1. Stephen Keshi in his first game earns a goalless draw with Botswana. He starts the game by resorting to a 4-4-2 formation, with Dickson Etuhu and Fengor Ogude in central midfield, as well as Joel Obi and Kalu Uche in right and left midfield respectively. He would revert to a 4-3-3 with the departure of Ehiosun and Kalu in the second half.
2. Predictably Nigeria dominated possession for long periods and as expected, Botswana defended deep, with numbers and shape, and with five players strung across midfield.
3. In terms of tactical organization the Zebras appeared well ahead of Nigeria and more comfortable in their approach, as they should be, considering Keshi is only just beginning the search for his best formation and players.
4. While manager Stanley Tshosane must take comfort in Botswana's defensive performance, his counterattacking strategy fell well short. While it had pace, with multiple players breaking out of defence, the quality of movement, hold-up play and passing was pedestrian, and left the Nigerian defence untroubled for much of the match. The result was that a central defensive pairing lacking pace on the left was barely tested...
5. On the Nigerian side, the ultimate test in this match was always going to be in attack rather than defence. It was always going to come down to the performance of the team in the final third, and how to address the challenge of creating quality chances in the face of a packed defence.
6. While several chances were created in open play, especially in the first half, they were either not taken, saved by the goalkeeper or stopped by some last ditch defending.
7. Again predictably, Nigeria's best chances came from wide play, with Taiwo repeatedly able to stretch play on the left. Conversely, the right side produced little, hamstrung by Ambrose's limitations as a fullback, and the curious decision to play Joel Obi in right midfield.
8. As an attacking threat in the first half, Ike Uche's movement in dropping into the hole behind Botswana's midfield, repeatedly troubled the Zebras, and provided the hold-up play that enabled Taiwo push forward, wide on the left.
9. Sadly there was little corresponding movement either from his strike partner Ehiosun or from midfield in pushing into the box, especially from Kalu. This would change briefly in the second half on the entry of Nosa Igiebor, but his initial control would let him down when presented with an opportunity.
10. The second half would produce more of the same, with Ahmed Musa's entry typically bringing new energy from the flanks, as well as clear signs of improvement in his final delivery. Nigeria must find more creative ways of using Ahmed Musa, rather than have him simply run down the flanks.
11. His pace, technique and overall dynamism is a powerful tool in unbalancing a deep and well structured defence. The challenge for Nigeria is to explore ways to bring greater creativity in the design of play around him and especially to constantly vary the zones in which Musa recieves the ball as well as deploy his pace in attacking the deep over the top ball, from the blind side of the centerbacks.
12. In midfield, the use of four natural midfielders (depending on how you class Kalu Uche), including the physical dominance of Dickson Etuhu and Fengor Ogude, brought increased balance to the Nigerian team. However, and as aforementioned, the decision to use Joel Obi on the right constrained creativity, with the occassional tilt of team shape towards the left as his natural instincts pulled him centrally. What is more, his absence on the left, often led to the zone behind Taiwo vulnerable to the counterattack.
13. Overall the formation and especially the presence of Dickson Etuhu and Fengor Ogude offered greater defensive integrity in the non-possession phase. However, suprisingly, given their dominance, the team opted not to press high upfield, a factor which kept Botswana in the game as a counterattacking threat. The Nigerian team remains vulnerable to the counterattack.
14. Conversely, while Nigeria dominated possession in central midfield, it offered little as an attacking threat from this zone in the final third. The switch of formation to a 4-3-3 would increase fluidity, but except for the aforementioned effort of Nosa Igiebor, there appeared to be no design for players to push into the last third from central midfield, which in turn left the team one dimensional in attack. This is hoping Nosa gets more playing time in the team as he offers a different dynamic.
Verdict:
Nigeria: A work in progress. Dissapointed not to see NPL hotshot Jude Aneke; hopefully next game...
Botswana: Will prove difficult to beat at the ANC, and if they iron out the kinks on the counterattack, could raise a few eyebrows.
NIGERIA: 1. Vincent ENYEAMA 13. Yusuf AYILA 3. Taye TAIWO 2. Joseph YOBO (c) 5. Efe AMBROSE; 20. Dickson Etuhu, 6. Fegor OGUDE 4. Joel OBI 12. Kalu UCHE; 15. Ike UCHE 17. Ekigho EHIOSUN
SUBS: 16. Austin EJIDE 7. Brown IDEYE 9. Emmanuel EMENIKE 10. Jude ANEKE 11. Nosa IGIEBOR 14. Dele ADELEYE 18. Ahmed MUSA 19. Gege SORIOLA 21 Elderson ECHIEJILE 22. Ugo UKAH
SUBS: 16. Austin EJIDE 7. Brown IDEYE 9. Emmanuel EMENIKE 10. Jude ANEKE 11. Nosa IGIEBOR 14. Dele ADELEYE 18. Ahmed MUSA 19. Gege SORIOLA 21 Elderson ECHIEJILE 22. Ugo UKAH
To play 4-4-2, the wingers must be very experienced and accurate in their crossings and delivery. Like Man-u.
ReplyDeleteAlso, very good headers and finishers must be there at the attack. If not, as balanced as the game seems it wont suit us.
We can score better with 4-3-3 if we use mikel and joel as CM's/ AM's. We can prevent conceding goals if we have a strong DM. Maybe fervor is strong defensively or better still Haruna Lukman(not seen him in a while). With our attacking options: Nsofor, Ogbuke, Kalu Uche, brown, musa and a good 9 like ikechukwu or emmanuel emenike. We can do very well.