By Gbemidepo Popoola
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are poised to conclude the first matches in Group A of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire, at the brand-new Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe, outside Abidjan, when both nations clash on Sunday.
With just 2 battles between the duo, duels between both nations have been few and far between, but the Nigerian side has continued to reign Supreme in all encounters faced.
The Giants of Africa did a double over their neighbours to the south en route qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, as Joseph Yobo scored the only goal of the encounter away in Malabo, and then a return leg 4-0 massacre by the Eagles ensured, on home soil at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja completed the rout.
“It is always interesting to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I was a champion in 2013, the same as (defender Kenneth) Omeruo. However, the rest of the team wants to have that feeling of what it means to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Everyone is geared towards making a statement”, said Ahmed Musa, the captain of the team in an interview, after the pre-match presser.
Also, note that the team would be going all out for the 3 points and do not care “whose ox is gored”.
“It is not going to be a picnic. The teams in our group, including Equatorial Guinea that we play tomorrow, are strong and ambitious as well. It is for us to go all out for the three points in each of our games, and then take it from there in the knock-out rounds. We will take it one match at a time.”
With the campaign themed: ‘Let’s Do It Again’, a phrase meant to spike up the team to repeat the success of past sides, in 1980, 1994, and most recently 2013 about 10 plus years ago.
It has been a rallying cry to over 200 million citizens in the most populous African nation under the heavens, and indeed in need of the supernatural from the heavens for a repeat of the past successes according to words on the streets.
For most ‘Let’s Do It Again’, is a message of hope in reality rather than certainty due to the circumstances surrounding the current squad at the prestigious tournament.
With a 20th appearance in the Finals this year, Nigeria definitely should be able to hold her own, alongside the host nation Cote d’Ivoire, and other strong contenders such as current Holders Senegal, 7-time Champions Egypt, an in-form Morrocan side, Ghana, Mali and a host of others.
But the battle begins against Equatorial Guinea, and whatever happens in the game might be an indication of how high the Eagles will Soar, or if they will at all.
Making it out of the group should be the first target. Then after, the thoughts of lifting the crown where the past team had once failed in the Final, on away ground for the first time at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian capital.
With a total of 15 podium appearances in 20 finals, Nigeria remains the country with the most podium appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, having in addition to wins in 1980, 1994, and 2013, finished as runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000, and picked up the bronze medals in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019.
This should send fear into the opponent’s heart but, the question is Would it?
