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AFCON 2019: The Way We Are

By Daily Sports on July 15, 2019

I am really not in the frame of mind to write this week because of the current mood in the country but the football-loving spirit in me endeared me to do this. Bear with me sports lovers; it is natural and as human beings that is just the way we are. It is no news that Nigeria did not qualify for the finals of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football summit via a 2-1 loss to Algeria in that stressful semi-final game in Egypt on Sunday, July 14.

To put it mildly, it was not a good day for the Eagles whose efforts were not good enough to see off Algeria that was faster with the ball with Man City’s Mahrez spearheading the constant onslaught on the Eagles. We saw an Eagles side that struggled all through the game and the boys could not hold down the fast pace playing North Africans whose constant pressure finally resulted to that free-kick at the edge of the box that gave Algerians the winner against the Eagles for the night.

Yes, no need to cry over spilt milk but the fact remains that there is a long road to travel in the bid to raise a formidable Super Eagles of our dream. No blame game, it is football. You win some, draw some, lose some and plan ahead; that is the name of the round leather sport. The trial and error, which is on display presently, is an ill wind that would continue to blow no good to the country and her teeming football crazy fans.

Let me confess that there is a limit to which luck can carry us. Again, the semi-final encounter was not good for the Nigerian team and we have to however salute the boys that gave their best against an opponent that was more physical. We must all agree that Nigeria went to the tournament without a goalkeeper, as Daniel Akpeyi though saved some anxious moments during the tension soaked game, as usual, chickened out when it mattered most.

The semi-final game would remain a lesson for the Nigerian team whose best was not good enough to have the Desert Foxes for a dinner. The team and her handlers must restrategise and refocus itself for greater result in future. We cannot continue like this where our hearts would continue to beat to high heavens each time the team plays.

However, from whichever angle you may be looking at it, the Nigerian team has tried thus far and we must commend them and pray the team clinches the third game encounter against yet another North African team. We salute the Eagles, though their resilient spirit was not enough to neutralise Algeria that was more business-like. It was not a surprise that they conquered the unpredictable playing pattern of the giant West African side.

As we look up to the third-place game between Nigeria and Tunisia, let’s keep our discussion on our ever-busy social media channels. Meanwhile, keep shooting hard till next week!!

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 15, 2019