Mixed reactions have continued to trail the Super Eagles’ chances of winning her fourth title at the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to kick off in the North African country of Egypt from 21 June to 19 July, 2019. The Super Eagles will play in Group B alongside Guinea, Burundi and Madagascar in the preliminary stage and followers of the round leather game have been speaking on the Eagles’ search for a fourth title after winning the trophy last in South African 2013.
Former Super Eagles’ player, Mutiu Adepoju, said on Monday that the senior male national team would put up a better performance in Egypt than they did in 2013 in South Africa when they last won the trophy.
Adepoju, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, maintained that the team is in such good form that it could take on any team in Africa.”The team displayed class and superiority in their match against Seychelles and others. I hope, like every other Nigerian, for good results from the team,” said the Headmaster as he (Adepoju) was called in his playing days.
In his opinion, Olatunde Disu, former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation, on Monday, said that the Super Eagles needed the services of natural left wingers to have an edge over other teams in Egypt 2019.
Disu stated this in an interview with NAN while reflecting on the chances of the Super Eagles at the biennial tournament in Egypt. “The team is presently doing well and with what is on the ground as my own assessment, the team equally needs the services of natural left footers to join the attack”
“Tracing back to history when the team was dominant on the continent, we had natural left footers who were always joining the attackers to score goals.
“In 1980, we had Adokiye Amiesimaka, who is very good with his left foot and Segun Odegbami on the right, in 1994 the team had Emmanuel Amuneke and in 2013 Victor Moses.”
On the contrary, Chidi Offor-Okenwa, Chairman, Enugu State Football Association, says the Super Eagles’ group is the “group of death.”
Offor-Okenwa told NAN in Enugu State on Tuesday that there were no minnows in African football and as such, the Super Eagles should not take their opponents for a ride.
He noted that any team that made it to the competition was capable of winning it by virtue of performance.
“We are looking forward to stiff competition and it is not all about the group but about ensuring they qualify to the next stage.”
“The Super Eagles need to play and win all their matches because there is no minnow team in Africa football.” Offor-Okenwa said.
On the invitation of new players to the team, Offor-Okenwa noted that such was good for competition and even if it caused confusion, a good coach would deal well with it.
He noted that competition in a team was good because in competition, you either fit in or you are out.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, known as the Total 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, is scheduled to be the 32nd edition of the completion with 24 teams participating for the first time.
The tournament will hold from June 21 to July 19, 2019, and will see the Eagles making their 17th appearance in the competition having qualified in 1963 held in Ghana.
Nigeria is three-time champions of the tournament winning on home soil in 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013.