By Moshood Akinleye– The Super Eagles filed out at the prestigious Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom to lose 2-1 to England on Saturday afternoon. The defeat makes it a back to back loss for Gernot Rohr’s men after losing 2-0 to Serbia in a friendly game in March.
Meanwhile, beyond the loss, just as friendly games are meant to be, the game has beamed enough light for all to see on the Super Eagles team, its possible line up and probable reserves. These lessons have been anatomized according to the positions on the pitch of play, enjoy.
Defense:
Like they say, the best form of attack is defense, so taking from that cue; it is sacrosanct for any team that wants to excel to possess a good defense wall. Of course, not the one that won’t concede any goal, but one that will be very difficult to break.
Starting from the man between the sticks, Francis Uzoho. The 19 year old has the physique for a keeper, but he needs more. So far, I have not seen the Deportivo La Coruna player command his defense like he’s in charge. He needs to be very vocal and quite commanding with his colleagues in the defense line. Even though many are of the opinion that Ikechukwu Ezenwa should have taken his place as the No.1, given his participation and contribution during the World Cup Qualifiers, one will still have to leave the decision to the Chief Commander of the team, Gernot Rohr.
As for the centre backs, we still have an “Oyinbo Wall”, Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong as our starters. However, someone needs to tell Ekong that he can’t be a nice guy and a central defender at the same time, those two personalities aren’t compatible. He needs to be fiercer in his duties, be a defender forwards don’t like to meet on the pitch. He needs to be cautiously scary.
Though his days of grandeur with the Super Eagles seemed to have ended with the 2013 AFCON glory, an outing he enjoyed with the pairing of Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo is now a good option on the bench. With the switch from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2, introducing the Kasimpasa star into the back three, Omeruo dropped a note that his glorious days were not entirely over. I think Rohr can rely on him when the need arises.
The full back duo of Bryan Idowu and Shehu Abdullah did little to impress on the day, they were both usually running out of position and did little or nothing to help the attack. If Shehu had the Ramadan fast as an excuse, how about Bryan Idown who was continually wanted when Victor Moses holds the ball in the attack? Tyron Ebuehi did that perfectly upon his introduction, and Elderson Echiejile may do the same, despite his perceived defensive undoing.
My Defensive Starting Line: In a 4-3-3 Formation: Tyron Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong, Elderson Echiejile/Bryan Idowu
In a 3-5-2 Formation: Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun
Midfield:
If there was something so obvious for all to see, it would be the below par performance of the duo of Onazi and Joel Obi in the first half of the game. They were less a joy to watch. They opened the Nigerian defense to the three lions thereby making it easier for them to get two goals before the break. If the 4-4-2 Starting formation was enough an excuse, I believe Joel and Onazi still didn’t try enough. With the switch to a 3-5-2 formation, the introduction of Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu in the second half stabilized the midfield, protected the Nigerian defense and gave Gareth Southgate’s men a lot of troubles, hence the early second half goal. Though Ogu had to join the 3 man defense line after Balogun was ejected from the game, the Hapoel Sheva star still proved his inclusion.
However, I would like to watch Onazi and Joel Obi start again in the midfield when the Super Eagles face Czech Republic in Austria. That would be a confirmatory test of their place in the Starting XI or the otherwise.
We don’t have to gamble or compromise anything at the World Cup. It’s the biggest football show on earth, hence, no margin for error.
My Midfield Starting Line: In a 4-3-3 Formation Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, John Mikel Obi
In a 3-5-2 Formation: Tyron Ebuehi, Oghenekaro Etebo/Alex Iwobi, John Ogu, John Mikel Obi, Elderson Echiejile
Forward/Attack:
To use the word MISS for the absence of Simon Moses would be an understatement. His dribbles, run and incredible pace would have added so much to the Eagles’ attack, but unfortunately, we cannot have him.
At Wembley, It took the 3-5-2 formation switch for Odion Ighalo to make a case as a striker in the game. Pickford was rather resting until we got our first shot on target after half an hour. Despite the doubts that beclouds the performance of Ighalo, he still seems to be our best man upfront (Within the 23 man list) , except if Rohr has a better idea. Victor Moses also struggled except for his few dribbles, remarkably the one with Harry Kane that got the Nigerian fans roaring.
My Forward Starting Line: In a 4-3-3 Formation; Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi
In a 3-5-2 Formation: Victor Moses/Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo/Kelechi Iheanacho.
It is not also sad to know that we might have the likes of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Simeon Nwankwo and the likes in the Eagles’ bench. If all these players are in their best forms at the Mundial and our MVP (Gernot Rohr) keeps his tactical game up, the Eagles might just spring up a little surprise in the cold far away Russia.
I can’t wait!
