By Christian Okpara
NIGERIA'S barren draw with Tunisia last weekend in Rades, rekindled supporters' hope that the Super Eagles will get it right in the race for South Africa 2010 World Cup ticket.
Before last weekend's game, Nigerians were worried that the team had not shown that it actually had the guts needed to win decisive matches despite the array of "stars" in the team. Such pessimism was heightened when the Harambee Stars of Kenya, who lost at home to Tunisia, came to Abuja to harass the daylight out of the Eagles.
Nigeria won the game 3-0, but many analysts believe that had the Kenyans made good use of the chances they created in that game, the Eagles would have waved bye to the South Africa 2010 World Cup ticket. With the goalless in Rades, Eagles' home game against Tunisia on September 6 has assumed a far greater importance because anything other than an outright victory would spell doom for Nigeria.
One area that has been acknowledged as the deficient department is the team's midfield, which has not been as fluid as Nigeria's past engine rooms. But the draw in Tunis has given Shaibu Amodu and his technical crew another chance to look at ways of making the midfield functional. Speaking on the draw with Tunisia, former international, Emeka Ezeugo, posits that Nigeria would have won the match if the team had been more ambitious in its approach to the game.
"What I saw was a Nigerian team happy to sit back and contain the Tunisians even when the Tunisians showed that they were just an ordinary side," Ezeugo said. "It bothers me that a side as talented as Nigeria cannot score any goal away from home.
"We have always been known for our strength in attack, but at Rades, we were happy to play with a lone striker. And to worsen matters, we had no midfield creative enough to fashion out chances for Ikechukwu Uche. Amodu still has a lot to do because this team might find it difficult against this same Tunisia in Abuja or Lagos if the midfield remains blunt."
According to Ezeugo, Kalu and John Obi Mikel have not shown that they have the quality to make things happen for Nigerian attackers, adding: "You could see that Ikechukwu Uche at a time was frustrated because he was just running and running without any supply to him. Mikel has become so ultra defensive that most of the time, instead of moving forward, he is passing the ball back to his defenders.
"Kalu Uche was anonymous in the games against Kenya and Tunisia, but this is the same guy who played marvelously against France just a month ago. So, something must be wrong. Amodu should look at the combination of players to know the right players in the midfield.
"I am happy that finally we have found a good pairing for Joseph Yobo in the central defence. That Adeleye is so cool, composed and intelligent. If he continues the way he is going, he will go places."
Globacom Limited has commiserated with the Management and players of Bayelsa United over the recent death of their captain, Abiel Tabor who was killed by armed robbers few hours after the team lifted the 2008/09 Globacom League trophy.
A condolence message signed by Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel described the news of Tabor’s murder as shocking and a big blow to football in Nigeria. In the message which was also sent to the Nigeria Premier League Board, Globacom noted that the death of the player was a sad tale on the historic achievement of the club in the Globacom Premier League.
The Globacom statement read, “The news of Abiel’s death brought us grief especially when it is recalled that he was killed few hours after he had received the Globacom Premier League trophy from our staff at the Oleh Township Stadium on Sunday, June 14. His killing is a sad tale on the historic achievement of Bayelsa United in the Globacom Premier League and no doubt a huge loss to the club, the people and government of Bayelsa State , Globacom Premier League and all football loving Nigerians”.
While enjoining the club and immediate family of the late player to bear the loss with fortitude, Jameel added “on behalf of the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Globacom Limited, we wish to extend our heart felt sympathy to the family of the late player and to the Nigeria Premier League Board. We join you in prayers for the repose of his soul”
The late Tabor had on Sunday, June 14 received the Globacom Premier League trophy from Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe, the Head of Glo-Gateway Limited at the Oleh Township stadium following the team’s 2-2 draw with Warri Wolves to emerge champions with 70 points. Bayelsa edged strong rivals, Heartland FC of Owerri on the last day to clinch their first Globacom League title. Tabor was reportedly shot to death by armed robbers along the Oghara-Warri road.
NIGERIA'S barren draw with Tunisia last weekend in Rades, rekindled supporters' hope that the Super Eagles will get it right in the race for South Africa 2010 World Cup ticket.
Before last weekend's game, Nigerians were worried that the team had not shown that it actually had the guts needed to win decisive matches despite the array of "stars" in the team. Such pessimism was heightened when the Harambee Stars of Kenya, who lost at home to Tunisia, came to Abuja to harass the daylight out of the Eagles.
Nigeria won the game 3-0, but many analysts believe that had the Kenyans made good use of the chances they created in that game, the Eagles would have waved bye to the South Africa 2010 World Cup ticket. With the goalless in Rades, Eagles' home game against Tunisia on September 6 has assumed a far greater importance because anything other than an outright victory would spell doom for Nigeria.
One area that has been acknowledged as the deficient department is the team's midfield, which has not been as fluid as Nigeria's past engine rooms. But the draw in Tunis has given Shaibu Amodu and his technical crew another chance to look at ways of making the midfield functional. Speaking on the draw with Tunisia, former international, Emeka Ezeugo, posits that Nigeria would have won the match if the team had been more ambitious in its approach to the game.
"What I saw was a Nigerian team happy to sit back and contain the Tunisians even when the Tunisians showed that they were just an ordinary side," Ezeugo said. "It bothers me that a side as talented as Nigeria cannot score any goal away from home.
"We have always been known for our strength in attack, but at Rades, we were happy to play with a lone striker. And to worsen matters, we had no midfield creative enough to fashion out chances for Ikechukwu Uche. Amodu still has a lot to do because this team might find it difficult against this same Tunisia in Abuja or Lagos if the midfield remains blunt."
According to Ezeugo, Kalu and John Obi Mikel have not shown that they have the quality to make things happen for Nigerian attackers, adding: "You could see that Ikechukwu Uche at a time was frustrated because he was just running and running without any supply to him. Mikel has become so ultra defensive that most of the time, instead of moving forward, he is passing the ball back to his defenders.
"Kalu Uche was anonymous in the games against Kenya and Tunisia, but this is the same guy who played marvelously against France just a month ago. So, something must be wrong. Amodu should look at the combination of players to know the right players in the midfield.
"I am happy that finally we have found a good pairing for Joseph Yobo in the central defence. That Adeleye is so cool, composed and intelligent. If he continues the way he is going, he will go places."
Source: Guardian Newspaper
Also in the news
Globacom commiserates with Bayelsa United over captain’s killing
By Richard Animam - www.vanguardngr.comGlobacom Limited has commiserated with the Management and players of Bayelsa United over the recent death of their captain, Abiel Tabor who was killed by armed robbers few hours after the team lifted the 2008/09 Globacom League trophy.
A condolence message signed by Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel described the news of Tabor’s murder as shocking and a big blow to football in Nigeria. In the message which was also sent to the Nigeria Premier League Board, Globacom noted that the death of the player was a sad tale on the historic achievement of the club in the Globacom Premier League.
The Globacom statement read, “The news of Abiel’s death brought us grief especially when it is recalled that he was killed few hours after he had received the Globacom Premier League trophy from our staff at the Oleh Township Stadium on Sunday, June 14. His killing is a sad tale on the historic achievement of Bayelsa United in the Globacom Premier League and no doubt a huge loss to the club, the people and government of Bayelsa State , Globacom Premier League and all football loving Nigerians”.
While enjoining the club and immediate family of the late player to bear the loss with fortitude, Jameel added “on behalf of the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Globacom Limited, we wish to extend our heart felt sympathy to the family of the late player and to the Nigeria Premier League Board. We join you in prayers for the repose of his soul”
The late Tabor had on Sunday, June 14 received the Globacom Premier League trophy from Mr. Ibrahim Fadipe, the Head of Glo-Gateway Limited at the Oleh Township stadium following the team’s 2-2 draw with Warri Wolves to emerge champions with 70 points. Bayelsa edged strong rivals, Heartland FC of Owerri on the last day to clinch their first Globacom League title. Tabor was reportedly shot to death by armed robbers along the Oghara-Warri road.
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