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

Wanted: A Football Policy for the Diaspora

It's just been announced that the NFF is looking at establishing a scouting unit for monitoring of Nigerian players in Europe and other parts of the world.

 

In my opinion this is a laudable step, but does not go far enough.

 

But first, let there be no misunderstanding. The popular, but misguided argument against this move has always been that Nigeria is better off focusing on developing its local talent than looking at players whose loyalty might be in question. Some have argued, with some merit, that many of the players in this category only seriously consider Nigeria after other options might have failed.

 

But be that as it may, the reality is that the nature of citizenship has changed. The effect of global migration of Nigerians is the full and irrevocable emergence of a generation of professionals in different works of life, including football, with Nigerian parentage and thus of dual nationality.

 

This is the reality that nobody can wish away. The question is therefore not one of if, but how we should embrace it and how best to use this resource to advance Nigerian football.

 

The oft argued need to focus instead on developing local talent is in reality a non starter. These are clearly two separate issues, neither are they mutually exclusive. They can therefore not only coexist, but mutually reinforce one another. Irrespective of how rich a talent pool lies in the diaspora, Nigeria needs to develop her local talents. That is the only long term sustainable solution to the development of Nigerian football.

 

The NFF needs to establish guidelines on when and how to engage with footballers of Nigerian parentage  in the diaspora.

 

At what point should contact be initiated: at the youth/academy level, or at the U-20 level?

 

If initiated at the youth/academy level, how best can such contact be sustained?

 

To what extent should we involve such players at the U-17 level?

 

The key to the entire process is the need to understand that what is required is not simply scouting. Scouting is the first step in what is a process. What should follow next is recruitment.

 

But lets be clear; recruitment is not to be confused with 'begging'.  Nigeria and indeed no national team should have to beg anybody to wear its colors. That is a recipe for disaster!

 

Dual nationality players have options which country to play for, hence the word 'dual'! The role of recruitment is thus to present the option of an international career with the Super Eagles.

Having presented the option of an international career with Nigeria, players then need to be left alone to make their decision, but with regular monitoring. If the option becomes available, they can be exposed to the Nigerian youth teams setup, even if they are not selected.

FIFA rules mean they do not have to make a definitive decision until they are in their twenties. What is critical is to use the time available to build a relationship between such players and the national team.

 

Therefore in implementing this policy, the NFF needs to understand the distinction between scouting and recruitment.

 

The recruitment process is best handled by high profile former Super Eagles players such as Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunny Oliseh, Fashanu, etc. 

 

In my opinion, the process should begin at the youth/academy level, but should not involve use of such players in the U-17 team, except in exceptional cases.

 

The scouting of U-20 and senior players must be conducted in collaboration with national team coaches, so as to avoid conflicts.

 

On the whole this is a welcome development and one that has been long in coming.

 

There a whole host of young talents of Nigerian parentage in top teams in Europe. They include Kenneth Otigba at Herenveen, Tiago Ilori and Jordan Ibe at Liverpool, Chuba Akpom at Arsenal, Godswill Ekpolo at Barcelona, and Derik Osiede at Real Madrid, to mention a few.

 

These players, should they become available, will not solve all Nigeria's problems in football. But they will certainly expand the options available to national team selectors, which in turn should make the Super Eagles better.

Nigeria: Lessons from the Confederations Cup

As expected Nigeria thumped Tahiti in its opening group game, but would go on to lose the next two matches to Uruguay and Spain, finishing third to confirm the expectations of bookmakers.

As stated previously, this was an important tournament for measuring the progress of the team under Keshi, especially since winning the AFCON title earlier in the year.

Expectedly following the confederations cup, the call has intensified for Keshi to extend a recall to several established internationals, notably Peter Odemnwigie, Taiye Taiwo, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe and Joseph Yobo.

As stated earlier, national teams grow through enhanced team spirit arising from playing together. In my opinion, Keshi's greatest contribution to the Super Eagles has been his ability to enhance team spirit within his squad, a factor that was recently visible in the fight back against Kenya in the world cup qualifiers.

Against this background, care should be taken in pressuring Keshi to expand the circle of his selection for fear of disrupting what appears to be a settled side. Yet the Super Eagles can only grow by expanding to include higher caliber players who are able to seriously challenge.

However, one thing is clear. Whatever new players are brought into the team will be coming to join a core group who are African champions! That is the reality that everyone must respect.

The major challenge that lies ahead for the Super Eagles following the Confederations cup are thus two fold:

 

1) how to expand the quality of talent available in the team without disrupting existing team spirit; and

2) how to drastically raise the level of tactical organization of the team.

Personnel Issues:

 

I will highlight some key personnel issues:

 

i) Central Midfield:

In the modern game, it is often said that a team is as good as its central midfield. In central midfield, five core players (Mikel, Mba, Onazi, Ogude, Nosa) have emerged from where Keshi has drawn his team (seven if we include the injured Reuben Gabriel and Ogu). Within this group, Mikel Obi stands head and shoulders above everybody. The gulf in quality between him and the rest is in itself evidence of a serious problem that deserves urgent attention.

The issue here is how to raise the quality of players available to the team.

There is little doubt that Ogenyi Onazi has come through at a rapid pace this past season. But weaknesses remain on the defensive side of his game and his temperament, as well his use of the ball. However his fast tracked pace of development can only bode well for the Eagles, should it continue into the new season at Lazio.

 

In the case of Ogude, the central issue has been his long term injury. The 2013/14 season will thus be crucial. He needs a new challenge beyond Valerenga...

With respect to Sunday Mba, the issue is a little more complicated. While he provided some very decisive moments at AFCON, his overall contribution was lacking in many areas, a fact made more obvious at the Confederations Cup. Mba must move to Europe to be able to raise his game and stay competitive in the team.

In the immediate period, we need to bring back Nosa Igiebor to the team as he continues his full return from an injury at Betis. While his performance at AFCON was woeful, his overall abilities mean he can challenge for a place in the team.

The return of Joel Obi to active football at Inter is welcome news. His return to the team is crucial, and should provide balance on the left of central midfield, as well as a platform for deployment of a left wing back.

The case of Sone Aluko is increasingly interesting. He has been on the fringes of the team before now, but at club level appears poised for a significant breakthrough at Hull City Tigers in the new season of the English Premiership.

I have in the past advocated for the invitation of Izunna Uzochukwu who has established himself at Midjtylland. His overall tactical awareness on the defensive side of the game, and his efficient use of the ball is evidence of a player with the ability to mount a serious challenge.

Consideration should also be given to both Lukman Haruna and Raheem Lawal. While I am well aware that these are not always easy players to work with, it's also true that we hire managers on the basis of their ability to work with players of various characters. These may in truth be headstrong players, but they also come with a winning mentality, and the ability to match this.

 

ii) Defence:

 There are a lot of moving parts about the Nigerian defence. Elderson Echiejile may be moving to Turkey as has Taiye Taiwo already.

 

Kenneth Omeruo has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell at Ado Den Haag, but it is unclear whether he will go out on another loan spell, stay in the reserves or promoted to the first team.

 

Godfrey Oboabona's performance at the heart of the Nigerian defence is one of the few success stories from Keshi's use of domestic league players. But as is often the case with young defenders, his game is still inconsistent, with continuing weaknesses in reading of the game and opposition movement. But his growth path has been rapid. A lot of what happens in the future will depend on the decisions of his advisers on where he plies his trade next season, and how much playing time he gets.

 

The situation calls for the development of credible options who can challenge for starting positions at right back, center back and left back. So far none of the other domestic league players has shown themselves to be at the level that improves the team, and I see no sense in persisting with them. I think the time is ripe to look at other options, using the FIFA friendlies window. I refer to such players as Daniel Adejo at Reggina in Serie B, Gbenga Arokoyo at Mjallby and Leon Aderemi Balogun at Fortna Dusseldorf, or other players from the domestic game.

 

Tactical Organization:

 

The confederations cup proved to be a very useful tournament in exposing some of the strengths, weaknesses and future potentials of the team.

 

The first half performance against Spain exposed the potentials of this team when its athleticism is deployed in a high pressing game in midfield.

 

But it also exposed the poor detail orientation of the coaching crew in its tactical organization, with the team leaving gaps behind the line of pressure which enabled Spain repeatedly play around the Nigerian pressure and create several dangerous moments.

 

Opponents of Spain in the last few years have either stood off, packed their defensive area (a la 'park the bus') and looked to counter attack, or pressured high upfield or in central midfield to disrupt their passing game. Keshi opted for the latter.

 

The challenge in pressing Spain is typically three fold:

 

1) how to maintain defensive shape and avoid leaving gaps behind the line of pressure for through passes or the off-the-ball movements.

 

2) how to conserve energy and avoid tiring especially in the latter stages of the game, which in turn affects your ball possession.

 

3) how to maximize use of the ball within the limited time of possession that Spain allows the opponent.

 

In the first two categories, the Nigerian team fared woefully. In the third category, while it recovered the ball in very valuable zones in the first half, the lack of quality in the final third often let it down, especially in Ideye Brown, who was both physically and mentally at least one level off the pace of the game.

 

Especially lacking was a complete tactical awareness of the opponent, its ball circulation strategies, the areas of overflow and the movement patterns of its key players. The Nigerian team against Spain, played almost completely blind!

 

In his post match review, Keshi noted as follows: "In the first half we were well set-up, but once their second goal went in we fell apart and lost our shape".

 

 I beg to disagree! Here is the match analysis from zonalmarking.net:

"Nigeria suffered from problems in both directions – sometimes the defence weren’t high enough and left gaps between the lines for Fabregas and Iniesta, and sometimes they appeared too high, allowing Soldado and Fabregas space in behind. In reality, the problem wasn’t really with the back four, but started from the position of the midfield….. This, essentially, is why not many sides play this way against Spain.

Interestingly, Pedro helped exploit the space in both respects. He and Alba are crucial to Spain and Barcelona because of their width and directness, and it was interesting that as well as making runs in behind Elderson Echiejile, Pedro also darted inside between the lines, sensing space in behind Mikel and away from Fegor Ogudo".  

"That rather summed up Nigeria’s problem – there was too much space both behind, and in front of, their back four".  

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/06/25/spain-3-0-nigeria-alba-pedro-crucial-in-a-more-direct-match-than-spain-are-accustomed-to/

The weakness of the set-up was exposed early and it would get worse as the lead up to the first goal revealed. While Jordi Alba did get a lucky bounce of the ball, focus on the sequence of play before the slide rule pass to him and how easy it is to pass around our pressing players and the huge gaps the pressing system is creating.

http://espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video/_/id/1483466?cc=5901

Lets take a small sample of how Italy and Nigeria addressed the attacking threat of Spain from its left back by comparing Italy's success in shutting down  Jordi Alba to Nigeria's woeful attempt, which gifted the Spanish left back two goals.

 

Italy deployed the Lazio midfielder, Antonio Candreva to run at the deep diagonal balls played behind Alba, forcing him to spend the majority of the game defending and thus shutting him down as an attacking threat.

 

Nigeria kept its standard 4-3-3 formation and played Ideye Brown, a central striker as a wing forward on the right, a position he has intermittently held even with Moses available. He offered neither the pace to push back Alba or the defensive prowess to provide cover for Efe Ambrose at right back.

 

Zonalmarking.net describes both Alba and Brown's performance thus: 

"Jordi Alba had plenty of space to charge into. He was a constant force on the flank, with Ideye Brown showing little interest in tracking his runs".

Yet for much of the game, Ahmed Musa, with twice the pace of Candreva remained on the left flank, only switching occasionally in the second half. 

Positives:

Easily the main positive thing to come from Nigeria's participation at the Confederations cup has to be the emergence of Mikel Obi from the shadow of 'square-ball Wilkins' that is forever enshrined in Chelsea lore by Ray Wilkins, and in which his role was cast by Jose Mourinho and successive managers.

Year after year, and pyramids of 5-meter square passes later, many can be forgiven in thinking that an expansive Mikel is an apparition! Let there be no misunderstanding though; Mikel is a top player. But he is a top player in a limited role, and is perhaps the best example of how a manager can make or unmake a player. And a manager like Mourinho with a reductionist approach to the game can make an ant of an elephant!

A dominant Mikel, with the ability to control play further up-field, presents new tactical options for the coaching crew, beyond the increasingly predictable 4-3-3 approach.
 

Winning the Africa Nations cup was a major achievement for Nigeria and especially Stephen Keshi. He, singlehandedly has restored confidence and a winning mentality to the team. And he has done it his own way... But football never stands still. If anything, as champions, the challenges come faster and stiffer!

 

If Nigeria is to perform creditably at the World Cup on qualification, Stephen Keshi and his assistants must challenge themselves to do better.

 

With less than a year to Brazil 2014, the Nigerian team remains a work in progress. As the challenges become more difficult, existing problems will become magnified and new ones will emerge in bold relief.

But if there is any lesson from our experience in 2010, it is that this late in the process is not the time for speculation about the position of the coach, unless something catastrophic were to suddenly happen. Whatever problems emerge on the technical side are better addressed through the internal structures of the team.

Consider this an early warning....