Nigeria’s Super Eagles are one of the last four teams in the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
The three-time AFCON winners reached this stage after defeating Angola’s Palancas Negras 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
The triumph over the Angolans is Nigeria’s fourth consecutive victory at the continental championship after beating hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and former champions Cameroon.
Currently the highest-ranking nation at the AFCON, Nigeria are now the firm favourites to lift the trophy and add to their glorious outings in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
However, two-time chairman of Gombe United Football Club, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, is not convinced that the Super Eagles deserved to be in the semifinals of the AFCON.
Not particularly impressed with the nature of the Super Eagles’ victories – Nigeria have recorded three slim 1-0 wins – Gara Gombe believes the team has been riding on luck to win games.
Alhaji Gombe says the Jose Peseiro-tutored team lacks quality in midfield and coordination in attack, which is why the best of Africa Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has not yet been seen.
“We (the Super Eagles) are still wobbling, but we are moving,” Gara Gombe told Daily Trust.
“We are moving by luck. There is still no coordination. If we win this tournament, the credit must go to God.
“The technical crew have no input in this team as we are not scoring goals as it should be. We relied on Osimhen to score, but he is busy running up and down, and that is because he is not getting the services required from the midfield.”
However, Gara Gombe, the youngest-ever Match Commissioner in the history of Nigeria football, has applauded the Super Eagles’ defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, for their excellent displays.
Nwabali has kept four consecutive clean sheets at the AFCON, the first Nigerian goalkeeper to achieve that in 44 years.
“The only stand-out player for me is the goalkeeper,” Gara Gombe added.
“I must say the defence has been very good as well, but the midfield and attack, if Angola had scored that goal that hit the post, what would have happened?”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are two wins away from lifting the 34th edition of the AFCON and have set up a semifinal date with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.
