Why the Super Eagles Will Soar

Nigeria team photo vs England at Wembley

The biggest and most watched sporting event in the world is here again. It's the Russia 2018 FIFA world cup. Once again, all attention is focused on the participating 32 teams from all the Continent of the world.  And after one gruelling month of fantastic competition, one team will walk away with the majestic trophy, like Germany did fours ago, in Brazil.



Having qualified for Russia without breaking sweat, many expects the Super Eagles of Nigeria to fly and surprise the world. But recent poor showing have somehow dampen the excitement many Nigerians had about the team. But I do not share this anxiety with my fellow country men and here is why.

YOUTH IS POWER

 The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) says Nigeria paraded the youngest players during the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

This was announced on FIFA’s official website by a Switzerland-based independent study group CIES Observatory Group in it’s issue number 30 of Observatory Monthly Report.  Nigeria fielded the youngest players (with an average age of 24.9 years) in the qualifiers, followed by title-holders Germany (25.7).

This encouraging trend has been sustained by coach Rohr who has gone on to also name the youngest team going to Russia. At 25.9 years, the Super Eagles have picked their youngest ever team to the World cup.

Francis Uzohor will be among the youngest talents at Russia 2018 World Cup

With such a young team, a mixyure of veterans like mercurial midfielder and captain John Obi Mikel, to the young and energetic Alex Iwobi,  to the never tiring war horse, Ndidi, or is it the young and vibrant keeper Uzohor who is bent on creating history? One can only be optimistic about the performance of this group when the games begin.

POOR PREPARATION, A SPUR TO SIT UP

Many Nigerians have grumbled over the fact the Eagles have lost virtually all their preparatory games for the mundial. From the terrible first half display against England at Wembley, to the poor display when they took on the less fancied Czech Republic, a game in which they also lost.  

Coach Rohr has got his work cut out for him. But I believe he can do it. Before the first game against Croatia, the team must have bonded and designed a perfect plan to see them achieve victory against their more illustrious opponents.

A SUPER COACH IN ROHR

With more than 45 years in the game both as a player and as a coach, Franco-German Gernot Rohr will be at the World Cup for the first time after he qualified Nigeria for the finals against the odds

A 2-1 win in Ndola, Zambia, in October 2016 set the tone for a successful qualifying campaign as the Eagles recorded crucial home wins over Algeria and Cameroon before wrapping up qualification with a late Alex Iwobi winner against the Zambians in front of a home crowd in October 2017.

Coach Rohr will lead the Eagles to Russia

Rohr, now 64, restored self-belief, introduced several young players and brought tactical organisation for Nigeria to reach a sixth World Cup.

“He’s a great and wonderful coach,” said Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

Now the world waits to see what sort of cards the veteran coach has up his sleeves as the Eagles try to better their second round placing at the Brazil 2014 edition.

SUPER FANS BEHIND THE TEAM

From the presidential send forth, to the overcrowded Porth Harcourt stadium to witness their last game on home soil before the mundial, to the record World Cup Jersey sales, it is obvious that Nigerians more than ever before have belief and faith in this team. 

Mikel will captain the team in Russia

Many Nigerians have already taken their summer holiday early with one destination in mind; Russia! And the millions back home have taken a personal approach to the team. They hope and pray daily for the progress and success of their darling team. And come the start of the tournament proper, many more will be rooting for the giants of Africa.