The Super Eagles of Nigeria began their defence of her 2013 Afcon crown with a home loss in Calabar to the Red Devils of Congo coached by the veteran tactician Claude Leroy.
It was a clinical and well executed tactical plan that put the reigning African champs to the sword right in front of her home fans, a loss which will definitely reverberate throughout the Nigerian football fraternity.
The Super Eagles went ahead in the 13th minute though defender Efe Ambrose, but Congo hit back three minutes later through Prince Oniangue. Thiery Bifouma scored another before the break to make it 2-1 at halftime.
Ogenyi Onazi gifted the Congolese a penalty in the second half , which Bifouma converted for his brace, that eventually sealed the Eagles fate before Gbolahan Salami's late goal set up an enthralling finale, but the African champions couldn't come up with the required goal to pick a point off Congo.
Supersport.com takes a look at the game and deciphers what went wrong and lessons learnt from the game aptly described as the 'Calabar debacle.
Eagles are still on holiday
A top government official, speaking after the game said the Super Eagles had "a bad day at the office", I dare say that's been a bit diplomatic. The Super Eagles were probably stuck in some Lagos traffic somewhere because they didn't show up at the office at all.
The Congolese were more purposeful and determined, and like a soldier up for a joust match-up came prepared. Th game plan worked to perfection. Even after conceding, they stuck to the plan and made sure the Eagles never got going.
Bar one or two players who looked sharp, the rest looked like they were still in pre-season training or still on holidays. The deep end surely looked steep and the Eagles huffed and puffed with little or nothing to show for it.
They probably got going in the last fifteen minutes, but the damage had already been done, the lackadaisical attitude of some of the players surely means that the time has come for some to be shown the door.
Keshi, again got his tactics wrong.
Looking at Keshi's line-up before the game. I was convinced Keshi still didn't know how to deploy his troops, or evidently didn't do his home work properly as regards the Congolese side.
During the preparation for the 2014 World Cup, it was clear for all to see that a Mikel-Onazi-Azeez combo just won't click. The reasons are quite obvious, Azeez and Onazi are like for like players, and if given specific duties, just didn't carry it out.
The game against Iran at the World Cup showed how static and slow the midfield was, and same repeated itself against Congo. Onazi kept launching long balls trying to find a hulking Uche Nwofor to no avail.
Like a coach once said "When Nigeria starts punting long balls forward at home, it means there is no midfield" I think he was correct there. Simple note is, Keshi got his tactics wrong. The introduction of Nosa Igiebor in the second half should give Keshi a hint on how to use his players in the best and most effective way.
Panic stations
Much as I would hate to sound like an alarmist, I think Nigerians should be afraid. Very afraid. This might sound cliche', but I think we also need to go back to the drawing board. We need to sort out our game administratively and on the pitch as well.
Prior to the game, the Super Eagles said whatever crisis that is pervading the Glass House will not affect them, that however is up for debate, as it clearly showed in their body language that something was amiss.
The Nigerian Football Federation needs to sort itself out, sort the coaching issue and begin a process of rebuilding the squad for Russia 2018.
I saw Cameroun defeat DR Congo in Lubumbashi with youngsters and a sprinkling of experienced players like Stephane Mbia and Eyong Enoh. This is the way to go and we need to start now.
Nigeria will need a miracle on Wednesday against South Africa who mauled Sudan 3-0 away. A second consecutive loss will surely spell the end of Nigeria's campaign before it even hits high gears.
Mikel, sit up or be shipped out
For his obvious talent, the Mikel John Obi was the weakest link in the Nigerian team against the Congolese. He held to the ball unnecessarily and in process derailing most of Nigeria's promising moves. He practically jogged around the field for most of the first half and only came alive when it was evident Nigeria was on a clanger.
Widely regarded as the poster boy of Nigerian football, he has done little of late to justify that tag. He deservedly picked up a yellow card after slamming the ball on the pitch after he committee a foul and also launched a foul mouth tirade at the referee.
Mikel, who hast been in the thick of things at Chelsea need to show during the game, he can still be relevant when things get tough, but he just didn't show up.
His combination with Onazi and Azeez in the midfield didn't come off, as they kept bumping into to each other. That ensued a gulf between the midfield and attack which also resorted to the long ball routine by Onazi and the defence.
The time has come for Keshi ( or whoever comes in) to drop the talented midfielder and try something else, maybe it might be good for him and Nigeria. It might just be the wake up call he needs to prove to himself and Nigerians that he is still the main man in the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles have a herculean task in front of them heading int Wednesday's game against South Africa. I believe they can get a point against the Bafana Bafana. The loss against the Red Devils of Congo should serve as a wake up call for the Nigerian gladiators.
On the other end will be Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba who would want to continue from where he stopped after guiding his new look Bafana Bafana squad to an impressive away win in Sudan on his competitive debut.
Whatever happens on Wednesday evening, it will surely be a cracker. The Eagles need to redeem themselves and I believe the will.
No comments:
Post a Comment