By Daily Sports Nigeria on November 20, 2024

The Super Eagles’ alarming dip in form, highlighted by Monday’s shock 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda, has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s prospects at both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Despite securing AFCON qualification, the three-time African champions have gone without a win in three out of their last four, extending their worrying run of performances that has seen them struggle against lower-ranked opponents both home and away. PUNCH Sports Extra’s PETER AKINBO highlights six major concerns facing the Nigerian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers which resumes March 2025

INCONSISTENT HOME FORM

Nigeria’s traditional home advantage appears to be waning. The Eagles’ recent performances at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo have been particularly concerning, with their last three home games yielding just four points from a possible nine. The defeat to Rwanda marked their first-ever home loss to the East African nation, while they also struggled to secure a narrow 1-0 victory against Libya and managed only a draw against Benin.

AWAY DAY BLUES

The team’s away form has been equally concerning. In their last three away fixtures, they’ve managed just one win and one they didn’t win on the pitch at that, drawing with Rwanda and Benin while benefiting from a technical victory against Libya.

The Eagles have looked particularly vulnerable on their travels, lacking the commanding presence expected of a team of their calibre.

COACHING CRISIS

The uncertainty surrounding the Eagles’ coaching position continues to plague the team. Following Bruno Labbadia’s rejection of the role, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s tenure has yielded mixed results – two wins, one draw and one loss.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s delay in appointing a permanent coach has created instability ahead of crucial competitions.

ATTACKING WOES

The Eagles’ attacking prowess has diminished significantly, particularly when Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is absent from the squad. Victor Boniface, despite his impressive form at Bayer Leverkusen with 21 goals and 10 assists last season, has failed to find the net in 11 appearances for Nigeria. His struggles were evident against Rwanda, completing just 13 passes in 90 minutes with one shot on target, a shot that should have been a goal as he got a free header but sent it straight into the keeper

DEFENSIVE VULNERABILITY

The Eagles’ defensive frailties were exposed against Rwanda, conceding twice in three minutes after taking the lead through Samuel Chukwueze. The team’s inability to maintain concentration and defensive organisation has become a recurring theme, particularly evident in their recent matches where they’ve conceded in four of their last six games.

WORLD CUP WORRIES

The uncertainty surrounding the Eagles’ coaching position continues to plague the team. Following Bruno Labbadia’s rejection of the role, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s tenure has yielded mixed results – two wins, one draw and one loss.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s delay in appointing a permanent coach has created instability ahead of crucial competitions.

ATTACKING WOES

The Eagles’ attacking prowess has diminished significantly, particularly when Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is absent from the squad. Victor Boniface, despite his impressive form at Bayer Leverkusen with 21 goals and 10 assists last season, has failed to find the net in 11 appearances for Nigeria. His struggles were evident against Rwanda, completing just 13 passes in 90 minutes with one shot on target, a shot that should have been a goal as he got a free header but sent it straight into the keeper

DEFENSIVE VULNERABILITY

The Eagles’ defensive frailties were exposed against Rwanda, conceding twice in three minutes after taking the lead through Samuel Chukwueze. The team’s inability to maintain concentration and defensive organisation has become a recurring theme, particularly evident in their recent matches where they’ve conceded in four of their last six games.

WORLD CUP WORRIES

With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resuming in March, Nigeria’s current form poses serious questions about their qualification chances. The Eagles will face Rwanda again, this time away, in what could be a crucial fixture. Their recent struggles against supposedly weaker opponents make this encounter particularly concerning.

Former Nigeria internationals have expressed their concerns about the team’s trajectory. Victor Ikpeba, the 1997 African Footballer of the Year, was particularly critical of the players’ commitment.

“I am disappointed with the boys being called upon. I thought the players selected were good enough to pick maximum points against this Rwanda side. The fans that have come out in numbers to support them will be disappointed,” Ikpeba said.

1994 AFCON winner Mutiu Adepoju echoed similar sentiments saying, “This is very disappointing, I never expected Rwanda to defeat us. It is very sad.”

Despite the growing concerns, Eguavoen remains optimistic about the team’s future, particularly regarding the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda.

“This won’t affect (Nigeria for the World Cup qualifiers),” the interim coach insisted. “We have learnt a hard lesson, we will evaluate and have the strategies to face them.”

However, with key decisions pending, including the appointment of a permanent coach and addressing the team’s both home and away form, the Eagles face a crucial period in their bid to maintain their status as one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses.

The NFF’s response to these challenges in the coming months could prove decisive for Nigeria’s ambitions in both the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Source Punch Ng

Posted November 20, 2024

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