TINUBU, SUPER EAGLES AND THE BURDEN OF A NATION
A Super Eagles win will offer some relief. But the administration must do more to stem the suffering in the land, writes
When power is transferred from one government to another, the people’s hope rises in expectation. Every failing of government after such a transfer becomes more apparent than they looked before the change of government. Because disappointment is a function of expectation — expectations are higher with a new government — and so far, with reforms biting hard, the people need a win from somewhere. Like La Albiceleste did for a beleaguered Argentine people in 2022, the Super Eagles hold such a burden for Nigerians.
Nigeria will be up against Angola later today as we contest for a right to play in the semi-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023). Whilst this looks like a game we should not lose sleep over, it is far from a foregone conclusion. There are many reasons why the Super Eagles must approach it like they would against one of our traditional rivals like Ghana and Cameroon.
Until the former in 2022, Angola were the sole reason Nigeria did not achieve consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances from 1994 to date. They denied Nigeria the ticket to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. We had finished on the same number of points, we even had a better goal difference, but in a qualification series where the head-to-head rule came into play, Angola had the better record in both games we played against each other, so they beat us to the ticket. That qualification series was meant to be a walk in the park until we got walked out of the World Cup by a then unheralded team.
The Angola we will be playing today is also battle-tested. They topped their group with 7 points and have since followed that performance with a 3-nil thrashing of Namibia in the round of 16. They have 9 goals to their name against the 5 we have so far scored. Apart from this, AFCON 2023 has been a tough ordeal for the traditional giants of African football. On one side, all the teams that made it to the quarterfinal of the last tournament did not make it this time. That must be a record somehow for a tournament at this level. Add that to the fact that some of the best ranked teams in Africa have been sent home. The likes of Ghana and Algeria did not even make it past the group stage whilst Morocco’s World Cup 2022 stars were sent packing by South Africa. Egypt, the most successful AFCON team, met their waterloo in the hands of DR Congo. At this tournament, pedigree has not counted for much.
The Super Eagles have shown, again, that
Nigeria knows how to play AFCON. Despite consecutive lacklustre results against Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Guinea before the tournament, Nigerians are being served a different team by the Super Eagles. Jose Peseiro’s team went from a team few people — like myself — expected anything from, to one where several people are whispering about the possibilities of a 4th AFCON win. Some bookmakers are on board.
I wonder if the Super Eagles understand the depth of how much expectations the Nigerian people now have on them. Nigerians are desperate for light. In the early days of the Tinubu administration, despite the challenges, the president’s speeches served as a source of hope and belief in what was to come. Rising costs and the threat of insecurity have since left the nation on the edge. Add that to the fact that, the residual anger of those that refuse to lose the election continues to add fuel to what really is a fire that needed no motivation.
Nigerians need their hope sparked. It probably can be said for 2013 and 1994 too, however, we have never needed to win a competition as much as we need this. Football continues to remain a unifying factor, even as the politics of the 2023 elections has managed to spot a weak spot in that unification, with a group of people queuing against Nigeria in a banter over the resounding defeat of Cameroon. Still, football unites this country like never before. We may even argue during the games, you’d be hard pressed to find a Nigerian who does not want the Super Eagles to win. If you find one, be wary.
However, we cannot ask more of our footballers than we should of our leaders. We’d still need the authorities to address the insecurity and find immediate and remote solutions to rising inflation and unemployment.
Nigerians trusted President Tinubu with a mandate that was hotly contested. The president must continue to centre the interest of the people above everything else. That also means he must look at those he has hired to help deliver the fruits of the Renewed Hope. That way, the people do not end up hoping in vain.
Most people come to power wanting to make lasting change happen. The people who are trusted with power and are not immediately considering their legacy are the outliers. However, power is a cascading force of distraction. Without commitment to a design, it takes you away. It is a prison that cuddles and ensconces one in a comfortable bubble. You start out wanting to create a legacy, power takes control, and you are soon carried away by a force that does not permit you any room for reflection until you are staring at your exit. Then, you start to wonder what might been.
I have no doubt that Mr President means well. He is working for a legacy. He cares for his place in history beyond having his name tag queued alongside the rest of the privileged class that led Nigeria. He must stay awake to his promises though. That bit will not happen by default. This is exactly why Marcus Aurelius had his reality moderated by a constant whisper of reality into his ears. I wonder, who’s got that mandate in Aso Rock? There, it is the most important calling, apart from being president.
is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/ author. Digital Wealth Book