AFCON 2013: Go, Super Eagles Go!

As action begins tomorrow at the 29th African Cup of Nations, AFCON, holding in South Africa, sixteen teams including Nigeria’s Super Eagles will engage in a battle of supremacy and the right to win the championships title on the nineth of February, 2013.

Since the commencement of the Championship in 1957, Nigeria has only won the title twice, in 1980 as hosts and 1994 in Tunisia.  That the Super Eagles have been unable to win it again in nearly two decades, and even failed to qualify for the last edition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon is reason for serious concern among Nigerians.

Perhaps, that is why Nigerians want Coach Stephen Keshi and his wards to compensate for the fans’ heartaches by bringing the Nations Cup  to the country once again.  Indeed, expectations are already high and the clamour by Nigerians for the title in South Africa can be understood.

For some years now, Nigeria has maintained  second and third place for some time, but now second best is no longer good enough for the nation.  The battle cry is for the Super Eagles to soar high above every opponent and grab the 2013 African Cup of Nations title in South Africa.

Apparently, Coach Keshi has put together a promising squad.  The new-look team includes for the first time, six home-based players. The team after playing a couple of friendly matches has also raised hopes  because of the impressive performances.

As it stands, the Coach and the players know what awaits them, win or lose in South Africa.  Moreso, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has increased the pressure on the team to deliver the title or nothing.  Considering the level of free hand and support the coaches and team have enjoyed from the NFF and indeed Nigerians, the expectations may not have been misplaced.

For the first time in recent history, the NFF ensured that the Super Eagles had early and good preparation within and outside the country with the coaches calling the shots. Indeed, the declaration by Keshi, following the impressive 5-0 victory over Farense FC of Portugal in their last friendly on Tuesday, that the team was ready for the Nations Cup challenge is heart-warming

While we expect the team to reciprocate with good performances and results, no one is in doubt that it will not be a tea party for any team at the Championship. Every opponent is prepared to fly its country’s flag but the Super Eagles must soar highest.

With the disappointment of not making the last edition of the championship and  the support from more than 150 million Nigerians this time, the Super Eagles should once again prove the point that Nigeria is the giant of Africa.

We expect that the team will approach every match with caution and confidence, and treat every opponent as the strongest opponent. It must be one match at a time, because there are neither cheap opponents nor easy matches at this level of competition any more.

With the visible efforts of the NFF for the team to succeed, the hunger and desire burning among the players and the 10,000 US-Dollars bonus for each player per victory, the Super Eagles are certainly not short in motivation.

It is, however, expected that all agreements reached between the Federation and the team would be kept.  Similarly, issues of kits and entitlements must be settled as and when due in order to avoid bickerings and frictions that are capable of distracting them.

The Eagles’ journey to the title begins on Monday in their opening game with Burkina Faso. Victory in that match will certainly put them in good stead for subsequent group clashes against defending Champions, Zambia and Ethiopia.  So, everything should be done to win that match.

The 2013 AFCON is a challenge that Nigeria must overcome to reclaim her lost glory and reestablish her position as one of the heavyweights of the game in Africa and beyond.  Fly, Super Eagles fly and conquer in South Africa.