After labouring to successive 1-0 win against Burundi and Guinea, the Super Eagles got a reality check losing 0-2 to minnows, Madagascar in the final group match of the 2019 African Nations Cup.
The defeat as distasteful it may appear is however not too much of a set back as Nigeria had already booked its passage to the knockout stage of the 2019 AFCON.
The defeat is no doubt a bruise on the ego of our players especially, the senior players among them such as John Obi Mikel and Ahmed Musa. The other implication of that surprise defeat is that the Eagles have potentially put themselves in a fix by finishing as runners up in Group B. As it stands, the bracket in the knockout stages look deviously fraught for our boys.
Chances are they could next play against either Ghana or Cameroon, with Benin also in the question. Should Gernot Rohr and his team succeed the next opponent in the round of 16, there is also the possibility of his team going up against host nation Egypt in the quarter-final.
Basically, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON title now appears more complicated and uncertain as Jon Snow’s relationship with the Mother of Dragons. That notwithstanding, there is abundant talents in the team that can hold their own against any African side.
The ability to rise above this challenge and excel is one that requires leadership in the locker room and on the pitch…cue here Mikel and Musa.
The 32-year-old Mikel is on the victory lap of his International career and this was apparent during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
His return to the team after a year’s absence was greeted with delight by the fans, entire squad and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with the huge expectation that the former Chelsea midfield enforcer will carry the team. By all account, the 2019 Eagles is his; this is his team and this AFCON is the one that should define Mikel’s captaincy.
In 2013, the Eagles had bigger characters and massive personalities in Joseph Yobo – the captain on the fringe and veteran goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who was the heir apparent. The combination delivered us a third, AFCON title with Mikel playing the role of a sidekick in that flick.
On this occasion his aura speaks to his teammates and every possible voice has paid him glowing tribute and obeisance; should he now not act Kingly and like a Warrior?
For emphasis, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, as oddly recent as the 26th edition when Kanu Nwankwo was captain and 1974 World Cup winner Berti Vogts was in charge of the Eagles’ AFCON campaign in Ghana.
In his ripe old age of 31; at the twilight of his career at club and national team levels, Papilo was assertive as he was humble.
His biggest moment as captain came against arch rivals and host Ghana in the quarter-final fixture at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
As expected, the drama unfolded quickly when Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored the opener from the spot to fire Nigeria into the lead before Michael Essien’s header leveled sending the Black Stars fans in the 45,000 crowd into a rapturous celebrations.
The NFF’s employee, Vogts looked lost and crestfallen as his team trailed 2-1 with 7 minutes left to play in a game largely dominated by Nigeria especially after Ghana’s captain John Mensah had been sent off.
When the German tactician ran out of steam to motivate the players, it was archetypal of Kanu to step up the plate and he did.
Regardless of Sunday’s defeat to a team ranked 108 in the world – 63 spots behind Nigeria – the Super Eagles captain must show leadership; whether from the bench or marching his teammates out on the pitch.
Mikel can no longer be a passive participant at a time like this when the team needs to play differently to get results.
