Nigeria Can Win the World Cup in 8 Years...

....in women football!

Yes, Nigeria can indeed win the world cup in 2019 and be in the medal rounds in the next olympic games.

Why do I say this?

To understand this, let us begin by looking briefly at the state of women football.

State of Women Football:

Until recently, the major defining elements of women football have not changed significantly since 1999.

On the whole, the US still remains the leading nation in the sport, in spite of successful challenges from the likes of Sweden, Norway, China, Germany, Brazil and more recently Japan.

In turn, US success has been anchored firmly on physical dominance, typically with the big, burly central striker, like Abby Wambach and a mix of a few technical players, like Mia Hamm in the past, and currently Megan Rapinoe.

Tactically, the game has been based on quite simple formulations, fitness and high work rate, speed and dominance in wide areas, and especially the delivery of crosses or the set-piece into the penalty area.

Until recently, teams that have overcome the US have had to match their physical advantage, like Germany did in getting to the summit of the women game.

However this dynamic started to change with the emergence of Brazil and the influence of such technical players like Martha in the ability of the team to control the game with ball possession skills, passing, close control and movement. But the ability of Brazil to dominate has been hampered by poor support from the Brazillian Federation, and poor attention to physical fitness.

In winning the world cup however, the Japanese have built a program anchors possession and the team game on very high fitness levels and work rate.

So How Can Nigeria Win the World Cup or Olympic Gold?

Women football in Nigeria is virtually non-existent as a formal program. But interest in the sport amongst young girls remains and new talent continues to emerge.

In terms of physical strength, Nigerian women can match anyone in the sport, but their ability to use their physical advantage to be aggressive without fouling have been the major weaknesses.

Generally speaking the biggest physical constraints Nigerian women teams have in football lies in poor football specific fitness and nutrition, as well as balance and manouverability, which often impacts ball control and speed with the ball.

In my considered opinion, there needs to be a serious rethink on the focus and choice of players for the national team.

The Players:

It is my view that to win the world cup, Nigeria would need to look at a new generation of women footballers, with the following physical characteristics:

a) Lithe

b) Wiry

c) Resilient (physically and mentally)

d) Pacy (especially with the ball)

e) Great balance and low center of gravity

In addition to these physical qualities, they should have good technique, with great emphasis placed on technical training, ball skills, close control, etc.

Physical conditioning should focus on strength conditioning, enhancing energy levels, stamina and endurance, without build up of unnecessary muscles. Physical conditioning should as much as possible be carried out with the ball.

Formation:

The team structure should be based on a 4-3-3 formation, with a game based on controlled aggression, high fitness levels and pressing tactics.

The primary goal in the non-possession phase should be to physically wear down the opponent with high pressing tactics, but applied cleverly, with emphasis of training placed on giving players the know-how to identify and choose the right moments.

Because women footballers are on average smaller than men, their is more space on the field in the women game and more room for attacking, with female defenders often struggling to defend the whole  penalty area.

Consequently the attacking game should be based on two wide forwards/midfielders with pace and the ability to run at a defence from open play.

Unlike the Japanese model, the goal should not be to use possession as a defensive tactic, but to develop the game in central midfield, control the match, and as a strategic pause to conserve energy levels.

In the attacking phase, controlled possession in central midfield should be used in a manner to isolate the wide players to run at the defence from the third zone in open play, or create 1v1 situations with the opposing fullbacks in wide areas.


Coaching:
All due respects, but in my opinion Khadiri Ikhana is not equipped to coach in women football, both in temperament and overall approach and is better suited remaining in the men's game which he is much more familiar with, and where he has made his greatest impact.

What is required is to improve on the last coaching structures. In my opinion we should re-hire a technical assistant from the German Football Federation, but one with greater experience than the last one, and on a full time basis.

We should then hire Mercy Akide-Udoh as Manager to provide overall leadership of the team, as well as serve as a link between the assistant and the players, as well as the playing culture in the Falcons.

In addition to their primary jobs, they should then be given additional responsibility of establishing periodic coaching programs/clinics in 5-10 strategic locations where women football thrive in the country, both as a scouting mechnism and a strategy for grassroots development of players.

Women football as yet does not have the competitive level of the men's game. Thus the entry level is lower, which is why in a few years of launching its program, the French for instance have become contenders.

So yes, if done right, Nigeria can reach the medal rounds in the next Olympics Games in 2016, and challenge for the world cup subsequently in 2019...