When Nigeria secured the slot for the Men's football event at the African Games, the responsibility to lead the team was entrusted to Ladan Bosso, a seasoned coach at the U20 level.
Bosso had previously guided the U20s to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup held in Argentina last year, prompting the Nigeria Football Federation to deem it appropriate to allow him to continue his tenure.
He swiftly assembled a team of youngsters primarily sourced from lower league sides and academies across Nigeria.
In a similar vein, Bosso extended invitations to some players he had taken to Argentina who still fell within the age range.
Daniel Bameyi, Nathaniel Nwosu, and Daniel Daga, participants of the World Cup, were among those called up.
Additionally, there was room for the talented Enyimba youngster Chibueze Izuogu, who has been impressive in his debut season in the NPFL.
Charles Agada, a standout from Mavlon at the last U17 Africa Cup of Nations, also earned a spot on the team.
Bosso conducted the team's preparations at the FIFA Goal Project training pitch, spending approximately two and a half weeks gearing up for the African Games.
Upon departure to Ghana for the competition, Bosso expressed his aim to clinch gold for Nigeria and cultivate the next generation of stars for the nation.
While the latter goal remains a possibility, the former has eluded them.
The Flying Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uganda in their opening match, marked by a disjointed performance characterized by missed chances and uninspiring football.
In the subsequent game, they managed to overcome South Sudan with a narrow 1-0 victory, yet the specter of missed opportunities persisted, making for a less than stellar spectacle.
Facing Senegal next, a draw would have sufficed, but the Flying Eagles fell short.
Despite taking the lead, they faltered, conceding three goals to the Young Lions of Teranga, effectively eliminating Nigeria and dashing Bosso's hopes of securing gold.
What went wrong for the Flying Eagles at the African Games?
A myriad of factors contributed to their downfall, but I'll highlight the most significant.
The lack of sufficient time with the squad proved to be Bosso's greatest challenge, as the coach himself admitted before and after their exit.
The team was hastily assembled, and the training facilities were not up to par, unlike previous standards.
Perhaps, with more time, Bosso could have fostered greater cohesion within the team during matches, resulting in a more pleasing style of football.
Player selection also came under scrutiny
It's arguable whether the squad presented was the best Nigeria could field at this level.
An important concern was the heavy reliance on team captain Daniel Bameyi, who had not played organized football since his participation in the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina the previous year.
Nathaniel Nwosu, the goalkeeper, also fell into this category, appearing jittery throughout the competition, particularly against Senegal, having played academy football instead of first-team league football.
Other selections could have been more prudent, notably at left-back, where Ibrahim Abdullahi struggled throughout the Africa Games.
Although Charles Agada arrived late to camp due to his involvement in the Viareggio Cup, he seamlessly transitioned from the U17s to the U20s and showcased his abilities.
Questions lingered regarding Daniel Daga's inclusion, with some feeling he had outgrown the underage category and that his spot should have been given to another player to prove themselves.
Bright spots amidst the disappointment
Enyimba midfielder Chibueze Izuogu emerged as a standout performer in a dismal campaign, with credit due to Bosso for heeding calls for the inclusion of the 18-year-old, who possesses the potential to ascend to the Super Eagles.
Sadiq Isiyaka also impressed with his dynamic runs down the flanks and versatility, exemplified by his goal against Uganda in the first game. He stands out as a beacon of hope amidst the Flying Eagles' dark tunnel.
