Sports

Hurdles the Super Eagles of Nigeria Must Cross Before Winning Nigeria’s Fourth AFCON Title

Published

1 year ago

January 7, 2024

By Sylvanus Ofekun

The Super Eagles will face strong competition from other top African teams who are also determined to win the AFCON title. Teams like Egypt, Senegal, and Cameroon have proven to be formidable opponents in the past and will present significant challenges.

The Super Eagles must conquer the following hurdles if they must win Nigeria’s Fourth AFCON Title;

Squad selection and team chemistry: It is important for the Super Eagles to select a well-balanced squad, comprising both experienced and young talented players. Building good team chemistry and cohesion will be crucial in achieving success at the AFCON tournament.
Coaching and tactics: The Super Eagles Coach, Jose Pesiro must display skills, dexterity and effectively strategize,implement tactics that suit the team’s style of play. A clear game plan and effective communication will be pivotal for the team’s success.
Mental and physical fitness: The players need to maintain high levels of physical fitness and mental focus throughout the tournament. Avoiding injuries and fatigue will be important factors in maintaining a competitive edge.
Defensive solidity: The Super Eagles must address their defensive vulnerabilities to compete effectively. Strong defensive organization, solid goalkeeping performances, and disciplined defending will be essential in keeping opposition teams at bay.
Efficient and clinical finishing: Nigeria will need to improve their attacking prowess and be more clinical in front of goal. Scoring goals consistently will give them an advantage in tight games and could be the difference between winning and losing.
Maintaining consistency throughout the tournament: The Super Eagles must ensure they remain consistent throughout the tournament, avoiding complacency and taking every match seriously. They should not underestimate any opponent and approach each game with the same determination and focus.
Effective set-piece execution: Proper execution of set-pieces can be a game-changer in tight contests. The Super Eagles must work on their set-piece routines, both defensively and offensively, to maximize their chances of success.
Support from fans and public: The Super Eagles will need the support of Nigerians both on and off the pitch. The positive energy from fans, along with the belief and backing from the country, can provide an added boost to the players’ motivation and confidence.
Managing pressure and expectations: Nigeria is a soccer-loving nation with high expectations for their national team. Handling pressure and managing expectations will be crucial for the Super Eagles to remain focused and perform at their best. They must not let the weight of expectation hinder their performance.

Thankfully, President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of N12 billion owed to Nigeria’s national teams of various sports, which includes the Super Eagles.

sleekysly5@gmail.com

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Sports

No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday

Published

11 hours ago

June 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.

With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.

Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.

The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.

In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.

While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.

Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.

This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.

Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?

Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.

She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.

Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.

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