Super Eagles And World Cup Brazil 2014…..Now that friendlies are over…..
Abiodun Elegbede, Head, Sports/Foreign Desk
If you fail to plan, you had already planned to fail. In Nigeria Football Federation case as it concerns our own Super Eagles, we planned and the whole nation joined in prayer. We will surpass our previous best record of second round.
Nigeria Echo has jealously followed our darling team and here I will analyse our preparations in two parts. Our three pre-World Cup friendlies, tactics, players contributions and also look at our group opponents and make some technical contributions. Nigerians being a football loving country, virtually all armchair critics and fans of Super Eagles are now coach/technical adviser.
Enjoy my piece on Super Eagles preparation.
Friendly with Scotland:
Super Eagles only had one training session before the match. Their training was based mainly on ball possession and short passes. Sunday Mba and Oduamadi missed the training ( check my previous report ). However, match against Scotland showed lack of cohesion in the team due to lack of time to train together. Our Eagles faithful that thronged Craven Cottage ground of Fulham FC were happy to see their heroes that will be representing them in Brazil 2014. We tried to pass the ball round, but the Scottish looked more coordinated. We played 4-3-3 with Shola Ameobi spearheading the attack, in midfield, Gabriel Rueben and Joel Obi, Uchebo played in front of them. The match was not bad ( average performance ) in terms of expectations but we all went home with positive hope of a team in progress. Uchebo who played behind the striker sometimes was confused on his role though, his efforts was crowned with a deflected goal.
If you don’t buy lottery ticket, you don’t win jackpot, with his hopeful shot deflected into goal. We were not running into holes and role of playmaker is lacking, ( God bless Okocha and Kanu ). Players played with the hope of impressing the technical crew bearing in mind that may be the match before the final squad is announced. Keshi did not play most of his key players which later indicated he knows the nucleus of his final squad.
Friendly with Greece. The team left London morning after Scotland match. This match against Greece was a better improvement compared to Scotland match. NigerianEcho learnt the Big Boss has announced those who will not form his final 23 man team at the last training before the Greece match. At least the players can now play with a settled mind of being in the squad. Many reports on final list were on social media, kudos to the NFF that eventually released the authentic list by our own Olajire.
Nigerians with varying interest, even our AIT missed the correct list despite claiming their initial list was a breaking news, so also most notable senior sport journalists missed out initially. The Greece match, Super Eagles played with a team that is prepared to do Africa proud at the World Cup. There was good understanding between Omeruo and Obuabona, while Mikel and Onazi were good in their job of protecting the defence. The team was closing down their opponents when possession is lost, with the pressure game the Eagles edged Greece in terms of ball possession.
However, it was glaring that Osaze was lost in the initial position he started, before he moved to right side of the midfield, no better change on the evening. Osaze is a good player that can single handedly wreck opposing team on his day, he has nothing to prove, just for him to extend the club form to the Super Eagles. As much as we contained the Greek with counter attacking, our approach was slow which always give opponent opportunity to regroup and defend their area. Mikel Obi is a suspect in this area, I’m of the opinion that he should stand in front of back four and let Onazi do the running for him, while he gives the long, short and diagonal passes. Mikel can be a shining star in midfield if he chooses to, especially on a world stage where he needs to tell Jose Mourinho his preparedness to play regularly for Chelsea FC .
The evening was marred with the unfortunate injury to our reliable Echiejile, who may likely missed the World Cup. Once again with the option of Osaze and Uchebo playing infront of Mikel and Onazi, we haven’t really got the personnel that can play that key role convincingly yet. Running into holes, keeping possession linking midfield with attack is still missing. Despite all these, the team displayed a performance of hope in the football tournament .
Friendly with USA. Stephen Keshi and the technical crew were full of greater expectation along with all fans of our team that the match would reflect how prepared we were and where to improve on in our quest to conquer the world. However, injury prompted Keshi to present his near starting line-up. I’m not part of the technical crew, but studying Keshi, he wanted to win but at the same time put everybody on their toes. The starting line up from attack, midfield and in goal looked more like it, though injury twisted Keshi’s tinkering with the defence. The Super Eagles looked more compact in midfield, with the introduction of Ramon Azeez in midfield, they were not allowing the Americans time on possession before they dispossess them.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles had the match under control until that moment when Yobo showed his time in active football in drawing near. Altidore played like experienced striker, Klinsman coaching showed in the way he manipulated his runs, ( Infront then back) to have a easy tap in making Yobo look ordinary on the night.
Efe was standing expecting that Yobo will cut the squarely play of. A lesson for our defenders when they face the likes of Dzeko, Aguero, Messi and all Argentina attacking machine. Also on the night, Juwon did not help Keshi including himself in the final list, he was expected to have blocked off the pass coming through. Exposing his team was when Ramon Azzez left the midfield, Mikel was tired, Rueben was introduced and Uchebo. The midfield was in disarray, exposing the defence, God bless Enyeama who showed why he was best goalie in French league and our Mr Reliable in goal, it could have been 5-1 margin. Yobo again displayed he has lost his reflexes. Yobo of few years ago would have blocked that shot depriving Altidore from being a hero on the night. From keeper positioning, he will never imagine his defender will allow such to happen. The night was flavoured for Nigeria with the consolatory penalty scored by Victor Moses.
Nigerian Echo’s View Of Keshi Final 23:
Enyeama – his performance in the two matches showed the Super Eagles has one of the best in the tournament. If given better protection he will display his dexterity in his ball handling, distributions, crosses, shot stopping and organization.
Ejide – His performance against Scotland showed a reliable deputy he is. The two goals conceded were not his fault. He combined agility with good goalie physique.
Agbim – He did not played in any of the matches, but tournament will serve a good experience for the home based keeper in the team.
Odunlami – Though I have my reservation on this player, watching him overtime, he can be useful as a right full back ( initially fidgeting ) playing Efe as left back, in case Echiejile would not make it back from injury. He is comfortable on ball, he just need a bit of psychological support.
Ambrose – A defender that is very comfortable on ball, can support attack well, Efe should be reminded that he is defender, hence his last touch must be a shot or a cross, to enabled him return back to position . Also he should be mindful when he attacks corner kicks and free kicks. Efe missed about two scoring chances which at this level he is expected to do better.
Echiejile – A reliable left back who has displayed sort of understanding with Moses on the left, though sometimes found on no-man-land, but very useful in his position. It will be a shame if he misses the tournament with injury. In his absence will rather play Efe to fill the gap.
Juwon – He disappointed his teeming fans with his below performance in the only match he featured. If played in the tournament, Juwon may be a disaster. He was confused, not sure of what he is going to do next. He let himself down and the team by allowing the pass that resulted into Altidore first USA goal.
Yobo – His performance against Scotland was not bad, but against USA, he was exposed and Nigeria should expect such against more experienced opponents such as Dzezko, Aguero, Messi and co. Though Yobo can be a better cover with caliber of players in Nigeria squad for Oboabona and Omeruo.
Egwuekwe – Tall and has formed a good partnership with Oboabona. He is not comfortable on ball, could be clumsy a times in defence. He could be exposed against good opposition. Meanwhile he should be played alongside an experience defender that would be able to direct him and organize the defence. Oboabona – Calm and reliable in defence. He can sometimes lose focus and concentration, overall he is very comfortable on ball and read game well. In his last match, he formed a good combination with Omeruo in the centre defence.
Omeruo – A young reliable defender that has good attributes of a future world class defender. He is comfortable on ball, he is very quick and skillful. Meanwhile he sometimes wants to overdo. He could form a solid combination with Oboabona. Rueben – He has physique of a defensive midfielder but has not really imposed himself in any of the matches played for Super Eagles in our friendlies. He appeared clumsy sometime and lack vision and presence of Keshi during his time in Green Eagles playing in that position. The Super Eagles midfield cannot hold again when he came in for Mikel against USA, even against Scotland, he was a suspect in midfield.
Onazi – Tireless in midfield. He always put his best in, anytime he is on national duty call. Onazi should be sure of his long range shots, as it could be frustrating sometimes. His combination with Mikel and Azeez gave a very good account of him against USA.
Mikel – The experience head in Nigeria midfield. Mikel can single handedly dictate the mode Super Eagles will play. He has displayed good understanding with Onazi. He should allow Onazi to do most of the running for him while he links the team with accurate short, long and diagonal passes. Also he should endeavour not to kill pace of game especially when team counter attack.
Azzez – He continued from where he stopped against Mexico. He had a decent game against USA. He was full of running into holes and taking a player along to create space for the team. The technical crew should make use of his skill and energy more in the midfield. He has displayed how reliable he could be against top teams in Spanish liga.
Uchebo – Tall. He scored a goal against Scotland but, before his goal against Scotland, I was wondering may be he played in wrong position, after the goal his confidence increased. Uchebo sometimes confused his game and not sure of what to do next. Skillful but has not displayed his full potential yet, may be he will in this tournament.
Osaze – Has not convinced me since his return to the national team. He has all qualities of wrecking any team with his ability and skills. Osaze should transfer his club form to the Eagles and play his normal game. His experience would be very useful for team in the tournament.
Nwofor – Tall and useful with his head. He always work for the team. He scored against Scotland. He always rely on services from the flank to maximize his ability infront of goal. If calm when in position, can be a good finisher.
Musa – Hasn’t showed much of what he can do yet. Ahmed has pace and very quick but, should work on his last touches which could be very frustrating. He has ability to run up and down the flank but must be sure of his crosses for our strikers to feed on.
Moses – Skillful and crafty on either side of the field. Victor has shown some positiveness in his performance but sometimes could be irritating to his team. He needs to play more with his team mates and provide good service delivery for our attackers to strike on. Also his defending style must be improved. Upfront, he should combine ability that can distinguish him as one of shinning stars of Nigeria.
Amoebi – Tall and always making sure the opposing defenders feel his presence. Sola improved in his performance against USA. Meanwhile services from both flanks are missing. Super eagles will get the best of Ameobi if useful crosses are provided.
Emenike – Tall, huge and lanky. Emenike on his day can cause any defence havoc. He is skillful and pack shots in his leg. However, he hasn’t showed his stuffs yet in matches he has featured but just glimpse of his ability. If ready to work for the team, he would be handful to handle, if he is being serviced by the wingers.
NigerianEcho’s Opinion. Super Eagles are not a bad team. We should not lose focus and concentration at the back. There must be effective communication in the team generally. The players should be ready to play for one another and have the spirit of togetherness. The midfielders should be ready to work, work and work for the team to minimize pressure on defence. Responsibility should be strictly adhered to, like marking the D and attacking the D. No handling over of responsibility to teamates assuming they will cover for you. Team should play as a unit, Defending together and attacking together ( counter attack ).
Giving good crosses and penetrating passes can count numbers of crosses played in all our friendlies.
Strikers being clinical in front of goals. It could be frustrating when the whole team is working, chances falling on one person, missing the chances. But if goals are scored, it will be a tonic for the team. Lastly, Super Eagles should more be dedicated, discipline, determined and be committed.
The game is an entertainment game. Good luck Super Eagles! Goodluck Keshi!! Good luck Nigeria!!!. Watch out for the other part. See you all in Brazil. Live! Insah Allah!.
