Five things we learnt from Nigeria v Egypt (Only five?)

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Friday, April 13th, 2012

Five things learnt after from the Super Eagles’ 2-3 loss against Egypt in an international friendly in Dubai on Thursday.

1. Wingers! At last!
It has been nearly 20 years since 1994. Yes, 20 years since Finidi George and Emmanuel Amunike were tearing down our wings and causing half a dozen different kinda of problems for the opposition.

In the time since then, every armchair critic and who wanted to look knowledgeable would point to our lack of ‘wing play’ and the return to it as the solution to the Super Eagles problems. It is not, but is only one.

However, they failed to account for the little snafu that we did not really have natural wingers.

Players who have played there have been converted strikers like John Utaka, Osaze Odemwingie, Chinedu Obasi etc who are happier playing centrally.

But in Ejike Uzoenyi, Nigeria seem finally to have found the left winger to complement Ahmed Musa on the right.

Ejike accelerates like a V8-powered engine, has the beating of his man, hugs the byline and delivers a useful ball. Okay, occasionally, but that can be polished.

With Musa on the opposite flank, the Super Eagles now truly have natural wingers.

As long as they can get the crossing right.

2. Search for fullbacks continues
Two of the three goals scored by Egypt originated from the fullback positions. Our left side in particular was the source of much joy for the North Africans.

Juwon Oshaniwa was constantly tormented by the raiding Paharaohs and needed to be bailed out constantly by Godfrey Oboabona.

In fairness to the fullbacks, especially Oshaniwa, they received little cover from the wide players ahead of them.
For all his attacking verve, Uzoenyi still needed to track back and help out his fullback.

3. A free kick routine that worked
It is near the end of the first half. Enyimba’s Kalu Uche is pulled back as he bears down on goal. Referee awards the freekick, right on top of the Egypt box.

We will ignore his reluctance to send off the defender for denying a clear, goal scoring opportunity.

Three Eagles players stand over the ball, slightly left of the goalkeeper, with the wall in front of them. One touches it. The wall pours forward expecting the customary shot. Instead, it is back heeled to Uzoenyi streaking to the right of the wall.

But for a slightly heavy touch, he would have had the goal at his mercy.

Irrespective, he still found a yard of space to unleash a venomous effort that was tipped over the bar.
It was a delicious piece of invention and if it came from the training ground, which I think it did, then Keshi is on to a real stellar thing.

4. We settled for second
That surprised me. Keshi is not a man I know to settle for second best. But in the last few minutes of the game, it appeared he or his players were satisfied with coming back home with a draw.

The high tempo pressing game was gone, Egypt were allowed the run of the green, and the Nigerians retreated to their own half. Scratch that, to their own deep third.

That allowed the Egyptians plenty of time to execute that 30-pass buildup that led to the goal.

Bunkering down has never helped. If we had seen the same tit for tat that characterized the game early on, perhaps that draw would have happened.

In the event, handing the initiative to Egypt served the unwanted purpose of handing them the game.

5. Nigerian fans still believe in the Eagles
For all the posturing about not caring about the Super Eagles anymore, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that the fans still care. A lot.

They may just be trying to save their hearts from further heartbreak. Prior to kickoff, I got tons of requests asking for kickoff time and what stations were showing the game.

During my Twitter commentary when I finally found a reliable live streaming link, I had most of my nearly 16000 followers hooked on my text updates.

After the game, many more asking for the result.

So yes, I understand that right now you all feel like the innocent girl whose heart has been toyed with over and over by her cheating, player boyfriend.

But if we keep the faith, we can see what Keshi is trying to do, and these Eagles will be great again.

Take my word for it.

Colin Udoh (Kickoffnigeria)

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