U.S.A vs NIGERIA – A pseudo-Keshi performance: UNITY & TACTICS “This team has had discipline problems in the past and that doesn’t look good for the team unity ahead of such a enormous assignment”. I choose to open my reflection on this high profile international friendly with those words from the Matchday Commentator which he uttered after an incident involving John Obi Mikel in the first half. The Chelsea star attempted a pass which was intercepted and Mikel quickly pointed accusing fingers at his teammates, demo or remonstrating with his hands. That was just in the first half but it summed up what would be the general feeling among millions of Nigerian soccer fans that kept vigil till the early hours of Sunday 8th June. It is no longer news that the Super Eagles lost 2-1 with two players that misfired in the last English Premier League season scoring all the goals in the otherwise thrilling encounter. The much maligned (abroad) Jozy Altidore with a sumptuous brace and Victor Moses with a consolation for Nigeria from the spot. From a Nigerian perspective, being the last opportunity to see the Eagles before their World Cup opener against Iran, the performance left so much to be desired. It was disjointed to say the least and sometimes bereft of coordination and cohesion you expect from a team with the tag of “African Champions” ahead of such a big tournament. For me, I am not bothered about the loss, neither am I worried about the display but I am more concerned about some details that can spell doom for any team in a major tournament. Is the team still united? It’s so hard to ignore some danger signals in this team. Some of us (like yours sincerely) have been fearful of the kind of impact the return of some “senior players” can have on a group of players that have cliqued since the last AFCON success. We clamoured for their return, we wanted our big players, we labelled the gaffer as arrogant for not wanting to destroy this unity but unfortunately, after playing 3 games each since their recalls, both Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie are still trying to find their feet in the team again. Will they ever find it? With both players 34 and 33 respectively, I think not. In the absence of the duo, Vincent Enyeama had been not only an inspirational saviour but a worthy captain while the group seem to have accepted Mikel Obi as their leader. However, in comes Yobo, the captain and Osaze, a team leader. Would the previous two relinquish their roles? They are players of big egos and I doubt it. No wonder Vincent Enyeama held on to the Captain’s armband even when Yobo came on in the 46th minute against Greece and Osaze was made to go get Ideye’s No 8 jersey. Taking a look closely at movements and off-the-ball relations, I so much find it hard to believe the team will thrive with all the four eggheads on the same pitch. Now, we’ve heard reports of things not going well in the midst of some players in camp and like the opening phrase captured, I saw Mikel do what he last did in the ill-fated 2-2 draw against Guinea in Abuja in 2011. That day, he apparently gesticulated after Odemwingie killed a team movement (something Peter did in a number of occasions recently too), the result is not far-fetched. I sincerely hope Coach Keshi and his crew of former internationals can do something to bring them together again even if it means dropping one or two of these big guns. On the pitch: The tactics! Ever since the final 23-man list was released on Monday 2nd June, it was obvious to me that if we should play according to the strength of the personnel, then only a 4-3-3 formation can suit us perfectly. But what do I know? Stephen Keshi has decided to stick with his 4-2-3-1 with little or no success in the friendlies because he has been improvising players in the playmaking role. Michael Uchebo was a striker but since he is imitating Nwankwo Kanu, he seems to be the only one close to playing the role well. Osaze Odemwingie was appalling against Greece while Ramon Azeez was anonymous against USA. Many have called for Mikel to be used in that role but I don’t think it’ll be successful as well. Mikel might have played that role with good success in the final 20 minutes against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa but I don’t think it will ever work starting with his back to goal. We sure need to get Mikel and Onazi more on the ball and that’s why I believe a certain Gabriel Reuben should be made to do a Kaita/Makelele for the two in a 4-3-3. That will give Mikel more chance to work together with his friend and roommate Victor Moses and free the former of huge defensive responsibilities. Osaze Odemwingie is still trying to get his feet like I wrote earlier and left to me, I would start a Michael Babatunde (pictured alongside Osaze above) in the right flank. It will only be great to start a natural right footer from the left and a natural left-footer from the right. We need to realize that Odemwingie is no longer the raw Oyibo that made his debut against Kenya in 2002. He is no longer a proficient winger and the early the coaches realize that, the better for them. Did I hear Ejike Uzoenyi? If he was better than Babatunde, he would’ve made the 23 initially and from what I’ve seen in the 3 friendly games, Babatunde can be a dark-horse for us. Generally speaking, I want to reiterate that I am not perturbed by the friendly performances and a real Keshi team can not be written off. Ask yourself: How did a team that fail to beat Burkina Faso in the opening game managed to win AFCON or how did a team that was beaten by Mali in the first game finished 3rd at CHAN? The spirit of the competitions will always animate the guys IF they sort out the in-house wranglings that might be present and get the perfect tactics to leverage on our strengths. The Eagles will surprise you, yes YOU again! ALOHA
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:42:02 +0000
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