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The African Cup of Nations is upon us again, this time Cote dIvoire, the two-time winners, are the hosts. Nigerias Super Eagles are gearing up to browbeat their way to the final and probably win the trophy, not because of the strength of their preparation, quality friendly matches, pedigree of coaching crew, but more because of the providence nature bestowed on us as a country by having a few top class players in the mould of Victor Osimhen and the rave of the German League, Victor Boniface, of Bayer Leverkusen.But winning the Africa Cup of Nations or indeed major football tournaments goes beyond the quality of players and coaches, it also tasks each countrys football administration cascading from the Sports Minister: his drive, persona, charisma, and his hold at the presidents office down to the aura of the Football Federation President to the tactical depth of the coaching crew, and very importantly, the commitment, passion, grit, energy technical ability and discipline of the players individually and collectively.Another major factor in winning tournaments is the quality of the opposition.Today in Africa, the reigning champions are Senegals Teranga Lions, and FIFA World Rankings put them ahead of Nigeria. Morocco is another country tipped to excel due to the Atlas Lions sterling performance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup where they got to the semi-finals.Also Read: AFCON 2023 On My Mind OdegbamiThe host country, Cote D Ivoire, is a contender simply because they have a legendary youth football culture spewing up such great legends of the past like Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Omar Ben Sallah and Abdullahi Traore.Among the contenders for every edition are six-time winners, The Pharaohs of Egypt. Not only have they entrenched a solid home-based club football culture, but they have the best club-sides on the continent in Al Ahli, former Ahli National and Zamalek Sporting Club. They have midwifed generations of legends like goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, Hossam Hassan Hussein and one of Africas greatest exports to the English Premier League today, Mohammed Sallah of Liverpool. Its impossible not to acknowledge Algerias Riyad Mahrez, South Africas Percy Tau, three-time champions Cameroon with Andre Onana, and Bayern Munichs Choupo-Moting.Even with all these great players, no country is guaranteed to excel without the tactical prowess of their coaches. Here we are talking about the formation and style of play of a team. Gernot Rohr, for instance, when he was the Super Eagles gaffer, was accused of not being offensive enough in the teams play. Peseiro has also been criticized for a weak defence and choice of sloppy, error-prone goalkeepers like Francis Uzoho.Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose PeseiroBut with the abundance of talent Nigeria has today, how do we evolve a team that defends well, enforces a good defensive midfield wall and even without the mercurial skills of Jay Jay Okocha, creates defence-splitting passes to feed Osimhen and Boniface?For want of honing a winning team and strategy together with the coaching crew, I might suggest Stanley Nwabili of Chippa United in goal because the South African league tests you enough especially as a first-team goalkeeper. African Cup of Nations football is gritty, rough, and rigorous. Im not sure that Francis Uzoho is that tough and rugged or if he can maintain an optimal concentration throughout ninety minutes of African weather.Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Zaidu Sanusi, hopefully, are experienced and will do a good back four for me. Wilfred Ndidi sits in front of the back four while Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho play as 8 and 10. Of course, the three attackers will be Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen and the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, who leads the attack.Also Read: Enoh States Presidential Backing As Super Eagles Aim For 4th AFCON TitleTactically, the definitive transition from defence to attack is not only extremely key, it is also imperative. And on the field of play, Ndidi and Senior Man Iheanacho must assume leadership on the pitch and service the attackers.Having attended 12 AFCON tournaments and 6 FIFA World Cups between Spain 82 and South Africa 2010, I guess one has acquired an intuition and sixth sense that guides one towards who are likely winners, contenders and pretenders to the title. I dare say countries like Cameroon, Cape Verde and Ghana might likely be surprise packages of the tournament despite not being top-notch during the qualifiers.As a note of caution, I was in Ivory Coast in 1984 when the Super Eagles boasted of the likes of Stephen Keshi, Emmanuel Okala, Muda Lawal, and Henry Nwosu and Cameroon knocked us out in the final with a star-studded team that comprised of Thomas Nkono, Stephen Tataw Eta, Djonkep Bonaventure and Francois NDoumbe Lea. Super Eagles were overpowered by their stars. The reverse is the case today. We have the stars like Osimhen and Ndidi.Can we overwhelm Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and the hosts Cote D Ivoire? Are dollar issues and greed of officials going to affect and distract the team? Is there luck associated with Nigerias Presidents and Sports Ministers in our favour during tournaments?In less than 14 days the games will begin in Abidjan, and then the real challenge will start. I dare say that the success or failure of the Super Eagles will depend on not only the technical and tactical strategies on the pitch but also on the diplomacy, the politics, the administration and the positivity of all Nigerians to the team. As we move to battle, I love the new jerseys but the players must know that wearing the jerseys means they carry the hopes, dreams and pride of 200 million Nigerians. One can only admonish them and say to them Fly Super Eagles, fly!.Dr Danladi Bako (The Grandmaster) attended six FIFA World Cup finals and 12 AFCON tournaments and was Chairman of Sokoto State Football Association from 2000 to 2003.Copyright 2023 Completesports.com All rights reserved. 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