Nigeria vs Iran (2:1): Retrospective Reflection

It is official: the Super Eagles are now undoubtedly one of the most ruthlessly exciting, well coached, moderately flamboyant side not to be gracing the World Cup this year.

From all indications, many Nigeria fans have overcome the disappointment of missing back-to-back World Cups, I know I have, why cry over a spilt bowl of Garri?

However, pre and post World Cup, I think the Super Eagles will not be short of suitors to participate in high profile, high pressure, high octane friendly matches, if nothing, because the organisers know they will be availed of free-floating, free-flowing, fabulously orchestrated brand of football, the likes we saw at the Afcon, the like we witnessed against Iran last night.

Just look at the goals: the central midfielder left 2 initial Iranian midfielders for dead before making light work of 2 others to exchange a 1-2 with his colleague which then freed Moses Simon down the left to do his thing. Simply and utterly brilliant.

The second was twice as exciting as Lookman"s telepathic through ball allowed Akor Adams to weave his magic wand. Poetry in motion.

The team continued from where they left off from the Afcon, looking composed, coordinated and coherent.

Yes, players like Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu are slowly looking like an anachronism to what should feel and look like a younger generation of more updated hatchlings of a youthful nest but hey, I am not complaining one bit.

Who cares about 2030? I don't! Even the Holy Books says: "Worry not about tomorrow for leave tomorrow to worry about itself." Hence I choose to revel in the here and in the now.

For now, it is undeniable: the Super Eagles are a formidably frightening forceful force, fateful not to be going to the World Cup due to farcical football management.

Whilst no one can predict the (immediate) future with a credible sense of accuracy, I think, all things being equal, this Super Eagles side can be counted on to serve up delicious meals of deliciously dished out deft brand of football for at least the next 2 years and, as already mentioned, should not be short of suitors for excitement in friendlies.

What currently sets this team apart is that purposeful, direct, positive approach to play. They don't dilly-dally. Once Iwobi, Chukwueze and Lookman have the ball, it is "forward ever". On the down side, this openness in directness leaves us open to swift counter attacks where we remain slightly vulnerable at the back.

But we make up for this when we have quality centre backs on display who are always willing and capable to stay the course.

Some hatchlings are coming through, but at the moment, they have to contend with a place on the bench, with few, like the injured Benjamin Frederick, elbowing his way into the starting 11.

The team is in good nick.

Look inside the bonnet and the engine is technically sound, tactically capable of driving our a way to another victory on Tuesday over a tarmac paved with excitement in how the Super Eagles go about their business with eloquence, grace and style.