“I hope there will be no cheating because Ivory Coast is host of AFCON 2023”

A conversation between two siblings – 7 and 10 years respectively – about who their best players were in Nigeria’s Super Eagles, after Wednesday’s dramatic semi-final AFCON 2023 win against South Africa, led us to ask students of BRIGHTVILLE COLLEGE, Ashi, Ibadan, how they feel about the match and their expectations in the final with Ivory Coast tomorrow.

James Isaac, 9 yrs old, JSS 1

On the AFCON 2023 semi-final match against South Africa, I was so confident that we would win but at a time, I was afraid and nervous that South Africans might be too difficult for us to beat. I was happy when we eventually won the match by penalties and will play in the final. Victor Osimhen is my favourite player because of his skills and commitment. Yusuf that caused the penalty almost spoiled the game but thank God that during the penalty shoot, our goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was able to save two kicks that gave Nigeria victory. I hope and pray that Nigeria will bring the trophy home.

 

Wisdom Aseyori, 15 yrs old, SSS 3

Against South Africa, I feel the Nigerian players tried their best but it was not what we their fans had expected. I expected them to work as a team but I observed they all preferred to play alone and score in order to be everyone’s favourite but things are not done that way.  The match against South Africa was unpredictable. I actually thought we would be defeated because their players gained a lot of possession.

I was scared when Osimhen was substituted while it was still 1-1. At the penalty shootout, I remembered the match between South Africa and Cape Verde, when the South African goalkeeper saved four penalties out of five. I expect us to be victorious in the final match because Ivory Coast’s defense is weak compared to Nigeria’s. The players are determined and destined for great things. God bless them and Nigeria.

 

Praise Aderoju, 13 yrs old, SSS 1

I feel extremely proud that we will win AFCON 2023. I like Victor Osimhen for his speed, agility, strength and confidence when he plays. At the beginning of the match with South Africa, I felt very down but later I felt confident that we would win the match and it happened.

 

Joy Isaac, 13 yrs old, SSS 1

My father is a sports guru but sometimes, I argue with him, my mum and my siblings on who played better, like it happened during the Nigeria vs Angola match. To all of them, Osimhen is the the best player but as for me, Ademola Lookman is the best during this AFCON and will always be because he always play to score irrespective of the obstacles. He has scored goals more than Osimhen.  My father never believed the Super Eagles would reach the final but to God be the glory.

I pray we come out victorious and bring the cup home. If I have the opportunity of meeting  Ademola Lookman, I will reward him with a pair of boots.

 

Divinefavour John, 15 yrs old, SSS 3

I was nervous at the beginning of the game  against South Africa because of a message a South African posted on a Telegram football group my elder brother belongs to. He is a goalkeeper with Zion Liberty Football Club. The South African said: “Our goal keeper is really good at penalties, so we will trash your country.” After the match, I felt very elated and undeniably happy. I went back to the Telegram group and talked back to the South African.  I am sure tomorrow, we will trash Ivory Coast and show them who the boss is.

 

Tochukwu Ifediegwu, 14 yrs old, SSS 1

Before the match, I had a feeling that Nigeria would win and at the same time, my heart was pounding because the first half ended 0-0. During the second half, when William Troost-Ekong was to play the penalty, I was anxious but at the goal, I was happy and screamed. I left my assignment and jubilated before I went back to it. Victor Osinhen did well with the way he triggered his teammates. The goalkeeper is my favourite and the one I consider as the best goalkeeper in Africa. My prayer is that we will defeat the Cote D’Ivoire. I just hope there will be no cheating because they’re the hosts of AFCON 2023.

 

Stanly Eze, 16 yrs old, SSS 3

AFCON 2023 is a big deal to all African countries because everyone wants to win the trophy. I was not surprised to see Nigeria win on Wednesday because since the beginning of the match, they have not been defeated. When Osimhen was substituted, I thought that the coach had acted stupidly, but the new guy, Terem Moffi, gave us hope. Among the Nigeria players, my best player is the goalkeeper, Nwabali because of his confidence and smile anytime he saves a ball. However, I would have removed Iwobi from the beginning because he was sluggish, held the ball for too long and his passes were not accurate. If Nigeria loses the final, it will be a shame on us but I believe the players will win the cup. It is our turn to shine.

 

Ibrahim Tirimisiyu, 11 yrs old, JSS 1

My thought about the final match tomorrow is that the teams may play a draw. I was excited at the performance of the Super Eagles on Wednesday because everybody was beginning to lose hope when events turned around against us. But it eventually favoured us. My favourite player is Victor Osimhen.