BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Having watched the opening match and some matches in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote’d Ivoire, I observed that African football has come of age and era of minors in the tournament has gone.
Of course, the hosts played good football against Guinea Bissau in the opening game but their next match against Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday would be a litmus test for the host.
Although Eagles failed to fly in their opening match, but to me their performance was not too bad against Equatorial Guinea compared to other countries in other groups.
We controlled the game especially in the second half unfortunately the three time Africa champions were wasteful in front of goals.
Many football stakeholders have written Eagles off on Thursday match but my take on the match is that Eagles would win or at worst draw.
The hosts would play before their teeming fans and they would be under pressure especially if Eagles can get early goal or avoid conceding early goal or possibly cage the host in the first half, Nigeria would win the game, I repeat Nigeria will win the game and at worst draw.
My advice for Paseiro is to stick by the players that played against Equatorial Guinea except one or two players can be replaced.
The danger of this match is that failure to win or draw, Nigeria may be on the verge of eliminating in the group stage so it is going to be a Cup final for both west Africa countries.
The players are not happy after playing draw with Equatorial Guinea.In their training session on Monday, the faces of the players were gloomy and thry even had serious discussion ahead of thursday match.
The Eagles know that they have disappointed soccer loving Nigerians in their opener and they want to do everything to redeem its image in their next game. Like I said, the Eagles would be more desperate against the hosts and knowing full well that anything short of victory would put them in dangerous position on the table.
It is a match to watch and Nigerians should not lose hope on the team.
Let wait and see what would happen on Thursday.Wishing Nigeria all the best.
