Lasun Alagbe
Coach Jose Paseiro and his players such as Ola Aina and William Troost-Ekong deserve special kudos for their roles in the Super Eagles’ match against Ivory Coast on Thursday.
In the AFCON game, Paseiro ensured his players maintain the defence barbed wire as much as possible to the extent that many of them return home at danger hours.
This helped prevent the kinds of goals they had been conceding although Eagles’ goalkeeper was also up and doing.
Aina was very strong at the right back halting most threats while Ekong’s punch penalty sealed the victory.
Yet although Victor Osimhen did not get any goals – he lost a very promising chance in the early part – he won the penalty with experience as he continued to lie on the pitch even as the game initially continued after he had been fouled.
On the whole, all the Super Eagles players played with their hearts, unlike in recent times past when many believed they played big-men, don’t-break-my-million-dollars leg.
