To say that the only thing that unifies Nigerians is sports is not an exaggeration. If you want to be specific, football helps Nigerians to forget their differences, even if momentarily.

The build-up to AFCON finals was not only intriguing, it was exhilarating, hope-instilling and as well disappointing. That is the name of the game. Some must smile while others agonise.

Nigeria started slowly and wobbly, giving little hope but as the tournament progressed, Nigerians found hope in the defensive tactics of the Head Coach, Jose Peseiro.

The pain of defeat is real. I have read a lot of life lessons from different writers about the just concluded competition. Without any attempt to repeat the several lessons that have been penned by observers and life coaches alike, I will only add three broad lessons in short description.

• I learnt that in life, there are always some unsung heroes who are hardly celebrated. There was goals drought from Nigerian attackers when it mattered but the defence line took Nigeria to the finals by conceding only two goals in regular time.

• A particular strategy can take you to a phase in life but no guarantee that it will lead you to the peak of success. Coach Jose Peseiro’s defensive tactics took Nigeria to the final but it was not sufficient to win the trophy for Nigeria.

• Lastly, it is not a bad thing to fail but if you fail, make sure you are failing forward. Who would have imagined that the best loser that was humiliated in the full glare of a massive home support in the group games would end up being the best? That is the story of Côte d’Ivoire

The Nigerian team was not given a chance to get to the final. I salute their discipline and spirit of oneness under the captainship of Williams Troost-Ekong, who was deservedly crowned the man of the competition.

The Super Eagles fought gallantly to win the trophy, even when the odds were against them, but the efforts at the end was not enough to crown them Africa’s best. Result counts.

If you must fail, fail forward. Côte d’Ivoire failed at first but they failed forward to succeed. Congratulations to the new African champions for a well fought battle to clinch the title.

©️Akin Oluwadare Jnr
12 February 2024