It remains to be seen how much Nigerians will engage with the 2015 Cup of Nations.
Following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the African showpiece, it’s easy to understand why there has been a dip in interest in the world’s favourite game across the nation.
Not only is the spectacle less appealing for Nigerians without the emotional pull of following their beloved side, but even the very words ‘Afcon 2015’ bring back bad memories of Sudan and the Republic of Congo, Thievy Bifouma and Tokelo Rantie.
However, there are various reasons why I recommend Nigeria fans—at least those who follow the Super Eagles through a love of the sport, rather than a blind patriotism—to tune into the Cup of Nations and at least try and enjoy the continental event.
Rantie | Bad Memories
First of all, the Afcon has a strong tradition of drama.
Take, for example, the glorious performances of Zambia at the 2012 event, when they defeated Ghana in the semi-final, before overcoming the Cote d’Ivoire in the final in Bata.
The conclusion of that penalty shootout—the consecutive misses of Kolo Toure, Rainford Kalaba and Gervinho, then the finish of Stophira Sunzu—remains one of my favourite all-time football moments.
Maybe the 2015 showpiece won’t produce a spectacle quite as memorable and as tense as that, but this event should still deliver its fair share of unforgettable incident, albeit without the gravitas and the emotional historic echoes of Zambia’s sensational triumph.
There should be engrossing contests and magnificent attacking football though, the like of which weren’t always to be found in that 2012 event.
Just look back to the qualifying battle between the Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The majestic and inventive attacking play of both sides eviscerated the (fairly lacklustre) defences of the other and made for a thoroughly pulsating fixture. The fact that the underdogs, the DRC, won 4-3, only added to the thrill of the match.
Such glorious theatre
The nature of the venue also adds to the unpredictability of the event, although, for genuinely scintillating attacking football, observers will be hoping that Equatorial Guinea’s four pitches are in tip-top condition.
That Elephants vs. Leopards contest in Abidjan also illustrates two other great attractions of the 2015 Cup of Nations; the presence of great players and the lurking promise of the continent’s less heralded names.
Admittedly, certain key figures will be absent from the Afcon; Ghana will be without Kwadwo Asamoah, while Tunisia’s star striker Fakhreddine Ben Youssef is also absent.
The two striking greats, Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba have retired from international football, while West Ham United stars Alex Song and Diafra Sakho have also missed out for differing reasons.
Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel, as you will all know, are reigning champions who won’t be in Equatorial Guinea to defend their crown.
However, despite these various high-profile absentees, there will still be several key stars on show at the Afcon.
Take the aforementioned Cote d’Ivoire for example. Not only can Herve Renard’s side boast of Yaya Toure, the reigning African Player of the Year, and the only man to win it four times in a row, they can also call upon striker Wilfried Bony. No player scored more in the Premier League during 2014, and Manchester City have spent the best part of £30 million to bring him to the Etihad Stadium.
Superstars Aplenty
As if those two superstars aren’t enough, the Elephants will also feature Gervinho, a player who, at AS Roma, is finally realising his massive potential after a disappointing spell in London, with Arsenal.
I will also be fascinated to see how Serge Aurier performs after a quiet few months with Paris Saint-Germain.
While Cameroon will be without Eto’o and Song, three of their players, in particular, have the potential to be tournament MVPs.
Nicolas N’Koulou is a composed and stylish defender, Vincent Aboubakar has stepped into the void left by Eto’o, while Eric Choupo-Moting has scored nine goals in 17 Bundesliga matches since moving to Schalke 04 and currently sits third in the German goal charts.
Ghana will expect Asamoah Gyan—Africa’s all-time top scorer in a World Cup—to fire them out of Group C, while Sadio Mane and Papiss Cisse will be expected to perform a similar function for Senegal.
There is also Algeria.
The North African giants are heading into the tournament in great form, with a stable squad, but with the kind of star men who can light up the competition and guide the Desert Foxes to the final. Surely Yacine Brahimi, Islam Slimani, Sofiane Feghouli and even Riyad Mahrez will be secretly hoping to succeed Jonathan Pitroipa as the Orange Player of the Tournament.
Beyond the big names, however, there are also the less heralded players who will be hoping to establish themselves among the giants. Will Ferjani Sassi, Ibrahim Ndong or Neeskens Kebano become household names over the coming weeks?
As the build-up continues over the coming days, Nigeria fans may pretend they don’t care about the Cup of Nations, or that they aren’t interested in a continental reunion without the Super Eagles.
However, we’re all football fans, and there are few things more appealing than an African bonanza featuring goals and glory, heroes and villains.
If the actors deliver, and give would-be viewers enough reasons to tune in, then I expect much of the Nigerian antipathy to dissipate once the action commences.
ignatiusemeka 
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