Four Takeaways From Home-Based Super Eagles Inability To Qualify For 2020 CHAN

The home based Super Eagles defeated Togo 2-0 on Saturday at the Agege Stadium, Lagos but ultimately failed to qualify for the 2020 African Nations Championship in Cameroon losing out 4-3 on aggregate.

Izuchukwu Okosi here looks at the four takeaways from the disappointing outcome of the two legged fixtures.


1. Sikiru Alimi Audition For Super Eagles A Team?

Sikiru Alimi scored a brace which secured the 2-0 win for the Eagles and was unlucky to have an effort cleared off the goal line. Had that gone in and it finished 3-0, Nigeria and not Togo will be celebrating qualification to the 2020 CHAN.

Alimi's overall performance aside the goal was promising as he was all over the Togolese defenders.

That beggars the question if the striker has proven his mettle as the outfield home based players have been unable to get permanent slots in the 'Super Eagles A team'.

2. The League Played A Part

The 2019/2020 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League has not kicked off and apparently played a huge role in the failure of the home based Super Eagles.

That also affected the performances and results of Enyimba and Enugu Rangers in the CAF continental club competitions.

The home based Eagles had only few days to train and definitely not sufficient to overhaul a 4-1 deficit. If the Eagles had just a goal disadvantage to worry about, that might have been a minor issue to deal with.


3. Eagles Must Improve On The Roads

A Nigerian national team losing 4-1 to any side in Africa is scandalous so it was hard to take a defeat to Togo despite playing away.

Most Nigerian sides (club  or national team) are bad travellers and that is something that must improve.

Logistics and early trips to the host countries by an advanced party could do a trick. It gives an insight what the local media, fans and the host team are saying or doing ahead if the match.


4. Amapakabo Must Not Take U-23 Eagles To AFCON

Imama Amapakabo was lucky to prosecute the fixtures against Libya in the last round of qualifiers to the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in March when the Super Eagles were in town for their friendly against Egypt and the 2019 AFCON qualifier with Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

That meant the Eagles players within the age limit of 23 were eligible to play against Libya which helped the Nigerian side to overcome a 2-0 first leg defeat and reach the AFCON after a 4-0 win.

At the U-23 AFCON in Egypt next month, November, Amapakabo will not have the luxury of the quality of players available in March. Some of the players that disappointed on Saturday against Togo will still be in his disposal plus others who are not match fit.

If there will be any foreign based player in the U-23 squad it could turn out to be players not in the plans of their coaches.

Izuchukwu Okosi