Analyzing the SE chances of winning the AFCON 23

[chief nfachairman]

Last time Nigeria won the AFCON was 10years ago. I would attempt to analyze the 2013 squad and use that to assess the current team.

2013 EAGUS
While having 11 World class players is not a panacae to winning the AFCON, the Stephen Keshi team had the following attributes.

1. The Coach: Keshi was a coach that understood the AFCON inside out. During an interview, he said to win the AFCON, very high level of fitness is needed.
2. Team Play: AFCON is first, Physical, then speed, technique, tactics and leadership. in that order.
PHysicality: The 2013 team had physicality. They had men! Physically strong. Fengor Ogude, Efe Ambrose, Mikel,
Emenike, Oboabona, Omeruo, Egwuekwe the iron bender, Ideye, Moses, Onazi the energizer battery, Moses, Mba, juwon, etc, etc.
Speed: Moses and Musa brought serious speed to this team.
Technique: Some players were blessed with Good technique. MIkel, Ahmed Musa, Ike Uche, Ambrose Efe, Eyeama, Mba
Leadership: Keshi, Mikel, EYeama, Yobo
3. Players Quality:
1stly, they had 3 Top class players in that team in each of the most critical departments.
- Defending: Eyeama - Arguably Africa's best at that time and probably Nigeria's GoalKeeping GOAT.
- Midfield: Mikel - World Class
- Attack: Victor Moses - He had just come from carrying Wigan on his back and was becoming hot for Chelsea. He carried that form that Chelsea saw into the AFCON and gave a world class Performance.

2ndly, they had 5 VERY GOOD players
- Midfield: Onazi: Lazio's midfield Enforcer
- Attack: Emenike: Was killing it in Spartak
Ahmed Musa: Was destroying tins at CSKA
Ideye: Heartbeat of then top Dynamo Kiev
Kalu Uche: Villareal's boy wonder.

3rdly, they had 4 players that had Something to Prove. They were rising and hot and reliable
- Defense: Ambrose Efe (Celtic), Omeruo (Ado ten hag), Oboabona
- Attack: Mba (NPFL)

Recap:
- Defense/ GK: 1 Top class, 3 Something to prove
- Midfield: 1 World Class, 1 Very good player
- Attack: 1 Top Class, 4 VERY GOOD, 1 Something to prove

[chief nfachairman]

2023 EAGUS
1. The coach: The jury is out on this coach. He lacks AFCON experience, his team has not been inspiring but he is trying hard to play an attacking brand of football. I was never a Fan of Peseiro but im praying he makes me eat the humble pie.
2. TEAM PLAY:
Physicality: They have some physically strong players but not close to the 2013 team. Zaidu, Omeruo, Onyeka, Osimhen, Onuachu, Awaziem, Calvin, Osimhen, Onuachu.
Speed: This team packs alot of speed. From Full back, Midfield to attack.
Technique: Osimhen, Chukwueze, Simon Moses, Moffi, Lookman, Iwobi, Aina
Leadership: Ahmed Musa is top. Ekong has been a weak leader, while the jury is out on Osimhen
3. Players Quality: While 2013 was built around 12 players, we would analyze the top 14 players in the current squad
Goalkeeper: All of them na akpere but Nwabili MIGHT have something to Prove
Defense:
-Omeruo - Past his prime. The yobo of 2013 AFCON
-Awaziem - Squad and utility player for 5yrs now. Still in a small portuguese team. He has Something to Prove.
-Aina - Very Good player: A starter in an EPL team.
-Zaidu (Porto): Top Class. Been every present with porto and won many cups with the team. DOwnside is that he was injured for awhile.
-Calvin (FUlham): Very Good player. A starter in an EPL team
-EKong: Another potential 2013 Yobo.
-Semi: Been the best defender at Westbrom for years but plying his trade in the championship. Could he be another Danny shittu? loool

MIdifeld
-Onyeka - He has made the starting lineup 6 times this season and the rest from bench. Newbie in the SE. He has Something to Prove
-Alhassan - MIghtbe the Mba of the tournament. Something to Prove
-Iwobi - VERY GOOD. Baba is doing his thing at Fulham but not yet the man that can carry the team and same for Super Eagles. He might just come off age in -this tournament
-Aribo (Southapmpton, Championship) - Aribo has been blowing hot, mild and cold for SE. Hes not really stood out. He has been a bench warmer at 2nd Div Southampton until 2 weeks back.

Attack
-Osimhen - WORLD CLASS.
-Chukwueze - VERY GOOD. Hasnt had a banger for the SE. Also a non starter for AC milan but we hope he woudl carry his last season form into the AFCON
-Simon Moses - VERY GOOD
-Moffi - VERY GOOD
-Lookman - VERY GOOD


Recap:
- Defense/ GK: 1 Top class, 2 Very Good, 1 Something to prove
- Midfield: 1 Very good player, 2 Something to prove
- Attack: 1 World Class, 4 VERY GOOD


SUMMARY
1. Coach: With Stephen Keshi, Nigeria had a coach better prepared for AFCON compared to Peseiro.
2. Team play: 2023 team is not half as physical as 2013. Team leadership is also not encouraging but the strong point to this team is its speed and Technicality of the team.
3. Player Quality: the 2023 team has a better defensive quality compared to the 2013; 2013 team has a better midifeld (engine room) while the attack is at par with 2013 team.

VERDICT
The best this team can do is win the Golden Bronze.
Hopefully, these players would use this tournament as a stepping stone to bigger clubs and more regular club football for the bench warmers.

But as a patriotic Nigerian, Ill pray for the Gold.

Up Eagus!!!

[Cellular]

Welcome back

[chief nfachairman]

Welcome back

Thanks Baba.

Happy New Year

[ohenhen1]

Not good chance but anything is possible. Even if we don’t win it. I want to see the team take it one game at a time. Continue to improve. Be United.