By Emeka Obasi
After bad press about Super Eagles negative tactics at the Cote d’Ivoire 2024 African Nations Cup, the players are back to life, scoring in elite leagues across the Mediterranean, far away from the tropics where goals drought belittled them.
This is a clear message that further dents Jose Peseiro’s ambition of retaining his job as Manager of the Nigerian national team. The Portuguese made the Eagles look colourless even when they got to the grand finale against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire.
Victor Osimhen’s first game for Napoli since arrival from Africa, ended in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona, in the Round of 16 of the Euro Champions League. Robert Lewandowski had put Barca ahead before the Nigerian drew the hosts level. He also hit a hat – trick in the 6-1 demolition of Sassuolo in the Serial A. Five goals in three matches, give him credit.
Alex Iwobi, always cheered by fans when the going was good, was subjected to ridicule for not doing his usual quick tap in Cote d’Ivoire. There were claims and counter claims about his role in the team as a midfielder.
Playing for Fulham against Manchester United in the English Premiership, Iwobi’s late strike gave his team maximum points against the Red Devils on a day two other Nigerians, Calvin Bassey and Tosin Adarabioyo, also made maximum impact.
Bassey, a solid defender, showed that goal scoring was not alien to the Super Eagles when his 65th minute strike jolted Manchester at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire’s equaliser a minute to regulation time was made inconsequential when Iwobi spoke.
Victor Osimhen hit Abidjan as reigning African Footballer of the Year. He topped the scorers’ chart in the Italian Serie A with Napoli, a feat which helped the club win the title after a long while in the post Diego Maradona years. The top striker scored just one goal in the Ivorian capital.
The equaliser against Guinea Equatorial was a quick reaction. Four other efforts by Osimhen were over – ruled by the Video Assistant Referee ( VAR ). Credit to the Napoli hitman, four of the eight goals scored by Nigeria had his touch.
Osimhen earned a penalty against Cote d’Ivoire, scared Guinea Bissau into an own goal, assisted the first goal against Cameroon and plucked another penalty from South Africa.
However, Peseiro’s strategy was to barricade Super Eagles goalmouth with as many players as the crowd. That left Osimhen with little support upfront and to survive, he played the triple role of attacker, midfielder and defender. His pastoralism denied the tournament some great goals.
In the grand finale against Cote d’Ivoire, Peseiro allowed the Elephants so much space to go for the kill after Skipper William Troost – Ekong’s powerful first half lead. And that was all the victors needed to snatch the trophy which seemed so elusive after the group matches.
Fellow countryman, Jose Mourinho, threw his weight behind Peseiro before the grand finale. Hugo Broos, coach of South Africa, eliminated by Nigeria in the semi finals, faulted Peseiro and his strange tactics of defending for much of a game.
Nigerians believe Super Eagles would have done better if they were more offensive, especially through the wings. A country that produced Kunle Awesu, Baba Otu Mohammed, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka and Emmanuel Amuneke suddenly became wingless.
Peseiro’s low quality was laid bare in Abidjan and even before the championships. Quality coaches do not stay behind begging to be paid their wages. The Portuguese was not only owed, he agreed to a pay cut when his employers threatened to throw him out.
In 1973, Otman Calder, employed to manage the Eagles after their Second All Africa Games golden outing, could not stay because what he saw was different from his expectations. While Nigeria Sports Commission ( NSC) Director, Chief Jerry Enyeazu mounted a search, the German was airborne, on his way back to Europe.
Another German, Manfred Hoener, came in 1988. After an African Nations Cup silver and a dismal Olympic outing, hunger forced him out. It took Justice Chuba Ikpeazu to send his accumulated salary to Germany in 1989. The same coach later excelled in Malawi.
Carlos Alberto, the man who captained Brazil to their a third World Cup triumph in 1970, was engaged by Nigeria in 1994. He flew into the country, full of smiles. When it dawned on him that trouble lay ahead, bye was the answer. ‘Nigeria don’t pay’, the Brazilian told the world.
Thys Libregts was loaded before he was hired in 1998. As Manager, he qualified Holland for the World Cup. Eagles had so much to learn from him and I was convinced, after interacting with the Dutchman in Ouagadougou, that something good was coming. The man left in 1999.
Peseiro is still hanging around, waiting for official announcement by the NFF. Osimhen, Iwobi and Bassey have shown that Eagles are no cowards, they can fly with goals, under a good tactician.
Popular opinion is that the Portuguese has done so well for himself and is a proud land owner in Abuja. Nigeria has shown love by giving him national honours. He is free to live or do business in Abuja but definitely not as Super Eagles manager.
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