Of Keshi, Assistants, NFF, Equity and Clean Hands...

On the surface of it, you would be perfectly justified in wondering why in the world a football association is engaged in a serial debate with its national team coach about appointment of his assistants.

But this is the Nigeria Football Federation we are talking about and this is a world cup year!

Hear ex-international Mobi Oparaku from an old interview:

"It was crazy. But one thing people may not know about the World Cup is that it is full of cash for the team; there's so much money available to everyone that features. The World Cup is the peak of events where you can make most money while in the national team. The coaches and the administrators know this so they bring in players that they know they can make money from" (Link).

 

The pressures around the Nigerian national team coaching position is no different from that in the average national team; a little more than some; a little less than others...

 

But what is especially different and constant is the spate of rumors and innuendoes- fair and unfair, around the position; especially when the coach is a Nigerian national, like current coach Stephen Keshi.

 

After his triumph at the last Africa Nations cup, the man was rewarded by the federation with the sack of his assistant Sylvanus Okpalla and video analyst Andyson Ogugua! Why would a federation be concerned with the backroom staff of its coach?

 

Now the federation, through its technical committee is pressuring the coach to accept new assistants, rather simply recall the fired staff!

 

Without much ado, and as little fanfare as possible, the Nigeria Football Federation should recall the fired assistants and stop the practice of creating a permanent air of dysfunction and uncertainty around its tournament teams!

 

But let there be no misunderstanding! Keshi here, is not entirely blameless.

 

First of all, Sylvanus Okpala, Andyson Ogugua, and Valere Hoaundinou are Stephen Keshi's staff. He should never have allowed a situation where they were contracted directly by the federation. He Keshi should have structured his contract in a manner to embody the costs of his backroom staff, whom he should then have hired, independent of the federation. It is his failure to do this that has presented an opportunity for a less than professional federation to repeatedly undermine him.

 

But there is more. Nigerian born Super Eagles coaches must learn that the only true buffer against a meddling federation is the insistence and maintenance of professional standards. Be it in the invitation of players; in relationships to players; in relationships to player agents. Failing to do this, they will be devoured by the very same tiger they pulled by the tail!

 

He who comes into equity must come with clean hands.

In spite of the denials by the NFF Director of Technical Department, Emmanuel Ikpeme  the issue remains. And we can tell why! Here is Mobi Oparaku again:

"At the World Cup level, everyone is interested in what he can get. In Nigeria, World Cup is about the money".....
 

What is the value of CHAN?

1. The Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) is currently taking place in South Africa. According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament is a response to the desire to revive or strengthen national competitions regularly weakened by a mass exodus of top players. In addition, the confederation expects that this would facilitate the eventual integration of domestic players into the respective A-teams.

 

2. While the championships is limited to players from the domestic leagues, it still, technically, includes substantive national team players, as is the case for instance with a number of players from the Nigerian squad.

 

3. In a World Cup year, staging the tournament appears somewhat ironic given that CAF had advanced reasons to move AFCON to alternate years to avoid the world cup...

 

4. What is more, I am baffled by the decision of the Nigerian federation and coach Stephen Keshi to assume the responsibility of leading a team to the tournament, especially as there is no player in the squad playing at a level to realistically improve the Super Eagles. You would think a world cup bound coach has enough on his plate already!

 

5. The tournament itself has been quite spirited, even if the football has ranged from dire to average. One of the better games saw Nigeria deservedly defeat South Africa, 3-1.

 

6. The result and the overall performance left me wondering just what South Africa coach Gordon Igesund needs to do to get fired. With his face furrowed in a near permanent state of cluelessness, Igesund has supervised a team across tournaments and qualification series that is not only not improving, but is incapable of such!

 

7. As is typical of Keshi's teams, the Nigerian team has improved as the games have progressed. But for me that is besides the point, even while recognizing the commendable performance of the team.

 

8. There are no two senior national teams in football. Every senior national selection, whether classified a B or C team, ultimately feeds into the substantive national team.

 

9. Even by a most optimistic scenario, there is no new player in the current team that has the quality to address any of the weaknesses in the Super Eagles, or whose standard is high enough to be sufficiently developed to challenge for a place within four months.

 

10. So what then is the value of this tournament for Nigeria and coach Stephen Keshi in a world cup year? The best players so far in the Nigerian team, is arguably Ejike Uzoenyi and Rabui Ali. Uzoenyi has been on the national scene in the last 10 years, with multiple failed trials, including a recent stint at Rennes. Rabui Ali, if his listed age of 34 years is to be believed is no spring chicken!

I am a believer in evaluating projects on the basis of costs and benefits. And on that basis, the value of the time and other resources invested in the homebased project by Keshi is not commensurate with its paltry returns, especially when compared to the alternative players foregone in Europe. 

 

11. One point made in support of the tournament is that it will help improve the domestic game in Nigeria. In my opinion, that is a long shot...Improving the domestic game requires sustained, systemic reforms in club football, none of which is seriously impacted by the performance of individual players at CHAN. The domestic game improves the national team and not vice versa...

 

12. So what then is the value of CHAN, especially considering that CAF already has two continental club championships which directly impact the domestic club game?

 

 

Re: Victor Moses

Victor Moses arrived on loan at Liverpool FC after the club's failed attempts at its primary transfer targets in midfield and attack.

On arrival it was thought that the nature of Moses' game had the potential to address the continuing problems Liverpool had with breaking down defences on a consistent basis, even with such creative forwards as Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

What Moses was expected to bring to the team was a direct threat from wide positions, especially in running directly at opposing fullbacks, with pace, power and dynamism to unbalance a defence, whether it be in open play or the counter.

His premier league debut suggested that Liverpool had indeed made the right choice and that both club and player appeared to suit one another. However following the injury to Phillipe Coutinho, Moses' role in the team was changed to a more central role, a role which reflected his game in his last season with Wigan Athletic.

Since then Moses has struggled, both in central and wide positions, culminating in his lukewarm performance in Liverpool's 3-1 loss at Hull City Tigers.

Today its probably safe to say that Victor Moses is at an important crossroads in his career. At the end of the season, however good his performance is, his loan terms require him to return to Chelsea. However, with the glut of talent in his position at Chelsea, the importance of a good performance while on loan at Liverpool cannot be overstated. This becomes even more important in a world cup year, with his role pivotal to Nigeria's success.

From a tactical perspective, Liverpool presented a perfect opportunity for Moses to play from his area of greatest strength- wide left, cutting onto his stronger right foot, attacking the opposing defence with pace, power and unpredictability.

This spontaneity was expected to fit squarely into Liverpool's dynamic attacking quartet with frequent rotations and switching of play and positions. This would have the additional benefit of stretching opposing defences and freeing up Coutinho to play from the center of the trio in a 4-2-3-1.

Part of the problem with Moses is that his major strength, his instinctiveness at once presents a benefit as it does a constraint, especially in his decision making, the consistency of his decisions, as well as his ability to deliver the ball at the top end. His inconsistency at this had resulted in some poor crossing statistics and his not being listed among the most successful crossers in the English Premier League.

 

http://www.bsports.com/extratime/leaderboard-crossing-success-in-the-premier-league

 

http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?4350/

 

While the stats might show an erratic player, they also reveal the start-stop nature of his playing time since leaving Wigan Athletic. This is crucial in any assessment because Victor Moses is a rhythm player and without regular playing time, his game naturally suffers.

 

For Nigeria though, his spontaneity is central to the Super Eagles way of playing and expectedly he enjoys greater freedom to play to his instincts and greater tolerance of his mistakes. As it similarly was while at Wigan.

He briefly flourished under Rafa Benitez at Chelsea playing predominantly on the counterattack. However, Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers is not a counterattacking team.

So far Moses' reaction to the criticisms he and Raheem Sterling received following the loss to Hull has been disappointing. While Sterling has come fighting back, Moses has looked diffident and a tad casual, and has remained on the bench, even with Liverpool suffering a rash of injuries in attack and midfield.

 

His personal story is indicative of a player with a strong mentality, as his former manager, Roberto Martinez attests. 

 

Failing to assert himself at Liverpool, Moses will be left with the World Cup to try and reboot his career.

 

World Cup 2014: A First Look at the African Challenge

The 2014 world cup draws were generally kind to Africa, except perhaps for Ghana, in the so-called group of death, although I share the views of those who think that tag belongs to Group D comprising three former world cup winners in Italy, Uruguay and England...

 

With six months before kick-off, it is near impossible to properly estimate the chances of the participating teams. Ultimately, the chances of the African teams will, like others, hinge on the vents surrounding the leagues in Europe, and the health of its top players.

 

Be that as it maybe, the African world cup qualifiers, especially the last phase, with its variety of teams and kaleidoscope of colors, presented an important score card of the status of African teams at this point in time.

 

Of the five African teams, Ivory Coast probably stand in the best position, in terms of its playing squad and the stability of its personnel. But that probably is as far an advantage as they have.

 

Significant vulnerabilities run through the spine of the team from Boubacar Barry in goal, to a visibly slowing Didier Zokora and Drogba in defence and attack respectively.

 

But of even greater significance is the inability of Sabri Lamouchi to establish a clear identity for this team in over two years. At the last Africa Nations Cup, its quarter final loss to Nigeria betrayed a team lacking resilience, with clear question marks about Yaya Toure's commitment to the team's cause relative to his metronomic role at Manchester City. The performance of Gervinho at Roma and Kolo Toure at Liverpool will be crucial.

 

After two successive world cups in the 'group of death', the Ivoriens will start out in a fairly even group, comprising Colombia, Japan and Greece, with no dominant favorites.

 

While the Nigerian squad may lack the profile of the key Ivorien players in European football, it more than makes up with a strong team spirit, iron cast determination and the athleticism of several young players who are starting to establish themselves. Baring the unlikely emergence of any breakout players, and based on coach Keshi's antecedents, the Nigerian world cup squad is pretty much set, give or take one or two positions.

 

Through the world cup qualifiers and the Confederations cup, weaknesses in the structure of its tactical organization have remained, while overall team performance has been consistent, without ever being outstanding. To stand any chance at the world cup, John Mikel Obi must remain healthy, even if lacking regular first team football at Chelsea.

 

Stephen Keshi's teams have often started slowly in major tournaments. In a group comprising Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran, the schedule would require that Nigeria start fast in the tournament or risk an early departure. The key match should be the second game against Bosnia. The major tactical challenge I see at this point is the vulnerability of the Bosnian backline to the speed and power of the Nigerian attack, especially the pair of Emir Spahic and Ermin Bičakčić,  as well as the Nigerian vulnerability to the counterattack and the deep runs from midfield.

 

Once again Ghana will start as underdogs in a group comprising Germany, Portugal and USA. In its last two world cup appearances, the Black Stars routinely defied the form books to emerge from similarly difficult groups, but each time based on a playing philosophy which prioritized defence and favored the counterattack.

 

Four years from its dramatic quarter final loss to Uruguay, Ghana parade a team that is a little more generous to the opponent in terms of the space it allows in midfield and defence. In my opinion, its comprehensive thumping of Egypt, reflects more on the weaknesses of the latter than its actual strength.

 

Even with a supposedly more experienced team, the Black Stars lack essential mobility in central midfield, and will struggle to deal with high tempo teams, and players adept at playing between the lines. Even at this early stage, I seriously doubt the ability of the trio of Essien, Muntari and Boateng to all stay fit, given their injury history, although they do have options.

 

In a group as difficult as this, defensive discipline and balance will be key. With two vulnerable fullbacks and an erratic goalkeeper, I think the Black Stars come up short this time...

 

Like Nigeria, Cameroon have a fairly good draw and a schedule that begins with Mexico and ends with Brazil. While world cup qualification appears to have papered over the cracks, the fundamental issues of team spirit remain and would need to be addressed. If they do, this team should pose a formidable physical challenge to Mexico and Croatia. The opening game against Mexico should be a fascinating contrast in styles and playing culture.

 

Overall, one has been disappointed with the reluctance of Volker Finke to integrate several emerging young Cameroonian players in Europe.

 

As expected Algeria overcame Burkina Faso to snatch a place at the world cup, but only just! In an ill-tempered game, riddled with woeful refereeing decisions, the Algerians showed little to imbue confidence ahead of the world cup. On paper, this team should be able to challenge any of Belgium, Russia and South Korea, but there is far too little discipline in its game and questionable temperament from key players.

Again, Why Should Africa Participate in the 2018 World Cup?

Over a year ago I asked this question:

Why Should Africa Participate in 2018 World Cup?

Now its come out that in the recent UEFA champions league game between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City, the Ivorien player Yaya Toure complained about repeated racist chants directed at him throughout the game. In the match itself, Toure could be seen drawing the referee's attention to the infringement.

In response UEFA has now charged CSKA with racist behavior of their fans, with the Russian club expectedly denying the charge, claiming that 'nothing special' happened.

It is in a way reminiscent of the Russian FA's decision to punish the Nigerian player Emmanuel Emenike for his reaction to racial abuse by Dynamo Moscow fans (while playing for Spartak), while simultaneously ignoring the incident that led to the reaction in the first place.

Today, Yaya Toure is suggesting that African players will consider a boycott of the 2018 FIFA World Cup should this continue.

One and a half years after I first raised this question, CAF President remains silent about this issue! He and his associates at the Confederation of African Football benefit directly from the sweat of African players, yet repeatedly stay silent in the face of issues directly affecting these players.

What guarantees did Hayatou receive from FIFA and the Russian Federation before supporting their successful bid?

Why should African players participate in a World Cup tournament in stadia that are cauldrons of racism?

And how long must Africa put up with the incompetence of Issa Hayatou?

But I find myself wondering which is worse, Issa Hayatou's complicity by silence or the reaction of CSKA in manufacturing quotes from Ivorien striker, and Toure's international team mate, Seydou Doumbia, who was falsely quoted as saying the following:

"I didn’t hear anything like that from the CSKA fans". "My Ivory Coast colleague is clearly exaggerating. Yes, they’re always noisy in supporting the team, and try to put as much pressure as possible on our opponents, but they wouldn’t ever allow themselves to come out with racist chants." Link

Tufiakwa!

PS: It appears now that CSKA may have manufactured the above quotes from Seydou Doumbia, as the player has denied ever making these statements on his facebook page:

Seydou Doumbia Fan Page

African World Cup Qualifiers Reaches Decisive Phase

The African world cup qualifiers has come to its critical final phase, with the rash of points deductions and disqualification threatening to make a farce of the entire process. It is a sad testimony to the administration of the game that local FAs and indeed CAF cannot keep and update their records to avoid the use of ineligible players, the case of Cape Verde being particularly pathetic.

 

Ten teams, Algeria, Burkina Faso; Cameroon, Tunisia; CIV, Senegal; Egypt, Ghana; Ethiopia, Nigeria; are scheduled for a home and away playoff series between 11-15 October and 15-19 November.

 

Looking back to the group games, it is a matter for serious concern that no team actually stood out in terms of the consistent high quality of its game, with Cameroon and Tunisia particularly underwhelming. Granted that the nature and time limitations of qualification series constrains team building and the fine tuning of tactics, and that the poor state of pitches has greatly affected the fluidity of team play, the quality of play is nonetheless disappointing. Afterall, similar rebuilding efforts, within this same time frame by Van Gaal and Fabio Capello for instance, have produced teams of much higher quality in Holland and Russia. 

 

Less than one year from Brazil 2014, the standard of the African game is not even at the level of its most successful team in 2010, Ghana. While there are notable improvements in the quality of the lower tier teams like Cape Verde and Ethiopia, standards at the top level have declined! And given the reality that some FAs will be tempted to make rash last minute decisions on coaches, the outlook for the African game vis a vis Brazil 2014 is most certainly not bright. 

 

Ethiopia has done extremely well to get to the final qualification stage. But this run should now end.. Overall, while the team has improved from its showing at the Nations cup, this remains an average African team, capable of high spirited, even if loosely organized games in front of a vociferous home crowd.

Ironically, in the last meeting between the two teams, there was little to separate both sides in terms of chances in the final third, until the decisive save by Enyeama and the quality of Moses irrevocably turned the game.

Tactically the organization of team play lacks detail orientation, with a tendency to play vertically in search of top striker Saladin Said. When it attempts to play out of defence, the positioning of the defensive players is haphazard and unbalanced, rendering it susceptible to high pressing.

The key feature of the attacking game in midfield is the play of the tall rangy Asrat Gobena, often with little interplay at the base of midfield and the delivery of the long ball to exploit Saladin's hold up play, or the hard running of Getaneh.

Further upfield, the real variety in the team's play comes from Shimeles Bekele attacking from wide right, with an appetite for running at the fullback, on the outside and a little more dangerous, diagonally.

The structure of team play and the spirited attempts to get forward quickly often leaves the team in a 4-2-4 shape, with vast opportunities for the counterattack or the quick pass and move around the reduced numbers and abundant spaces in midfield. This weakness created multiple opportunities for South Africa, with the lack of quality in the final third letting the Bafana down.

Right-back Tesfaye is especially weak in positioning and recovery, and should have plenty to chew over against Moses.

While the altitude might constrain the ability of Nigeria to engage in full-court pressing, a targeted focus on Asrat (and Adane, should he start) maybe advisable, perhaps by strategically dropping Emenike or Moses into midfield to close him down.

But the key for Nigeria will be to control the tempo of the game from the very beginning, take the fervor out of the match with controlled possession in midfield, and position the team to decisively punish the inevitable mistakes from Ethiopia.

Unlike many, I believe the Egyptians have a very good chance against the Ghana Black Stars, especially if they are able to address the problems they have in central defence, and the absence of a real screen from midfield, in front of the back four.

Two basic problems have plagued Kwesi Appiah's side for nearly two years now. First is the slow pace of evolution in terms of the injection of new energy and dynamism into the team and the continued lack of identity, from a team that was built for the counterattack by  Milovan Rajevac. The situation is not helped by the declining powers of several key players, whose careers have in some cases stalled, like Christian Atsu, or declined altogether like Asamoah Gyan.

Tactically, Kwesi Appiah has never gotten the right balance in central midfield, and the team is much too dependent on the ability of Ayew and Wakaso to unbalance the opponent in 1v1 situations, with the trademark movements between the lines from midfield often lacking or disjointed.

However the political troubles in Egypt has severely affected its domestic game and led to a largely unsettled team. But the manner in which the team came through the qualifiers is indicative of resilience and a growing team spirit. If Egypt get its organization and discipline right in Kumasi, especially between Walid Gomaa and Ahmed Hegazi, I expect them to surprise Ghana.

Burkina Faso will face Algeria as the most improved side in the continent coming from the Nations Cup. This in my opinion should be the most even contest in the series. While strong in its defensive organization, Burkina has not been prolific in front of goal, notwithstanding results against Niger. I expect an Algerian win.

The performance of the Ivorien national team in the last decade or more, has continued to reflect massive lost opportunities. In many ways, this team reflects a worrying trend of slip shod commitment to international football among this generation of African footballers. Perhaps no African player reflects this as Yaya Toure, a player who is metronomic at Manchester City, and a near wimp of an Elephant! The situation is made worse by coach Sabri Lamouchi, who in two years has never effectively defined a team ethic (like Stephen Keshi with Nigeria), or a tactical organization that maximizes the strengths of key players. The Ivoriens should prove too strong for Senegal, but not much more...

It is perhaps fitting that Cameroon and Tunisia, two teams that effectively snoozed through the qualifiers get a chance to meet in this decisive phase. With a plethora of quality players, especially young emerging talent, it is sad to see Cameroon, one of the true giants of African football struggle this way....

Predictions: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon.

The Eternal Sunshine of John Mikel Obi

Everytime I watch John Mikel Obi, I am often reminded of Cristiano Ronaldo; yes the very same CR7!

 

The story is told of how the young Portuguese on joining Manchester United stated his career goals; not to be a starter, not to get a long term contract, but to be the best player in the world.

 

Contrast that with Mikel Obi who first came to world attention at the FIFA U20 youth tournament in Holland where he was only second to Lionel Messi.

 

Since making his first start for Chelsea in the UEFA champions league on September 12 2006, Mikel has brought to the defensive midfield the use of possession as a defensive tactic and the ability of a team to control games from a deep defensive position in midfield.

It is in the use of possession as a defensive tactic that Mikel has staked a claim in this role. His ball handling skills, close control, and quick decision-making, makes him very difficult to 'press' against. Because he is safe and efficient, Chelsea has been able to build a midfield based on speed and power around him.

On signing for Chelsea this is what his coach Jose Mourinho said: "We will make him the complete midfielder. His offensive skill set is not in doubt, it's the defensive aspect of his game we have to work on, If he listens and learn, he has the potential to be the best midfielder in the world ".

 

But last week against Spurs in the premier league, Mikel was pulled at halftime by Jose Mourinho. That in itself is no news. But what was significant was how Mikel appeared to be caught in a carousel, as the ball was easily passed around him. He lacked the speed and mobility to press quickly in midfield, or the positional sense to read the movements around him. Some will blame his central midfield partner, Frank Lampard or the tactical organization of the team by Mourinho.

 

But the reality is that Mikel has been playing one way for more than half a decade, with the same range of passes, at the same tepid tempo; the same square ball, the same half trot!

He can't shoot straight and has not done anything to correct this in over 6 years, never mind the recent goal! In six years the iphone has been improved five times! There is not a top defensive midfielder in Europe of whom there is such a low expectation with regard to goal scoring.

Let there be no misunderstanding; I understand about the player's first responsibility being to his team and the instructions of the coach. But each player brings a unique individual identity to the game. Each player possesses the inalienable right to define himself in a manner that both fulfills the goals of his team and at the same time maximizes his potentials.

 

Years ago, Ronald Koeman then manager at Ajax once complained about African footballers lacking professional ambition beyond the quest to get a contract. While I do not subscribe to such a broad brush, it has to be said that many an African footballer have made shortsighted career decisions that seemed to prioritize the short term financial gain over longer term professional development.

Where some look to be the best in their position or like CR7 to be the best player in the world, Mikel has been content to simply be a Chelsea starter, to get a contract renewed.

 

If anybody with top talent ever defined a lack of ambition its John Mikel Obi!!!

 

And still the beat goes on....The eternal sunshine of a content football mind.

    How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

    The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

    Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

    Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;

    
     Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope