he scoreline of 3-0 deservedly reflects the disparity in relative strengths of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and "The Cheetahs" of Benin Republic! "The Cheetahs " were lucky, indeed very lucky to eek out their sole victory over the Super Eagles in Abidjan, on the 10th of June, 2024, in a competitive setting. In what with benefit of hindsight, was a very bad Super Eagles performance! Indeed, one of the worst in recent memory, occasioned by a series of very unfortunate factors/circumstances!!!!!!

That victory apparently gave Coach Gernot Rohr a certain measure of 'vindictive' repose /confidence to not only accept his sack from Nigeria, but also to confront the Super Eagles once again in a competitive setting, this time around, the AFCON qualifiers.

However, that confidence and the apparent 'vindictive' repose, as a consequence of the defeat in Uyo, on the 7th September, 2024, has been puntured! Coach Gernot Rohr for all his dreams and expectations awakened by the pyrrhic victory of 10th June,2024, must now (re) acknowledge one fact which he already knows: the Super Eagles of Nigeria, belong to higher level than "The Cheetahs" of Benin Republic! He has no doubt improved the team of Republic of Benin, but it will take quite sometime for Benin Republic to get to Nigeria's level in soccer. That is if that will ever be, considering Nigeria's assets in soccer!

The victory gives the Super Eagles a fantastic headstart in the 2025 AFCON qualification series; and, hopefully, a "renaissance" for the rest of the 2026 World cup qualification series, in 2025.

A great deal of kudos deservedly goes to the technical crew, under leadership of Coach Augustine Eguavoen, for taking up an apparent 'impossible' task, barely a week to the match! As a consequence of some accidental and man-made problems, in the employment of a foreign technical adviser/coach for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Yours sincerely, considering the excitement of the moment, will not discuss the issues surrounding the failure, thus far, to hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

How did the Super Eagles fare in the match-up against Republic of Benin, at the highest level of men's soccer, in the 2025 AFCON qualification format?

The Super Eagles lined-up in a 3-4-3 formation; a tactical adaptation, apparently, learned by Coach Eguavoen from Coach Peseiro; following the way he organised the Super Eagles, at AFCON 2023; and with almost complete success! Coach Peseiro in defending that tactical format, said since the Super Eagles conceded cheap goals, prior to his use of the 3-4-3 formation, decided on a tactical formation that would eliminate such unfortunate scenario of conceding cheap goals.

With benefit of hindsight, Coach Eguavoen was right to use the 3-4-3 formation.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, was in goal. He was supremely confident as usual; as a matter of fact, he was at his confident best. And made two decisive saves that helped him keep a clean slate. Kudos to him!

The three central defenders were :

Semi Ajayi, alias "The gentleman giant"; Skipper William Troost-Ekong alias " Rock of Gibralter" and "The Kwinkling-tinkling " Calvin Bassey. Calvin Bassey was replaced by Olisa Ndah, in the second half. Together they worked well and contributed to the clean sheet of the team. Kudos to them!

The wingbacks or inverted fullbacks:

" The usually brilliant" Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi; were super in their defensive and offensive responsibilities. Kudos to them!

The central/ offensive mid-fielders :

Wilfred Ndidi, alias " The Baggy-bagger" or "Ndidi Bustop" and Alex Iwobi, alias "The dancing Krekel", were super. And when the mid-field tandem showed fatigue, Coach Eguavoen replaced them with Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele Bashiru, respectively. It must be noted that Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Dele Fisayo-Bashiru, contributed to the first and second Super Eagles' goals. However, Alex Iwobi, must show quickness of judgement in the final third! Nigeria missed two possible chances as a consequence of the lapses he exhibited in this aspect of his game. Notwithstanding, they all played well and contributed very well to the team's victory. Kudos to them!

The strikers:

Wingers : Samuel Chukwueze, alias " EL Fantastico" and " The Golden " Ademola Lookman ; and the centre-forward, Victor Boniface . When Samuel Chukwueze tired-out in the second half, he was replaced by Simon Moses, alias " The Atilogwu dancer". He gave the assist for the third goal for Nigeria. Victor Boniface, was replaced by Victor Oshimen, alias " EL Magnifico". He brilliantly scored the second goal. They all did well. However, mention must be made of the particular brilliance of Ademola Lookman, who with his individual soccer artistry, helped give Nigeria the first goal. And followed up with another brilliant third goal for Nigeria. He is in my considered opinion, the " Man- of -the -match " !!!!!! And has further done justice to his 'claim' to be Africa's best player for 2024!

In conclusion, the Super Eagles played generally a brilliant match and won handsomely. However, they need to quicken the tempo of ball circulation! This will help breakdown opponents' defensive organisation! A slower ball circulation, helps the opponents reorganise and makes life more difficult.

That said, given the present reality, the Super Eagles can confront Rwanda at home, on the 10th of September, 2024, with the right mindset.

UP SUPER EAGLES! UP NIGERIA!!!!!!