Nigeria were held to a goalless draw by Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Tuesday. Days after securing an automatic ticket to AFCON 2019, coach Gernot Rohr made several changes to the team and many positives that should make an average fan optimistic were evident in the lineup.
A youthful side
Even before a ball was kicked, the presence of youngsters such as Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze in the starting lineup was pleasing to the sight. Their selection shows that players from the youth setup of the national team will get their opportunity if they keep on performing well at their clubs.
It is also an assurance that previously unknown players making waves at their clubs would be given a chance to replicate the form for the national team if fit and willing to play for their fatherland.
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The 12th man is back
The average Nigerian loves football, and when the Super Eagles are performing, they become the topic of discussion in every newspaper stand and football centre in the country, and people momentarily forget their worries. This could be said of the optimism which surrounds the recent Super Eagles team led by Gernot Rohr. The Asaba stadium was filled quite early with more fans outside the arena who couldn’t get a ticket for the Uganda game.
Three minutes into the friendly encounter and fans had already taken over proceedings, drowning the trumpets and drums of the Nigerian football supporters’ club, the official cheerleading team of the Eagles. Every touch of the likes of Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa was cheered, and tricks from Chukwueze and Samuel Kalu left the crowd wanting more.
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Even the fans’ customary plea to “give us one goal” was done in the spirit of fun. Not since the late Stephen Keshi won the AFCON tournament in 2013 have we had such a carnival atmosphere. If the tempo can be maintained, fans could help create a calming atmosphere for the players to deliver in big games, representing an extra ‘player’ for the team.
A burgeoning attack
It has been several years since Nigeria could boast of a formidable attacking third that puts fear in opponents.
The days of Rashidi Yekini, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amunike, and Finidi George making defences look ordinary is long gone, a situation which has left Nigeria toothless in international matches. Blunt in attack and overwhelmed in midfield and defence, the Super Eagles have looked ordinary for over a decade.
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However, the present crop of players has been giving fans reasons to be optimistic. The Rohr-led technical team has been unveiling talents that play regularly for their clubs, and who also have a sense of patriotism.
Iwobi, Kalu, Chukwueze, Henry Onyekuru and Kelechi Iheanacho are regulars for their clubs and all are under 23.
Coupled with the experienced duo of Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo who are enjoying their football in Saudi Arabia and China respectively, Nigeria could be on the verge of something great in international football if appropriate tactics are employed.
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