Nigeria’s
first appearance since winning bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations provided the
opportunity to fine-tune preparations for competitive games.
The 2-all
friendly draw with Ukraine at Dnipro Arena offered a glimpse into the new era
for the young Eagles.
Quite
rightly, the Super Eagles started on the front foot and looked hungry from kick
off. They dictated the tempo of the game in the first half when pressing high
or staying compact.
A 4-5-1
shape off the ball denied Andriy Shevchenko’s men space in central areas and provided
enough options on the counter attack. With the wingers maintaining width, they
were able to stretch the game when Nigeria won the ball and create lots of
chances.
Alex Iwobi
was the oldest member of the starting front four and certainly looked the part.
He led the front press in the first half and his lively movement was
instrumental to Nigeria’s attacking play, setting up the opener.
The Everton
man constantly found passing options wide and central when he attacked. It is
easy to attribute his confident display to his new lease of life at Everton but
that’s down to the movement around him.
Iwobi found
Joe Aribo’s attacking runs for comfort and looked to link up after they
combined for Aribo’s early opener. The Rangers man joined Teslim Balogun,
Victor Agali, Finidi George, Julius Aghahowa, Obafemi Martins and Brian Idowu
on the elite list of Nigerians to score on their International debut.
Aribo
looked very assured in midfield and his box-to-box presence can be a regular
sight in the Super Eagles. His technical quality dovetails essentially when you
consider Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi’s qualities in the engine
room.
Nigeria
played with urgency during their good spell which was personified by striker
Victor Osimhen.
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| Victor Osimhen had a very good game against Ukraine. Image Credit: Getty Images. |
The
20-year-old offers more mobility to Odion Ighalo and his harrying was a thorn
in the Ukrainian defence. The Lille man needs goals to build his confidence and
his well-taken penalty alongside his club form are key to him feeling like the
main man.
As the game
wore on, I reasoned the Super Eagles now needed to prove their technical
quality against African opponents who would surrender possession of the ball. Worse
was to come.
Sitting on
a lead and soaking up pressure has proven time and again Nigeria’s Achilles heel,
and Ukraine pulled level within a minute. The Super Eagles struggled to get out of their own half in the final fifteen minutes.
Once again,
another International match has left Nigeria fans with positives but a
disheartening end to the game.
And once
again, Gernot Rohr’s game management has cost the Super Eagles a winnable game.
The ludicrous decision to keep the starters - who had done so well- on the
pitch and tire as Ukraine upped the ante; whilst ignoring new players with
fresh ideas in a friendly game until it was too late affected the final
outcome.
An earlier
change in the front four could have kept the threat on the counter as Nigeria
were forced deep.
Rohr is
proving time and again his inability to lead this talented young team beyond
his current contract.
For now and
the upcoming AFCON qualification campaign however, Nigeria have a vibrant and
hungry team. Without the sluggishness of the now-retired Mikel Obi and Odion
Ighalo, Aribo and Osimhen can inspire Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
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