The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their AFCON 2023 path when they host the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone by 5pm Nigerian time today.
Their opponent are a familiar for the Eagles as they also stood in the way of the Eagles on the way to the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles hosted the Leone Stars in their first match of 2020 in Nigeria at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin in a crucial 2021 AFCON qualifier behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions.
It had been a dream start for the Eagles when Alex Iwobi put them ahead in the 5th minute before Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Iwobi again for his second completed a devastating first 30 minutes and first 45 for the Nigerians.
We all thought this it was it, the Eagles will score 3 more and we will celebrate but reverse was the case.
The Leone Stars had come out hungrier and determined not give up, then they started scoring and we were left speechless. They scored 4 and I looked at the score board, it was 4-4, I couldn’t believe it.
The night became worse with an Osimhen shoulder injury that looked pretty bad as well but in truth the result looked worst.
But that was under Gernot Rohr and we qualified for the 2021 AFCON finishing top of the group.
Rohr is long gone, our disappointments have become deeper, round of 16 exit at the AFCON and losing world cup spot to arch rivals, Ghana.
But the new journey starts today under a new coach Jose Peseiro whose life as Super Eagles gaffer didn’t start well with two losses and under the same circumstances as the match will played behind closed door, this time a punishment for the Super Eagles.
He and the players know it is now or never to redeem themselves and have the fans behind them again.
I expect to see a Super Eagles however my heart is open for an upset.
Soar Super Eagles, it’s match day.
