Mixed reactions trail Super Eagles slim 2-1 win over Leone Stars

On Thursday, June 9, the Super Eagles began the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.  Prior to this game, the three-time African champions who are undergoing a rebuilding process under new manager Jose Peseiro had […]

On Thursday, June 9, the Super Eagles began the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. 

Prior to this game, the three-time African champions who are undergoing a rebuilding process under new manager Jose Peseiro had failed to win the two friendly games in America. 

It will also be recalled the team had missed the opportunity to fly the country’s flag at the 2022 Qatar World Cup after their wings were clipped by the Black Stars of Ghana in April. 

That defeat left a bitter taste in the mouths of over 200 million Nigerians who had thronged out in very large numbers in what can arguably be said to be the biggest crowd support for the Super Eagles. 

After that World Cup mishap, the enormous task of rebuilding the team and restoring the old glory of the team fell on Peseiro, a coach many Nigerians never heard off till he was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

After losing to Mexico and Ecuador in friendly matches, the Super Eagles opened the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a shaky note as they fell behind against the Leone Stars as early as when Jonathan Morsay opened the scoring for the visitors before the former African champions replied with a goal each from Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen. 

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Peseiro said, “We created a lot of scoring chances, we could have won with a bigger margin, but the team needs more time and we must work.” 

 He added, “We are better than Sierra Leone in this game, we deserve to win. We changed the setup in the second half, I think it was only the last 10 minutes our opponent had some good moments. I still need more time to improve the team. 

During the first half, the Super Eagles lost control of the midfield as there was no holding/defensive midfielder and that changed when Oghenekaro Etebo was introduced at halftime to restore balance to the midfield and provide some sort of protection for the vulnerable defence. 

Peseiro started the game against Sierra Leone with an attacking 4-4-2 formation without playing any natural central or defensive midfielders to shield the defence. 

“When I made changes in the second when I took off Sadiq and brought in Etebo, we began to control the game better,” he said.

Similarly, Joe Aribo has insisted the Super Eagles can only get better under Peseiro despite the nervy nature of the victory.

“It’s important to win our first game of the qualifiers. We can play better, we will continue to improve and we will get better,” the Rangers midfielder told reporters after the game. 

“We are working with the new manager and following his philosophy. With more games to come, we will improve 100%. We are developing tactics,” he said. 

Speaking exclusively with the General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi hailed the players for the victory. 

“The players did well and got the victory. It wasn’t easy for them but we are happy with the result. Football is like science and it can be more difficult than science as well. We are proud of the boys and we know they will do better and score more goals in their next games. 

“We also want to thank the fans for obeying FIFA’s directives even though we put a lot of security men on ground to enforce the directives. We also thank the media for a good job done and this will motivate the players to do better,” he said. 

Mixed reactions from Nigerian football fans 

Despite the win, ex-Nigeria international Sam Sodje has suggested the Super Eagles were not convincing while insisting the home team should not be conceding goals but expressed optimism the team will be better in future assignments. 

“I am happy we won and congratulations to the new coaching crew but to be honest we must stop conceding goals left right and centre. We must be winning games convincingly. 

“We need to give the coach the benefit of the doubt because he is still new in the job and he will get better,” Sodje told Brila FM.

A public commentator, JJ. Omojuwa @Omojuwa said “Empty stadium. Super Eagles fans are still angry.

 Calvin ‘Emeka Onwuka @CalvinEmeka asked “How is Troost-Ekong first choice and skipper of the Super Eagles? Seriously.

 Ibukun Aluko @IbkSports said “If only we can have other players as passionate as Victor Osimehn when playing for the Super Eagles. His commitment and 100% game concentration is unmatched. Players like Osimhen eventually going far won’t be a surprise at all.

Yusuf Akinlotan @YusufAkinlotan said “It’s bcs #SuperEagles didn’t impose themselves on the game .So that gave Sierra Leone the confidence  and audacity

Timi ‘PCFR’ @timirhema said “William Troost-Ekong’s defending for the @NGSuperEagles is very questionable in recent times. Samuel Chukwueze for 80 mins did nothing meaningful. Peseiro’s non-use of a defensive midfielder was a disaster I don’t want to see again!

Chimaobi Victor (ESFC) @chimas2010 said “Good afternoon guys. Congrats to the Super Eagles for starting the qualifier on a winning note, though there is still room for improvement for Jose Pasero and his lads. 

Ahead of the Day 2 fixture, the Super Eagles head to Agadir, Morocco for their encounter against the ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’of São Tomé and Príncipe on Monday evening and it is hoped they will take their chances and provide some succour for victory starved Nigerians.