In a matter of days, the year 2023 will come to an end, and before then, Box 18 will want to recap a little on the out going year in our football circle, and project into the year 2024. 

In the year, Ibrahim Gusau and his team  struggled to find their bearing with what becomes of the local leagues. They created the various league bodies which managed to take the Leagues to a conclusion. The Super 6 which was played in Lagos was above average, and Enyimba, Remo and Rivers United emerged first, second and third respectively. As usual, both Enyimba and Remo could not make any meaningful impact in the Champions League. Only Rivers are still holding on in the Confederation Cup. 

After the usual hiccups, the 2023 League seasons began, though with the usual postponements and adjustments. The Leagues have been running smoothly, so far. 

At the National team levels, the Golden Eaglets who started as a team on fire at the WAFU qualifiers, could not make it to World Cup. They were eliminated at the African stage, and a generation of young talents could not have the opportunity of showcasing their talents at the World level. 

The Flying Eagles (U20), despite barrage of criticisms that evolved the team selection, played up the quarter finals at the World cup after qualifying at the African stage. The Flying Eagles were eliminated by Korea. 

After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigerians  lost hope in the Super Eagles. The three times African Champions has been struggling to win back the heart of Nigerians, but the more they tried, the more difficult it becomes. Since, after the World Cup debacle, the Eagles has been struggling to win a match at home. Though, they had a smooth trip to qualifying for the 2024 AFCON in Cote D'ivore, the journey to the 2026 has not been easy for the Super Eagles. They struggled to win against minnows in the game here in Nigeria. 

The Female teams, as usual, have continued to be the pride of the country. The Falconets despite their poor preparations, continued to chunk out good results. They are at the last step of qualifying for the U20 Women World Cup. The Flamingos will resume in the first quarter of 2024.

Super Falcons were at the best at FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The Falcons did not lose any match at the regulation of the tournament, until they were eliminated by England at the second round by penalties. The Falcons continued their good forms as they draw nearer to qualifying for the next edition of the African Women Nations Cup in Morocco. 

To crown the year up, Asisat Oshoala became the only Africa to have won the CAF African Player Award for Women, 6 times. To spice it up, Victor Osimhen broke the over one decade absence of any Nigerian at the Men version of the award. Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Best Goalkeeper Award, and the Super Falcons came out the Best African Women Team of the year.

As we navigate into the new year, Gusau and his team have an enormous task starting from January in Cote D'ivore where the Super Eagles will begin their quest to win their fourth AFCON trophy. They have been grouped among the host Nation Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau. The Eagles are condemned to emerge from the group to make their dreams of winning the AFCON trophy a reality. The technical crew of the team are expected to select the best and nothing but the best for the tournament. Nigerians expect much from the Super Eagles at the tournament. The Eagles should be not lose sight of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers which they have started with not too impressive results.Nigerians expect them to qualify for the next World with ease.

The Super Falcons trip to Morocco come 2024 AWCON should be to recover the trophy that was lost to South Africa. They have all it takes to emerge Champions again in Africa. The issues of the Coaches to all the teams should be sorted in time, for all the teams to prepare adequately.

Box 18 believes that we have all it takes to be great in football in 2024, only if we do the right things at the right time.