The only thing more disappointing about
Nigeria’s abject performance against
Croatia was the fact that they were wearing
their more muted away kit, instead of that
stunning home shirt.
Many argue that their home shirt, in fact,
looks more like a training top, which would
have been quite fitting for Saturday’s defeat
given that’s how they seemingly treated the
match.
Their display lacked energy, desire or any of
the multitude of mental attributes
associated with a World Cup performance.
You wouldn’t have been able to guess this
was even a competitive game, such was
their direness.
Croatia, themselves, weren’t fantastic, but
Oghenekaro Etebo made their life easier
when he turned Mario Mandzukic’s
wayward header into his own net, before
William Troost-Ekong compounded their
misery in conceding a penalty for grappling
Mandzukic at a corner, which Luka Modric
converted.
The Super Eagles completely failed to look
the part and unless Gernot Rohr alters his
selection, Nigeria will be back home before
they know it.
Looking the part isn’t enough
Whilst their delightful home shirt
certainly looks fit for the World Cup stage,
their inexperienced side were nowhere
near that level.
Despite impressing in their qualification
campaign – finishing top, ahead of
Cameroon and Algeria – their World Cup
squad contains 18 debutants in the
tournament, and they were some way off
the pace.
Victor Moses was threatening on the right
flank, but he spent more time on the
ground than he did on his feet, whilst lone
striker Odion Ighalo was completely
isolated in the final third and he managed
just one effort on target – a header from
Brian Idowu’s cross.
Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi failed to make
an impact and his influence marginalised
playing on the left flank, whilst Kelechi
Iheanacho also struggled to inspire a
comeback after his introduction in the 73rd
minute.
Acting the part is better
Irrespective of a drab performance in their
opening game, Nigeria can still qualify with
a point against Argentina and a win over
Iceland, depending on other results, and
there is quality within the squad to enable
these results.
Kelechi Iheanacho, for example, is a
promising young striker that offers far
more than the more one-dimensional
Ighalo.
He creates opportunities for himself, such
as his phenomenal goal in Leicester’s 5-4
loss to Tottenham on the final day of the
Premier League, whilst still offering an
aerial threat from set pieces and crosses.
Alex Iwobi is arguably Nigeria’s most
creative player and shunting him out to the
left flank completely nullifies his influence,
denying him the opportunity to use his best
attributes, such as his passing, ball
retention and vision when it comes to
through balls.
KEY STAT: Alex Iwobi had an 86.5% passing
accuracy, made 1.5 key passes per game
and recorded six assists.
Playing Iwobi in the hole behind
Iheanacho provides him the chance to get
on the ball more frequently and use his
skills to pull the strings from a more central
position.
Instead of Iwobi out wide, Rohr can deploy
Ahmed Musa, a pacey winger able to take
players on and fire in dangerous crosses, as
well as posing a goal threat of his own.
KEY STAT: Ahmed Musa completed 1.2 key
passes per game and 1.4 dribbles for CSKA
Moscow.
With a front three of Musa, Iwobi and
Moses, this is already more dangerous
looking than that starting against Croatia.
Moreover, it allows John Obi Mikel to drop
into his more natural position in a deeper
midfield role, rather than as a pure number
ten.
He may have played in this role for the
Super Eagles during the qualification
campaign, but it’s not his natural role and
his record of one goal in 249 appearances
doesn’t bode well for Nigeria’s efforts in the
final third.
Thus, Nigeria have more of a creative
influence in their middle third to partner
the defensive Wilfred Ndidi, with a player
now able to progress the ball and create
attacking moves from deep. This is a means
of getting better and more frequent service
into the forwards.
How Nigeria should line up vs
Iceland
With this choice of personnel, the Super
Eagles already have more players in their
natural positions, a greater degree
of creativity – a problem against Croatia –
and already look stronger than the XI that
lost on Saturday.
All of Musa, Moses, Iwobi and Iheanacho are
capable finishers, which means Nigeria
should be able to get more shots away than
the two they managed on target against
Croatia.
Iceland are going to be similarly, if not
more, frustrating opponents and Iwobi’s
vision from central positions, as well as
Mikel’s range of passing from the middle
third, will provide the creativity needed to
break down a packed Icelandic defence.
A better team selection will be the
difference between an early exist and a
place in the knockout rounds.

lalasticlala seun

Just because someone failed yesterday doesn't mean he is a debacle forever.

When you fail,you learn how to stand again.
I see Nigeria winning Iceland and drawing Argentina.