COUNTDOWN 21: Can Mikel, Emenike shine on the global scene?

If Nigeria will ever make the impact its fans have been craving for since the 1994 World Cup, they would need strong performances from two of their key players, John Obi Mikel and Emmanuel Emenike.

In a new-look team, both players shone like a million stars as the Super Eagles won the African Nations Cup (AFCON) last year. Mikel’s assured tackling, ball winning and retention, and his ability to find the right pass are a vital part of the team’s tactics. Even so, his presence in the midfield alone inspires others around him to perform. Mikel is simply a leader on the pitch.

Emenike’s sheer power and pace delivered the goals in the tournament, and he showed this during World Cup qualification, scoring vital goals to ensure that the Super Eagles were the first to qualify in Africa.

The Nigerian team is filled with young and hungry players who are ready to lay down their lives for Coach Stephen Keshi and the nation’s ever-demanding fans. A project that started after Keshi — popularly known as “The Big Boss” by fans and media alike took charge in 2011 — set the team to win the World Cup in 2018. But the target has now been fast-tracked to Brazil 2014 after an impressive AFCON win.

Keshi, one of the foremost high-profile exports from Nigeria, has previously qualified Togo for the 2006 World Cup, but was replaced before the tournament after falling out with key players. A similar scenario ensued this year, and he was criticized by the NFF, the country’s football governing body. However, the 51-year-old enjoys unanimous public backing and the NFF fears a backlash if they do the unthinkable.

A player who captained Nigeria to its first World Cup appearance in 1994, Keshi has abundant tournament experience and — as he showed at AFCON — is tactically astute in every game. His policy of choosing the best for his team regardless of the league such players ply their trade has restored competition to the team, with domestic players slugging it out with the foreign counterparts. He is therefore armed with his own men, led by Mikel, Emenike, Vitor Moses and reliable goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama. They will lead other glory-hungry players, such as Ahmed Musa, Godfrey Oboabona, Onazi Ogenyi in a bid to take the world by surprise.

Although the world stage is not to be compared with the continental, the team has shown in recent games that it can mix it with the best, epitomised by the hugely-entertaining fast-tempo 2-2 draw with Italy this year.

Strength

Coach Keshi can rely on a strong goalkeeping department with two world-class keepers in Enyeama and Austin Ejide playing behind a tough-tackling and stubborn back four. But the midfield and ability of his team to counter with pace on the wings is his main asset, and Emenike finishing it off in the middle in a defensive-minded 4-3-3 formation.

Also, consistent team selections have allowed all the players to know how to play with one another, promoting team growth.

Weakness

The last of NFF’s destructive role has not been seen and like previous tournaments, their actions will determine whether they are fighting for their purse or they want this team to do the nation proud. Aside this, profligacy in front of goal is another major problem, championed by the enigmatic-yet-erratic CSKA wing forward, Ahmed Musa.

Last line

“The Big Boss” knows how to do it in tournaments and the World Cup won’t be any different. Ever-faithful and demanding Nigerians should expect the unexpected again!