2023 Wishes For Nigerian Football

THEEAGLE highlights a number of goals for Nigerian football over the upcoming season.

Without a question, Nigerian football had a mixed year in 2022.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, the country was unable to advance past the Round of 16, and in the World Cup playoff, it was unable to defeat Ghana.

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Augustine Eguavoen was fired as a result of his team’s inability to win games against their neighbors in West Africa, and Jose Peseiro took his place.

2022 offered gamers a same amount of variety. Ademola Lookman thrived for Atalanta prior to the World Cup break, Alex Iwobi recovered from injury concerns, Victor Osimhen overcame injury concerns to become Luciano Spalletti’s preferred central striking option, Samuel Chukwueze ended the year in Quique Setien’s XI after spending the majority of it in and out of the side under former Villarreal manager Unai Emery.

The departures of Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey from Europa League champions Rangers have not gone as planned. The defense at Ajax tends to draw criticism every other week, and the dynamic midfielder has played in a variety of positions for Southampton.

In this feature, THEEAGLE makes wishes for the New Year for the national team, some of its players and local clubs.

On-field success for Jose Peseiro

The latter half of 2022 was not very hopeful for Peseiro in the Nigeria position after a fair to good start.

In friendlies against Algeria and Portugal, the Super Eagles lost, highlighting recurring shortcomings of weakness versus higher competition.

Reverting to old practices has been demoralizing after the three-time African champions showed signs of improvement under the Portuguese coach.

Nigeria is set to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, but the team’s supporters will judge the team’s readiness to challenge the continent once more based on how they play in Ivory Coast before the competition.

Peace for Alex Iwobi

Despite his 2022 comeback, Iwobi earned a lot of flak from Everton fans who turned on the former Arsenal attacking midfielder before the year was up.

Iwobi has once more become the focal point of criticism for the Toffees’ subpar performances, and it is unclear whether the 26-year-old will remain content at Goodison Park.

Since Frank Lampard stated that a contract extension was imminent, talk of one has largely died down, but you have to ask if the Nigerian is really better off sticking on Merseyside.

Iwobi undoubtedly deserves better, and the dynamic midfielder will look to Everton or another club to help him find mental and emotional peace in 2023.

Serie A success for Victor Osimhen

Nigerians may not like Napoli because the Partenopei refused to provide the Super Eagles its best player for the Afcon last year and the friendly against Portugal in November, but they still wish Osimhen luck.

The Serie A leaders, Luciano Spalletti’s team, are the favorites to win the championship they haven’t won since 1990.

Prior to the intermission, Osimhen had the most goals in the competition. The center-forward will not only aim to finish as this year’s Capocannoniere but also to cap it off with Napoli’s first Scudetto in three decades.

A favourable continental run for Rivers United

Only Rivers United is still in the Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup after four Nigerian clubs entered each competition.

After been eliminated from numerous rounds of two-legged knockout ties prior to the group phase, Plateau United, Kwara United, and Remo Stars will not take part in the group stage of either competition.

The Nigerian champions dominated Al Nasr 6-1 on aggregate in the Confederation Cup playoff round, however they were unable to qualify for the Champions League groups.

As a reward, the Port Harcourt club was placed in Group B with ASEC Mimosas, Diables Noirs, and Motema Pembe.

Rivers United are battling an uphill struggle considering that no Nigerian team has ever won the competition and only one has ever advanced to the finals (in 2005).

Clean bill of health for Wilfred Ndidi

The year 2022 was terrible for the anchorman, who missed Nigeria’s match against Ghana and then lost his spot in the Leicester City lineup.

We had anticipated that Ndidi would ultimately go to a bigger club in one of the top leagues in Europe at this time last year, but the defensive midfielder doesn’t seem to be aiming so high these days.

Brendan Rodgers cannot depend on him because of his ongoing injury absences, thus it is unlikely that he will make that significant move.

In a year, a lot can happen, but he must continue to play and stay in shape. In the midst of the park, there may be no one who does what he does best when he is at his best.

Greater transparency and accountability

Despite repeated complaints about the country’s football administration, little changed after this was brought up the previous year.

The way the sport is managed in the West African nation, in the opinion of its supporters, is a reflection of the lack of accountability that permeates the country as a whole.

There is a feeling that nothing will change, but we continue to hold out hope.