Kunle Adelabu reporting from AFCON in Morocco
Journalists covering the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, have rated the Super Eagles high to beat the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16 matches today, going by the Super Eagles excellent group stage performance which earned the Nigerian team the qualification to the knock-out stage.
The match against Mambas boys is slated for 8:00pm at the 56, 000 capacity, Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco.
The Eagles dominated their stage games securing the maximum 9 points to top the group, scoring 8 goals, and conceded 4 goals, to top Group C.
The Nigerian team opened its campaign with a 2-1 win over Tanzania, and went ahead to defeat Tunisia 3-2 in one of the most -watched matches of the tournament and the win guaranteed the Eagles qualification to the Round of 16, with a match to go in their group stage. The Super Eagles concluded the group matches with a 3–1 victory over Uganda.
Thus, making it the fourth time Nigeria has earned a perfect group stage record. The other three occasions were 1992, 2006 and 2022, with many Nigerians seeing this performance as a way to atone for their sin of not qualifying for the world cup.
The Super Eagles performance also enjoyed praises from all over the world with analysts, journalists and football lovers affirming Eagles as one of the teams to win the AFCON along with Morocco, the host country, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa and the defending champion, Côte d’Ivoire.
CAF Online.com, in its analysis as regards its rating of the Eagles team especially its attack scored the Nigerian team highly, “Beyond individual scorers, Nigeria emerged as the most potent attacking side of the group stage. The Super Eagles finished with eight goals, the highest tally in the competition, from 21 shots and 10 on target, while also recording the highest average possession rate at 66%.
“Those numbers illustrate a side that combined volume with efficiency, dominating territory and converting pressure into goals.
“Nigeria’s attacking output stood in contrast to the tournament’s struggles at the other end of the scale, where Botswana recorded the weakest defensive figures, conceding seven goals, managing just one goal scored, and averaging 38% possession,” CAF Online concluded.
But, beyond the general praises for the team, many journalists who had watched the Eagles played, and others covering the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, have continued to raise concern over the teams defence.
Bayo Adegboyega, Sports Editor with the OGBC, Abeokuta and the Assistant Secretary, Sport Writers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, described the Eagles performance as decent, but called for the Eagles handler to work on its defence.
“The team has been decent. It is evident from the number of goals scored and the 100 percent win record. They, however, need to work on their defence and stay resolute.
“I expect a win. Although the Mozambicans will not be pushovers, our boys have all it takes to pull through, particularly when they consider the fact that they missed out on World Cup qualification,” he warned.
Ayinde Taofeek, the Director of Media, Lazark Enterprise, also commended the Eagles’ overall performance at the tournament which he said has been “strong and encouraging.”
While rating the team 8.0 / 10, Ayinde emphasised, “The Super Eagles have performed very well through the group stage, showing good attacking power, resilience, and consistency. Players like Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Raphael Onyedika have been central. Lookman contributed goals and assists, Osimhen leading the line, and Onyedika adding.
“An impressive and dynamic Super Eagles side that has delivered strong results and entertainment. They deserve a solid 8/10 overall — excellent so far, with some room for improvement especially in defence and match control against tougher opponents.”
He, however, raised concern over the Eagles defence, “While attack has been impressive, Nigeria have also conceded multiple goals. They allowed two vs Tunisia and a goal vs Uganda — showing room for tactical tightening at the back.”
In his final assessment, he posited, “Nigeria dominated possession and overall play, using their attacking depth and quality to break down Mozambique.
“However, there’s also caution concerns over defensive lapses (no clean sheets in the group stage), meaning Nigeria can’t take anything for granted.
“Mozambique are underdogs historically and on paper, having progressed as one best loser will do everything to qualify for the next round. Nigeria will win and progress, but Mozambique will make it competitive.
“Nigeria, will win, though not necessarily a blowout result. Scores like 2–0 or 3–1. Nigeria should progress to the quarter-finals with relative authority; a disciplined, composed performance would be ideal, no complacency,” he said.
A senior sports journalist with The Guardian Newspaper, Gowon Akpodonor, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win today’s match.
“The team is good to go. The players told us that Mozambique won’t escape. They are focused and one can see the determination in them.
“I am sure they have what it takes to win and progress,” the sports journalist said.
The Head of News and Current Affairs, Ogun State Television, Abeokuta, Mr Biodun Alabi, who is also on ground in Morocco, also lauded the team’s performance so far and stated that winning the match against the Mozambican team and indeed subsequent games, depends entirely on the team’s mentality and consistency with its performance
“It’s been a very revealing time seeing the team in a different realm of Its strength and maximizing points in the group with all man-of-the-match awards. It tells one of the changes the coach has made in the team. I’ve been very impressed so far, and I think the destiny of the team in this tournament is in its hands.
“The team could win the title, but it largely depends on how it takes each match and how consistent it could remain up till the finals,” he said.
He called for early goals from the Eagles against the Mambas to take control of the game.
“Against Mozambique, I expect the team to keep to its playing style in this tournament, that is, the passing game, be strong with possession and on and off the ball, take chances when they come and shouldn’t allow their opponents any glimmer of confidence.
“They should strike them early enough with at least 2 goals and take firm control of the game for the entire 90 minutes,” Alabi charged.
Meanwhile, more officials of the Nigerian government and others from Nigeria, have landed in Morocco to witness the knockout encounter between the Super Eagles and the Mambas in Fez Stadium.
