By Robinson Tombari Sibe
AFCON 2023 ended on a sad note for Nigeria. Here’s my “8 Cents”.
- Bizarre Route to the Trophy
Never seen a more hapless and stunned host in the first round of the AFCON. No, not one with the profile and reputation of Ivory Coast. They had the most bizarre route to the finals. Lost 2 games in the 1st round, including being pummeled by Equatorial Guinea 4:0. Qualified as best losers. Won 2nd round via penalties. Won quarterfinals with the last kick of the game.
This elephants had the most complicated route to the finals. They utilized all the help available, including the 12th and 13th men. Their fans, all tournament, were brilliant. The referee stood no chance against them in the finals. The Eagles were deafened by the noise. Once Ivory Coast got to the finals, my head told me it was their trophy.
- Strange Competition
A certain William Troost Ekong, a centre back who plays for PAOK FC in Greece ended up Player of the tournament. A certain right back at club level (third tier in Spain) and striker at national team ended up the winner of the golden boot. All four top teams in the continent according to FIFA rankings crashed out in the 1st and 2nd round. Such was the craziness of this tournament. The two finalists should hold their head high. This was as crazy as you can get.
- Paseiro and the Peter Principle
The Peter Principle states that “an employee continues to receive promotions to work in higher ranks up to that point where he reaches a level of incompetence.” Last night, Paseiro finally got promoted to a level that exposed his incompetence. He cost us the match with wrong selection and poor tactics.
He was up against a forceful host that had grown in unity and confidence, yet chose to play Chukwueze who offers nothing defensively and did nothing offensively spectacular all tournament, and Zaidu who has nothing to contribute when his team is in possession. He played short of two men, against a 12-man Ivorian team.
He watched a 22-year old Simon Adingra tear Ola Aina to shreds all game, and had no answer. Ola needed help; he needed the coach to end his misery early on. He left him on all game.
He had a Simon on the bench, his only chance at unlocking the Ivorians, yet kept him on the bench until late on. He watched an ineffective Iwobi all tournament, yet kept playing him and hoping for a miracle.
He had the best striker in the continent, yet for most of the tournament could not get his team to find him. His formation was figured and the Eagles demystified, yet he stuck to same tactics and pattern all tournament. His “God gives, and God takes” formation was a figured old time religion, so Ivory Coast taught him that football isn’t religion.
Truth is, you can’t play same anti-football tactics all tournament and not be figured at some point. They figured him out on the big stage, at the finals. He got promoted to his point of incompetence. Well done, Paseiro. He was pragmatic and that got us to the finals. But, that’s it. He was too averse to risk, and you can’t win tournaments with his timid formation all tournament.
It’s time to move on. The Super Eagles will need a coach that can help develop all aspects of the game. Apart from Onyeka, who is more defensive minded, we had no creative midfielder in this tournament. Iwobi offered nothing offensively. Our strikers were isolated, most of the time. Lonely, but not at the top. In terms of tactics and formation, we need dynamic play and proactive pressing (because we have the talent), not the “God gives, and God takes” tactics. Super Eagles isn’t Crusaders FC.
Lots to say, but let me stop.
- King Ekong: Il Capitano
Once again, Ekong rose to the occasion and scored the opener. Although he (and the goalkeeper) could have avoided both goals with better situational awareness and proactive defending, however, he did everything deserving of lifting the trophy. Unfortunately, that never happened and I’m afraid he may never have that opportunity. I will give him a solid 5-star in this tournament. He was a solid leader and captain.
- The Future is Bright
There were positives. Our “foreign contingent” were solid. Most of them are still quite young and have many more glorious years ahead. Calvin Bassey is 24, Lookman is 26, Ola Aina isn’t young, but at 27 can still put in 5 years if he works hard, Bright Osayi-Samuel is 26.
In general, the team is relatively young. Osimhen is 25. Chukwueze is 24, Frank Onyeka is 26, Yusuf is 23, Terem Moffi is 24, Nwabali is 27, which isn’t bad for a goal keeper.
Do not forget the injured players who dropped out or didn’t make it. Red hot Boniface of Leverkusen is 23 years, Umar Sadiq is 27, Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest is 26, Emmanuel Dennis is 26.
The future is sexy!
- The Flood Gate of Nigerians in Diaspora
Like Afro Beats, our football is getting more attention globally. The successful contributions of the Nigerian contingent born and raised outside of Nigeria is catching lots of attention. The likes of Calvin-Bassey (who was outstanding and committed in every game), Captain Ekong, Lookman, Ajayi, Aina and others would encourage other Nigerians out there to switch allegiance to Nigeria. Ekong had previously told played for Netherlands at age grade tournaments. Lookman won FIFA U20 World Cup with England. Calvin Bassey was spoilt for choice, being eligible to play for Italy, England, or Nigeria. These guys played with enthusiasm, passion, and smiles, and this shows good vibes. With the array of Nigerian talents scattered all over Europe, the future is bright.
- Weep Not Child
I got my first son to support Man United. Sadly, he isn’t as lucky as I was when I started supporting United. When I started supporting United, it was the over two decades all-conquering era of Sir Alex Ferguson. We were crushing every team. Not any more. Every weekend when we lose, I watch him with a heavy heart, sad that we lost.
The Super Eagles brought him succor and smiles in the AFCON 2023. I thought they’ll make him smile longer. Sadly, they’ve left me with the tough task of cheering him up in the morning.
Weep not, Son.
- Finally, Brethen
It’s been an interesting tournament, full of action and upsets. I’ve enjoyed my post match analysis. I started post match analysis in the USA 94 World Cup, when as a secondary school student, I wrote essays about every game Nigeria played. I kept it in my file, and never showed anyone. I repeated same in Atlanta 96. Sadly, I lost all during a renovation in our family house. Those self practice helped sharpen by writing skill. Thankfully, with social media, this footprint will remain.
Congratulations to the Elephants and the Super Eagles.
On this note, I am signing off.
Robinson Tombari Sibe, PhD, is a public affairs commentator, university lecturer and techpreneur.
