By 
Nigeria’s chances of winning this year’s Africa Cup of Nations have further been dampened by a scorching pre-competition analysis by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), megasportsarena.com gathered.
The report contained in the online site of BBC Sports Africa noted that Nigeria’s odds have been diminished a myriad of woes and happenstances, which have reduced the Super Eagles’ chances of getting a fourth title in history.
According to the preview of action in Group D at the impending competition in Cameroon, factors militating against the Eagles include uncertainty in their technical crew, frailty in defence, a lightweight midfield and seriess of injuries to key players.
The preview presented by BBC’s Nigerian writer, Shina Okeleji also noted that the absences of Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis, as well as recent inconsistency from Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa will also count against them when the chips comes down.
With seven-time winners Egypt, featuring Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah, also set to compete in the same group, alongside Sudan and Giunea-Bissau, Okeleji reasoned further that the chances of Nigeria scaling through are limited, but the Eagles might just sneak into the next round by the skin of their teeth.
The citation noted: “Whoever coined the expression about shooting oneself in the foot must have had Nigeria in mind, for the Super Eagles are often the architects of their own misery.
“With mind-boggling regularity they press the self-destruct button before and during major tournaments, this time by sacking Coach Gernot Rohr just four weeks ahead of the Nations Cup.
“Former captain Austin Eguavoen takes charge for a third spell – yet his appointment in the hottest seat in African football has been criticised by the fans.
“But Eguavoen, who led the team to a third-placed finish in 2006, has ignored the mumblings of discontent and revealed the squad’s target in Cameroon is to emerge as champions.
“New boss Jose Peseiro travels as an observer, with Nigeria in a tricky group. The Super Eagles must fly above their internal issues to reach the knockout stages.
“Goalkeeping uncertainty, frailty at the back and a lightweight midfield were the problems that blighted the squad during qualifying for the Nations Cup and World Cup.
“Kelechi Iheanacho has gone off the boil, exciting Samuel Chukwueze is only just returning from a long-term injury, while Wilfred Ndidi provides the sole reliability in midfield.”
GROUP D MATCHES
Tuesday, 11 January: Nigeria v Egypt, Sudan v Guinea-Bissau
Saturday, 15 January: Nigeria v Sudan, Guinea-Bissau v Egypt
Wednesday, 19 January: Egypt v Sudan, Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria
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