Written By Benson Chukwueke, CEO, GreenHunters Sports International
As a fan, my heart want Nigeria to win, but as an analyst my head say Egypt will win, after looking at the present team in Cameroon now ...and not past records. Yeah, football isn't mathematics they say, it is highly unpredictable, yet the quality of players, your preparedness and determination to win will often play out in the game.
Egypt Come in their Full Strength
The Pharaohs of Egypt parade one of the best player in the world today, Mohammed Salah and have all their first choice players on ground that have been together for a while and just coming off Arab Cup tournament, where they got to the Semi finals.
Egypt has a world class coach, who is very experienced. Carlos Queiroz has in the past managed big teams like Real Madrid. He is a coach for the big occasions and has won several trophies: Supercopa de España for Real Madrid in 2003, led Portugal to win FIFA World Youth Championship twice: 1989, 1991, among other trophies.
Carlos Queiroz's leadership has restored the Pharaohs team character. This was clearly shown in the Fifa Arab Cup as Egypt reached the semi-finals despite the absence of key players like Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny and Galatasaray's Mostafa Mohamed.
Nigeria Dilemma of a Ghost Team
No one knows what to expect from Nigeria, not even the Interim Coach Austin Eguavoen, who will be experimenting on the big stage, with more or less a second rate Super Eagles players.
Star Striker Victor Osimhen, Europe 2021 top scorer Paul Onuachu and 2019 Afcon highest goal scorer Odion Ighalo will not be in the squad. Workerholic midfielder Etebo Ogenekaro, stalwart defender Leon Balogun and first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will not be in the squad either.
Eguavoen has been working on having a new playmaker, trying to convert maestro winger Chidera Ejuke or new invitee Kelechi Nwakali to play the role. Nobody knows if he is convinced with their progress in training or if he will resort to playing unimpressive Joe Aribo or Alex Iwobi.
The same dilemma is in the striking role. Nobody is certain if he will resort to using Kelechi Iheanacho as a lone striker in his 4-2-3-1 formation or use bigger statured striker Sadiq Umar or Taiwo Awoniyi.
Eguavoen is not a magician! You can't even call him that good coach. This is not his first stint, Eguavoen led the team to a third place finish in 2006 as coach after winning the tournament as a player in 1994.
Now, He leads a team devoid of confidence, character and big names to Africa’s number one sporting tournament with less than 7 full training sessions and no topclass tune up game. With a shaking defence line, a lean midfield and largely misfiring strikers, it will be a another miracle if Nigeria wins the game today.
