Nigeria’s 2010 Post-World Cup Submit

They were called the “new look” Super Eagles,
They were said to be blossoming with confidence like never before,
They said they have found the right man to take us to the promise land,
They even said they were going as far as the World Cup Semi-Finals.
But NONE of these were seen.


After three 2010 World Cup games, the only history they could make was stretch Nigeria’s winless world cup games to 8straight, taking the last world cup win back to a (1-0) win over Bulgeria on June 19th, 1998 (12years ago) in Paris with a 26th minute Victor Ikpeba goal. Since then Nigeria has lost 7games and tied 2 in the World Cup.

This is a team that qualified for the World Cup 2010 with no defeats, even though it took a last day drama to get through. A team accused of not having technical depth. A team that in January kept 3 clean sheets in the 6 games played at the African cup of Nations in Angola coached by Amodu Shuaibu, along with as many clean sheets in the World Cup qualifiers.


All of a sudden this same team has started leaking goals like a basket that can’t hold water. Conceded at least a goal in the last 5games, out of the 6games led by the new coach Lars Lagerback, and only won 1game under the new coach out of 6games; a (3-1) win over the 105th ranked team in the world, North Korea in a friendly game, a week before the commencement of the World Cup. Where is the technical edge now?


Now after defeats to Argentina & Greece, and a disappointing tie with South Korea in the World Cup, where does this once great footballing nation turn now? Nigeria might not have the level and top class players they used to have back in 1998 when they won their last World Cup game, but one encouraging factor is the fact that Nigeria has got many young talented players coming through. The heroics of Goal keeper Vincent Enyeama has brought him to the world’s attention. Youngsters like Nsofor, Lukman, Obasi, Mikel etc. still show that there is a bright future for this team.


With no major tournaments left for the National team until the 2012 Nations cup. Its time the team is rebuilt on young talented and energetic players with a blend of committed experienced ones. Based on these facts, Lagerback’s job is done and should not be resigned. A coach like Samson Siasia, who has brought up young players, knows them well and had multiple successes with them is the man to do this rebuilding job. If this is done, by 2012 Nations Cup, we have a strong cohesive team, and by Brazil 2014, we can be at our very best to reclaim our position on top of the world’s football nations.


By DK

Nigeria Vs Greece Match Analysis from Nigeria's point of view.

Coach Lagerback's Undoing:

1. You have your most defensive midfielder shown a red card.
2. You watched the opposing coach bring up a deadly attacker immediately after that.
3. You watched for 10minutes as they controlled the game and came closer to scoring on several occasions and did absolutely nothing.
4. Two times it took over 2 minutes to make a substitution with 8men playing on the pitch. Anything could have happened any second at those times.

I'm not a coach, but I'm wise enough to know that since I had a goal advantage and Greece had made a positive change that is getting closer to producing a goal, I had to bring in another defensive midfielder (Ayila) for Uche immediately to cut out the Greeks possession and control.

If he had done that, Greece would not have scored an equalizer and we might be talking about defeat right now.


Indiscipline:

Kaita is the biggest culprit of this loss. Before he acted stupid, the Super Eagles seemed to have had the game on the lock. His irresponsible act cost the team the game and probably the tournament. I'm sure many Nigerians will never forgive him for this heartbreak.


Lack of Communication in defense:

Time and time again, I watched the defense breakdown in communication. Most especially between Yobo and Enyeama. Seemed like all these defenders never knew each other before now. I saw so much space out of the box with defenders backing out and opening so much chance for shots. If Greece had players like Diego Forlan (URU) like I saw yesterday, it would have been another story.



In-ablitly to take advantage of chances:

When you are a man down and you get an open goal, you have to score with no exceptions but Obasi did not do that (Uche was guilty of that in the last game as well). That could have been a turning point in a game that looked like it was gonna be lost. That is what makes teams like Italy, Germany and even Greece great.


Credit:

The Dependable Enyeama. A spill from him cost a second goal, but we all knew it would only be a matter of time before the goal would come. Yakubu was lonely, yet strong in there and Odiah was also good.


With 2 games already lost, all that is left is a mathematical chance of Nigeria beating S.Korea well and Argentina Smashing Greece. The final drama would be unfolded on Tuesday. All the best to the Super Eagles.


By DK