AFCON 2023: How S/Eagles Flattered to Deceive, Failed to Turn up on D-Day By Kabir Akintayo

AFCON 2023: How S/Eagles Flattered to Deceive, Failed to Turn up on D-Day By Kabir Akintayo

It is no news that the Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

What could have gone wrong? Nigeria conceded only two goals en route to the final. But let in just as many goals against a rejuvenated Cote d’Ivoire side, who were beaten by the Eagles at the group stage. The previous games the Eagles played was a huge contrast to what they played in the final, because that was the only game the team didn’t create enough chances.

Côte d’Ivoire was officially the last of the 16 teams that made the second round. After that, they came from behind to win all the 4 matches in the knock out stage to this final.

Although the Eagles in the final took the lead in the first half through a towering header from captain William Troost-Ekong, but the Ivorians then equalised, in the second half, through a header of their own as Franck Kessie found himself free on the far side of the post, then Sebastien Haller completed the comeback for the host country, stabbing home a cross from Simon Adingra.

For most of the game, the Eagles struggled with coherence and creation of chances. The team had only one shot on target throughout the game.

Team Strategy

The 5-4-1 formation utilised by Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has typically been defined by its impressive pressing tactics. However, against the Ivorians, the team failed to execute the anticipated pressing strategy. This lapses allowed the hosts to dominate possession and orchestrated their remarkable comeback victory.

Peseiro made two alterations to the lineup that triumphed over South Africa in the semifinals, bringing in Samuel Chukwueze and Zaidu Sanusi for Moses Simon and Bright Osayi-Samuel respectively. However, both substitutions proved ineffective, as the coach eventually replaced both players during the match.

The team lacked intensity against Ivory Coast, particularly in their forward press, allowing the hosts to dominate possession for much of the game.

Player Performances

Victor Osimhen – The Napoli man struggled throughout the game, failing to find the net. He was starved of any service while the Ivorian defence did not allow him a quarter. No shot on target and created no chance. He lost the most duels on the pitch, failing to win a single one, and had the fewest touches as well.

Ola Aina – The Nottingham Forest full-back struggled against his Ivorian opponent. Simon Adingra who provided the assist for the winning goal was Aina nightmare and he couldn’t keep up. He looked jaded as time went on and could barely kick a ball. He left wide gaps for Cote d’Ivoire to explore.

Ademola Lookman – An average display, swarmed by the Ivorians once he touched the ball. The Atalanta man created one chance all game and just one of his four crosses found the target. He was locked down by Serge Aurier and struggled to break free.

Samuel Chukwueze – The A.C. Milan winger was taken off just ten minutes into the second half. In that time, he completed just four passes and barely had any meaningful impact. He won just one duel from the eight he was involved in.

Stanley Bobo Nwabali – He was calm as always, but the fire shone through in his face-off with the Ivorians. His first-half save was the springboard for the opener. He made five saves to deny the hosts, denying Seko Fofana from range twice. There was not much he could have done to stop either goal from going into the net.

Zaidu Sanusi – The Porto defender played a huge part in the two goals Nigeria conceded. He left Frank Kessie unmarked at the back post for the equalizer, and kept the ball in play for the Ivorians, leading to the chance converted by Sebastien Haller. The 26-year-old also had a chance to score at the other end, but his first touch let him down, and that pretty much summarizes the tournament he had in Ivory Coast.

Calvin Bassey – A case of two halves. Colossal in the first half, average and mistake-laden in the second half. The physicality of the Ivorian team shook the Fulham central defender a little. He however didn’t back down, and although he was shaky a few times, and won all of the duels he was involved in.

William Troost Ekong – He scored the opener but could not prevent the Ivorians from scoring twice. He could have done a bit more in stopping the second goal, but Sebastien Haller’s strength couldn’t be handled by the 30-year-old. He won the Player of the Tournament award.

Semi Ajayi – Average night for the languid defender. He could not stop Haller from scoring the winner. The West Bromwich Albion defender was not involved in defending with the team as a unit. He didn’t help Ola Aina on the right-hand side either, leaving the wingback isolated.

Frank Onyeka – He was indefatigable but swarmed by the opponents, who had a packed midfield and dragged him everywhere. The Brentford man won the most tackles in the game. His dirty work in the middle of the park restricted the opposition to chances from long range, but as he grew tired, they got more chances to break through the middle.

Alex Iwobi – The Fulham central midfielder never got going. He simply didn’t tick, as his passes were sloppy and he kept playing it safe rather than attacking the opposition. He wasn’t secure defensively either and was subbed off with eleven minutes to spare.

Substitutions

Moses Simon – He came on early in the second half but had to defend more than he tried to attack. The Nantes man came on to add pace to the attack of the Nigerian team but he was well closed down.

Kelechi Iheanacho – He Could not influence the game. His introduction saw some intricate passing in attack for the Super Eagles as the Leicester City man tried to weave his way through the Ivorian defence, but his only attempt was blocked by a body of orange shirts.

Joe Aribo, Terrem Moffi and Alhassan Yusuf had no impact, perhaps there was not enough time to prove their worth.

Coach Reaction

In his post-match press conference, Peseiro addressed several factors that he believed contributed to the 2-1 defeat suffered by the Nigerian national team in the final of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

He said “Cote d’Ivoire were the main favourites for this tournament; they have very good players, wingers, and very fast wingers. Quality wingers in attack, they are a good team but they were almost out, I don’t know if that situation did change the pressure. They were fantastic; they didn’t play with pressure, and they didn’t feel nervous, but on the opposite, my players, my team felt nervous more than their opponents.”

Peseiro also admitted the Super Eagles lost too many balls, which was evident in the final tally of 61 per cent to 39 per cent ball possession in favour of the Elephants.

“We lose many balls; I don’t know why; I don’t think my players were comfortable today. From the back, we lose too many balls, and with that, you allow the opponent to create many chances, and they attack and attack.”

Despite the shortfalls highlighted, Peseiro insists his players deserve to be praised for how far they came and how they gave their best shot at winning the 2023 AFCON tournament.

Regardless, both Peseiro and the Eagles players should banish the ugly memory of the AFCON loss, and focus on qualifying for both the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, and 2026 World Cup. These are the two major tournaments ahead of us, and where the Eagles will have the opportunity to redeem themselves – by proving that they are still one of the powerhouses of African football.