By Ata Ukuta
As soon as I saw the media report where Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach – Augustine Eguavoen was somewhat taking credit for Nigeria’s victory over Egypt with the remark about what he told the players that resulted in their victory, I knew there is trouble. Although it is not rare for coaches to narrate what they did to their team during an interview, I felt it would have been better for him to keep quiet until he has met his championship target before spilling the beans. Anyway, we have since seen the prematureness of his remark. Today, Africa is celebrating the Senegalese team for many good reasons that I feel are worth reiterating. A great meal or team is made with different wholesome ingredients or personalities. This is true for even teams who were least expected to win any championship. The winning team is often the most prepared. This is maxim applies to sporting teams, businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Alexander the Great once said that “An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep.” The wisdom of this quote came to light in the two teams that played the final. Aliou Cissé, the Senegalese Coach has shown African nations the wisdom of using African coaches with the pre-requisite skill and experience. Cissé, who was born on the 24th of March 1976 in Ziguinchor, Senegal is best known for being the first Senegalese captain to reach the Africa Cup Of nations final in 2002 and the first Senegal coach to win the tournament in the just concluded 2021 edition after reaching the final in 2019. Credit must be given to the Senegalese football federation for picking and sticking with Aliou Cissé since 2015. Their faith in him has paid off handsomely.
The wholesome ingredients that made this team a champion, also included other team leaders like the leader in front, Sadio Mané who finished fourth for the 2019 Ballon d’Or and was fifth and fourth respectively in the award for the Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2019 and 2020. He represented Senegal at the 2012 Olympics, as well as the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. The other notable leader in the team leading from behind is Édouard Osoque Mendy. Mendy is the Senegalese goalkeeper who is the first-choice goalkeeper for Premier League club Chelsea. He is considered by many as the best goalkeeper in the world. What we must all realize is that the Senegalese team is most prepared and qualified to win the Nations Cup, and that preparation is the secret to success. The combination of Mane and Mendy who recently helped their premiership teams to win the UEFA Champions League, their coach Cissé and other key players like their Captain Kalidou Koulibaly who plays for Serie A team Napoli made this team a championship-winning team. Success is never overnight; it is achieved over many nights of putting the right pieces together.
Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers