6 Things We Learnt From Super Eagles Victory Over Ivory Coast

Let me catch my breath. Was that the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Elephants? Did we utterly dominate the quarter-final clash or what?

Every single player was up for the game. Less fancied names like Onazi Ogenyi, Sunday Mba, etc stood up tall and strong against true football superstars like Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba. Save for that little blip defensively, that led to Tiote levelling scores, the Eagles were almost perfect. Long may it continue. And who knows? With this kind of form, we fear no foe!
Keshi is a decent coach afterall

He has come under criticisms recently, following the Eagles’ poor run to the quarter-finals, but when he mattered, he proved he is just as brilliant as the big name managers. The former boss of the Togo national team, galvanised his players, motivated them to play without fear or favour and stuck to players that we didn’t think should be there. And they delivered.
Adieu, Didier

Surely, we don’t expect Drogba to be at the next AFCON. It is over. And sadly, for one of the truly great strikers that has emerged from Africa, he will never get a chance to lift the trophy. A few of his team mates, are also gone past their age and the ‘golden generation’ has ended.
Mba, a vindication for the EPL

 

As Mba surged through the middle, evading every single Ivorian tackle and finishing off with aplomb, it rolled back the years. When a certain Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, left players fallin off him, like rag dolls. And no, Mba does’t ply his trade in England, in France or even in Macedonia. He plays for Rangers of Enugu. Keshi’s faith handsomely rewarded.
Officiating has not improved

The free-kick that led to Cote d’Ivoire’s goal was rather cheap. Drogba fell to the ground too easily and the referee was conned. Once again, save from the sleeping defence, Nigerians are punished with a goal, from absolutely nothing. Officiating must improve in South Africa, as the competition gets into the crucial stages.
@TheRealEboue will get an earful

Well, it was a much publicised affair – how a parody Eboue account played Nigerians all week long, taunting them at will and expressing supreme confidence that they’d run over the Super Eagles. One place you’d rather not be? His Twitter mentions.