Can the Super Eagles defy the odds and win AFCON 2023?

The Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off and we’ve already seen the Super Eagles slump to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Despite many seeing them as a rising team in African football, there’s no denying Nigeria should’ve won comfortably. 

 

In a team with top talents such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and many more, the Super Eagles must up their game if they’re to stand a chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2013. Many of the leading bookmakers,such as Curacao sports betting sites, have them as the sixth favourites. That feels generous right now - but can Nigeria’s greatest football talents defy the odds and lift the cup? 

 

A Tough Group Lies Ahead

 

The other two teams in Nigeria’s group are Cote D’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau. The Former are hosting the tournament and come in as third favourites from the bookmakers. They’ve always been an impressive team, yet have a history of underperforming when they’re expected to do well. 

 

Still, this powerhouse of African football stands in the way of Nigeria and the knockout stages. If the Super Eagles stand a chance of making it through, they must play better against CIV. A draw is the bare minimum but a win will make fans feel more confident. 

 

Is it possible? 

 

Strangely enough, the two teams rarely play each other. Their last meeting was in 2015 when a Soloman Kalou goal won it for CIV.  Prior to that they played twice in 2013 with the matches ending 2-0 to CIV and 2-1 to Nigeria. 

 

The scariest thing for the Super Eagles is that CIV are playing at home - they’ve only lost twice at home since 2019 and one of those defeats was on penalties to Egypt. It puts into perspective the mammoth task up ahead. 

 

Super Eagles Must Turn Their 2023 Form Around

 

To say the Super Eagles have been stagnant would be an understatement. As a squad, they ended 2023 with only 4 wins, none of which were particularly impressive. They haven’t beaten a side of any real note since downing Ghana in 2022 on penalties. 

 

There’s also a worrying trend if we look at the squad’s last 5 matches before the tournament began: 

• Guinea 2-0 Nigeria
• Zimbabwe 1-1 Nigeria
• Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
• Nigeria 3-2 Mozambique
• Saudi Arabia 2-2 Nigeria

 

Add the 1-1 draw from a few days ago to this list and you spot a clear pattern - the Super Eagles can’t stop conceding goals. A leaky defence puts pressure on the men upfront and there’s only so much Osimhen can do. Something has to change if they want to get out of their group and go on a run this year. 

 

Injury Woes Compound The Problem

 

The pressure on Osimhen to score goals intensified after the Super Eagles lost Victor Boniface to injury. The Leverkusen attacker has been in electric form this season and would undoubtedly cause a serious threat alongside Osimhen for the national side. 

 

It was reported by the BBC that he’ll miss the entire tournament, which was the latest in a long line of injury blows for Nigeria. Wilfred Ndidi, a core member of the midfield, will also be missing for the AFCON. 

 

Everything seems like it’s piled against Nigerian football at the moment, but is there any hope that the team could go all the way to the end?!

 

As Long As Osimhen Is Fit, Anything Is Possible

 

Osimhen carries the weight of a country on his shoulders, which is the price you pay for being an outstandingly talented football. He’s not just one of the best African players; he’s seen as one of the premium attacking talents in world football. 

 

Many liken him to Didier Drogba or Samuel Eto’o in that he proudly carries the African flag in Europe, lighting up the big leagues and competitions. As long as he stays fit, there’s a chance Nigeria could go on a run. 

 

His international form is exceptional - the man can’t stop scoring goals, and goals win games. It remains unlikely that the Super Eagles have enough as a team to lift the trophy, but stranger things have happened. Everything depends on the second game against CIV - a big loss may mean that Nigeria can’t even escape the group stages as one of the best third-place teams.