For some Nigerians, the 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) begins tomorrow (Sunday), Côte d’Ivoire. As far as these section of fans are concerned, any competition begins and ends with their national team. So the last AFCON, in their minds, took place in South Africa. Inspired by coach Stephen Keshi and captained by Mikel Obi, the Super Eagles lifted the title in Nelson Mandela’s country in 2013.
The fact, however, is that Nigeria failed to pull through to the finals to defend their title in the edition following South Africa 2013. In the qualifiers for Equatorial 2015, the Super Eagles could not emerge from Group A, which was on by South Africa and had Congo Republic as the other finalists. The team could only do better than Sudan.
The same fate befell Nigeria for Gabon 2017 as the Super Eagles were second best in Group G where Egypt triumphed and only one team required to be in the finals.
Nigeria returned in 2019 in Egypt and ended the journey in third place after beating Tunisia by the only game of the match. The team had lost to Algeria 1-2 in the semifinal.
The last edition of the tournament had Nigerians believing that 2013 would be repeated. In Group D of Cameroon 2021, the team beat Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau to claim all points and send shivers down the spines of title rivals. But in the first game of the knockout stage, the Super Eagles disappointed not only their fans but neutrals as well. Tunisia’s forward Youssef Msakni ended the dream of a nation with his 47th minute goal.
It’s another opportunity for the Super Eagles to aim for the trophy again as the competition kicks off in Abidjan, the Ivorien capital, this evening (Saturday). The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire will take on Guinea-Bissau in the opening match at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara. After breaking the jinx in Senegal 1992 beating Ghana 11-10 penalties in the final, the Elephants won again in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea. Now they are seeking a third title. And with the advantage of hosting the continent, they are among the favourites.
On Sunday (Day 2 of the tournament), Nigeria, who are in the same Group A with Côte d’Ivoire, will face a challenge from Equatorial Guinea. Starting at 3 pm (WAT), the game will have have at the centre South African Akhoma Makalima, who will become the second woman to officiate in an AFCON game.
The 35-year-old referee is the first certified female football referee in South Africa where she has officiated in the Premier Soccer League, the SASOL Women’s League, and the South African Football Association (SAFA). She was also appointed by FIFA on 9th January 2023, to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
Nigerians are not too sure of their team at AFCON 2023, which runs from 13th January to 11th February 2024 in six venues (five cities). You will have to go back to four matches ago to find the Super Eagles’ victory. Only on Monday, Nigeria lost a tournament build-up fixture 0-2 to Guinea in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate. Two defeated have sandwiched that and victory in another friendly to Mozambique (3-2) in Portugal.
Nigeria will be starting the competition with the concerns over injury blow to forwards Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, while striker Kelechi Iheanacho has had a muscle problem and is expected to arrive in the Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday (today).
African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen and the rest of the squad are not in doubt that Nigerians will be behind them in their millions. But whether the team will match that infectious enthusiasm with results is what would be seen in the next few days.
