by STEVE OGAH

G21 AFRICA Staff Writer

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Steve Ogah

LAGOS, NIGERIA- The super Eagles of Nigeria arrived at the recently concluded 24th edition of the Nokia African Cup of Nations with an ebullient hope. The tiny Mediterranean country of Tunisia was well ornamented to receive the other 15 teams that also converged on their county. For the first time, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) christened the football tournament with a major sponsor, Nokia.

Football pundits welcomed this phenomenon as it meant an enlarged pay packet for the participating countries. Nigeria arrived in Tunisia with a relatively young squad. And, as if our woes were to be compounded, the super Eagles were grouped in the group of death along with South Africa, Morocco, and Benin Republic as death mates. Football devotees looked forward to a feisty show of artistry and marksmanship in the supposedly toughest group of the tournament. For me, the football feast had to be savoured one at a time, until two teams progressed to the knock out stages.

NIGERIA - VS - MOROCCO: This match was eagerly awaited as the two countries have a rich football history in the CAF archives. In a highly technical and tactical exhibition of continental soccer techniques, Nigeria and Morocco lined the best legs on the lush soccer pitch. The bench was no less staffed with dependable reserves and Technical directors. Nigeria's last man of defence was the triumphant goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama of the victorious Enyimba football club of Aba in the gone by CAF Champions leaque. With John "the Attacker" Utaka of RC Lens of France in the attack, the Eagles were ready to release punitive salvos. The defence boasted of the intimidating presence of Isaac Okoronkwo of the Wolverhampton Wanderers of the English premiership and other defensive players.

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The midfield prided itself on the silky and showy artistry of the now-African footballer of the year: Austin Jay Jay Okocha of the Bolton Wanderers of the priemership. The Eagles wove short passes into long attacking threads only to have the attacking line turn a lame duck before the Moroccan defence. Our attack faltered when it mattered most. The midfield was not at optimized performance. The defence was susceptible from a tactical overview. And the Atlas Lions of Morocco were only marking time before they struck off the sloppiness of our defence.

Youssiri Hadji executed a swift "Don't touch me turn", then with precision he released a volley too sizzling for the outstretched hand of Vincent Enyeama in the Nigeria goal.

At the end of proceedings, the Atlas Lions triumphed over the super Eagles.

The Eagles were guilty on the swift turns in the 18 yards box. Our attacking dummies co uld not effectively pull out the Moroccan defence to allow a greater latitude for the attackers. To this effect, our attack was blunt, and our technical compass froze in the wind off the Mediterranean Sea.

Christian Chukwu, as head of he Nigeria bench, displayed leadership in front of the cameras; but not enough cutting-edge technicalities to tame the Moroccans. His substitutions proved ineffective; whereas such a highly inelastic game demanded an extra stretch from the bench and a touch of genius from the players. Let us then have the technical crew share the blame. The flagellation distributed among the players. But more importantly re-strategization effected by all. Bafana Bafana of South Africa lurked in the shadows. The Eagles had to fly again.

TO BE CONTINUED