FEATURE ARTICLE

Cyril C. NwokejiTuesday, April 2, 2013
[email protected]
Belgium

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IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE AYC UNDER- 20 TOURNAMENT: FLYING EAGLES, NOT YET WORLD CLASS!

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t the recently concluded AYC under-20 tournament, in Algeria, our dear Flying Eagles, finished in third place,having failed to defend successfully, their hard -won title in South Africa, two years ago. A third place finish is not bad by any standards and moreover they qualified for the FIFA under - 20 world cup competition; what is however, troubling, with our performance, was how we failed to defend our title.It was crystal clear the Flying Eagles, had the best team at the championship - qua talent, quality of play and a general determination to succeed.Why did we fail to defend our title ?

The answer to that question, is not far-fetched, for anyone one who observed the performance of our team closely.It was clear, right from the first match that, for all the talent, quality of play of the team and the determination of the players to succeed, the team had a fundamental problem- finishing well in front of goal. In simple terms, the team lacked a clinical finisher(s). This deficiency, was easily noticeable, right from the first match, when despite having dominated play, for all of 90minutes, and having created a plethora of chances, we couldn't convert any, consequently, we couldn't equalise a 12th minute goal,scored by Mali, and consequently, sufferd an undesrved defeat, in a match ,we ought to have won easily. One expected improvement in the subseqeuent matches, rather what we saw was very marginal improvement, as the Flying Eagles scrapped through Gabon 1-0, courtesy of a penalty goal. In the match against Congo, the score line of 3-1, was heart-warming; that was mainly due to the effort of the 'apparent' clinical finisher in the team - Aminu Umar, who scored two goals.

One thought, our goal-scoring problems were over, and the Flying Eagles, had started to fly, and headed for a successful defence of their title. However, we were rudely awakened from our illussion, with the 2-0 loss to the Egyptians in the semi-finals. That match brought again to the fore,the goal scoring problem of the Flying Eagles. It was a match Nigeria should have won very easily, having as usual created a plethora of unutilised chances, but helaas, it was the same old story! To further compound matters, our 'apparent' finisher Aminu Umar, was injured, and couldn't play; may be his inclusion, might have turned the table in our favour.The Flying Eagles, got a face-saving bronze medal, with a 2-1 victory, over Mali; Aminu Umar, once again confirmed his rating, by scoring the goals. On the balance, it was not a bad tournament, for Nigeria, having come 3rd, and qualified for the FIFA under - 2O World cup tournament, in Turkey. However, in order to put up a credible performance at the World cup, certain things must be done. What are those things ?

Firstly, the John Obuh -led technical team, must urgently, look for ' clinical finishers,' to complement the efforts of Aminu Umar; at this point in time he is about the only 'clinical finisher' in the team.The other suppossed 'clinical finisher,' Kayode Olanrewaju, has failed in this regard; no doubt, he is a good player, but certainly not a 'clinical finisher,' , not the type, we need in the Flying Eagles, for the task ahead. The coach could find another roll for him in the team, considering his enormous talent.The coaching crew need to scout far and wide for ' clinical finishers.' They need to find at least 4 'clinical finishers,' who will compete with Aminu Umar, enabling the coaches to select only the very best for the World cup. Going to the World cup with virtually, no 'clinical finisher,' could be 'suicidal, ' for the Flying Eagles; that would almost certainly guarantee an ignominous early exit from the World cup.

Secondly, the team needs to undertake a European tour. This would help expose the players to the pattern of play of their likely opponents. This tour, should be complemented, with friendly games against teams, from Asia and Central America, since we would be playing South-Korea and Cuba at the preliminary stages of the tournament.

Lastly, there should be no sentiments involved, in the selection of players. John Obuh, should do his very best and try to improve on our quater-final performance, two years ago. It is my considerd opinion that while not under-estimating the other teams, the absence of Brazil and Argentina, at this year's tournament, may provide us with a 'window of opportunity,' to yet realise great things at this tournament. Am I dreaming? Time will tell. UP FLYING EAGLES, UP NIGERIA.

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