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Nigeria’s Super Eagles will walk into tonight’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco chasing a place in the final and closing in on history, footynaija.com reports.
Already on 14 goals in five matches, the Super Eagles are just two away from matching the AFCON record of 16 goals by a single team, and three from owning it outright.
With matches against Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2), Angola (3-1), Mozambique (4-0) and Algeria (2-0) behind them, Nigeria have been the most fluent attacking side of the tournament.
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Greg Etafia believes that momentum will not stop in Rabat.
“They will break that record…I am sure of that. They have been to 17 semifinals now, so they will want to go to the final,” he told Sowetan.
For Etafia, the goals rush is not accidental. He thinks the scars of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the next World Cup have fuelled this run in Morocco.
“I feel like they [Nigeria] want to redeem themselves at this Afcon after the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.
Nigeria finished second behind South Africa in their qualifying group before losing to DR Congo in the inter-confederation playoff in Morocco last November. Etafia also pointed to instability during that period.
“Lookman had problems at [Italian club] Atalanta, and I think that’s one problem. At this Afcon, about six or seven players are on form, and the team is clicking,” Etafia added.
“You can see the fire in their faces … they really want to go far in this tournament. I just hope they can win it.”
Morocco, backed by a passionate home crowd, represent the hardest test yet.
“Morocco are the hosts; they have the 12th man behind them, but I feel Nigeria have a big opportunity to do well,” Etafia noted.
Much of Nigeria’s attacking force has been driven by Victor Osimhen, who has four goals and two assists and will captain the side with Wilfred Ndidi suspended.
“For Nigeria to recognise you as a legend or as someone who’s really contributed to the national team, you need to win a major tournament for the country, so Osimhen will want to win this Afcon at all costs,” Etafia said.
If the goals keep coming, Nigeria may leave Morocco with more than just a trophy, they could leave with a record rewritten.
