Nigeria-Argentina Match Review

In football match review context is everything. It enables you understand your victories, so you can repeat them, and your losses so you can avoid them.

And the context of this game is that a match which on paper should have been competitive was sadly anything but one. Physically, it appeared a contest between a flyweight and a heavyweight. Mentally, Batista's decision to name his Copa America squad before the game left his players with nothing to look forward to but the holidays at the end of a long season.

But having said all that, this was an important victory for Nigeria and Samson Siasia's Super Eagles project. Not so much for what the team is today (which is a considerable ways from the stale World Cup team), as what it can become tomorrow; what it is slowly growing into...

In midfield, the use of three central midfielders in a variable 4-3-3 formation, enhanced the burgeoning relationship between Mikel and Joel Obi, who between them successfully exchanged about forty-seven passes in the first half, more than any two players in the entire match. It also vindicates my position on the transition to a 4-3-3 formation in the Super Eagles (See here)

The formation in turn enhanced the ability to press systematically rather than individually and enabled ball recovery higher up the pitch. Overall, the team showed much greater discipline in the maintenance of its defensive shape in the non-possession phase.

Defensive Frailties:

However certain defensive frailties remain, especially in wide areas. Uche's role on the right which involved sliding into the attacking zone behind Anichebe, while very successful on the offense, often meant a lack of sufficient cover for Okonkwo at right-back.

It is unclear whether it was a case of poor role definition or understanding by Kalu Uche, but the team retained a structural imbalance on the right of midfield in the first half especially. Over the years, Kalu's game for both club and country has variously oscillated from a wide midfielder, wide forward, central striker or holding midfielder. His role as a left-sided wide midfielder at the world cup remains his best ever performance for the Super Eagles. In the first half, his poor initial positioning, left him repeatedly battling to recover his defensive position on the right.

Ironically, Ahmed Musa's entry in the second half would improve the defensive shape of the team on the right, although at this stage the team was playing deeper.  But even more significant from a tactical perspective was the impact of Fengor Ogude's entry in restoring balance on the right side of midfield. His powerful physical presence in Uche's role in the second half, along with an impressive passing range and especially his quick delivery, enhanced both the transition game and the the team's use of pace of Emenike and Musa.

Of equal concern was the static nature of the midfield in picking up late runs, as occured in the 7th, 12th, 21st and 34th minute of the game, with runs by Gaitan, Zabaletta and Bolatti unpicked.

Transition+:

The match for the first time under Siasia, saw the beginning of the emergence of a transition game, which led to the wonderful third goal. Another successful counter would be launched in the 47min which was botched by Emenike, where a lay-up was the better option.

The speed and power of Emenike in the center and Musa on the right, create a new tactical option for Siasia, both on the counter attack, and the ball-over-the-top, from which the fourth goal was scored.

Right-back Watch:

Chibuzor Okonkwo game a typically energetic performance at right back. His initial positioning remains weak, but his recovery is strong and overall his game is growing, hopefully without the wild shooting from distance...Verdict: the search for a right back continues. Hopefully we will get to look at Ifeanyi Emeghara (Steau Bucharest) in the near future, assuming he is healthy, or a converted Fengor Ogude, like Sylvanus Okpalla in the 80s.

Left Center-back Watch:

Efe Ambrose appears to be growing into the position, albeit slowly. His main strength so far appears to be aerial rather than in his positioning, which remains inconsistent. He has good recovery rate though and appears like he may turn out to be a good defender. Verdict: the search for a left-center back continues...

Disapointments:

- None use of all substitutes, especially Isaac Promise and Nosa Igiebor.

- Poor lateral movement of Anichebe and his work down the channels, injury notwithstanding.