NIGERIA VS GUINEA 3PM WEST SFRICA TIME KICK OFF
GROUP MATCH DAY 2 ON WEDNESDAY 26TH OF JUNE,2019
"We had some challenges with virus attack that knocked out some of the players, but I believe we will get better with every match,”
That's a quote from Coach Gernot Rhor after the Super Eagles laboured to a one nil victory over Burundi in their opening game at the on going 2019 Africa Cup of Nations otherwise known as Egypt 2019.
Truthfully , News broke out just few days leading to the opening day match against the Swallows of Burundi that as many ad five members of the Super Eagles were not match fit and will not feature in the match ,notably Ahmed Musa and jamilu Collins,they were not feeling due to virus attack hence they were knocked out of the match.
Admittedly the coach agreed that it affected the performance eventually as Samuel kalu was replaced few hours to kick off after he collapsed in final rehearsal for the match due another type of 'virus' attack called dehydration and his contributions was greatly missed no doubt.
The Super Eagles overcame the challenges and they got the Swallows of Burundi swallowed at the end of 94 minutes in that Energy sapping encounter.
its good the Super Eagles kicked off their campaign on a winning a note,it doused the pressure and lift their not only their spirit but also boost their confidence in facing other teams as the competition continues.
But the team should not be carried away by the jubilations and excitement that comes with Ola Aina's back heel made in heaven assist and the super cool finish by Odion ighalo there are fundamental errors that needs to be checked or avoided before the next game against a more experienced side in the competition.
The style stars will square up against Super Eagles on Wednesday ,they look beatable but the team handler,coach Gernot Rhor,must get rid of some 'viruses 'noticed on Saturday against Burundi , a more experienced side could have killed off the game before the removal mikel obi and the introduction of Musa and ighalo will have mean nothing.
"We thank our stars that we escaped and we might not be that lucky against Guinea on Wednesday if not addressed."
First off,the inclusion of Mikel obi was a virus that must be tamed,Coach Gernot Rhor invited probably for his experience and as the captain of the team it is almost certain that he will be selected for games but he didn't cover himself in glory with his lustreless performance in the last game,the coach must carve out a role that his experience can be use to the team's advantage if he will be selected against Guinea but definitely playing him in the number ten role is a virus that will' kill 'the Super Eagles as age is catching up with fast,especially when he was not the fastest of player even in his younger days as the Eagles strength remains the atttack.
The attackers in the team are all pacy,young and full of energy and mikel's 'snail movement' will slow the attack down and will mean lack of goals as the team will struggle to create chances that could lead to goals.
The best position for the team captain for now is to sit on the bench and watch as the goes on and probably come in when the team is leading to help the defensive midfield of the eagles and bring his wealth of experience in match management to bear on the match
Alex iwobi position as the number ten must be sorted quickly playing as on the wings is killing his effectiveness by thirty percent we saw how he gave his best when he swapped role with Ahmed musa against Burundi,in other to maximise his potential to the glory of the Eagles the coach need to jettison sentiments and play Alex iwobi in the central midfield for the eagles.
Secondly the other virus that must die is the Goalkeeping,with the trio of Daniel Akpeyi,Okechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho no doubt the Goalkeeping role is the weakest link of the Super Eagles and that's very deadly virus that's need to be well managed. Daniel Akpeyi's incompetent as a Super Eagles is well documented he is a perfect example of the two extremes, a moment of Genius followed by a moment of villain. Lots of school boy errors and lack of confidence was written all over him. But can Uzoho or Ezenwa di better ? Am not sure . it seems we are in a 'onechance ' bus with the three goalkeepers. Coach Gernot Rhor and his backroom staff especially the Goalkeeper trainers, Alloy Agu and pichhone must do something fast before Wednesday otherwise the Eagles may have their mouth filled with stories that touched.
Set pieces wins you trophies just as a Good team defending, coach Gernot must deal with this lapses noticed on Saturday as the find it hard to break their opponent on the run of play,the super Eagles failed to take advantage of the numerous corner kicks and free kicks in the vital area that comes their way. Against a more Experienced and tactical side, scoring through a run of play may be non existent but set pieces and dead balls situation in vital area is an alternative for team to shine. It seems Gernot is confused as to what to do with converting corner kicks and free kicks to goal as well. For the Super Eagles to go he must exterminate the 'deadball' Virus.
The team show lots of promises but for the to get to the promise land as they are gunning for the fourth AFCON triumph the medical virus that affect key players especially the likes jamilu Collins etal must be cured as fast as possible as Every player must be fit and be ready to contribute their quota when called upon,the bench option in the super is tantalising if the team can afford to keep Ahmed musa and odion ighalo on the bench in the first match and their inclusion brings tactical changes that got the swallows swallowed the coach needs to find the right combination and always get his plan B ready if the plan A is not giving optimum results.
Rhor got 100% in that regard in the first match and he must safe guard it with A plus 'anti virus' so that the Eagles soar higher and hunt their prey seamlessly
The Super Eagles will beat the syli stars hands down and book a place in the second round if the coach can take care of all this lapses noticed in the first and henceforth perfect it in subsequent matches ,the sky will be their beginning as they set to beat the syli stars silly come Wednesday.
