The 2024 European Championship came to a thrilling close on Sunday night, with Spain emerging victorious after defeating England 2-1 in the final.
While many felt Spain deserved the win, some had hoped England would claim their first major tournament trophy in 58 years.
As Spain celebrates their triumph, returning home with the trophy they last won in 2012, Nigeria’s Super Eagles can draw valuable lessons from their journey and those of other participating teams at Euro 2024.
Here are 7 Lessons for the Super Eagles from Euro 2024
1. Age is Just a Number
Euro 2024 showed that impact can come from players of any age. Spain’s squad featured 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and 38-year-old Jesus Navas, proving that age is not a barrier to success. While very young players are considered not “ripe” for Super Eagles, Nigeria often overlooks experienced players once they cross 30, but the likes of Navas, Pepe (41), Cristiano Ronaldo (39), and Manuel Neuer (38) and a handful of others demonstrated that age is not a determining factor in a player’s relevance. At 31, the clamour for Ahmed Musa’s retirement from the national team is loud and he could be eased out the same way others were hurriedly rushed out of the national team.
2. Continuity is Key
Spain’s success can be attributed to their emphasis on continuity. Luis de la Fuente, the current coach that led the team to the Euro 2024 success is doing so after previously coaching Spain’s U19, U21, and U23 teams. In contrast, Nigeria’s system often fails to provide opportunities for coaches to progress and build on their experience. Apart from Samson Siasia who had the opportunity to handle the U-20 U-23 teams successfully before having a shot to lead the Super Eagles momentarily, the system has failed to see coaches’ progress.
3. Reliable Bench Strength
A team’s success depends not only on the starting lineup but also on the quality of the bench. Spain’s winning goal was scored by substitute Mikel Oyarzabal, while England’s equalizer came from Cole Palmer, another substitute. Euro 2024 saw over 20 goals scored by substitutes, highlighting the importance of a strong bench.
4. Never Say Die Attitude and Late Comebacks
Euro 2024 showcased teams’ resilience and determination, with numerous late comebacks and dramatic turnarounds. The Super Eagles can learn from this never-say-die spirit and apply it to their own games.
5. Unity and Teamwork
Spain’s victory was built on a foundation of unity and teamwork. The team’s cohesive performance demonstrates that collective effort can lead to greater success than individual talent alone.
6. Tactical Flexibility and Adaptation
Success in modern football demands adaptability. Teams that can adjust their tactics to counter opponents and exploit weaknesses often gain an advantage. Many still believe a change in tactics and formation could have changed the story for the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2023 final.
Indeed, Nigeria must invest in coaching that fosters tactical versatility and player intelligence.
7. Youth Development
Euro 2024 highlighted the importance of youth development programs. Spain’s success was built on a strong foundation of youth teams, and Nigeria can learn from this approach by investing in their own youth programs.
Will the Super Eagles heed the lessons from Euro 2024 to ignite a new era of Nigerian football? We’ll see how things unfold.
