The journey of the Super Eagles to win the 2023 Cup of Nations for Nigeria commences today in Abidjan. A decade ago, when Nigeria last won the title, most of the current players were probably young kids struggling to watch the matches through people’s windows. A few days ago, they flew out of Lagos hoping to return with the biggest prize in African sport.
Hopefully, they will not find out until the end of the competition that the Nigerian passport that makes them eligible is now one of the world’s most worthless, close to the bottom of the Henley Passport Index annual list with such nations as Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan.
In addition to this, the value of the Nigerian naira has been declining, with Bloomberg News reporting a significant plunge against the US dollar. These challenges provide a backdrop against which our players will confront the rest of Africa’s best. Regardless, when the Super Eagles play, it unites the nation, and we hope for their success.
In an attempt to motivate the squad, former Senate President David Mark reappeared in the headlines, citing the indomitable human spirit and the unyielding pursuit of greatness Nigeria is known for, along with her resilience and sportsmanship. He even referenced the concept of utmost integrity.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosting the team to dinner in Lagos on their way out, stressed that their triumph would greatly comfort their compatriots amidst the nation’s challenges. He emphasized their role as the country’s unifier and the massive support of 220 million people.
Both men are right: Winning the Nations Cup marks an indelible moment in the name of each victorious player. However, there is a lack of investment in preparing our sportsmen and citizens for excellence, as exemplified by the absence of dedicated training bases for the Super Eagles and other sports in Nigeria.
This lack of preparedness extends to the absence of a serious sports structure to nurture and support our best talents, despite the presence of federal government institutions and infrastructure. The challenges extend to the Super Eagles having to prepare for Cote d’Ivoire in Dubai, reflecting the lack of adequate facilities locally.
These shortcomings point to a culture of hypocrisy and a focus on rhetoric rather than sincere policy when it comes to achieving excellence. This is further exemplified by the repackaging and representation of failed leadership as heroism, perpetuating a collapse of values in Nigerian society.
Despite these institutional and philosophical limitations, Nigerian youth often rise above and beyond, transcending the constraints imposed by those who do not understand true leadership.
