AFCON Qualifiers Expose Super Eagles’ Inadequacies

goal. The goalkeeper position is an area of grave concern, with doubts about Francis Uzoho's ability to be a reliable goalkeeper for the team. Even if he has shown flashes of brilliance, he has also been prone to costly errors as in the goal that won the Djurtus the first leg in Abuja. While he kept a clean sheet in Guinea-Bissau, his performance was not flawless and he failed to inspire confidence in the times when he was called to action. The two local keepers called up as backup options, John Noble and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, are unlikely to pose a threat to Uzoho's position and this will not be enough to get the best out of the 24-year-old Omonoia FC keeper. One solution could be to promote Maduka Okoye, but his inactivity at Watford is a concern.

With Uzoho suspended for the next international break, the team will need to find a solution to this keeper issue quickly ahead of the next international break in June.

Furthermore, the midfield formation has also been a concern, with Alex Iwobi struggling with too much defensive responsibility. This has put more pressure on Wilfred Ndidi, who has not been in the same top form since recovering from injury. If Ndidi can return to top form and fitness, Nigeria will have a much stronger midfield. However, if he is unable to do so, Nigeria will continue to struggle in the midfield. This is a major concern as the midfield is a crucial third of the pitch that can make or break a team's chances of winning games. It means the team may need to consider alternative options. Joe Aribo, who plays for Rangers in Scotland, has shown that he can be a creative force in midfield, and he could be given a more advanced role in the team. Another option could be to give more playing time to younger players such as Shehu Abdullahi or Frank Onyeka.

There have also been issues with the use of wingers, particularly with Samuel Chukwueze's inconsistent performances. Ademola Lookman has shown himself to be a greater goal threat, but was overlooked in favour of Chukwueze, who put in a terribly poor performance in the return game against Guinea-Bissau. The Villarreal flank player repeatedly shot wildly instead of passing to his teammates. If he were clinical with his shooting, it may have been understandable but that he was not even manageably hitting the target made it shocking that the technical crew left him on until the 81st minute. Lookman has shown himself to be a greater goal threat since moving to Atalanta and could be given more playing time in the team to bring that ruthlessness to bear.

In front, attention returns to Osimhen. He is currently the leading goalscorer in Serie A and top candidate for the

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Interim Government, Military Coup: Hoax or Real?

Yet, the Electoral Act provides a legal framework for resolving electoral disputes and I will counsel the disputants and their supporters to take advantage of this framework to resolve the fallout of the general elections. This is recommended to avoid what could very well result in a swift conflagration and break down of law, order and everything in between.

Finally, it is essential to emphasise that the worst democratic government is far better than any military government in whatever shape or form, especially for the sake of citizens' rights and freedoms. Nigeria's history is replete with instances of military rule and the human rights abuses that occurred during those years are well-documented. The restoration of civilian rule in 1999 was a significant achievement, and it is essential that Nigeria's democracy continues to thrive rather than retrogress to conditions that should best be left in the past.

As important as it is to tirelessly defend norms and values of democratic practices, such as the sacredness of elections and the sanctity of the people's mandate, the impartiality of the judiciary and the respect of correctly enacted laws, the current crisis should not be allowed to derail Nigeria's democracy.

As much as we must avoid setting a terrible precedent that makes it seem that we can allow fraudulently acquired victories to stand just for the sake of peace, all parties should together recognise that we all have a responsibility to ensure that the country remains on the path of democratic consolidation. I therefore strongly advise against the unconstitutional context of an interim government or military government in Nigeria. Our democracy is a bastion for democratic practice across Africa and a reference point for the West. We have achieved it through blood, sweat and deaths. We owe it to those who suffered to bequeath it to us to preserve it for posterity. These are the reasons why we must preserve this democracy, flawed as it is, even as we fight to make sure courts do not decide the winners of our elections.

It is despicable that over a 100 cases are pending before various courts from these polls due to INEC’s corrupt officials and security agencies. Still, the current electoral crisis presents an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes, and to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy. It is my hope that the disputants will heed this call and work towards a peaceful resolution of the current crisis, in the interest of Nigeria's democracy and its people.

Capocannoniere award this season. He thrives as a striker that can trouble any defensive formation but, over two legs, Osimhen cut a frustrated figure up top of the team formation. What was painfully obvious was that the team was not playing to his strengths. Osimhen is a quick and powerful striker who thrives on through balls and crosses, but the team's current formation neglected this and did not allow for adventurous wing-backs to provide him with these opportunities. When chances opened, there appeared to be a lack of synergy in the transition to the forward line. The ball was either lost, possession was taken, passes were without direction or selfish plays ruined taking advantage of such openings, as with Chukwueze's antics. If the team can come up with a new formation that allows for more adventurous flank play as they do in Napoli, they may be able to get the best out of Osimhen and create more chances. And, he will have less to be frustrated about.

There were some other performances that the return leg witnessed. Semi Ajayi performed admirably, displaying impressive aerial prowess and helping to secure the team's defensive line. Zaidu Sanusi, however, struggled to make an impact, with the opposition frequently targeting him on the left flank. Perhaps the standout player of the night was Osayi-Samuel, whose dynamic and creative play in midfield helped to create several chances for the team. Unfortunately, many of these opportunities were squandered, with Osayi-Samuel himself narrowly missing the target with a powerful effort over the crossbar. He did enough to earn the penalty that won the game, so credit to him. Captain Ahmed Musa, who came on as substitute in the latter stages of the match, did not have enough time to make a significant impact.

Overall, while there are certainly areas of concern for the Nigerian team, there is still time to make improvements before the final group games and before the AFCON next year in Cote d'Ivoire. The team will need to address their issues with the goalkeeper position, midfield, and wingers if they are to qualify and perform up to par in Cote d'Ivoire next year. Peseiro, if he is still here next year, will need to be more willing to experiment with new formations and make changes during games as needed. With the right adjustments, Nigeria can still be a strong contender in the tournament.

As a footnote, there were ugly scenes of fans invading the pitch at the Estádio 24 de Setembro, Bissau, after the final whistle went up. This forced the Super Eagles to hurriedly leave the field for the dressing room. This is a worrying event that needs to be addressed by the Nigerian Football Federation and the Confederation of African Football to ensure that it is punished to deter future occurrences.