FEATURE ARTICLE
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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| Saturday, October 10, 2020 |
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[email protected] Belgium 
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" Failure is an inverted side of success." A philosopher " Expectations should always be matched with reality." Cyril C. Nwokeji "Challenges paradoxically make life interesting and worth living" Cyril C. Nwokeji " A life without challenges is no life" Cyril C. Nwokeji
" Every failure in the short term, brings one closer to a later success " A popular American saying "Life can be hard and tough, but one's attitude to life makes a world of difference" Cyril C. Nwokeji If you focus on what you 've lost, you might lose everything" Anonymous
How did yours sincerely see the game? One saw a Super Eagles team, particularly the defence, that was still in 'dream land' after the refree called for the beginning of hostilities, and, as a consequence, gifted a cheap goal to Algeria, before waking up from their slumber. Giving away vital space to the opponents in the six yard box is an 'elementary school' mistake for any defensive organisation!!!!!!! Worse still was that the Super Eagles for all of eighty-nine minutes, the extra time included, couldn't get an equaliser- certainly didn't speak well of the Super Eagles' well-known offensive qualities!
The goal keeper , Maduka Okoye, did very well for his first full match for Nigeria. He was in my considered opinion, the best Super Eagles' player! He has by his performance, told the technical crew in unequivocal terms, he deserves to be Nigeria's number one keeper! His performance was in my considered opinion the light point of the Super Eagles' performance in the match-up against the Algerians! The defensive organisation was, generally, lack-lustre at the beginning of the match, but later on buckled-up. Tyronne Ebuehi put up a decent performance, after a two -year absence. Zaidu Sanusi, at left-back, was average in his performance. He should learn to make a more accurate final pass in his overlapping runs. A bad final pass makes a mess of a player's efforts. Skipper William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, individually, played quite well ; but as combo were not up to the standards of 'yore'. May be because of not having played together for a long time. The mid-field was outrightly weak! The ball- winning ability was average. The creativity was lacking. Alex Iwobi, did a yeo-mans job in this respect, but lacked support. Apparently, the absence of a second offensive mid-fielder was sorely missed and affected the Super Eagles' overall mid-field display!
Frank Onyeaka, was weak in the mid-field, and may have ruined his chances of a second call-up to the Super Eagles. Semi Ajayi, was ok in his defensive ability in mid-field, but didn't exhibit enough flexibility and skills that might have seen him make more inroads in the Super Eagles' mid-field, that might have aided creativity. In order words, he didn't show enough footballing ability in mid-field. Certainly the absences of Wilfred Ndidi and Etebo Oghenekaro in mid-field, were sorely missed! For the next competitive match against Sierra -Leone, one would suggest Coach Rohr invite Ramon Azeez. Also, one hopes Etebo Oghenekaro and Joe Aribo, would have recovered from their injuries. These are mid-fielders that would certainly help the Super Eagles, given their intrinsic qualities. The offensive front performed below standards. Samuel Kanu, was 'absent' for nearly the whole of the first half! He put-up a below average performance very much unlike the player we all know. Apparently, he had an off-day!
Samuel Chukwueze, was not at his best. The characteristic dribbling runs were there, but led to nothing, as he was constantly intercepted by the well-knit Algerian defence. Paul Onuachu, proved nothing as a top striker. Apparently, he was looking forward to getting space to make hay. In international matches of that calibre, such spaces don't come easily. In conclusion, notwithstanding the Super Eagles' lack-lustre performance, the Super Eagles' supporters should not lose a night's sleep. Friendly matches are meant to sharpen a team's loose ends: it gives the coaches the opportunity to try out new players and try out different formations. As a consequence, the coaches would have the best mix, in terms of choice of players for a competitive match, as well as adopt the right tactical approach. The Super Eagles' performance against Algeria, should be seen purely in this context. UP SUPER EAGLES! UP NIGERIA!!!!!!!
The book "Super Eagles of Nigeria : Pride of Africa", can also be gotten through the author. One can contact the author through : [email protected] Please note in this case, payment of postage costs will be necessary
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ruth be told: The Super Eagles of Nigeria performed dismally against Algeria in their friendly cracker in Austria! It was a lack-lustre performance by the Super Eagles; far below their standards. Apparently, occasioned by the unexpected "Corona holiday", and also the infusion of some first-timers to the Super Eagles set-up , some of whom failed to live up to expectations. Any how, it was one Super Eagles match to forget.