defensive part is well marshaled with lots of options.
Jose Peseiro will need to dig into the profile of players in that position to solve this particular problem in the squad.
AFCON Qualifier: Semi Ajayi – Calvin Bassey in the heart of defense
The two players did have a good shift on the night. However, they were not tested and put under pressure enough.
When asked if he has found the perfect match after having played a lot of partnerships in the center of defense, Jose Peseiro said “I am happy with them all.”
“I believe in them all. I can decide to play any of them.”
We have seen William Troost-Ekong, we have seen Kenneth Omeruo, and we have a new face Jordan Tournarigha on the team.
The Portuguese is still looking to find the missing piece in the defense but he calms that his team defend “collectively.”
“We defend from the attack. You can see today our strikers stared the press.”
The task ahead may look daunting for the Super Eagles but at the moment, the wings are ready to soar and the vision is targeted at the prey.