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The Super Eagles of Nigeria today suffered their first defeat in the ongoing AFCON 2023 qualifiers with a first half goal from Balde Mama in the 29th minute of the game at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Prior to that match, the Super Eagles were group leaders with six points from two matches, before they were dethroned on their home soil by the Wild Dogs and would have to wait for a second-leg before they could hope of coming back to the top.
The defeat means the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who are currently rated 35th in the FIFA ranking, now trail the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau, who are 115th in the world.
Guinea Bissau came to Abuja with a primary goal of going top of the table, and they were good at achieving that goal after taking an early lead which they held till the final blast of the whistle.
The defeat, subjected Nigerian fans to another psychological trauma, reminiscent of what the Black Stars did to them on the same pitch on 29th of March 2022 in a Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier match which ended 1-1 in favour of the visiting side.
With this defeat, the Super Eagles have suffered four consecutive losses under Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro, and this is the first time this would happen in 42 years.
The Brewing Crises In Super Eagles Before The Clash With Guinea Bissau
Prior to Nigeria’s game against Guinea-Bissau, there were traits of the poor state of Nigeria’s economy clearly playing out in the Super Eagles camp.
The electricity blackout which has been a symbol of Nigeria’s economy hit the training camp of the Super Eagles on Tuesday, where the training session was impeded as a result of no electricity in the MKO Abiola stadium.
Head Coach, Jose Peseiro lost focus, he had to end the session and till date, no one has been indicted despite the Sports Minister coming out to state that the people involved would be dealt with accordingly.
Again, the saga that ensued which involved the duo of Super Eagles Assistant Coach Finidi George and goalkeeper trainer Ike Shorunmu and the NFF is worthy of mention. Such issues ranging from non-payment of allowances and backlog of salaries are not far from what is obtainable in the Nigerian economy.
Nigeria Created Goal-Scoring Chances But Failed To Score
Nigeria’s front-line, which comprised of in-form Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho with Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon from the flanks, created goal-scoring chances but failed to convert them.
Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon rued several chances, while Kelechi Iheanacho was a shadow of himself, and this practically led to his substitution in the wake of the second-half.
Victor Osimhen was not properly utilized the way he would have played in Napoli, which has made him score 23 goals from 28 games for the Serie A side this season, otherwise he would have given a better result.
But in all of these efforts put in place by the players in Abuja without getting the desired result, it reminds every Nigerian of the efforts which the average Nigerian puts in place and yet the desired goal is not achieved due to the state of the nation.
In a nutshell, Nigeria has become in a sorry state such that the poor economy which has been frustrating Nigerians, has come after the only uniting factor (Super Eagles) which has kept Nigerians as one.
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