It is no longer news that the super Eagles will be facing a though task in her efforts to lift the ANC title for the first time in fourteen years. Her first taste of the trophy was in 1980 and second time was in 1994 in Tunisia. Despite haven played in several finals, the team has always failed to come out victorious since 1994.
Cameroon has been some kind of nemesis in the past years . The Lions of Cameroon have won the title four times and in all four occasions have defeated Nigeria in the finals. They somehow have this psychological advantage over the super Eagles of Nigeria, therefore for many years they have been the Super Eagles albatross.
This years edition provides a new excitement and a different challenge as the Nigerian National team would not be worrying about the Cameroonians alone with the emergence of the likes of Ivory Coast and of course the host Nation Ghana who arguably has had the most comprehensive preparation for this tournament.
The super Eagles belong in group D with three other West African countries. Everyone knows it is better to avoid the West African in this tournament more so the Ivoirians indisputably presenting the strongest team on paper. The mention of the likes of Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Yaya Toure, Haruna Didane, Kone, Solomon Kalou to mention a few will send chills down the spine of any opposition.
It is on record the Super Eagles were eliminated from the last edition by this cote D’voirien team and at a time they were not this established. They also contributed in denying almighty Cameroon a place in the last world Cup in Germany. Despite this the Eagles of Nigeria are still strong contenders for the title. But will they survive this West African Opposition?
Mali though not favoured by book makers are definitely no pushovers. The Super Eagles will have to overcome these two teams if any serious challenge for the title is to be put up. One on one we can’t match this Ivorian team. But we hope to form a more cohesive team. Only then we can challenge.
