It is, no doubt, one thing to have quality and talented players to negotiate a competition well and yet another to see them gel and rise to the occasion in a truly demanding tourney like the AFCON.
The indictment of their camping match results can not be less starker; Gernot Rohr's side with his young squad are not expected to brush aside opponents (the likes of Burundi and Madagascar though) far too easily and the loss to Senegal yesterday might have even left the fans fearing of the what the defeat might have done to their confidence.
This is the second time Nigeria have lost to a continental nation since the German manager took over the reins three years ago, a loss which also broke a run of eight-games without kissing the dust and while this reality check was 'necessary' just before they tackle their first group opponents on Saturday, could it really be one for a team of the Super Eagles caliber to take few days before they kick off an important competition?
Senegal, of course are one of the most well-drilled and defensively organized contestants, and are odds-on-favorites to win the prize this summer and otherwise, the Super Eagles can take solace from the outcome of the preparatory game.
But one could be left fearing for the belief the attackers have in themselves, after failing to score versus rain-marred Zimbabwe game and now Senegal.
Rohr has a good number of days to drill his team further before picking his best XI to unleash on the Olivier Niyungeko's Swallows and then hope the less-stellar preparatory outcomes; results-wise has not done a thing on the confidence of his players.
This tournament could be viewed as a swansong for most of the very senior players of the squad and it is highly fitting that they bow out of the international sphere in style.
Whisper it slowly - could the Super Eagles be losing their trademark confidence at a very vital point in time?
Emmanuel Chinaza
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