Its no news that the Flying Eagles of Nigeria lost their semifinal clash to South Africa on Thursday at the ongoing U20 AFCON in Egypt.
The team, who narrowly missed out on reaching the final became the first African Nation to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating the defending champions of the AFCON,Senegal 3-1 on penalties in the quarter final.
The team now sets sight on their third place final clash with host Nations, Egypt on Sunday, with the hope of securing a bronze medal.
However, a disappointing moment unfolded on Thursday after their semifinal clash against South Africa, where the Nigerian football legend, Daniel Amokachi was seen identifying with the South African team with an impressionable gesture after their victory over his own country as seen in this video posted on CAF media page (video link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AHViLkMx4/)
It would be recalled that Former Super Eagles striker, was named in the Confederation of African Football, CAF, technical study group for the ongoing 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, alongside alongside South Africa’s Walter Steenbok and Mohamed Magassouba from Mali.
His failure to identify with the Nigerian team since the beginning of the tournament, whether deliberate or oversight is something that calls for attention of the Nigerian public.
Without necessarily jeopardising his official assignment at the tournament, many believe that Amokachi’s presence with the Nigerian team is capable of encouraging the Flying Eagles and also serve as a motivation for them, but alas he missed an opportunity to further solidify his figure as role model to the younger generation.
In the aftermath of the loss to South Africa, one would expect Nigerian football legend to rally behind the team, offering words of encouragement and support. Unfortunately, he chose to apparently share his impression with the opponent of the Nigerian boys.
As a revered figure in Nigerian football, Amokachi’s presence and endorsement could have gone a long way in boosting the morale of the Flying Eagles. His experience and insight would have been invaluable in providing guidance and motivation to the young players. Instead, he chose to act otherwise, leaving one to wonder why he hasn’t used his platform to uplift the team’s spirit.
Amokachi’s failure to identify with the Flying Eagles at this critical juncture is particularly disappointing given his own achievements in the sport. As a former player, he understands the highs and lows of competition and the importance of team support.
The absence of Amokachi’s support is felt all the more keenly given the relative achievement of the Flying Eagles in the tournament. As they regroup and refocus on their next match, they could have benefited greatly from his words of wisdom and encouragement. Instead, they are left to navigate their disappointment without the benefit of his experience, despite his presence at the stadium.
In conclusion, Daniel Amokachi’s failure to rally behind the Flying Eagles is a missed opportunity for the team and Nigerian football as a whole. As a legend of the sport, he has a responsibility to use his platform to support and inspire the next generation of players. Hopefully, he will seize the chance to make amends in the future.
