Nigeria’s Super Eagles made a poor start at the 2023 African Cup of Nations as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea.
Heading into the encounter, the Super Eagles were seen as favorites judging by the pedigree of stars in the team and how familiar the country is with the AFCON.
Despite all the odds favoring the Eagles to win without stress against a team who are making a fourth appearance at the continental event, they fumbled and dashed the hopes of Nigerians.
The Nigerian Observer Sports takes a look at five takeaways from the encounter.
Jose Peseiro started Nwaili instead of Uzoho
Head coach Jose Peseiro gave goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili a nod ahead of regular Francis Uzoho to the surprise of many.
There had been calls for a change of fortune in the goalkeeping department after the poor showing of Uzoho of late.
Nwabili was not troubled that much in goal during the larger part of the game as he looked relaxed. However, a clear-cut chance from the opposing side, by Iban Edu beat the Chippa United goalie.
Willam Troost-Ekong and Semiu Ajayi partnership did not come good
Super Eagles’ defense was caught off guard on several occasions as the pairing of captain William Troost-Ekong and Semiu Ajayi was shaky and did come out well.
Here is something Peseiro should look out to correct in the next game versus hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Alhassan Yusuf was superb, but Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka were missing
Alhassan Yusuf won the hearts of Nigerians after his wonderful individual performance on his debut outing. He came out top of every duel and bossed the midfielder like a general.
However, he got knocked out and was stretched off during the game. A call for concern for the head coach in trying to look for an ideal cover in the midfield.
The duo of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka lost out. They had little impact as they were overwhelmed by the intensity of the physical presence of the Equatoguineans.
The wingers Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon struggled
Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon did not live to billing as many had expected them to come to the game firing from all corners. Though Lookman provided the assist for Victor Osimhen’s equalizer, he was a shadow of himself as he struggled to put up a good show.
For Simon, he failed to thrill fans like he used to do. His output upfront on the right wing was nothing to write home about as he didn’t come to the party against Equatorial Guinea.
Victor Osimhen scored, but much was expected of him
Striker Victor Osimhen got in the act and grabbed the Eagles’ equalizer, nodding home Lookman’s cross from the left wing.
After the goal, many thought the Napoli hitman would get further goals being a goal poacher to win finesse in attack.
However, Osimhen didn’t put in any other strike as he missed chances, most especially a clear one-on-one opportunity with the other goalie, where he could have sealed the win, perhaps, if he had hit the target.
Chairman, Edo State Football Association, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON delegate to Côte d’Ivoire, in a telephone conversation with The Nigerian Observer Sports Editor, spoke exclusively about the game and what next ahead Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire match.
“Yesterday we witnessed some nonchalant attitude of some of the players, especially from Aina and others that did not play to expectations,” he began.
“Nigerians at the stadium were disappointed at the end of the game because of the scoreline.
“Looking at individual performance, l will give kudos to the new boy in midfield, Yusuf, the young man who got injured. The man who replaced Ndidi, that guy did very well,” he added.
The Edo FA boss also hailed Ademola Lookman, while trying to shift blame away from Victor Osimhen who scored but missed a glaring seater that could have earned the points.
“Another player that impressed us who played like a real Nigerian is the Atalanta attacker (Lookman). For Osimhen, people criticized him that he missed a seater.
“Yes, that is the work of an attacker. He scored to rescue us immediately when we were down. But he missed a very good seater, the same thing with Zaidu, our full left-back. He got a chance, one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
“The Equatorial Guinea played to their game plan. They came to get a draw from the giants of Africa, which is Nigeria’s Super Eagles,” he noted.
According to Fred: “I think the coach doesn’t know when, and how to make changes, he’s only concerned about the players on the field.
“He also apologized to Nigerians that Onuachu did not come to camp early, that was why he didn’t start him on time. He also talked about the players not playing to instructions.”
Fred expressed his disappointment that some players were played off their positions which could have cost the Super Eagles the game.
“And l think some players were played out of positions. Moses Simon is better in the left wing than in the right wing. The coach played him in the wrong position.
“Then, he was supposed to play Osayi-Samuel, l will prefer him more in the right full-back because he is more attacking than Aina who had a very good chance that was supposed to square play to African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen to score, but he decided to score himself from a tight angle.
“I think in our next match, we will get it right against the hosts country, Ivory Coast, though, l know the pressure on us will be much, the home support and all.”
“But I believe if the right players are played, expecting captain Ahmed Musa to start in the match and by doing that we will get it right and bring in good result on Thursday against the hosts country, the Ivorians, and I believe that we are equal to the task,” he maintained.
