Seychelles goalkeeper Dave Mussard stole the show when the Super Eagles took on the African minnows in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last weekend.
The Eagles, of course, ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Ahmed Musa (with Mussard’s assist?), Chidozie Awaziem and Odion Ighalo.
Despite the one-sided nature of the encounter on a terrible artificial turf at Stade Linite, the win, for me, is not convincing.
Nigeria had 18 professionals based abroad in the squad while Seychelles had a ragtag team of semi-professionals, exemplified by the goalkeeper, Dave Mussard, who is a chef- a professional chef for that matter. He was an internet hit during the match which was televised with his bulky frame.
He was compared to the retired Brazilian Ronaldo and some other professionals like bank manager.
I was angry that the Super Eagles, who just returned from the world cup in Russia failed to put TEN GOALS past this team, especially the goalkeeper.
We need to become ruthless once again. We need to begin to put fears into teams before matches. Seychelles coach, Gavin Jeanne was loudmouthed before the match and his Libyan counterpart, Adel Amrouche has followed suit, though he later recanted on his “juju” comments on the Nigerian team in a press conference after holding Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw in South Africa.
I remember vividly in 1993, Phillipe Troussier, the Ivorian Coach, told a gobsmacked nation before leaving for Nigeria for the 1994 World Cup qualifiers that the team had no power to beat Nigeria. They eventually lost 4-1 in Lagos. The Elephants were the African Champions then!
My point is this, if you can beat a team, beat them silly and earn respect and about time.
