The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has come and gone, but if Nigeria aims to clinch 2021 AFCON the work must start now.
\nMoreover, some of the factors which wholly dashed Super Eagles\u2019 hope in 2019 AFCON hosted should be put under scrutiny:<\/p>\n
Lack of Compactness<\/p>\n
It is a belief of many that Nigeria is blessed with dynamic footballers. Yes, but individual skill without compact wins no team trophy,as a piece of broom never sweeps like a bunch. Lack of communication and inability to come together as a team cost them a lot.<\/p>\n
Goal keeping problem<\/p>\n
Super Eagles traveled to the tournament with three goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho of which the former was chosen as a starter.<\/p>\n
Self confidence, pass accuracy, quick saving and catching were absent in him.<\/p>\n
Most especially against Algeria where he hide behind the free kick wall that later resulted to 94th-minute-winning goal that broke nation\u2019s hearts.<\/p>\n
Absence of Specialists<\/p>\n
Creativity plays major role in conquering foes during competitions. Super Eagles found it difficult to produce free kick specialists,corner kick experts et all.<\/p>\n
Inability to put round peg on the round hole is another failure.<\/p>\n
Ball juggling midfielders<\/p>\n
During Austin Jay Jay Okocha\u2019s reign, his twists and turns often brought joy to every lover of football.<\/p>\n
It is repugnant to scarcely see a strong Ball jugglers who can exhibit dexterity, distribute passes and mesmerize stubborn opponents among the present players.<\/p>\n
This dragged Super Eagles\u2019 image to dust at the just concluded AFCON.<\/p>\n
Weak Attacking force<\/p>\n
As fierce as a lion, so the attacking force should be. Had it been the anointed \u2013 top striker(Odion Ighalo) been looked hungrier he would have scored 8 or 10 times.<\/p>\n
Current Super Eagles\u2019attack doesn\u2019t threaten opponents defence enough.<\/p>\n
It was apparently glaring during Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon encounters where Nigeria was saved by the duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Troost Ekong respectively instead of attackers.<\/p>\n
On a final note, coming third at a tournament which 24 teams competed in is never a curse.<\/p>\n
Although we should always aim high and go for nothing less than gold.<\/p>\n
Compactness, good goal keeping system, expertise at all angles, midfield restructuring and reliable attacking force remain factors for Super Eagles\u2019 resurrection, former Eagles player Oladimeji Lawal told Brila FM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has come and gone, but if Nigeria aims to clinch 2021 AFCON the work must start now. Moreover, some of the factors which wholly dashed Super Eagles\u2019 hope in 2019 AFCON hosted should be put under scrutiny: Lack of Compactness It is a belief of many that Nigeria is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":13074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,18],"tags":[468,604,392,122,348],"class_list":["post-13073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-afcon","tag-igbo","tag-league","tag-sports","tag-tournament"],"yoast_head":"\n