It may not be an easy task for the home-based Super Eagles to beat the host, Red Atlas Lions of Morocco, in this year’s final encounter of African Nations Championship (CHAN), but one of Nigeria’s best sports analysts, EMEKA OBASI, who is also known as “Sports Historian,” says it is possible in the month February.
Beating Morocco at home in regulation time, is a feat yet to be achieved by the Eagles who go into today’s finals without skipper and keeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who succumbed to injury in the semi finals win over Sudan.
However, we are in February and the Nigerians have enjoyed the luck of victory in this month more than their opponents. The first time both countries clashed in this month was in a friendly on February 20, 1976. The North Africans lost 3-0.
Their last February duel was on the third day in the 2000 Nations Cup co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. The Eagles won 2-0 in Lagos. Sixteen years earlier, Morocco forced their hosts to a goalless draw in Benin City in a Los Angeles ’84 Olympic Qualifier. The second leg at away also ended scoreless before the Red Atlas Lions relied on 4-3 penalties to win.
In today’s grand finale, stand in goalie, Dele Ajiboye, may have to rely on his old penalty tricks that earned the Golden Eaglets a third FIFA –U17 World Cup in 2007. The Nigerian Juniors dismissed Spain in the final.
Should penalty kicks decide today, there should be no cause for alarm. The Eagles did it in 1984. It was on the road to the Cote D’Ivoire ’84 Nations Cup. Hero of that shoot out was Patrick Okala. The first leg in Nigeria had ended on a barren note. It was the same result in Morocco. Eagles advanced through 4-3 penalties.
That was the only time Nigeria bettered Morocco at away. Even when the Eagles rose from the ashes of two defeats by the Atlas Lions at the Ethiopia ’76 Nations Cup, to pick a Montreal Olympics ticket, they could not beat their opponents in Tangier.
The first leg in Lagos favoured the hosts 3-1. In Tangier, Morocco won 1-0. That Eagles squad was good enough for an Olympic medal but could not take part due to Nigeria’s withdrawal. That was the time of super strikers: Thompson Usiyen and Haruna Ilerika, ably supported by Baba Otu Mohammed from the right flank, Aloy Atuegbu from the inside right and midfield dynamo, Muda Lawal.
Led by the great Christian Chukwu in the central defence, it was hard to beat libero, Godwin Odiye or full backs ,Sam Ojebode and Patrrick Ekeji. Coach Father Tiko made sure Kelechi Emeteole held his ground while Emma Okala stood firm in front of goal.
The Eagles will not have it easy today at the Stade Mohammed the Fifth, Casablanca. It was there that Mauritanian referee, Idrissa Sarr, robbed them of victory in the grand finale of the Maroc’88 Africa Nations Cup .Henry Nwosu’s perfect header was cancelled and a dubious penalty awarded to Cameroun.
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It is also remarkable. The Moroccans hosted the competition for the first time in 1988, and could not win the trophy. In 2018, they are first time hosts again. Nigeria should wish them the luck of 1988.
A tough game it will be. Eagles lost to their hosts 4-1 in an Olympic qualifier in 1964, fell 2-1 in a 1970 World Cup preliminary game, slumped 1-0 in Tangier in 1976 and crashed 2-0 in 1996, in the King Hassan Cup.
In the Africa Nations Cup, the Moroccans have an upper hand. Thrice they defeated Nigeria. Once in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, 3-1, in 1976 then Addis Ababa 2-1. At Tunisia 2004, the Red Atlas Lions won 1-0. Gold in 1976, silver in 2004. That was the lot of the North Africans.
The Eagles won 1-0 at Nigeria’80. Another victory, 2-0, came at Nigeria/Ghana 2000. So twice, the West Africans enjoyed advantage. Like Morocco, gold and silver also followed Nigeria from both championships.
In 1976, the Eagles drew first blood. In the 3-1 loss, Ojebode scored the opener in five minutes. It took Ahmed Faras, three minutes to equalize. Tazi made it two in the 19th. Larbi increased the tally nine minutes to time. In the second meeting, Baba Otu put Nigeria ahead five minutes into the second half. Faras leveled up again, in the 82nd. In the next five minutes, Guezza got the winner.
That brings us to the 2014 CHAN in South Africa. Stephen Keshi’s Eagles rose from the dead. From three goals deficit, they powered home to a 4-3 win over the Atlas Lions. Thunder does not strike twice at the same place. Do not expect Salisu Yusuf to fall, fall and fall before rising.
Ekundayo Ojo and Anthony Okpotu are not in Morocco for fun. They are going to make the King sad. His father, King Hassan, was a Sandhurst mate of Brigadier Zakari Maimalari’s. Both were commissioned Lieutenant in 1953. Casablanca is fine. No Eagle is listening to the track,’ Sweet Casanova’. Soccer is like war. The dead friends will understand.
Ajiboye, O yeah. That is the man for the job. Yeoman. Yes,man, Nigerians are waiting for the trophy. The ball is in his golden gloves. For now, Ezenwa can listen to Morocco Maduka’s sweet tunes. It will be an all night party tonite.
