Sports
Super Eagles AFCON Draw; A Perfect Pathway For Nigeria To Achieve Its “Let’s Do It Again” 2024 Nations Cup Objective
By Michael Obasi.
Sports Affairs Analyst
The Countdown to the 2024 Africa Cup Of Nations Tournament has reached its serious end following the draw of the tournament held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Twenty-four African Countries including the Super Eagles of Nigeria now know their group opponents at the next tournament.
Countries can now step up their preparations for the tournament which starts in January as regards the organisation of Friendly games and likely opponents.
Three times Champion Nigeria are among the top teams going into the tournament and the team has now been drawn in Group A alongside host country Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
In the face of mixed reactions to the Super Eagles Group, President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau has described the draw as a Good one for Nigeria.
Gusau said, ” For me, I see it as a very good draw for us and our focus remains the same which is to prepare the team the best way possible so that we can achieve the aim of winning the trophy”.
Seeing the draw personally, I can only agree totally with the NFF boss that having Ivory Coast and the two Guinean countries is a perfect draw for our Super Eagles.
I strongly believe that for Nigeria to achieve the “Let’s DO IT AGAIN” mantra in Ivory Coast, this kind of draw will be a good platform to build on to reach the tournament’s final.
It’s a known fact that the quality of African football has continued to rise and even the so-called smaller countries are beginning to parade good players who ply their trades in Europe, but the Current Nigeria squad is full of top-name players whose qualities tear down headlines in Europe week in week out.
Ivory Coast is not a strange opponent for the Super Eagles and both countries have a huge history of producing world-class players.
It is therefore almost a straightforward prediction that Nigeria and Host Ivory Coast will be the top two teams to qualify from their group, barring any tournament upset.
This however does not mean Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau are push-overs.
Guinea-Bissau has been making some strong statements on the continent in the last couple of years, qualifying for the 2022 Nations Cup in Cameroon and now making it to the 2024 tournament.
They finished second behind the Super Eagles in the AFCON qualifiers and will be hoping for a tournament upset to go beyond the Group stage in Ivory Coast.
Their Guinean brothers, Equatorial Guinea are far more of a better-improved Footballing country and they have continued to prove this by their regular qualification for the AFCON in recent years.
In fact the last AFCON in Cameroon they made it beyond the group stage in a Group that had Ivory Coast and Algeria.
They eventually fell in the knockout stage to Mali on Penalties so they will be very optimistic that despite being in the same group with Nigeria and Ivory’s Coast, they have got a decent chance.
Unfortunately for them maybe host Country Ivory’s Coast will trade their spot in the knock phase with them but certainly not the current Super Eagles team with the present leadership of the NFF board.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has reassured in several forums that the well-being of all the National teams is his board’s main objective and that will not be compromised at any time under his tenure.
Little wonder, the Eagles are making judicious use of every FIFA free window to play competitive Friendly games which will continue heading to the Nation’s Cup.
The NFF President has continued to have serious engagements with both the Corporate bodies and the Government through the Minister of Sports as regards the funding of the Super Eagles and other National teams.
And all things being equal if the NFF gets the desired support from all quarters then the campaign of “LET’S DO IT AGAIN” will become a reality in Ivory Coast next year.
By Michael Obasi.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Splashes Big Prize Money Ahead Of 14 November 2026 Race
Top Three Elite Finishers To Earn $8,000, $6,000 And $5,000 Respectively
The organisers of the highly anticipated PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have announced an attractive prize package for athletes across every category ahead of the race on 14 November 2026 in Abuja.
The prize announcement has been welcomed by athletes and coaches, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the leading road races in Nigeria. The race offers local athletes the chance to compete against international runners in front of a home crowd, while also earning meaningful rewards.
In the elite category, first place earns $8,000, second place takes $6,000, third place gets $5,000, fourth place receives $4,000, fifth place goes home with $3,000, sixth place earns $2,000, seventh place takes $1,000, and eighth place gets $500.
In the Nigerian category, first place earns ₦2,000,000, second place takes ₦1,500,000, third place gets ₦1,000,000, fourth place receives ₦500,000, fifth place goes home with ₦300,000, sixth place earns ₦200,000, seventh place takes ₦100,000, and eighth place gets ₦50,000.
According to the organisers, the prize structure reflects the commitment of PremiumTrust Bank to the growth of athletics in Nigeria and to the encouragement of home based athletes. The separate Nigerian category ensures that local runners are properly recognised and rewarded for their performance.
The half marathon, which covers 21 kilometres, remains an important event for long distance runners. It serves as a test of endurance and preparation, and it provides a competitive platform for athletes building towards major national and international competitions.
The race is expected to draw elite athletes, club runners, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. The turnout is expected to be high, given the interest already shown since registration opened.
Organisers have advised interested runners to register early through the official registration portal of the race to secure their participation, as arrangements are being put in place for timing, security, medical support and traffic management on race day.
The prize money is now confirmed, attention will shift to the athletes as they complete their final weeks of training and preparations ahead of the race day.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured7 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
