The Super Eagles of Nigeria started their World Cup duties on a low after playing a barren draw with the defence-minded Iranian team. Picking up a draw at the World Cup stage isn’t a bad result, but when you have got a bright Bosnia Herzegovinian side to play and are facing playing an Argentine team parading world class players such as Lionel Messi, four-time World Footballer of the Year award winner, then Stephen Keshi should realize that a draw has left us with no other option than taking the more difficult route. The match against Bosnia Herzegovina is not about having something to prove, but about getting the job done.
Here are three things Keshi must adopt to ensure victory.
1. Absorb all the pressure
The Bosnian team is drilled to play a high line pressure game with a proven point man, Edin Dzeko. The Super Eagles will have to avoid playing that short passing style which Steven Keshi tagged ‘tiki taka’ style. Given that the Super Eagles lack a creative footballer at the heart of the midfield who can deliver an accurate and thorough pass at the end of the passing game, combined with the fact that the Bosnian side has a point to prove since this is their first World Cup appearance, our best option is to sit back and absorb all that they will throw at us.
2. Counter–attack with fast pace attackers
The Super Eagles have players like Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Osaze Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike. This quartet can be very devastating to any opposition on the counter therefore, given this strength, the Eagles need to apply this technique to a devastating effect so as to get the needed three points.
3. Play Ejike Uzoenyi and Efe Ambrose at right back instead of Joseph Yobo at the centre back position
The injury Godfrey Oboabona sustained against Iran left a big hole at the heart of the Super Eagles defence. Given Yobo’s antecedents in the friendly matches, it wouldn’t be ideal to start Yobo at the heart of the defence. The most suitable thing to do is to play Ambrose and Kenneth Omeruo at the centre back position, and fill the right back with Ejike Uzoenyi who should be allowed to overlap when we are counter attacking.
Nigeria should be home and dry if Keshi adopts these changes.
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This article was first published on 20th June 2014
obimartins
Martins Okafor is a Sports Writer for Connect Nigeria. He has been a sport buff for years, following stories and development in leagues and international competitions. His interest led him to writing stories – reporting on sporting events. He has superior interest in soccer, but knows much about other sports. He plans to have a blog and to advance in sport journalism. You can email him at: obimartins85 [at] gmail.com
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The Super Eagles of Nigeria started their World Cup duties on a low after playing a barren draw with the defence-minded Iranian team. Picking up a draw at the World Cup stage isn’t a bad result, but when you have got a bright Bosnia Herzegovinian side to play and are facing playing an Argentine team parading world class players such as Lionel Messi, four-time World Footballer of the Year award winner, then Stephen Keshi should realize that a draw has left us with no other option than taking the more difficult route. The match against Bosnia Herzegovina is not about having something to prove, but about getting the job done.
Here are three things Keshi must adopt to ensure victory.
1. Absorb all the pressure
The Bosnian team is drilled to play a high line pressure game with a proven point man, Edin Dzeko. The Super Eagles will have to avoid playing that short passing style which Steven Keshi tagged ‘tiki taka’ style. Given that the Super Eagles lack a creative footballer at the heart of the midfield who can deliver an accurate and thorough pass at the end of the passing game, combined with the fact that the Bosnian side has a point to prove since this is their first World Cup appearance, our best option is to sit back and absorb all that they will throw at us.
2. Counter–attack with fast pace attackers
The Super Eagles have players like Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Osaze Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike. This quartet can be very devastating to any opposition on the counter therefore, given this strength, the Eagles need to apply this technique to a devastating effect so as to get the needed three points.
3. Play Ejike Uzoenyi and Efe Ambrose at right back instead of Joseph Yobo at the centre back position
The injury Godfrey Oboabona sustained against Iran left a big hole at the heart of the Super Eagles defence. Given Yobo’s antecedents in the friendly matches, it wouldn’t be ideal to start Yobo at the heart of the defence. The most suitable thing to do is to play Ambrose and Kenneth Omeruo at the centre back position, and fill the right back with Ejike Uzoenyi who should be allowed to overlap when we are counter attacking.
Nigeria should be home and dry if Keshi adopts these changes.
