Comment By Michael Osareme|Twitter: @MichaelImianvan
Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi were the heroes for Genort Rohr's men as Nigeria took a stronghold of their World Cup qualifying group with a 3 1 win over Algeria at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on Saturday.
Here are five key points from the enjoyable win.
1. GENORT ROHR ESCAPES WITH HIS DECISION MAKING
3 games in for the German tactician and its 3 wins in the kitty, really shows how good the german is but on a day were the 3pts seems non negotiable, Rohr made some decision which caught fans by surprise..
Starting Kenneth Omuero in the right back position looks like a disaster was about happening prior to kick off but on a day where Algeria's Brahimi didnt really come to the party, Omuero looked a bit comfortable, no thanks to the support Leon Balogun and Victor Moses offered him defensively. With two natural right back in the squad in Musa Mohammed and Shehu Abdullahi, one wonders why Rohr decided to go for Omeruo, even after his error in Ndola.
Iheanacho isn't a no.9!! Why play him in that role, we all know that Kelechi strives when playing with a supporting striker and not as a point man where his back is against the goal post. The Manchester City sensation was largely ineffective for the whole 90mins. Thankfully, we were not punished for this decisions but still Rohr tactics must be praised, the way he has made the Super Eagles Super again is highly commendable.
2. OGHENEKARO ETEBO!!!
He scored four goals in a single match at the Rio Olympics,missed the Zambia match through injury, back from injury and immediately slotted back into the Eagles starting XI. This shows how important the Portuguese based midfielder is to the team.
Etebo seems to be the most underrated player in the eagles squad as of present but keeps enjoying himself in such low light.
He is the Sergio busquest and Casemiero of Nigeria, doesn't get much praise but still doing his job well. The way he intercept and drive from midfield was what kept Nigeria going against Algeria, remember his pass for Mikel's goal, that was an Ozil esque.
His performance was top notch and its time he gets much praise like the Iwobi's and Iheanacho's of this world.
3. GREAT CENTRAL BACK PAIRING
Leon Balogun and Troost Ekong gave us a match to remember with the way they marshalled the defence against Algeria, knowing fully well that Echiejile and Omuero were opened to vulnerability, the pair kept their calm and helped the two right back and left back in their defence duty with aplomb.
We now have a good central defence that everyone can go to bed being rest assured of their performance. Keeping Slimani at bay was a beauty to behold, it was like watching the CB pairing of Sergio Ramos and Pepe, no wonder they are half cast, the duo will do great exploit with Nigeria.
4. ALGERIA RISK MISSING THE WORLD CUP
They were adjudged the best side in Africa and had a great 2014 World cup outing after reaching the 2nd Round and losing to eventual winners, Germany after extra time.
Fast forward two years and the Algerians are on the risk of missing the next mundial in Russia come 2018. They have arguably the best front line in Africa football but the missing piece in that team is the transition from defence to attack, the Algerian FA are also not helping the team's course, two managers in two WC qualifying games speaks a lot.
With the Eagles in top form, something drastic must occur if Algeria are to be in Russia 2018
5. PUTTING TEAM'S FORM IN TOP SHAPE
With the next round of qualifying series coming up not until August 2017, the NFF must ensure that it takes full advantage of the FIFA windows during this time by organising top, i mean top friendlies for the Super Eagles. This will ensure that the eagles gel together and Rohr gets to keep on passing his philosophies to the team albeit less pressure as it won't be a qualifying game.
The eagles won't be in Gabon 2017 and we must get our hearts together not to miss out on the World Cup.
Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi were the heroes for Genort Rohr's men as Nigeria took a stronghold of their World Cup qualifying group with a 3 1 win over Algeria at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on Saturday.
Here are five key points from the enjoyable win.
1. GENORT ROHR ESCAPES WITH HIS DECISION MAKING
3 games in for the German tactician and its 3 wins in the kitty, really shows how good the german is but on a day were the 3pts seems non negotiable, Rohr made some decision which caught fans by surprise..
Starting Kenneth Omuero in the right back position looks like a disaster was about happening prior to kick off but on a day where Algeria's Brahimi didnt really come to the party, Omuero looked a bit comfortable, no thanks to the support Leon Balogun and Victor Moses offered him defensively. With two natural right back in the squad in Musa Mohammed and Shehu Abdullahi, one wonders why Rohr decided to go for Omeruo, even after his error in Ndola.
Iheanacho isn't a no.9!! Why play him in that role, we all know that Kelechi strives when playing with a supporting striker and not as a point man where his back is against the goal post. The Manchester City sensation was largely ineffective for the whole 90mins. Thankfully, we were not punished for this decisions but still Rohr tactics must be praised, the way he has made the Super Eagles Super again is highly commendable.
2. OGHENEKARO ETEBO!!!
He scored four goals in a single match at the Rio Olympics,missed the Zambia match through injury, back from injury and immediately slotted back into the Eagles starting XI. This shows how important the Portuguese based midfielder is to the team.
Etebo seems to be the most underrated player in the eagles squad as of present but keeps enjoying himself in such low light.
He is the Sergio busquest and Casemiero of Nigeria, doesn't get much praise but still doing his job well. The way he intercept and drive from midfield was what kept Nigeria going against Algeria, remember his pass for Mikel's goal, that was an Ozil esque.
His performance was top notch and its time he gets much praise like the Iwobi's and Iheanacho's of this world.
3. GREAT CENTRAL BACK PAIRING
Leon Balogun and Troost Ekong gave us a match to remember with the way they marshalled the defence against Algeria, knowing fully well that Echiejile and Omuero were opened to vulnerability, the pair kept their calm and helped the two right back and left back in their defence duty with aplomb.
We now have a good central defence that everyone can go to bed being rest assured of their performance. Keeping Slimani at bay was a beauty to behold, it was like watching the CB pairing of Sergio Ramos and Pepe, no wonder they are half cast, the duo will do great exploit with Nigeria.
4. ALGERIA RISK MISSING THE WORLD CUP
They were adjudged the best side in Africa and had a great 2014 World cup outing after reaching the 2nd Round and losing to eventual winners, Germany after extra time.
Fast forward two years and the Algerians are on the risk of missing the next mundial in Russia come 2018. They have arguably the best front line in Africa football but the missing piece in that team is the transition from defence to attack, the Algerian FA are also not helping the team's course, two managers in two WC qualifying games speaks a lot.
With the Eagles in top form, something drastic must occur if Algeria are to be in Russia 2018
5. PUTTING TEAM'S FORM IN TOP SHAPE
With the next round of qualifying series coming up not until August 2017, the NFF must ensure that it takes full advantage of the FIFA windows during this time by organising top, i mean top friendlies for the Super Eagles. This will ensure that the eagles gel together and Rohr gets to keep on passing his philosophies to the team albeit less pressure as it won't be a qualifying game.
The eagles won't be in Gabon 2017 and we must get our hearts together not to miss out on the World Cup.
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