FWC-Nigeria
Nigeria:-
The “Super Eagles” travel to Brazil for their 5th WC; standing out as THE African champions and are looking to try and produce some results worthy of the huge amount of talent at their disposal!
Head coach Stephen Keshi has worked long and hard over the past 2 and a half years almost to mold Nigeria into the team they are today; however, he still has some issues with which to deal.
Starting from the back, his lack of an experienced genuine RB defender might force him to push either Oboabona (also lacking top-level experience) or Ambrose to the right side of defense. Consequently, the hole at the heart of defense would then have to be filled by, most-likely, Emmanuel Egwuekwe; who, again, lacks experience at major international competitions (see where this is going?).
To draft young prospect Omeruo straight into the RB at such a big stage would be somewhat unorthodox and could prove fatal against the likes of Argentina, Bosnia and Iran; who all have extremely talented and fast wingers.
From the back-line onwards, another major issue arises; namely, the lack of game time most of the players have had this last season! Apart from Nigeria’s most-probable choice of strikers, the ENTIRE likely squad of midfield and attacking players have averaged ca. 17 games among themselves. A very shocking number for a team travelling to the WC and expecting some form of glory.
17 might not be THAT bad of a number but it will certainly be a BIG factor when it comes to those players’ form, fitness, mental levels and performances. Regardless of the intensity of their past, current and near-future pre-WC camps; it is hard to imagine that such an issue will NOT hinder their chances when playing against other opponents.
In midfield, coach Keshi looks to implement a pretty basic midfield triangle with the aim to control the pace of the game and disperse the ball in both directions of the flanks. Their most-likely midfield trio will have to constantly shift to the side of the ball when losing possession and aim to hold up play as much as they can when they DO have the ball.
With the attacking talent at their disposal, it seems pretty obvious that Nigeria’s main play will be spent on the wings for most parts of the game; feeding their strikers who are all more than capable of scoring numerous goals, given the right delivery into the box. As a whole, the Nigerian team tends to take their chances from outside the box; often using their physicality to force their way into the opposition’s defensive third and releasing a deadly shot or two from distance.
Coach Keshi’s favor of a rather counter-attacking strategy fits most of his players’ footballing attributes, defensively AND offensively. Their wide players’ electric pace and great technique will prove hard to stop for opposition defenders (particularly the SBs) once they get going down the flanks.
The biggest obstacle in the way of Nigeria’s success at this WC is, truthfully, themselves. If they can find the consistency in their play (especially against the “bigger” teams) and add to that a good amount of balance in-between their lines, they could end up with some fruitful results, to say the least.
Main man: John Obi Mikel: Mikel’s subtle style of play rarely earns him the praise he truly deserves; for his dynamism in midfield, wonderful passing skills and ever-needed physicality offer his team endless dimensions in attack and defense.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 273.58333
The “Super Eagles” travel to Brazil for their 5th WC; standing out as THE African champions and are looking to try and produce some results worthy of the huge amount of talent at their disposal!
Head coach Stephen Keshi has worked long and hard over the past 2 and a half years almost to mold Nigeria into the team they are today; however, he still has some issues with which to deal.
Starting from the back, his lack of an experienced genuine RB defender might force him to push either Oboabona (also lacking top-level experience) or Ambrose to the right side of defense. Consequently, the hole at the heart of defense would then have to be filled by, most-likely, Emmanuel Egwuekwe; who, again, lacks experience at major international competitions (see where this is going?).
To draft young prospect Omeruo straight into the RB at such a big stage would be somewhat unorthodox and could prove fatal against the likes of Argentina, Bosnia and Iran; who all have extremely talented and fast wingers.
From the back-line onwards, another major issue arises; namely, the lack of game time most of the players have had this last season! Apart from Nigeria’s most-probable choice of strikers, the ENTIRE likely squad of midfield and attacking players have averaged ca. 17 games among themselves. A very shocking number for a team travelling to the WC and expecting some form of glory.
17 might not be THAT bad of a number but it will certainly be a BIG factor when it comes to those players’ form, fitness, mental levels and performances. Regardless of the intensity of their past, current and near-future pre-WC camps; it is hard to imagine that such an issue will NOT hinder their chances when playing against other opponents.
In midfield, coach Keshi looks to implement a pretty basic midfield triangle with the aim to control the pace of the game and disperse the ball in both directions of the flanks. Their most-likely midfield trio will have to constantly shift to the side of the ball when losing possession and aim to hold up play as much as they can when they DO have the ball.
With the attacking talent at their disposal, it seems pretty obvious that Nigeria’s main play will be spent on the wings for most parts of the game; feeding their strikers who are all more than capable of scoring numerous goals, given the right delivery into the box. As a whole, the Nigerian team tends to take their chances from outside the box; often using their physicality to force their way into the opposition’s defensive third and releasing a deadly shot or two from distance.
Coach Keshi’s favor of a rather counter-attacking strategy fits most of his players’ footballing attributes, defensively AND offensively. Their wide players’ electric pace and great technique will prove hard to stop for opposition defenders (particularly the SBs) once they get going down the flanks.
The biggest obstacle in the way of Nigeria’s success at this WC is, truthfully, themselves. If they can find the consistency in their play (especially against the “bigger” teams) and add to that a good amount of balance in-between their lines, they could end up with some fruitful results, to say the least.
Main man: John Obi Mikel: Mikel’s subtle style of play rarely earns him the praise he truly deserves; for his dynamism in midfield, wonderful passing skills and ever-needed physicality offer his team endless dimensions in attack and defense.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 273.58333
Ahmad Al-Omar - 4. Jun, 08:17
