Nigeria took bold strides towards Equitorial Guinea 2015 after beating Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire on saturday,16 November 2014. All9jafootball writes on her observations during and after the encounter from a nigerian perspective
1. Enyeama is Africa's Best Player
Undoubtedly Nigeria's best goalkeeper in history, the Lille shot stopper should be number one contender to displace Yaya Toure as CAF footballer of the year 2014 after impressing for both club and country in the year under review.
He led Nigeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and helped club, Lille to third place finish in the french Ligue 1 keeping 21 clean sheets in the process. He showed the world again against Congo that his recent nomination for BBC African footballer of the year Award is not a fluke.
He led from the back against the Red Devils and capped a remarkable perfomance with a penalty save.
2. Chinese league is no push Over
The general notion here in Nigeria and Africa at large is that the Chinese league is for ageing, finished and Asian players only but thats not the case.
It might not be glamorous or even in the class of the EPL, la liga or the bundesliga but its fast becoming a force to be reckoned with considering the talents discovered from there.. No wonder they say treasure lies in hidden places.
Samuel Aaron has thus far shut his critics with fine strings of performance scoring 2 goals in 3 appearances for his country after starting just once.
With his blend of skills ,agility and athletism the Guangzhou R&F attacker is already a local hero in Nigeria.
3. Egwuekwe has come of age
A player basically used as backup for first choice pair of Omeruo and Oboabona, the Warri wolves skipper has staked a claim for regular starting berth after impressing in two successive games against Ghana and Congo respectively.
The defender has always been on the fringes with the main Eagles team having featured at the 2013 Afcon and 2014 WC.
Against Congo He was a rock at the back, winning both aerial and ground duels. His interceptions were timely and was always at the right place to make important tackles. No wonder he got bandaged on the head after colliding with a Congolese attacker.
4. Keshi needs to improve on his tactics/stop experimenting
A building under construction since 2011 and yet hasnt beeen completed should be effectively checked by the client. Ask Coach Stephen Keshi about his team and you know the obvious response. The manager has been criticized constantly for his choice of players and tactics.
One keeps wondering why Keshi either plays
players out of position or uses them wrongly with his tactics. Against Congo, Mikel played an unfamiliar Attacking midfield role and failed to make any impact but later flourished when played in his familiar double pivot role. Efe Ambrose has constantly been played out of position, Emenike as well was used out of position against Congo.
Thee idea of playing long balls isnt working for Nigeria, but the adamant tactician seems daft and hasnt seen any problems with this. A backup plan is always required in football incase your master plan fails, but as for Keshi its a one way trafic, like for like subs with no meaningful change in tactics.
If Nigeria eventually progresses, Keshi needs to better his tactics and stop experimenting with the players.
6. Uche is not the Messiah
Wrote a piece earlier in the week on "who has more point to prove on return to the national setup, Uche or Keshi?". To me, Uche had more to prove considering the manner the whole country clamoured for his return after being overlooked by the big boss.
Uche, undoubtedly is very talented, his goal ratio in a Nigeria jersey speaks volume. He got a goal on his return against Congo but was he worth the hype? It's a no for me.
Uche apart from a few classy touches here and there was anonymous and isolated for most part of the game and does not posses the physique and energy required to lead the line for the eagles, but is a quality alternative to have in your team. Thank God he got a goal against Congo, if not the big boss would have picked up his hammer and never extend a call up to the Villareal striker just as he did to Obafemi Martins
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