You really think so? You really think Ghanaians look up to Nigerians? But if indeed Ghanaians look up to nigerians, then Ghana should be in a bigger mess because Nigeria itself is in a mess. So what exactly can Ghana look to copy from Nigerians? Is it the poverty? Is it boko haram? Is it corruption? Is it kidnappings? What exactly can Ghana learn from Nigeria? Life expectancy is higher in Ghana. Ghanaians enjoy regular electricity. More Ghanaians youths are gainfully employed. According to the UN, Nigeria has more children out of school than any other country in the world. So tell me. What is there in Nigeria for Ghana to learn from, as you claimed? Fuckeduppedness

Starboytwo:
nonsense how It's a known fact anywhere in the world that Ghanaians look up to NIGERIANS..... Cmon even your president won't dispute that.....you can't change what God has ordained...

And it's actually a good thing if they link you with a GIANT elder brother....eg my brother is a giant ooo, don't mess with me....yo dig


Cc
Petrodollarxxx
Gustav25

ChrisKels:


This guy is an arm chair analyst, I have been watching u. How come u didn't say this when he was dropped, in fact u supported Rohr's decision to drop him, back then. I was the only one who rose up against the injustice though I got a lil backing from Saint forgiveness.



I remember when I said Tomori was the best defender in the championship, u said never, buh suddenly, u turned around to shrine same Tomori asking why he hasn't been approached by the NFF.

Gawd!! U are neither here nor there, u are too erratic man

Where do l start with you.

In the business of football the only thing that is constant is CHANGE. Either for better or worse it's about continous development.

In the the 2017/18 season Fikayo Tomori played as a RB for Hull city. In my opinion at that time he was below average and not good enough for the SE.

Fast forward to 2018/19 season and he played CB for Derby County he moved his game several steps ahead. He went so far ahead that he waa arguably the best CB in the Championship. IMO currently the best Defender yet to play for the SE.

I went to watch him live when they played Hope Akpan's then Burton Albion. Both home and away and Africa other games

But a season is a long time in football so things have changed dramatically.

Once again FALSEHOOD I have been making a lot of comments about how good Aina is and how badly he was treated by the NFF. No be today l deh hail Ola another player l have watched since he was 16.

So no one talked of Iwobi's cryuff turn?

Humility017:


just take a look at your last paragraph.
your pessimism is top notch.

mind you we are beating Guinea by 2 goals to nil...
my only problem is akpeyi it seems he has started a new relationship with Rohr...they're both in love currently.

the goal keeper is something else even ezenwa an home base goal keeper will not make that errors.
we all watched ezenwa during the CHAN tourney the fantastic save and performance.

Humility baba pls forget Akpeyi this Akpeyi that.

Pls tell me what Ezenwa who was third keeper with Enyimba in Nigeria league has to offer or Uzoho who refused to grow despite the opportunity as No 1 Keeper at last WC.

My man the three keepers we have are not good enough,so no story.

Oasis007:


See as Bullets dey hit me from every angle coz of my opinion?! If by the way you Guys assumed I'm bias or tribalistic..... So be it.

I know none of you offline, neither none of you knows me either. This is just a Forum that brings us together.

If we can't engage in a Discourse without being emotional, then what's the Essence of the Thread?!

Everyone must be on the same Boat?! I must force myself to like what I do not appreciate?! I owe no one an Apology or more Explanation. If you have problem with my views, deal with it, call or tag me whatever you like.... I don't care anymore.

Darkelf wanted Mikel out of the Squad, you all called for his Head. He gave his Reasons which are logical and eventually evident in the Match.

Wasn't he condemned, called Names?! Are you all kids on this Thread?!

Thanks Kog45 for the matured reply. It's just that I've not got over his Miss at the World. Lol!

Agreed without reservation or question

PetroDollaxxx:
You really think so? You really think Ghanaians look up to Nigerians? But if indeed Ghanaians look up to nigerians, then Ghana should be in a bigger mess because Nigeria itself is in a mess. So what exactly can Ghana look to copy from Nigerians? Is it the poverty? Is it boko haram? Is it corruption? Is it kidnappings? What exactly can Ghana learn from Nigeria? Life expectancy is higher in Ghana. Ghanaians enjoy regular electricity. More Ghanaians youths are gainfully employed. According to the UN, Nigeria has more children out of school than any other country in the world. So tell me. What is there in Nigeria for Ghana to learn from, as you claimed? Fuckeduppedness

bro calm down.

Ghana is not even up to Lagos State not to talk of Nigeria as a whole.

If u calculate number of people living fine in Nigeria and access steady electricity, it will surpass the whole population of Ghana × 3.

There is no room for comparison between Ghana and Nigeria.

In-Depth: How Nigeria’s unbalanced Super Eagles overcame Burundi’s Swallow

Nigeria eventually broke down a resolute Burundi side to win 1-0.
Goal analyses the tactical battle that unfolded.
Nigeria will began their 18th Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt against debutants Burundi on Saturday. After missing the last two editions of the tournament, the Super Eagles had something to prove against the 134th ranked side in the world.

STARTING LINE-UPS
Nigeria came into this game having had disrupted preparation. On the eve of the game, Samuel Kalu collapsed in training with a suspected heart attack, but thankfully it proved to be dehydration. He was left out as a precaution so Samuel Chukwueze started as the right winger.

After a bout of illness, Jamilu Collins was missing at left back so Ola Aina moved over from his more natural right-back position to cover. Kenneth Omeruo was preferred to Leon Balogun in central defence after a season of minimal game time for the latter at Brighton.

In attack, Odion Ighalo was surprisingly left on the bench with 6’5” Paul Onuachu selected instead, whilst Ahmed Musa was also only amongst the substitutes. John Mikel Obi was back in the squad and started as the number ten.

Burundi selected Gael Duhayindavyi at left back in preference to Christophe Nduwarugira, whilst in central defence, it was David Nshimirimana who got the nod ahead of Omar Ngando.

The squad’s oldest member, forward Selemani Ndikumana was sent home after breaching camp rules. He would not have started, but gave the side one less option to change the game from the bench. Saido Berahino captained the side in attack.

Faty Papy sadly passed away in April from a heart attack, having been back on the bench for the final qualifier in late March.

BURUNDI COMPACT
Immediately from the start of the game, the initial plans were clear. Burundi had no intention of pressing high and exposing themselves in midfield. They went with a compact 4-4-2 shape, where both of their front men, Berahino and Fiston Abdul Razak would drop off to the halfway line and screen passes into Nigeria midfielders.

The wide players, Francis Mustafa and Cedric Amissi both looked to tuck in very narrow when the ball was on the opposite flank, whilst looking to stay close to their midfielders when the ball was on their side, encouraging passes out to Nigeria’s fullbacks. The Burundi fullbacks then looked to get tight to the wingers and try to force the fullbacks to play passes to their feet or more risky passes into the congested centre.

 STATIC NIGERIA
In the first 25 minutes of the game, Nigeria had 69% possession but had very few ideas of how to move Burundi’s compact block around. Daniel Akpeyi, perhaps selected in goal for his superior buildup play to the other goalkeeping options, would look to slowly play out from the back. However, with a lack of incisive passing ability in Nigeria’s backline, Burundi were given few problems.

The main moments of quality came from Alex Iwobi on the left, playing diagonal passes inside when on the half-turn. However, Nigeria had a right-footed left back too in Aina, and no one in defence or central midfield that was comfortable on their left side, most of the side’s attacks broke down on that flank.

Omeruo was allowed the ball for long periods and had made 64 passes by full-time, but not one single line-breaking pass along the ground. In the first five minutes, he gave the ball away twice, once with an under-hit pass to Aina and one rushed punt forward when under only minimal pressure.

When Nigeria did get the ball into the final third, they had a significant aerial target in Onuachu but no movement or runners around him. The selection of veteran Mikel as a number ten meant Peter Etebo, the side’s most dynamic player off the ball, was used in a deeper distributing role that he looked ill-suited for. A simple switch of these two players’ positions would benefit both players’ skill-sets.

BURUNDI DOMINATE SECOND BALL
Prior to the tournament, Nigeria’s coach, Gernot Rohr warned his side that their opponents in the Afcon would play direct football, telling German sports magazine Kicker:

''It [the Afcon] is operated on with long balls and then pressing, it's a different style of play, there are more surprise effects compared to the World Cup.”

This proved true for Burundi, who played long from the game’s kickoff and had little interest in trying to play out from the back. The majority of goalkicks by Jonathan Nahimana were played long onto the head of Abdul Razak, with the midfield getting close to support for second balls.

Frederic Nsabiyumva also looked to play early long passes forward, often to left winger Cedric Amissi, who was excellent with his back to goal and could bring the diagonals down. On the opposite flank, Mustafa also challenged very well in the air against Aina.

Nigeria’s lack of anticipation or urgency to pick up the second ball was alarming, with Burundi gaining possession from nearly every knock-down in the first half. They would play through central midfielder, Gael Bigirimana from the second phase possession and he brought genuine quality to their play.

In the opening seven minutes, Berahino was found twice between the lines as he operated just off Abdul Razak, drawing Omeruo out on both occasions. With Wilfred Ndidi not focused on screening passes in-behind him, the Stoke City man had a hand in the first half’s best chance.

William Troost-Ekong was pulled out of the backline by Berahino dropping off, and Bigirimana played a perfect ball over the top for Amissi’s diagonal run off the left flank into the space vacated. He could not beat Akpeyi from a clear one-on-one chance, which had unsurprisingly come after Burundi collected the second ball from their long goalkick.

 ROHR MOTIONS FOR CHANGE
In those opening 25 minutes, Nigeria’s only real threat had come from inverted winger Chukweze on the right flank, who was cutting in and causing problems, having one shot deflected away for a corner and leading a dangerous counter-attack. This had come from Burundi’s own corner and was a rare occasion Nigeria could attack space in the first period.

After the lifeless start to the game by Nigeria, Rohr was clearly seen motioning for his central defenders to play direct passes up to target man Onuachu. This changed very little for the side as Burundi were still picking up the second balls. Onuachu even tried to drop off a few times, pulling Frederic Nsabiyumva with him, but Mikel was not the player to go beyond and Iwobi was instead looking for balls to feet.

Nigeria did manage some half-chances from individual quality, such as from Iwobi’s “Cruyff turn” after Aina had mishit a cross, and another opening after Ndidi ran with the ball in midfield, finally bypassing an opponent. The other openings were after Mikel had flicked on a long throw, and later the captain headed a corner wide.

The second half continued in the same direct way as Iwobi and Aina rained in crosses from the left, clearly under instruction from the coach, and this led to several corners. Mikel was also getting closer to Onuachu for second balls, whilst the target man won one freekick which led to Omeruo heading wide at the back post.

MUSA AND IGHALO CHANGE GAME
After 58 minutes, Rohr withdrew Mikel and brought on Ahmed Musa as a left winger, with Iwobi moving to number ten. The side immediately looked more balanced and had greater width on the left flank. Iwobi set Musa away down the left after a one-two with Onuachu and the winger later got around the side of Omar Moussa with sheer pace to win a corner.

Although it took 15 minutes after Musa’s introduction for Ighalo to come on, it also coincided with Burundi starting to tire. The two wide players had worked themselves into the ground and Mustafa went off for Elvis Kamsoba, whilst Amissi was struggling with his defensive duties having switched over to the right flank.

There was immediately greater movement in attack for Nigeria after the change. Ighalo ran in-behind onto Musa’s pass with the outside of his boot, and then the winner arrived.

Aina carried the ball in-field, pulling right back Moussa out and then playing a surprise backheel which wrongfooted David Nshimirimana. Ighalo raced through to curl home. In a game where Nigeria had lacked ideas, movement and creativity, the one moment of improvisation led to a goal.

BURUNDI RALLY
The goal had come at the worst possible time. Not only was it late in the game, but coach Olivier Niyungeko had just withdrawn the creative Shassir Nahimana for a more defensively-inclined replacement in Christophe Nduwarugira.

They did put some late pressure on Nigeria, with Akpeyi first dropping a deep diagonal pass and needing to save from close range on the rebound. Then the goalkeeper flapped at a corner after Abdul Razak has spun away well from Troost-Ekong, whilst Amissi headed wide under pressure after a deep cross from the left.

None of these were clear openings and despite their goalkeeper’s troubles, Nigeria held on fairly comfortably.

SUMMARY
This was a very impressive, compact performance from a Burundi side who did not lose a single game in qualifying and created the best chance of the first half here. Their direct style and strong link-up play from their strike pairing was impressive, whilst the midfield were excellent at winning second balls. They can feel disappointed not to take a point from this game.

Nigeria, on the other hand, looked unbalanced throughout. With no real width on the left, Mikel completely unsuited to playing as number ten, and the central defenders unable to buildup with quality, most of their chances came from off-the-cuff moments.

The fact that Nigeria played essentially a long ball game from the 25th until 70th minutes shows how few ideas they had. The introductions of Musa and Ighalo were key, not just for their technical quality, but because Iwobi could move centrally, Mikel went off, and the route one option was removed.

Rohr has tough choices going forward, but if he fails to make the changes which he never did at the 2018 World Cup, then Nigeria will struggle to fulfil their potential at this tournament.

Courtesy: goal.com

Starboytwo:
Well i knew we were gonna score in the 2nd half, infact I was waiting for the 2nd goal, but the game was tight, kudos to the "Burundi sides, I heard they were unbeaten in the qualifiers, look at that....

Now coming to the SE, from the back, Akpeyi made a fine stop to a rocket shot and I thought if this guy will stop "shaking" he might come good...I'm not particularly impressed with uzoho, infact I prefer Ezenwa confidence to uzoho imo, I still hold my breath tho when we get attacked but Akpeyi should keep his spot...5

CB, ekong was somehow and I think that razaq guy was a handful but I'd give him 5, omeruo was more stable, let's do 7, Ola Aina no need for long talk, I was HUGELY impressed, 10 for me, ND I've always been on d fence concerning shehu, I could see him fail to control one pass early on but injury didn't let me access him well, let's do a 3 for half days job...

Midfield was my issue, I think there were 2 or 3 times those Burundians broke and I was left looking for our midfielders, "I guess they went to get stuffs or something, Dmf usually go unnoticed cuz I didn't see much of Ndidi, I saw Etebo more tho, and FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONNNNG WHILE in a GWG I totally fail to see the importance of Mikel Obi in the match....y'all know that calming spirit baba ibeji brings forth now, but yesterday that spirit no dey anywhere, its rare when Mikel gets subbed off, but yesterday I was a deserved change and subsequently changed the dynamics of the game...Ndidi-4, etebo -5 ,Mikel -3....

I think henceforth Iwobi should play through the middle, I don't know how our coach would accommodate him, or who to drop ( that's his job, not mine) but from popular opinion iwobi should be our No 10, finito, o pari... Even my babe wey nor sabi ball was like, "hen hen Nigeria is playing well well now" after the introduction of musa, and iwobi in the middle, off course she asked about "Ronaldo In Gwg, before she burst my head with what about that 2nd one Which one, I asked, she said that "short one"....make Barca people catch you shogbo ...

Iwobi nice game, nice one touch, nice turn I'd give him 7, chukwueze, simply a joy to watch...the fact that Naija now has a player that can delete 2 defenders and take it to them is loonng way overdue...still raw, didn't have any attempt, and should try to play with his man, but I still feel sorry for whoever is tasked to mark him, I'd give a 6...

IGHALO this guy divided opinion here, some prefer nacho instead, some don't even want to see him at all, but I love him, I knew he would score I just knew cuz at that moment it was high time we score a goal, I even posted it here that a goal is iminent, I saw that ball he refused to trap " I be like haaaa, if we go draw lasan, this thread will heap the blame of Nigerias problem since the amalgamation of 1914 on Jude, but he came good....solid senior man display, even Ronaldo wouldn't score it better...nuff said 7 for me...

Musa- he came and changed the game, chukwueze on one side, then musa on the other side and you say make we nor score, abeg...those crosses though, abeg next match make he reach him destination...7

Onuachu- first real game for the Eagles, baba it's not easy, had a couple of on targets tho, and I think he would come good, not a bad game for him and the service was really not there coupled with the fact that Burundi people did not only park bus but spread mat join do picnic..I'd give him 4

Awaziem- I have heard so much about him on this thread and was really looking forward to see him in action, didn't do too bad for a different position, marked tidily and made a big block late on, let's do 5 for him....

I must add this thread has made me a better supporter of the super Eagle, in my house you'd think Im working for the super eagles because of a the people watching the match I have better information than all of them....this thread has really really upped my game....

We still have kalu, osihmen, Moses, ogu on the bench, abeg we get squad...long live the Super Eagles...only one favour, pls I want to jam south Africa in this Afcon, I want to beat them mercilessly...forget Ghana they are our "junior" sister ( shots purposely fire)....

Balanced analysis. Kudos bro.

komekn:


Where do l start with you.

In the business of football the only thing that is constant is CHANGE. Either for better or worse it's about continous development.

In the the 2017/18 season Fikayo Tomori played as a RB for Hull city. In my opinion at that time he was below average and not good enough for the SE.

Fast forward to 2018/19 season and he played CB for Derby County he moved his game several steps ahead. He went so far ahead that he waa arguably the best CB in the Championship. IMO currently the best Defender yet to play for the SE.

I went to watch him live when they played Hope Akpan's then Burton Albion. Both home and away and Africa other games

But a season is a long time in football so things have changed dramatically.

Once again FALSEHOOD I have been making a lot of comments about how good Aina is and how badly he was treated by the NFF. No be today l deh hail Ola another player l have watched since he was 16.

I remember your opinion then on Fikayo Tomori and you said for now he was not good enough and also Tosin Adarabioyo.

But one thing is certain about this FB they improve with age especially talented ones.

I think Fikayo has come of age cos Fikayo of Hull city was too average.

Oasis007:


See as Bullets dey hit me from every angle coz of my opinion?! If by the way you Guys assumed I'm bias or tribalistic..... So be it.

I know none of you offline, neither none of you knows me either. This is just a Forum that brings us together.

If we can't engage in a Discourse without being emotional, then what's the Essence of the Thread?!

Everyone must be on the same Boat?! I must force myself to like what I do not appreciate?! I owe no one an Apology or more Explanation. If you have problem with my views, deal with it, call or tag me whatever you like.... I don't care anymore.

Darkelf wanted Mikel out of the Squad, you all called for his Head. He gave his Reasons which are logical and eventually evident in the Match.

Wasn't he condemned, called Names?! Are you all kids on this Thread?!

Thanks Kog45 for the matured reply. It's just that I've not got over his Miss at the World. Lol!

Bro, I feel you.

Many of them are immature men. Its silly how they react when you don't support popular opinion. We are created to be different and thus would have different opinions. Many people here can't deal with this simple fact. Some others result to name calling. Its sad really

maidaboi:
better to play u20 worldcup then being a. bench warmer at afcon. Samu should play for u20

best decision by the lad he is a starter

darkelf:


Bro, I feel you.

Many of them are immature men. Its silly how they react when you don't support popular opinion. We are created to be different and thus would have different opinions. Many people here can't deal with this simple fact. Some others result to name calling. Its sad really

It's sickening bro...... Lol!
..... From Comments, it's easier to Identify People you should never engage on this Thread. Let them keep throwing Tantrums as much as they can at you..... ignore them coz they do not worth your time.

Danielnino00:
Meanwhile I've been seeing a lot of "ordinary Burundi" posts all over social media since yesterday...
Its obvious that most people only watch football .they don't follow the game at all..

Forget the other social media.

This is the only place we have real followers of international football.

Jarus:


Apart from shooting (and free kicks), what did Taiwo do better than Cele?

You don't seems to follow him if you think his game is all about freekick.

List Celestine's attributes

elyte89:



D award for d most deluded comments goes to dis post above ,and some ppu kan like d comment,Nawa o ,dem just dey blame anything for Nacho's exclusion, eyi tun ga o

If Ighalo doesn't score his goal what are we talking about today? His poor touch and this leads me to say that if Iheanacho's goal was not chalked off the narrative would be much much different. Who is that delusional there is evidence looking u in the face.

Odunayaw:
So no one talked of Iwobi's cryuff turn?

It was a joy to behold abs it completely caught the unfortunate Burundian defender unawares

sheyishemba:


Lol even onana is yet to impress guardiola so nah akpeyi fi impress him with pass I laugh in Arabic

It is simple English. I said even Guardiola would be impressed. For example if I say that an Olamide track is so good that 2Pac would be impressed does that mean that Pac will come out of his grave and start clapping? This is just a simple method of description it is not in the literal sense.

TheGoodJoe:


Taiye Taiwo looked a little bit mechanical for me. Played with lots of power and directness.

What we saw yesterday from Aina was a mixture of tactical knowledge, effortless skills, easy running up and down the flanks and utilisation of the midfield as a platform to make his runs. Very similar to Babayaro and Taiwo did not play in such manner.

Meaning you didn't watch Taiwo at Marseille.

Jarus:


His omission from Russia 2018 squad was justified. He was awful in the test games he played before the WC.

Which awful? Go and watch all the matches again.

These guys should learn how to throw long throws

Your tallest player stays at the front post to win the first ball, but they place Ndidi instead of Onuachu thereby wasting our long throws

TheGoodJoe:


Chuks is not in the question because he brought fluidity. With Iwobi on one side and Chukwueze on the other, most of the breaking down of the tight defence fell on Chukwueze. With Musa coming in, the direction of the defence spread out. Play two direct players. I prefer Onyekuru because he has better on the ball skills.

You don't seem to understand what you are saying. Musa is far better than Onyekuru in GWG.

forgiveness:


Which awful? Go and watch all the matches again.

Conceeding a pk at the last match before the selections won't do your chances any good

Y'all will love this..

Kanu be like

Kanu: skippo (to Mikel)
Mikel: onye otum (to papilo)..


That's the spirit.....blood

https://www.facebook.com/745392665592757/posts/1741445229320824/

BascoVanVeli:



If Ighalo doesn't score his goal what are we talking about today? His poor touch and this leads me to say that if Iheanacho's goal was not chalked off the narrative would be much much different. Who is that delusional there is evidence looking u in the face.

Oga shift ,trying to make a point where's deres no point


Iheanacho is poor at d moment and he doesn't deserve to b at d afcon,deal with it

In-Depth: How Nigeria’s unbalanced Super Eagles overcame Burundi’s Swallows

Nigeria eventually broke down a resolute Burundi side to win 1-0. Goal analyses the tactical battle that unfolded.

Nigeria will began their 18th Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt against debutants Burundi on Saturday. After missing the last two editions of the tournament, the Super Eagles had something to prove against the 134th ranked side in the world.

Nigeria came into this game having had disrupted preparation. On the eve of the game, Samuel Kalu collapsed in training with a suspected heart attack, but thankfully it proved to be dehydration. He was left out as a precaution so Samuel Chukwueze started as the right winger.

After a bout of illness, Jamilo Collins was missing at left back so Ola Aina moved over from his more natural right-back position to cover. Kenneth Omeruo was preferred to Leon Balogun in central defence after a season of minimal game time for the latter at Brighton
In attack, Odion Ighalo was surprisingly left on the bench with 6’5” Paul Onuachu selected instead, whilst Ahmed Musa was also only amongst the substitutes. John Mikel Obi was back in the squad and started as the number ten.

Burundi selected Gael Duhayindavyi at left back in preference to Christophe Nduwarugira, whilst in central defence, it was David Nshimirimana who got the nod ahead of Omar Ngando.

The squad’s oldest member, forward Selemani Ndikumana was sent home after breaching camp rules. He would not have started, but gave the side one less option to change the game from the bench. Saido Berahino captained the side in attack.

Faty Papy sadly passed away in April from a heart attack, having been back on the bench for the final qualifier in late March.

Immediately from the start of the game, the initial plans were clear. Burundi had no intention of pressing high and exposing themselves in midfield. They went with a compact 4-4-2 shape, where both of their front men, Berahino and Fiston Abdul Razak would drop off to the halfway line and screen passes into Nigeria midfielders.

The wide players, Francis Mustafa and Cedric Amissi both looked to tuck in very narrow when the ball was on the opposite flank, whilst looking to stay close to their midfielders when the ball was on their side, encouraging passes out to Nigeria’s fullbacks. The Burundi fullbacks then looked to get tight to the wingers and try to force the fullbacks to play passes to their feet or more risky passes into the congested centre.



STATIC NIGERIA
In the first 25 minutes of the game, Nigeria had 69% possession but had very few ideas of how to move Burundi’s compact block around. Daniel Akpeyi, perhaps selected in goal for his superior buildup play to the other goalkeeping options, would look to slowly play out from the back. However, with a lack of incisive passing ability in Nigeria’s backline, Burundi were given few problems.

The main moments of quality came from Alex Iwobi on the left, playing diagonal passes inside when on the half-turn. However, Nigeria had a right-footed left back too in Aina, and no one in defence or central midfield that was comfortable on their left side, most of the side’s attacks broke down on that flank.

Omeruo was allowed the ball for long periods and had made 64 passes by full-time, but not one single line-breaking pass along the ground. In the first five minutes, he gave the ball away twice, once with an under-hit pass to Aina and one rushed punt forward when under only minimal pressure.

When Nigeria did get the ball into the final third, they had a significant aerial target in Onuachu but no movement or runners around him. The selection of veteran Mikel as a number ten meant Peter Etebo, the side’s most dynamic player off the ball, was used in a deeper distributing role that he looked ill-suited for. A simple switch of these two players’ positions would benefit both players’ skill-sets.

Prior to the tournament, Nigeria’s coach, Gernot Rohr warned his side that their opponents in the Afcon would play direct football, telling German sports magazine Kicker:

''It [the Afcon] is operated on with long balls and then pressing, it's a different style of play, there are more surprise effects compared to the World Cup.”

This proved true for Burundi, who played long from the game’s kickoff and had little interest in trying to play out from the back. The majority of goalkicks by Jonathan Nahimana were played long onto the head of Abdul Razak, with the midfield getting close to support for second balls.

Frederic Nsabiyumva also looked to play early long passes forward, often to left winger Cedric Amissi, who was excellent with his back to goal and could bring the diagonals down. On the opposite flank, Mustafa also challenged very well in the air against Aina.

Nigeria’s lack of anticipation or urgency to pick up the second ball was alarming, with Burundi gaining possession from nearly every knock-down in the first half. They would play through central midfielder, Gael Bigirimana from the second phase possession and he brought genuine quality to their play.

In the opening seven minutes, Berahino was found twice between the lines as he operated just off Abdul Razak, drawing Omeruo out on both occasions. With Wilfred Ndidi not focused on screening passes in-behind him, the Stoke City man had a hand in the first half’s best chance.

William Troost-Ekong was pulled out of the backline by Berahino dropping off, and Bigirimana played a perfect ball over the top for Amissi’s diagonal run off the left flank into the space vacated. He could not beat Akpeyi from a clear one-on-one chance, which had unsurprisingly come after Burundi collected the second ball from their long goalkick.



ROHR MOTIONS FOR CHANGE
In those opening 25 minutes, Nigeria’s only real threat had come from inverted winger Chukweze on the right flank, who was cutting in and causing problems, having one shot deflected away for a corner and leading a dangerous counter-attack. This had come from Burundi’s own corner and was a rare occasion Nigeria could attack space in the first period.

After the lifeless start to the game by Nigeria, Rohr was clearly seen motioning for his central defenders to play direct passes up to target man Onuachu. This changed very little for the side as Burundi were still picking up the second balls. Onuachu even tried to drop off a few times, pulling Frederic Nsabiyumva with him, but Mikel was not the player to go beyond and Iwobi was instead looking for balls to feet.

Nigeria did manage some half-chances from individual quality, such as from Iwobi’s “Cruyff turn” after Aina had mishit a cross, and another opening after Ndidi ran with the ball in midfield, finally bypassing an opponent. The other openings were after Mikel had flicked on a long throw, and later the captain headed a corner wide.

The second half continued in the same direct way as Iwobi and Aina rained in crosses from the left, clearly under instruction from the coach, and this led to several corners. Mikel was also getting closer to Onuachu for second balls, whilst the target man won one freekick which led to Omeruo heading wide at the back post.



MUSA AND IGHALO CHANGE GAME
After 58 minutes, Rohr withdrew Mikel and brought on Ahmed Musa as a left winger, with Iwobi moving to number ten. The side immediately looked more balanced and had greater width on the left flank. Iwobi set Musa away down the left after a one-two with Onuachu and the winger later got around the side of Omar Moussa with sheer pace to win a corner.

Although it took 15 minutes after Musa’s introduction for Ighalo to come on, it also coincided with Burundi starting to tire. The two wide players had worked themselves into the ground and Mustafa went off for Elvis Kamsoba, whilst Amissi was struggling with his defensive duties having switched over to the right flank.

There was immediately greater movement in attack for Nigeria after the change. Ighalo ran in-behind onto Musa’s pass with the outside of his boot, and then the winner arrived.

Aina carried the ball in-field, pulling right back Moussa out and then playing a surprise backheel which wrongfooted David Nshimirimana. Ighalo raced through to curl home. In a game where Nigeria had lacked ideas, movement and creativity, the one moment of improvisation led to a goal.

BURUNDI RALLY
The goal had come at the worst possible time. Not only was it late in the game, but coach Olivier Niyungeko had just withdrawn the creative Shassir Nahimana for a more defensively-inclined replacement in Christophe Nduwarugira.

They did put some late pressure on Nigeria, with Akpeyi first dropping a deep diagonal pass and needing to save from close range on the rebound. Then the goalkeeper flapped at a corner after Abdul Razak has spun away well from Troost-Ekong, whilst Amissi headed wide under pressure after a deep cross from the left.

None of these were clear openings and despite their goalkeeper’s troubles, Nigeria held on fairly comfortably.



SUMMARY
This was a very impressive, compact performance from a Burundi side who did not lose a single game in qualifying and created the best chance of the first half here. Their direct style and strong link-up play from their strike pairing was impressive, whilst the midfield were excellent at winning second balls. They can feel disappointed not to take a point from this game.

Nigeria, on the other hand, looked unbalanced throughout. With no real width on the left, Mikel completely unsuited to playing as number ten, and the central defenders unable to buildup with quality, most of their chances came from off-the-cuff moments.

The fact that Nigeria played essentially a long ball game from the 25th until 70th minutes shows how few ideas they had. The introductions of Musa and Ighalo were key, not just for their technical quality, but because Iwobi could move centrally, Mikel went off, and the route one option was removed.

Rohr has tough choices going forward, but if he fails to make the changes which he never did at the 2018 World Cup, then Nigeria will struggle to fulfil their potential at this tournament.

https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/in-depth-how-nigerias-unbalanced-super-eagles-overcame/1kz5ixo7wpsu61l8751eljysm3

Why is it that none of Egyptian stadiums is roofed?
Is that a culture or what?

elyte89:



Oga shift ,trying to make a point where's deres no point


Iheanacho is poor at d moment and he doesn't deserve to b at d afcon,deal with it

No u shift. I have a right to say what I want. Iheanacho is not coming back and Rohr is not on nairaland so get over yourself. Where did I say he should be at the AFCON? My point is clear

komekn:


Where do l start with you.

In the business of football the only thing that is constant is CHANGE. Either for better or worse it's about continous development.

In the the 2017/18 season Fikayo Tomori played as a RB for Hull city. In my opinion at that time he was below average and not good enough for the SE.

Fast forward to 2018/19 season and he played CB for Derby County he moved his game several steps ahead. He went so far ahead that he waa arguably the best CB in the Championship. IMO currently the best Defender yet to play for the SE.

I went to watch him live when they played Hope Akpan's then Burton Albion. Both home and away and Africa other games

But a season is a long time in football so things have changed dramatically.

Once again FALSEHOOD I have been making a lot of comments about how good Aina is and how badly he was treated by the NFF. No be today l deh hail Ola another player l have watched since he was 16.

Once again, u denying ur own words like u always do. Did I praise him as a RB for Hull or as a CB for Derby? U forgot u opposed it saying Iorfa was more assured? Lol this guy, u will never change. Something that happened in January this year and u are here talking about a season?

MUSIC

PetroDollaxxx:
You really think so? You really think Ghanaians look up to Nigerians? But if indeed Ghanaians look up to nigerians, then Ghana should be in a bigger mess because Nigeria itself is in a mess. So what exactly can Ghana look to copy from Nigerians? Is it the poverty? Is it boko haram? Is it corruption? Is it kidnappings? What exactly can Ghana learn from Nigeria? Life expectancy is higher in Ghana. Ghanaians enjoy regular electricity. More Ghanaians youths are gainfully employed. According to the UN, Nigeria has more children out of school than any other country in the world. So tell me. What is there in Nigeria for Ghana to learn from, as you claimed? Fuckeduppedness

leave that matter.

krattoss:
Why is it that none of Egyptian stadiums is roofed?
Is that a culture or what?

TheGoodJoe:


Cap in games does not signal quality. I can bet Yobo is more capped than Taribo West but he is a learner when it concerns defending to Taribo. In marking, team work and on the ball skills, Celestine Babayaro dwarfs Taiye Taiwo.

How come Babayaro was never noticed by CAF?