Duro Ikhazuagbe
Thunder does not strike twice in the same place we are made to believe. Super Eagles missed last World Cup in Qatar in very unusual circumstances. They were beaten by an away goal rule right in front of home fans in Abuja by Ghana in the lead up to the 2022 World Cup. Today in Uyo, new Head Coach, Finidi George, knows any wrong result against the Bafana Bafana will be leading to another thunderstorm in Nigerian football.
After two match-days of the race to the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by Canada, USA and Mexico, Super Eagles have just two points to show for the draws against Zimbabwe and Lesotho to stay fourth on the log. Rwanda were surprise leaders on four points until they lost Match-day three 0-1 to Benin Republic last night. Benin are now tied on same four points as Rwanda at the top while South Africa are third on three points. Super Eagles are now fourth in standing ahead of tonight’s match.
Expectedly, reigning Africa’s Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen is a Major absentee due to injury. Is Finidi going to miss him? Definitely. However, in Osimhen’s absence, three players in his shadow have proved their worths in Europe to be considered capable enough to bridge the gap.
First on the line is Atalanta man-of-the-moment, Ademola Lookman who did what no man has done in a European championship final before, scoring three goals in one night. Lookman is in a great form to continue where he left off after the Africa Cup of Nations, where he netted three crucial goals to steer Nigeria to a second-place finish. He also netted an important winner for the Eagles against Ghana in a friendly in Morocco three months ago, which helped Nigeria to a first triumph over Ghana in 18 years.
The chances of Nigeria picking all three points rests squarely on the shoulders of these three men as Finidi searches for his first competitive win as coach of the Super Eagles.
If there is however any area of the senior Nigerian team to give Finidi cause for concern, it is in the rear where defence lynchpin, William Troost-Ekong (this year’s AFCON’s Man of the Competition), is unavoidably absent due to injury. Same is Kenneth Omeruo, and Zaidu Sanusi. However, Calvin Bassey, Wilfred
Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Others have the opportunities to prove that they can be relied upon in situations like this crucial encounter.
Nigeria has lost only one competitive game since it was opened 10 years ago.
