How Super Eagles defied odds, doubts to qualify for N10b CAF prize

Super Eagles players huddle before a game.

Smarting from the second-round shocking exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon two years ago, failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and a poor run of results in 2023, not many could place a bet on an excellent outing for the Nigerian national team in Cote d’Ivoire. But in a tournament full of upsets, the Super Eagles are in the final and in the hearts of soccer-loving Nigerians again – forcing rare smiles that temporarily forgo national socio-economic woes. GOWON AKPODONOR reports that the Eagles’ good fortune is a testament to national potential, continuous investment in sports and daring to believe in dreams.

It’s been a while since the Super Eagles impressed and united Nigerians like they did on Wednesday.

Perhaps at the 2013 AFCON, 1996 Olympics and parts of USA ‘94, at no other time had Nigerians unanimously relished so much ‘pain’ and pleasure from the field of play.

Indeed, among all the Super Eagles teams that have excelled at the biennial Africa Cup of Nations, none has been sent off with so much doubts as the Jose Peseiro-led team.

It is not by accident. Before the competition kicked off on January 13, 2024, Peseiro’s team had a scorecard of 20 matches, winning nine and losing seven with four draws. Among the losses was a home defeat by minnows, Guinea Bissau, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja.

With obvious challenges in the goalkeeping department, the Super Eagles were not given much chance of doing anything substantial at the AFCON, especially in a tournament that has top-rated sides as 2022 World Cup semifinalists, Morocco, and defending champions Senegal, among the contenders for the trophy.

But the Super Eagles had hope in abundance and