Nigeria’s Super Eagles kick off their preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they lock horns with Scotland later today at Fulham Football Club’s home turf Craven Cottage, London.
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi ditched his traditional 4-3-3 formation for the counter-attacking 4-4-1-1 system in Super Eagles’ last outing in March against Mexico as he continues to explore the best system for the team. The game is Super Eagles’ last game before June 2, the official date set for all teams competing at the mundial to name their official squads also meaning this is the last opportunity for reserve players to make their claim and book a seat on Super Eagles’ flight to Brazil.
Keshi currently has 30 players in camp but will have to discard 7 players, bringing down the number to 23 players. Keshi recalled erstwhile Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, Obinna Nsofor, Peter Odemwingie, Joel Obi, Michael Babatunde and Kunle Odunlami to the Super Eagles setup.
Joel Obi, a gifted midfielder with a hawk-eye for defence splitting passes, has been plagued with injuries in recent seasons. The game against Scotland offers him the chance to prove his match fitness and justify his inclusion in the team. With the failure of Fegor Ogude and John Oguto to make Keshi’s 30-man list, Joel Obi has to perform on Wednesday to climb the pecking order and slot into Keshi’s 3-man midfield alongside his cousin, John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi.
However, he has to jostle with Michael Uchebo, who did a tremendous job in Super Eagles’ last friendly against Mexico, Nosa Igiebor, who suffered relegation heartbreak with his club side, Real Betis in Spanish La Liga, Ramon Azeez and Gabriel Reuben. Joel Obi can also provide cover for Elderson Echejile at left-back; he’s played there before for Inter Milan.
Another player that will be hoping to impress Keshi is Obinna Nsofor, who scored a brace in penultimate game of the season to save his side, Chievo Verona from relegation. Nsofor hasn’t played much for Nigeria since his ill-fated move to Lokomotiv Moscow where he found playing time hard to come by but has been rejuvenated since returning to his old club, Chievo Verona in January.
Stephen Keshi likes to operate with a 4-3-3 formation, a formation that suits Nsofor’s style of play. However, Victor Moses is a mainstay in the team and has made the left side of the 3-pronged attack his own. Although Moses spent most of the season on the bench at Liverpool, his place in the team is assured but he has to use the game to get some match fitness ahead of the tournament. With a role for Moses’ deputy at stake, Nsofor has to contend with Ejike Uzoenyi, who was in impeccable form for Super Eagles at the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa earlier in the year where he won the most valuable player, and Nnamdi Odumadi who scored Super Eagles’ only hat-trick under Stephen Keshi against Tahiti at Confederations Cup last year.
Shola Ameobi is also fighting to play in his first competitive tournament for Nigeria at the age of 32. The striker who was released by Newcastle United recently, pledged allegiance to Nigeria in 2012 following persuasion from Stephen Keshi. He scored in Super Eagles’ 2-2 draw with Italy last November, however, his place in team is under threat from Michael Babatunde and Uche Nwofor.
Defender, Efe Ambrose will be relishing this fixture. Ambrose plays in Scottish Premier League with Glasgow giants, Celtic and won his second Scottish Premier League title this season. The Scots may have Watford’s Ikechi Anya, son of a Nigerian father but born in Glasgow, on the right wing. The winger was approached by Nigeria when he was at Spanish side, Celta Vigo but their chairman convinced him playing in African Cup of Nations for Nigeria during the La Liga season was a bad idea. Had things gone differently, he might have made Keshi’s 30-man squad for the World Cup. He is set to win his sixth Scottish cap on Wednesday.
The Scots failed to qualify for the World Cup but coach, Gordon Strachan will be hoping to use the game to get his players charged for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers which will commence shortly after the World Cup. The former Southampton and Celtic manager was ecstatic to welcome back captain, Darren Fletcher to the squad following protracted battle with a bowel condition. Derby County duo, Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin have also been rewarded for their efforts in Rams’ failed promotion charge with a maiden call-up to the Tartan Terriers.
Strachan will have to make a decision as to who starts up-front with Ross McComarck of Leeds United and Steven Naismith of Everton favourites to get the nod as Scotland seek to continue their impressive form that has seen them earn good results against Croatia, Poland and Macedonia recently.
Scotland and Nigeria have only met once in a friendly game played at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland just before the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. Nigeria ran out 2-1 winners with Julius Aghahowa grabbing a brace. Former West Ham defender, Christian Dailly scored Scotland’s lone goal.
Super Eagles’ pre-World Cup fixture also includes friendlies in the United States against Greece on June 3 and the home nation on June 7, before they fly out to Brazil for the opening World Cup fixture against Iran on June 16 in the Arena da Baixada, Curitiba.
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This article was first published on 28th May 2014
arinzeude
Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles kick off their preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they lock horns with Scotland later today at Fulham Football Club’s home turf Craven Cottage, London.
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi ditched his traditional 4-3-3 formation for the counter-attacking 4-4-1-1 system in Super Eagles’ last outing in March against Mexico as he continues to explore the best system for the team. The game is Super Eagles’ last game before June 2, the official date set for all teams competing at the mundial to name their official squads also meaning this is the last opportunity for reserve players to make their claim and book a seat on Super Eagles’ flight to Brazil.
Keshi currently has 30 players in camp but will have to discard 7 players, bringing down the number to 23 players. Keshi recalled erstwhile Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, Obinna Nsofor, Peter Odemwingie, Joel Obi, Michael Babatunde and Kunle Odunlami to the Super Eagles setup.
Joel Obi, a gifted midfielder with a hawk-eye for defence splitting passes, has been plagued with injuries in recent seasons. The game against Scotland offers him the chance to prove his match fitness and justify his inclusion in the team. With the failure of Fegor Ogude and John Oguto to make Keshi’s 30-man list, Joel Obi has to perform on Wednesday to climb the pecking order and slot into Keshi’s 3-man midfield alongside his cousin, John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi.
However, he has to jostle with Michael Uchebo, who did a tremendous job in Super Eagles’ last friendly against Mexico, Nosa Igiebor, who suffered relegation heartbreak with his club side, Real Betis in Spanish La Liga, Ramon Azeez and Gabriel Reuben. Joel Obi can also provide cover for Elderson Echejile at left-back; he’s played there before for Inter Milan.
Another player that will be hoping to impress Keshi is Obinna Nsofor, who scored a brace in penultimate game of the season to save his side, Chievo Verona from relegation. Nsofor hasn’t played much for Nigeria since his ill-fated move to Lokomotiv Moscow where he found playing time hard to come by but has been rejuvenated since returning to his old club, Chievo Verona in January.
Stephen Keshi likes to operate with a 4-3-3 formation, a formation that suits Nsofor’s style of play. However, Victor Moses is a mainstay in the team and has made the left side of the 3-pronged attack his own. Although Moses spent most of the season on the bench at Liverpool, his place in the team is assured but he has to use the game to get some match fitness ahead of the tournament. With a role for Moses’ deputy at stake, Nsofor has to contend with Ejike Uzoenyi, who was in impeccable form for Super Eagles at the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa earlier in the year where he won the most valuable player, and Nnamdi Odumadi who scored Super Eagles’ only hat-trick under Stephen Keshi against Tahiti at Confederations Cup last year.
Shola Ameobi is also fighting to play in his first competitive tournament for Nigeria at the age of 32. The striker who was released by Newcastle United recently, pledged allegiance to Nigeria in 2012 following persuasion from Stephen Keshi. He scored in Super Eagles’ 2-2 draw with Italy last November, however, his place in team is under threat from Michael Babatunde and Uche Nwofor.
Defender, Efe Ambrose will be relishing this fixture. Ambrose plays in Scottish Premier League with Glasgow giants, Celtic and won his second Scottish Premier League title this season. The Scots may have Watford’s Ikechi Anya, son of a Nigerian father but born in Glasgow, on the right wing. The winger was approached by Nigeria when he was at Spanish side, Celta Vigo but their chairman convinced him playing in African Cup of Nations for Nigeria during the La Liga season was a bad idea. Had things gone differently, he might have made Keshi’s 30-man squad for the World Cup. He is set to win his sixth Scottish cap on Wednesday.
The Scots failed to qualify for the World Cup but coach, Gordon Strachan will be hoping to use the game to get his players charged for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers which will commence shortly after the World Cup. The former Southampton and Celtic manager was ecstatic to welcome back captain, Darren Fletcher to the squad following protracted battle with a bowel condition. Derby County duo, Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin have also been rewarded for their efforts in Rams’ failed promotion charge with a maiden call-up to the Tartan Terriers.
Strachan will have to make a decision as to who starts up-front with Ross McComarck of Leeds United and Steven Naismith of Everton favourites to get the nod as Scotland seek to continue their impressive form that has seen them earn good results against Croatia, Poland and Macedonia recently.
Scotland and Nigeria have only met once in a friendly game played at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland just before the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. Nigeria ran out 2-1 winners with Julius Aghahowa grabbing a brace. Former West Ham defender, Christian Dailly scored Scotland’s lone goal.
Super Eagles’ pre-World Cup fixture also includes friendlies in the United States against Greece on June 3 and the home nation on June 7, before they fly out to Brazil for the opening World Cup fixture against Iran on June 16 in the Arena da Baixada, Curitiba.
