Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh opines that the return of N’Golo Kante elevates France as the primary contender for the 2024 European Championships, as reported.
Kante, 33, had been absent from the European football scene since his departure from Chelsea to Saudi Arabia last year. Nonetheless, he made a triumphant comeback to tournament football on Monday. Kante commenced in midfield alongside Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot and played a pivotal role in France’s auspicious commencement to the tournament, securing a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Austria. The two-time Premier League and Champions League victor was instrumental, disrupting opposition play, progressing the ball, and exhibiting adept dribbling skills.
Kante was among the six outfield players who completed the full 90 minutes, with coach Didier Deschamps utilizing all five substitutions. Kante’s proficiency in transitioning from defense to offense earned him the accolade of player of the match.
Following the match, Sunday Oliseh commended Kante’s performance, underscoring his significance to France’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Despite Kylian Mbappe’s influential contribution to the narrow triumph, Oliseh contends that Kante is the linchpin for France. He hailed Kante as a “colossal extraterrestrial” and asserted that his presence positions France as the frontrunner to clinch the tournament.”The ‘Colossal Extraterrestrial of Football’ is back! It was a delight to witness the return of one of my esteemed defensive midfielders, N’Golo Kante, to international football for France. I am now convinced that France is a genuine contender for the Euros, “Oliseh tweeted.
Apart from France, host nations Germany, and Portugal galvanized by Cristiano Ronaldo, a youthful yet talented England, and three-time champions Spain are also regarded as formidable contenders for the Euro 2024 title.