Wilfred Ndidi has revealed why the Super Eagles have been magnificent at the Nations Cup in Cameroon.
The Leicester City midfielder believes the change in the team is down to the new gaffer.
There have been solid performances by the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. They are the only team to qualify for the group stage by winning all three matches. The performance led to the interim coach receiving the award for the best coach in the group stage.
The performance of the Super Eagles is a far cry from what it was during the World Cup qualifiers not too long ago. They have turned from the shy, unintimidating team that looked more like chickens to true eagles swooping down on its prey.
The Super Eagles have looked like the team of yore at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. They have made mincemeat of all before it. As they move into the crunch games, many have wondered how the sudden transformation came about. Wilfred Nididi gave an insight into the difference between Gernot Rohr’s Eagles and the present team.
The difference between Rohr and Eguavoen
Nigerians watched in horror as the Central African Republic came to Lagos, held the Super Eagles for the bulk of the game and then stole a winner in the closing stages of the match. That loss put the Super Eagles in a precarious position, as they had to labour to top the group. It also sounded the knell for German gaffer Gernot Rohr.
The Super Eagles are chasing their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title and look likely to nick it despite oppositions like hosts Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire.
Algeria truncated the Super Eagles quest for trophy number four in 2019. The Desert Foxes beat Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-final. The Super Eagles still won a bronze.
With Augustine Eguavoen, the passive team Nigerians saw during the World Cup qualifiers has witnessed changes.
Wilfred Ndidi believes these changes could help the team to win the title. Ndidi said Augustine Eguavoen brought a new philosophy and belief to the Super Eagles.
He said it is different from Gernot Rohr. Ndidi believes that this change could be vital for better performance.
Ndidi’s thoughts
Since Augustine Eguavoen took over as the interim coach of the Super Eagles, he has been managing the team like a man under probation. The former Super Eagles defender has posted an impressive tenure so far with the team.
An impressed Ndidi said it is the same team but a different philosophy. Ndidi claims that Eguavoen made them understand his philosophy by making it simple.
According to Ndidi, the gaffer helped the lads believe in themselves and gave them the push and freedom to express themselves.
Ndidi opined that the liberty to express themselves comes with a strict regimen within the team. Everyone must play for the team. He is impressed with that and hopes they continue in that vein to make Nigeria proud.
Nigeria play Tunisia in a round-of-16 tie on Sunday night.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
