EAGLES FACE FINAL HURDLE

For so many reasons, tomorrow’s final means a lot to the Super Eagles who have suddenly found the winning formula. Indeed before the championship started, the Eagles and Stallions were not among the top contenders. Going by the history of the two finalists, it is quite tempting to give victory to the Super Eagles of […]

For so many reasons, tomorrow’s final means a lot to the Super Eagles who have suddenly found the winning formula. Indeed before the championship started, the Eagles and Stallions were not among the top contenders.
Going by the history of the two finalists, it is quite tempting to give victory to the Super Eagles of Nigeria but having displayed tenacity of character and the zeal to make history, it can dangerous to write of the threat from the Burkinables.
However, Nigeria’s record in the competition far over weighs whatever achievement that has been made by Burkina Faso. The Eagles first bronze in the championship came as far back as 1976 in Ethiopia. Nigeria has won the title twice in 1980 on home soil and 1994 in far away Tunisia when the present coach of the team, Stephen keshi was the captain of the Super Eagles.
Talking about runners up, the Eagles have four silver medals in their kitty. In 1984 in Cote d’Ivoire, the Eagles settled for silver when they were defeated 3-1 by the indomitable Lions of Cameroon. The Lions again stopped the Eagles from winning their first title in 1988 in Morocco when they beat Nigeria 1-0. It was the turn of host Algeria to deny Nigeria in 1990 when they defeated the Eagles 1-0 in that year’s finals. The near miss that still lingers in the memory of Nigerians is the 2000 edition when Nigeria co-hosted the championship with Ghana. Propelled by Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba and Sunday Oliseh, the Eagles reached the sixth final, but unlike what happened in 1980, Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
 The Super Eagles also have the record of the highest number of third best in the championship. It has been seven times of consolatory prizes for the Eagles. In 1976, there was no final match but the Eagles edged out Egypt on points to clinch the third place. In 1978, Tunisia walked off the pitch in protest over poor officiating and the match was awarded to the Green Eagles. Nigeria’s third bronze was won in 1992 in Senegal with a 2-1 victory over Cameroon. It was sweet revenge for the Eagles who had previously lost to Cameroon in the final in 1984 and 1988. At Mali 2002, the Eagles beat the host nation 1-0 for its fourth bronze. The fifth came in 2004 in Tunisia where the Eagles won their second title in 1994. They defeated Mali 2-1. Then in 2006, the Eagles beat Senegal 1-0 in Egypt for their sixth bronze and the seventh got into their kitty in 2010 in Angola when they beat Algeria 1-0.
From the foregoing, it is easy to understand why the present generation of Eagles are thirsty for victory. The team wants to break what is beginning to look like a jinx. Nigerian football fans are equally tired of third place finishes as they would want to drink directly from the Cup.
As it is, the Eagles have got only 90 minutes left to surmount the last hurdle in their way. Although they staggered at the beginning of the championship, the Eagles have found their balance and are poised for another glory.
Winning the 2013 AFCON will however not come on a platter of gold as the Burkinables have proved to be difficult customers for teams that have come up against them in the tournament. Even without their talisman, Alain Traore who broke the hearts of Nigerians in their opening Group C match in Nelspruit, the Stallions retained their confidence to get to the final. Moreover, their semi-final triumph over pre-tournament favourite, the Black Stars is enough for the Stallions to be taken seriously.
The battle of Jo’burg means a lot to the Super Eagles and their coach, Stephen Keshi. While 17 of the players had their AFCON debut in South Africa and are eager to write their names in gold by winning the trophy, Coach Keshi stands to make history as the second person to win the Cup as a player and coach. For now, Egyptian, Mahmoud El-Gohary holds the record as the only African to have won the trophy as a player and coach.
In addition, if the Eagles soar to victory tomorrow, Keshi will make history as the first Nigerian coach to win the prestigious trophy. Coach Oto Gloria won it for Nigeria in 1980 and in 1994, Dutchman, Clemence Westerhof did it for the country.
Besides, the Eagles would want to win to silence domestic and international critics. Before they pecked the Elephants to death at the quarterfinal, they had become a laughing stock to be taunted at by everyone. The victory over Cote d’Ivoire indeed took many by surprise and helped to restore some dignity for the team. Their unrepentant critics are still waiting to say it was an accidental discharge and that is what the Eagles would try to avoid.
Nothing will gladden the hearts of Nigerians more than victory tomorrow. Consequently, the infectious confidence exhibited by the Eagles in South Africa has caught up with the generality of Nigerians who are now rooting for them to soar high above the Stallions of Burkina Faso. Injuries to two key members of the team, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike has not doused the expectations.
As usual, the who is who in Nigeria are in South Africa to cheer the Eagles to victory over Burkina Faso. Hoping that such huge presence will not constitute a nuisance to the team, it is a sign that Eagles would not lack the necessary support in the stands.
Ex-Super Eagles players who spoke exclusively to Weekly Trust have also queued behind the team for its third title. Former Policeman of Nigerian football, Moses Kpakor said Eagles will come home with the trophy.
“Even before they started playing well in the championship, I had no iota of doubt in my mind about their ability to win the Nations Cup. Coach Keshi did the right selection of players and all of us can see the result”.
Tijani Babangida called for total concentration as he said any mistake will prove costly. “The Eagles have reached the stage of zero tolerance for mistakes. Any loss of concentration will be too expensive.
“Nigerians are behind the team and they must do everything humanly possible to bring home the trophy. I have confidence in the team and its coaching crew. If those who are pouring into South Africa in the name of supporting the team do not distract the players, the trophy will come to Nigeria”.
Another member of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medallist, Garba Lawal cautioned the Eagles against complacency as he said if the players make any attempt to undermine the threat posed by the Stallions, they will pay heavily.
“I expect the Eagles to know that they are up against a formidable opposition. They met before in this same tournament and they can confess that it was not easy. Even though the Eagles had an upper hand, the Burkinables too have grown in strength since that time. It is going to be an explosive game but if the Eagles keep their nerves, they would come out victorious”.
Football coach and sports analyst, Mr. Austin Tyowua also shared in the optimism being expressed by other Nigerians but opted to wait until the end of the match.
He said “The present Eagles have proved that they mean business but it is too early to start making certain commitments. What I know for certain is that Eagles won’t find their opponents as easy as most Nigerians think. It is going to be a difficult match so let’s wait until the end of the match”.
Undoubtedly, it is going to be a ding dong affair but a winner must emerge. If the full 90 minutes fail to produce a winner, 30 minutes of extra time would come in and if that fails, the ultimate decider of ties, penalty shootout would be applied. Nigeria looks good for a third title but nobody can rule out an upset that would hand Burkina Faso their first AFCON title. It is 90 minutes to glory.