 | |
| |
Eagles need pace, power and movement
Stephen Keshi finally announced his final 23 to travel to Brazil to represent Nigeria at the World Cup in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd of June, just before the second friendly game against Greece in Philadelphia USA.
While some of Keshi's inclusions were not unexpected as they were the bedrock of the squad that won the AFCON last year in South Africa, few were shocking as well as the balance of the squad in general. I will try to make sense of the squad in a positional format:
GOALKEEPERS
Like prayer warriors from up above the mountain, we have to hope and pray that Vincent Enyeama stays fit throughout our sojourn in Brazil as both his deputies, Ejide and Agbim do not have the qualities required for this level.
DEFENDERS
It is baffling to see Keshi go with eight defenders, five of which are centre backs. It is safe to say that Keshi's first choice centre back pairing will be Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo with Egwuekwe and Ambrose (he is a centre back despite filling in at right back) deputising.
The inclusion of Yobo as the "fourth" centre back makes no sense in terms of balance of the squad. Keshi should have chosen one of Egwuekwe or Yobo as his fourth centre back freeing one space for another area of the squad where we are short.
In the full backs area, apart from Echiejile and Juwon Oshinawa who are natural left backs, it appears we have to make do with makeshift players on the right.The advantage of Keshi's defence options is the experience of the players included.
MIDFIELD
This is an area of the squad where Keshi could have sacrificed one of the defenders to add an extra body, preferably Nosa Igiebor who when introduced against Scotland commanded the midfield and wrestle it from the Scots to push Nigeria forward. Another glaring deficiency in the midfield composition is the lack of creativity, which means we will now have to depend on Mikel Obi to provide that creative spark like he did at the last Confederation Cup.
The inclusion of Michael Babatunde who is a left winger as one of the midfielders instead of Igiebor when there are players included in the attack who can play the role can be said to be another heads gone moment for Keshi.
While the omission of Sunday Mba was expected and not surprising, the absence of John Ogu who could have added more grit to the midfield in the provisional squad, is another decision that has left that area of the squad almost bare. Its baffling how Keshi has left himself exposed in numbers and creativity in the engine room of his squad and only time will tell if he has made a good decision or not.
ATTACK
The total exclusion of Ike Uche from the squad has not only robbed us of a natural goal scorer but also forced inexperience in Uchebo and Nwofor upon Keshi. Inclusion of once estranged Odemwingie and Ameobi not only brings quality and experience but also a physical presence that we have not had for a while now.
All Keshi needs to do if he plays Ameobi, is to play to his strengths which is holding up the ball and bringing others around him into play. While Uchebo and Nwofor might have scored against Scotland, they are still too raw and inexperienced for this level in my opinion but I think the World Cup will help in their development.
WILL THE REAL "PHILADELPHIA EAGLES" PLEASE STAND UP???!
Keshi unleashed what with all things being equal is believed will be his starting eleven against Iran in two weeks time on Greece in the Super Eagles second preparation game on Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment