The Nigeria Mexico game unfolded in four phases:
In the first phase of the game, Nigeria was at sea and Mexico passed the ball around the Super Eagles and working the ball and players between the lines with fluidity and increasing ease, creating more chances than I've seen them do in the entirety of 2013.
In the second phase of the game, with Mexico down to 10-men Nigeria dominated and were very good in maximizing the numerical advantage, mostly by keeping the game wide and stretched, and pushing Ambrose high, with the long diagonal ball repeatedly finding him in acres of space.
This continued in the third phase of the game, which was the first part of the 2nd half. But Mexico even in this phase continued to find the occasional gaps in Nigeria's midfield and defence.
In the fourth phase, Mexico reshaped, playing more of a 3-4-2, with and dominated as Nigeria increasingly tired, with players cramping...
The real concern for me from this game is the weakness of the Nigerian organization. The ease with which Mexico played through the Super Eagles in the 1st phase should be a matter for concern by the teams handlers..
Personnel wise, no real surprises...John Ogu in his first start showed good signs but as I've often stated he is slow and was often susceptible to high pressing by Mexico in the first phase of the game.
On the whole, I'm not sure if the idea behind the friendly was wise and well thought out, given the long distance the team had to travel and are due to travel even more in the next four weeks. Perhaps from a commercial perspective it was worth it, but from a football angle, I am doubtful...
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