Rebuilding the Super Eagles (II): The Defence

The major weakness of the team in defence lies in structure as much as personnel.

On the personnel side, the team is especially lacking in a left center-back and a quality right back.

While Joseph Yobo's lapses in concentration have dogged him nearly all his time at Everton, he has generally held his position at right center-back well and provided superb leadership in the team. However in what is effectively the twilight stage of his career, his long term future with the team is doubtful.

With regard to Danny Shittu, his boundless energy, enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to the cause, often masks a poor defender. In my considered opinion, his current status in the English Championship is a fair reflection of his true abilities.

At right back, Chidi Odiah is not the same player who won the Europa Cup with CSKA. Multiple injuries have resulted in a loss of pace, either going forward or in recovery. The team must look beyond. Olubayo Adefemi who appeared briefly to be a genuine option has clearly lost steam.

Overall, the outlook for the defence at first glance appears dim, except at left back where Taiwo and Uwa are waxing strong.

Going forward, the challenge for Siasia is to implement a gradual transition to a new center-back pairing, with contingency for the eventual phasing-out of Joseph Yobo after the next Africa Nations Cup. This would ordinarily mean a return of the Apam/Adeleye partnership, except that while the former has been injured for a while and looking to return to first team football, the latter is rebuilding his career at FC Metalurh Donetsk.

A lot would depend on Siasia's ability to recruit players to his team and cause. There are multiple young players looking to break through from the youth ranks or the smaller clubs in Europe. But most would require time, patience and nurturing to make the transition to international football.

The most viable options at this stage would be Michael Odibe, in spite of a lack of first team football at Siena, and Efe Ambrose who is growing in stature at Sport Ashdod in Israel. There is also Angelo Ogbonna, currently an Italian U-21 player, who is a left center-back and captains Torino in Serie B. He will need recruiting, but is a very good prospect that at current rate will make the top grade within two years.

However, the most urgent need in my opinion remains at right-back, with Sunderland's Onuoha a very credible option. There is also Babatunde Luqmon Adekunle who plays as a right back for FC Luzern, and like Odiah, has experience at right midfield, is physically balanced, and has a good eye for a pass and a good delivery on the cross with either foot. He also gives you the option of long throws.

Beyond the issue of personnel, Nigeria has been weak on team defence with multiple tactical issues that have remained unresolved in the team over the last few years, beginning with the spacing between defenders, especially on the left.

But perhaps the most critical lies in the inability of the midfield to provide cover for the defence, both in central midfield and in the wide areas.

I will review this in-depth in my next discussion which is on the midfield.