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A cross-section of analysts has been left stunned by the amazing strides of Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, megasportsarena.com reports.
The team being handled by ex-international defender and former captain of the side, Augustine Eguavoen pulled into the round of 16 as the only side with 100% winning mark from the first phase of matches.
That feat has shot the Eagles up from the level of ‘also qualified’ to prospects of possible champions, much to the amazement of football buffs and fans alike.
This much has been highlighted in a special survey by the electronic medium of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which noted that the Eagles are flying high despite the sack of their erstwhile coach, Gernot Rohr less than a month to the start of AFCON 2021.
The online publication noted that, against all expectations, Eguavoen has been able to marshal his squad to a 1-0 victory in their opening game against Egypt, followed by victories over Sudan and Guinea Bissau.
That is the crux of the story reeled out by the BBC, which noted that the Eagles are defying all odds at their base in Garoua, Cameroon and now look good to finally get revenge against the hosts, who beat them in three separate final matches of the competition, including one in Lagos in the year 2000.
The Eagles’ title-winning potentials have been boosted by poor form from some normally glorious teams, as Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Senegal all struggled during a group stage that provided two major shocks and several talking points.
The BBC’s script added: “The tournament has come to life following a slow start, which saw nine 1-0s and two goalless draws in the first round of group matches.
“Here BBC Sport Africa assesses the opening 12 days of action in Cameroon. Two teams have stood out so far: the hosts and Nigeria.
“The Super Eagles are the only side with a 100% record, a statistic made all the more surprising by the fact they dismissed long-serving boss Gernot Rohr just four weeks before the tournament.
“Yet the side have gelled well under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, dominating seven-time champions Egypt in their opening game and going on to beat Sudan and Guinea-Bissau comfortably.
“After an underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign so far, the West Africans are a side to watch.
“Cameroon, meanwhile, enjoyed fine wins over Burkina Faso and Ethiopia to top Group A, with skipper Vincent Aboubakar netting five goals to equal a tournament scoring record for the Indomitable Lions.
“The biggest storyline on the pitch has been the unceremonious exit of defending champions Algeria.
“The North Africans drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in their opener, then lost against Equatorial Guinea before being soundly beaten by Ivory Coast.
“Four-time champions Ghana were also dumped out, finishing bottom of Group B after a stunning 3-2 defeat by debutants Comoros.
“Senegal, among the pre-tournament favourites, finished top of Group B despite only managing to score one goal.
“The Teranga Lions were without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly for their first two games because of Covid-19, and their performances will surely improve.
“Another side struggling to find the back of the net have been Egypt. Mohamed Salah’s Pharaohs drew a blank as they lost to Nigeria and then could only beat Guinea-Bissau and Sudan 1-0 – although they hit the woodwork three times against the Djurtus.”
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