Juwon Oshaniwa, Nigeria’s unsung hero

As the Super Eagles file out against France on Tuesday, we examine a player who has been a revelation at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, despite posting underwhelming performances prior to the tournament.

When regular left-back Elderson Echiejile copped up an injury during a pre-World Cup game against Greece, all seemed lost for a team that could truly boast no reliable player in that position. Many analysts even mooted the need for coach Stephen Keshi to jettison his preferred 4-3-3 formation and use 3-5-2 with three defenders at the back in the absence of Echiejile.

The pessimism was understandable; Echiejile had personalised the position and Juwon Oshaniwa never impressed the few times he was called upon to stand in for the Monaco player.

Oshaniwa was determined to prove his critics wrong, as well as make the injured Echiejile proud with his performances on the pitch.

“I welcome it as a total challenge, but I am a bit sad because we were both here together irrespective of him getting the starting shirt,” Oshaniwa said.

“But I felt it within me that he was hurt due to the injury he suffered. Honestly speaking, I felt it so bad but the job must be done.

“The only thing I can do is to keep the pace up and make sure that our position, which is one of the most integral positions in the team, contributes to the success collectively.

“This is the one way I can pay respect to him, since he is not present here. I have to put in my best for the team, fight the way I used to fight, and at the end of everything, play so well that wherever he is, he will be proud of me.”

Now, there is no chance Echiejile is not proud of the Israel-based player.

In Brazil, Oshaniwa has started all of Nigeria’s games and he has justified his place in Stephen Keshi’s squad. He has had a very good tournament, and his confidence level is rising with every match. Juwon has been an integral part of the team and could make people now ask: Elderson who?

Oshaniwa made his debut for Nigeria in a friendly against Angola in January 2012, and was part of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad but only featured in one game, the final, where he entered as a late substitute and managed to pick up a yellow card.

He was dropped for the next 14 matches, but returned to the squad for the recent friendly against Mexico.

“He was struggling to deal with Hajrovic coming in off the right in the first half, but did better after Hajrovic’s substitution. He had a hard night’s work under consistent pressure, but he was still able to post a commanding performance,” a Nigeria fan said of his performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

And on his Argentina showing, he said: “Had a solid game like in the previous matches with Iran and Bosnia. He was consistent in his passing.”

In brief

Expectation before the World Cup: Low

Performance during the World Cup: High

Report: A

Against France’s rampant attackers, who says Oshaniwa heroics in the left back position will not be needed?