Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has said getting a starting role in the Super Eagles midfield for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be a big challenge for him.
Akinsanmiro is one of the new players who will make their debut appearance in Morocco when hostilities begin in Fes, the venue where the Super Eagles will play their Group C matches.
The Inter Milan youngster, who is currently on loan to Pisa in Serie A, will have to fight for a spot in midfield with established players like captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Mohammed Usman.
Speaking with Completesports.com, Akinsanmiro stated that he has to do his best to get a look in for a starting shirt from the coaching crew.
“It’s going to be a big challenge as one of the midfielder because we have a lot of experience players in the team so I have to put in my best.”
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Akinsanmiro expressed his excitement for making the final 28-man squad for the 2025 AFCON.
He, however, pointed out that he is not promising anything but hopes the Super Eagles will not disappoint in Morocco.
He added:”I feel good, I feel so happy and excited being called up. Though I’m not promising anything but I hope we will do well in this tournament.”
The Super Eagles will kickoff their campaign in Morocco against Taifas Stars of Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23.
Also the other Group C match between Tunisia and Uganda will be played on Tuesday.
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
2 Comments
Is Akinsanmiro the answer?
Super Eagles’ midfield has suffered from a lack of offensive bite in recent seasons.
Iwobi frustrates many a Super Eagles fan with his fragility, though his work-rate continues to be his unique selling point.
Nigeria fans yearn for the days when a Wilson Oruma or Sunday Mba will take the tiger by the tail in midfield to drive into the den of the opposition with fluid movement, unstoppable speed and incisive end-products.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been a revelation in this area for Nigeria, but injuries slowed him down a bit. Furthermore, Nigeria fans want more, more attacking midfielders, more promise, more productivity.
So, back to the supra question above, is Akinsanmiro that player?
The answer is NO Why? because it is really difficult to find a top European team or an average one fielding creative African midfielders and this is an unfortunate stereotype that happens in football nowadays the European coaches have ALWAYS profiled African footballers based on their physical attributes(strength,stamina,athletism etc.) that whenever an African football player comes around they’re seen through that narrow minded lens.
Its only in the so called smaller clubs/minnows that you’ll find creative African players thriving. the above “European standard profiling” has seen African players play in all positions except the AMF where creative players occupy the most dangerous zone on the pitch(zone 14)
So my brother Ebenezer is not the answer rather Coach Eric should utilize a similar approach tactically to what peseiro did last afcon but with more emphasis on increased counter attacking numbers(athletic midfielders and speedy attackers) instead of the over reliance on Victor Osihmen and his possession based approach(which will be found out in the afcon) and he should stop putting square pegs in round holes. Thank you