How the Eagles lost their SUPER status- part 1

 

Football teams all over the world are identified by a peculiar nickname. These teams were named either according to their pattern of play or history of the country. 

Typical examples are the Pharaohs of Egypt, named after their popular ruler and the Samba Boys of Brazil, nicknamed after a rhythmical dance called Samba in Brazil. This is evident in the playing style of the South-American giants, who play a free passing, skilful and eye-catching football which got its origin from the Samba dance.

Nigeria during the early football years were known as the Green Eagles, green signifying the national colour and the Eagle, a prominent feature on the coat of arm which denotes strength. This was later modified to its current name, The Super Eagles.

What was the strength of the Eagles?

Just like the Brazilians, the Nigeria national side carved a niche for themselves by employing a system involving the use of the flanks. It wasn’t a total free passing technique like the Brazilians, but rather involved the use of two-wide attacking midfielders from both flanks. 

Right from the days of Segun Odegbami when Nigeria won her first nations cup trophy in 1980, this system has been the engine of our football. This was basically used in a 4-4-2 formation.

During the early nineteens’ which was undoubtedly Nigeria’s most successful football era, the wing play was the core of our football. Emmanuel Amunike, Finidi George, Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal to mention but a few were always there to provide the much needed width from the flanks . At this time, the Eagles were super indeed as opponents from within and outside the continent got jittery of the Eagles.

Where did it go wrong for the Eagles?

Football has seen many modifications over the years as some common elements of the game has gone into extinction. 

The advent of the tika-taka style of play by the Spaniards, the introduction of wing-backs by the Italians, the long-balls by the British, has seen many countries try to adjust their playing style to suit the current trend. In doing this, these countries has lost their identity and struggle to adopt these methods,with Nigeria not an exception.

Inconsistency in management has also seen the Eagles struggle to find a balance between methods employed by the coaches. The use of wide play isn’t really in use anymore, as the introduction of the 4-3-3 system has eliminated the significance of the flanks.

 The way forward

Brazil remain the most decorated football team in the world, but has the samba changed? The answer is no. It has only been modified but the free flowing, passing and skilful play is still in use. Every country has its origin, a peculiar style synonymous to them alone.

Nigeria has to return to its starting point, which is the wing play that brought the country success in years past and will definitely do now and in the future. Just a little alteration fused with the latest trend, and I bet you we are heading back to the Super status.

How possible with the current crop of Eagles on ground?

Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Aaron Samuel, Michael Babatunde and new-boy Simon Moses, are all gifted and could fit in to this pattern.

Conclusion

So many say this system is orthodox, some say football has evolved and total change is required because it is the only constant thing. On the contrary, football is a tradition, it is a culture and for progress to be made, one can never forget his/her origin, tradition and culture. In our football, this is total wing-play.