Sports
2010 Nations Cup: Super Eagles Seek Redemption Against Benin Rep, Today
Can the Super Eagles of Nigeria redeem themselves and coach Shuaibu Amodu at the ongoing 2010 Africa Cup of Nations when they face the Squerrels of Benin Republic in a must win tie today? This is the question on the lips of most Nigerians today.
It is one of the second group C matches and one the Nigerian team must win if they are to have chances of remaining in the championship, after falling 1-3 to defending champions, Egypt in the first match.
Indeed, the Nigerian camp and fans were humbled and devastated after the humiliating loss to Egypt.
Now, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has read out the riot acts to Amodu. He is condemned to beating Benin and losing his job today.
The Super Eagles themselves know the crucial nature of today’s game. They know that they have disappointed and must raise their game to play themselves back to the heart of Nigerians.
Interestingly, there has been talks of steam rolling Benin to make up for the misadventure against Egypt.
According to Osaze Odemvingie, who missed the first match but could start today “We have no choice than to beat Benin today. I don’t see them surviving the game because we know that anything short of victory may work against us and we have resolved to put everything into the match.”
But the squirrels are also talking tough. They are rug throwing away a two goal lead to share point with Mozambique.
They now, want to beat Nigeria to have one foot in the next round of the competition.
Already, Nigerian-born Razak Omotoyossi has stated that they would compound Nigeria’s woes by capitalising on the shortcomings of the Super Eagles’ stars today.
On paper, Nigeria should be favourites for the three points, but coach Amodu must get his starting line up and tactics right.
He must also be able to read the game properly in order to effect the right substitutions, while the players must come off their high horses and work for victory, which is the only result that can redeem them for now.
Ezechukwu, one of the youngest members of the Nigerian contingent at the championship in Ghana, said her ambition was to win the 100m title in style and cap it with a new personal record.
The fresh secondary school graduate explained that she is fully focused on contributing to Team Nigeria’s medal hopes and is determined to deliver strong performances across her events.
“My main objective in Ghana is to clinch the 100m title and the 4×100m,” Ezechukwu told Tidesports source.
“Nigeria can be assured of my very best and my commitment to the Team. I would love to set a new personal best in Ghana, but anything that comes, I will take it. The spirit in the team is high, and I think we are ready to go,” she said.
Ezechukwu, who was part of Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay squad at the World Relays in Botswana, said the experience gained from that competition has strengthened her mindset heading into the continental championships.
She admitted that she learned valuable lessons from her previous outing, including a difficult moment during the relay where an early error affected the team’s rhythm, but said she has used the experience to improve her discipline and composure.
“The secret is just being disciplined, training hard and trusting my coach and believing in God, and the result will show,” she added.
The teenager is part of a 41-member Nigerian team comprising 24 female and 17 male athletes competing at the championships, which begin today at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nigeria are expected to compete across multiple track and field events as they aim for a strong finish against the continent’s elite athletes.
Amusan arrives with an impressive record at the continental championships, having won five gold medals across individual and relay events.
She won the 100m and 4x100m relay titles at Asaba 2018, repeated the sprint hurdles and relay double at Mauritius 2022, and added another relay gold at Douala 2024.
She was, however, expected to challenge for a third 100m hurdles crown in Douala but did not compete in the individual event for personal reasons, instead featuring in the relay.
Liberia’s Ebony Morrison is the reigning champion in the women’s 100mH after setting a championship record of 12.7s, ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Madagascar’s Sidonie Fiadanantsoa.
Even though Amusan is expected to have an easy path to reclaiming the title, compatriots Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday will be in contention to challenge her.
Tabugbo is familiar with the championship stage, having previously placed fifth in the 100mH at Douala 2024 while also winning relay gold alongside Amusan.
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