No team at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Ghana can withstand the firepower of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on a good day. This was the verdict of former chairman of Borno State Football Association, Barrister Eddy Mark while assessing the chances of the Nigerian team at the continental showpiece billed to kick-off on January 20.
Nigerians have been apprehensive about the preliminary round matches, where the Eagles are expected to slug it out with the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and the Eagles of Mali in the same group.
Alongside the Squirrels of Benin Republic, who have been variously described as outsiders to progress to the quarterfinal stage. But Barrister Mark dismissed the star-studded Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, saying they’re not invincible, even though he admitted that the Malian team could pose some problems in the midfield.
Hear him: "A lot of people have expressed fears that the Super Eagles would find Cote d’Ivoire and Mali very difficult to beat in the group stage. But I am not afraid of Cote d’Ivoire. It is true they have quality players, who are playing their club football with notable teams in Europe, but they are not invincible.
"I rather fear Mali, because they have a strong midfield. That is the only team with good players in the midfield that can give Nigeria some problems.
"Cote d’Ivoire and Mali have no good defence that can withstand the firepower of Super Eagles’ attack. Only the Black Stars of Ghana may prove stubborn to Super Eagles, because of their ‘gara-gara’ (aggressive) brand of football and home advantage as the host team."
The former Borno FA boss observed that the relative peace that has pervaded the camp of Super Eagles in Malaga, Spain, further suggests that the team would record a good outing at the forthcoming Nations Cup.
"For the first time in many years, Nigeria would be going into a major tournament without crisis rocking the team over players’ allowances and match bonuses or related issues.
"There seems to be orderliness in Eagles’ camp in Malaga. The football authorities seem to have got it right this time round. We have not heard about bonus palaver or interference in technical matters.
"Once we remain disciplined, we shall succeed. The players appear to be committed to do the nation proud, because the Football Association is treating them as professionals this time around. So, we expect the best from the team."
Barrister Mark expressed delight over the inclusion of younger players, who are hungry for honours in the Eagles’ line up for the championship. According to him, such fresh legs could prove to be the jokers in case the older players fail to live up to the expectation at the tournament.
"I’m happy with the presence of fresh legs in the Eagles’ camp. I expect the technical crew to give everyone of them equal opportunity.
"One interesting thing is that all the players in camp play their club football in competitive leagues across Europe. This is unlike in the past when some players come from lower leagues just to struggle to make the team in order to collect match bonuses, which are usually bigger amount of money compared to what they earn in their respective clubs," he said.