DIFFERENT STROKES OF TENSION AND RELAXATION, AS NIGERIA AND CAMEROON FACE OFF IN TITANIC CONTEST

Gernot Rohr

Nigeria and Cameroon could not be any more different in outlook heading into Saturday’s titanic round of 16 clash at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt.

Friday’s pre-match press conference represented a marked contrast in styles for both sides on the eve of the game.

Nigeria’s Gernot Rohr, doing his best to stay calm and jocular even as he admitted his job was on the line

“What I have heard is that even if we win the cup, my job is not safe,” he said with the slightest hint of a forced laugh.

Beside him was a serious William Troost-Ekong in a serious-visaged exhortation of his teammates “Any player who needs to be motivated for a game like this does not have the right mentality,” he said.

Contrast with the relaxed mien of Clarence Seedorf, who looked so relaxed as he fielded questions that Cameroon journalists were left bristling. 

“I was even more relaxed than this before I played in the Champions League Finals that I won,” he said in response to a very passionate-sounding Cameroonian journalist who seemed upset to see him so loose. “It is not about being too serious. But about having the right balance between focus and relaxation. We don’t have to remind the players because we have a very intelligent group of players here.”

Goalkeeper Andre Onana, taking a cue from his boss, sat next to him, chuckling and smiling his way through the press conference like an excited kid 

“I’m born ready,” he quipped, his eyes lighting up when asked about how prepared he was for the game.

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CRTV Journalist Njie Enow was not amused

“How can he be so relaxed. He is not being serious enough with the players and that concerns me and everyone other Cameroonian here.

“The former coach had a go at Christian Bassogog in public because he was not being serious and that helped him. But Seedorf is almost playing around.”

He would have been thrilled at Rohr’s approach then. The players were sequestered from media and fans in the two days leading up to the match. Rest time was strictly observed, and unlike in the days during the group stages, players were not even allowed to lounge around in the hotel.

One day was allowed for media interaction and interviews, but after that, it was closed house. Open training was restricted to two 15-minute sessions as the team focused on the task at hand.

Troost-Ekong acknowledged that Cameroon would be fired up for the game after their World Cup qualifying loss to Nigeria, but said that the Super Eagles were smarting from that giveaway loss to Madagascar and were looking to make amends

“Nobody was happy about that game. But we know that we have to make up for it in the next one and that is just what it is.”

One thing both teams have in common is their inability to score goals. Both coaches acknowledge the problems

“We have to create chances,” said Rohr. “We have good players who can score. But we have to put them in good position so they can score.”

Seedorf could have been copying from Rohr’s playbook

“It’s not so much about scoring but the things you do before. Our decisions in the last part o the field is something we need to improve. We need to continue as a team too try to create chances. We have the quality to score.”

Captain John Mikel Obi has been ruled out with injury and was seen at Friday’s training with his right need heavily strapped in ice. Shehu Abdullah is also not ready to return yet but Rohr said there was good news about left back Jamilu Collins

“He can play now, but I don’t know if he is ready to start.”

On a final note for Rohr, the lesson of humility that was handed down by Madagascar would play a key role in the approach to Saturday’s game

“It was a lesson of humility for the players, for the coaches and even for the fans too,” he said.

And for Seedorf, it is a game that could go either way

“We have to demonstrate that we are the better team and win. But if Nigeria prove to be the better team and win, we will congratulate them.”

WE MOVED MOUNTAINS, SAYS MADAGASCAR PLAYER

FIVE SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND

Kenneth Omeruo has been outstanding so far for the Super Eagles in Egypt

So the Super Eagles bombed, badly, in their final group match against Madagascar. Old news. But one that will be talked about for a long time, especially if they do not beat Cameroon on Saturday and advance to the quarterfinals.

It was a bad time to lose, after a good start where they made two wins in two for the first time in 13 years. But all the talk since has been on the loss side, with most of the positives all but forgotten.

But there have been more than a few. Like how many players shone brightly in those games, even during that loss.

As we get ready to dive into the round of 16, let us take a look at the top five players who have excelled for Nigeria so far

KENNETH OMERUO

He played only those first two games, rested by Gernot Rohr for that flawed third, but by Jove, what a tournament he is having!

Actually, he started during the qualifiers. Omeruo has been imperious in defence, not only succeeding in breaking up the Oyibo Wall, but making himself just about the first choice in defence. 

And he has proved that he deserves it. The Leganes man missed a header against Burundi that was as close a shave as anyone could get. And then he guided in a header against Guinea for his first ever international goal.

It is a sign of how his form has ticked up that he can afford to go that high up the pitch and also play the ball out of defense with confidence.

If he keeps up this form, there is no telling how far the Super Eagles can go.

OLA AINA

Who can forget that assist? My word!

The dejavu-inspired goosebumps it brought as it threw back to the goal scored by Ben Iroha in 1994, also from a similar backheel. This time, from Austin Okocha. Aina must have been preening.

This is shaping up to be the tournament of breakout defenders for the Super Eagles. Left out of the Nigeria World Cup squad, Aina must have been relieved when he was finally named on the Nations Cup roster.

But even he did not expect to start with Shehu Abdullah the regular right back and Jamilu Collins the regular on the opposite flank.

But it would appear that the former Chelsea man was just waiting for an opportunity to come. Come it did when Collins picked up an injury and Aina was thrown in, he absolutely killed it. He was a monstrosity in the first game, looked great in the second, and even in the train wreck that was the third, was one of three players who come out smelling of roses. 

How Gernot Rohr will find a way to fit in Jamilu when he returns from injury is one headache the German will be happy to have.

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OGHENEKARO ETEBO

Nigeria’s own Energizer Bunny keeps showing exactly why he is such a valuable asset to this national team. Etebo brings energy, dynamism and the lungs of a horse to the midfield. He can play as both an attacking midfielder and and a defensive midfielder. And the team’s transition and pressing game - when they do press - pivots around him and his lung-bursting abilities.

Against Guinea, his destructive coverage of Naby Keita was key to disrupting the Guineans rhythm and against Madagascar, he did the job of three people in the midfield for the better part of the game.

Hard to find a more industrious worker in that squad.

AHMED MUSA

Musa’s quality has never been in doubt, neither has his devotion to the cause of battle. And with Nigeria struggling against Madagsacar, the assistant captain led by example. He ran himself ragged, chased after balls, swapped wings and even dropped deep to pick up balls when service was not forthcoming. It is a shame his efforts did not result in a goal.

But his attitude is always spot on and he can always be found in and around the goal area, threatening with his pace and looking dangerous with his efforts from both inside and outside the box.

Although he is yet to score - Ighalo’s decision to go for goal rather than square the ball to him a factor there - Musa remains has shone and shown that he will continue to be a potential decider for Nigeria going forward.

WILFRED NDIDI

If Etebo is the Energizer Bunny, Ndidi is the street-fighter in that midfield. Between them, they shut out two teams. Without them, the Super eagles midfield looked every bit as strong as rotting tomatoes.

Ndidi lets nothing get by him, and this tournament, has been even more aggressive in his tackling and interceptions.

As if that was not enough he has found himself venturing into the opposition box to create shooting opportunities, like he did in turning on a dime inside the Madagascar box and shooting at goal. A few millimeters left or right of goal and that would have been 2-1 with more than a healthy few minutes to play, which would have given the Super Eagles a chance at clawing back a draw.

These are our top five Super Eagles players from the group phase. Is there anyone that deserves to be here that is not? Let us know.

Next up will be the top three players who can make a difference against Cameroon and maybe even further.

ROHR RELISHING “EXCITING”CAMEROON TEST

Nigeria made their route to a fourth African Nations Cup title much harder when they went down to a shock defeat against Madagascar, condemning them to a second place finish and a tough bracket.

Their path to that fourth now goes potentially through hosts and seven-time winners Egypt, but first coach Gernot Rohr and his wards will have to negotiate the little matter of bitter rivals Cameroon for a place in the round of 16.

It is not a prospect that seemed to be of particularly worrying concern for the German as he contemplated the fixture on Tuesday night after the pairings were finalized

“It is a very exciting match to come,” he said. “We are preparing in the best way. Obi Mikel has a knee injury, but we have a good atmosphere in the camp and we are optimistic to reach the next round.”

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Nigeria and Cameroon have a long history of rivalry. Cameroon defeated Nigeria in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, 1988 and 2000, but most painful for the Super Eagles was that agonizing penalty shoot-out loss in front of home fans at the National Stadium, Lagos on 13th February 2000.

In 2004, Jay Jay Okocha spearheaded a sweet 2-1 defeat of then Cup holders (as they are now) Cameroon in a quarter final match at the Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet in Monastir, Tunisia and in the 2018 FIFA World Cup African qualifying series, the Super Eagles lashed the Lions 4-0 in Uyo and were forced to a 1-1 draw in Yaounde.

Nigeria and Cameroon share eight African titles between them. While the Indomitable Lions have won five times (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017), Nigeria were champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 4PM Nigeria time.

ROHR SAYS MADAGASCAR HAS TAUGHT SUPER EAGLES HUMILITY

MIKEL OUT FOR A WEEK AFTER INJURY

Mikel is out of at least Nigeria's round of 16 game

Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi is likely to miss Nigeria's round of 16 game at the Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a knee injury in Sunday\s shock loss to Madagascar.

The midfielder missed recovery training on Monday morning with a swelling in the knee and is now expected to be out for at least a week

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"He has hematoma in the knee," Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said. "We don't know how soon he can again play but we wait for the medical team."

Mikel on Sunday night signed a two year deal to join Turkish club Trabzonspor with an option for a third year. His new employers will be looking on with some concern.

SEE WHO PLAYED THE WORST, AS MADAGASCAR STUN NIGERIA

Oghenekaro Etebo was the standout player on an afternoon of forgettable performances

An afternoon of woebegone performances by Nigeria saw the Super Eagles succumb to a 0-2 defeat against Madagascar. 

Lailana Nomenjanahary pounced on Leon Balogun’s defensive mistake to round Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the first half, and Carolus Andriamatsinoro finished off the more higher rated Nigerians when his freekickmtook a heavy deflection;off Nigeria substitute Wilfred Ndidi and sailed past Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

There were precious few displays to give credit to and we do our best 

EZENWA 4

Not very much he could do about the first goal, and short of growing an extra couple of inches Same with the second.

Beyond that, he was hardly ever tested although he did have to make a low reaction save from a scramble that followed a corner kick.

AWAZIEM 5

Was given a bit of a bother by Carolus for most of the game but offered the major attacking outlet on the right little. When he did peel forward, barely got any service and delivered only a few crossed balls

AINA 6

One of the few who came away with any sort of credit from the train wreck that was the Alexandria night. Stayed strong in his tackling, and looked a danger helping out in attack. Infact, almost created one good opportunity.

TROOST-EKONG 5

Held his own strongly in defence, but also had his moments of nervous uncertainty on occasion. Lost his man on the second goal, forcing Ndidi into a tackle that led to the fatal freekick.

BALOGUN 5

Guilty in the second phase of the error that led to the opening goal. Almost caused a second with a back pass but from then on, kept his head about him as he tried to shake off the mistake. Beaten in the air from a cornerkick close to the hour that almost led to a third goal but overall, reacted well to making a mistake

OGU 4

Even he will be wondering how quickly he can forget this game. Looked invisible for most of his time on the pitch. Responsible for the first goal with a high risk pass to Balogun under next to no pressure.

ETEBO 7

Another one to emerge out of all this with some of his dignity intact. Ran himself aground tracking players, making tackles, and trying to win second balls. The Stoke man was a major reason this stayed respectable and he kept the midfield going when the other two went AWOL. Man of the Match.

MIKEL OBI 4

A poor display from the skipper. Looked off the pace, misplaced his passes, mistimed tackles and just lost the ball uncharacteristically. In fact, the less said the better.

MUSA 6

The last of the trio who acquitted themselves well on the day. Musa tried to win the game on his own, switched wings, took players on, dropped deep and had at least one chance to score which he ruined by taking one touch too many. 

KALU 4

He may have been passed medically fit to play, but Kalu played like a man with one eye on his medical report. Lacked his usual verve and even his take-ons were tentative and lacking in spark.

IGHALO 4

Bad day at the office for him. Totally shut down by Pascal Razakanantenaina. His first touch deserted him and he never quite found his way back into the game.

SUBS

NDIDI 5

Brought some much-needed energy back into the middle, not to mention assistance for the overworked Etebo. But was guilty of recklessly giving away the free kick that led to the second goal. Almost made amends when he turned inside thebox and let off a left footer, only to see it go straight to the keeper.

IWOBI 4

Added a bit more spark and drive after coming in for Mikel, but by then the damage had been done and there was little he could do to shake the confidence of the Madagascans.

SIMON

Not enough to earn a rating 

ONE GAME AT A TIME, SAYS ROHR

For Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, it is always one game at a time

WHO WAS THE STAR AS SUPER EAGLES HIT R16?

Kenneth Omeruo (C) got his first international goal and won Man of the Match

Kenneth Omeruo headed just over against Burundi in Nigeria’s opening game, but had much better luck on Wednesday as his glancing header secured all three points for Nigeria in addition to a place in the Africa Nations Cup round of 16.

The Leganes defender stole inside the near post to guide Moses Simon’s corner kick home and hand Nigeria all three points. But to be fair the Super Eagles should have been out of sight bythen. Alex Iwobi dallied on the ball and saw his pocket picked. Odion Ighalo had a chance to play in Ahmed Musa, but went for glory and Musa’s service to Ighalo was twice cut out by a solid Guinea defence. It was just the wrong side of being a rout as Super Eagles players posted big big performances.

So how did they fare?

AKPEYI 5

Barely tested, but looked nervy when he spilled a long range shot in the opening minutes. Then made a goalkick straight to the opposition. The Kaizer Chiefs goalie needs to talk himself out of this artificial funk.

AWAZIEM 7

Gave Francois Kamano very little space to breath, let alone operate. Cost him from an attacking sense, but he did shut down the Guinean

AINA 7 

Not the same man of the match performance he turned in on opening days, but Aina performance is exactly what the doctor ordered. Defensive,y strong, read the play, stepped up to make interceptions and still found an occasion or two to bound forward

BALOGUN 8

In for the rested William Troost-Ekong, Balogun was always one step ahead of Sory Kaba. When Iwobi gave away possession with only 12 minutes gone, it was Balogun who raced back with Kaba to make a timely clearance 

OMERUO 9

Flawless performance. Absolutely flawless performance. A 10/10 would not be out of place. Omeruo did everything, and then some. Even finding time to turn, dribble in the box and lay a square ball before finally capping his afternoon with a first senior international goal.

NDIDI 9

Similarly immense performance from the Leicester man. He won man of the match in the first game and was good for it again in this one. Were it not for Omeruo’s goal, he cou”d well have claimed consecutive honours. Highlight reel was when he twisted and turned away from tw9 defenders, going one way as they went cross eyed, to the other.

ETEBO 8

Pace, power passing. Etebo did it all along with Ndidi. He was the prophylaxis against Keita, and just about any other Guinean player who attempted to breach the blockade he had set up with Ndidi.

IWOBI 7

Not his best day by a long shot. Nightmare opening 15 minutes for him, especially when bisngiveaway almost led to a goal but for Balogun. Then he had a chance from a bpMusa. All to set up Ighalo and dallied until he was dispossessed. Picked up in the second half and was hooked when he tried out late in the game.

MUSA 8

Brought lace and invention into the side. Constant,y threatened to get in behind and create opportunities. Should have had a goal if Ighalo had looked up and squared for him. Set up Ighalo on two occasions but both chances went abegging. Threatened a goa, one end, then tacked all the way back the next minute to pick up a professional foul on the break away Kamano and accepted his yellow card with equanimity

SIMON 8

On for Chukwueze to provide tracking cover for Awaziem, Simon did his job to perfection 

IGHALO 7

Didn’t score on the day but his bruising strength, pace and skilled footwork meant the Burundi defenders could not dare step out of the line.

SUBS

CHUKWUEZE (ON FOR MUSA)

Did not do enough to rate 

Onuachu (ON FOR Ighalo)

Did not do enough to rate 

AINA PUTS ON A SHOW TO TOP RANKINGS

Samuel Chukwueze terrorized the Burundi defence and earns high marks

Odion Ighalo stepped off the bench to shoot Nigeria to a hard-fought 1-0 win over newcomers Burundi to open their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The big striker scored with only his second touch the game after coming on as a substitute for Paul Onuachu, braking the resolve of the debutants.

Despite the slim scoreline, there were some big performances all across the pitch for Nigeria

AKPEYI 7

Started off making a big point blank save from Cedric Amissi and then proceeded to make about four more in just the first half alone. But he was also guilty of some nervous, heart-stopping moments. The first when he miscontrolled a backless, and the second after Nigeria scored when he mishandled the ball. Twice

ABDULLAHI 5

Looked unfit from the get go and was no surprise when he pulled up with something and had to be substituted. Prior to that, he looked steady, comfortable and his usual aggressive self on the right side contributed to his injury

AINA 9 (MOTM)

Monster performance from the fullback, who started at left back only because Jamilu Collins got injured on the eve of the game. Anticipated well, defended strongly, read the play intelligently and attacked aggressively down the left channel. His cheeky reverse pass to Ighalo for the goal was reminiscent of the Austin Okocha  and Ben Iroha combination against Cote d’ivoire at Tunisia 94

OMERUO 8

Strong candidate for man of the match and but for Aina’s assist, could have claimed it. Was immense all game through. Smothered the threat of Fiston Abdul Razak, keeping Burundi’s danger man quiet for most of the game. Put his body on the line to make a crucial block. Almost broke the deadlock when he met Oghenekaro Etebo’s free kick at the far post.

TROOST-EKONG 7

Strong on the ball, won his battles with Abdul Razak and contested strongly in the air and tracked with pace. His partnership with Omeruo looks  toe blossoming nicely

MIKEL OBI 5

Not the best of days for the Super Eagles skipper. He looked off the pace, missed a header that he would normally have put away and looked relieved when his number was called for substitution.

NDIDI 8

Powerful running, strong tackling and and even an offensive foray or two were all part of the Leicester man’s repertoire on the night. 

ETEBO 8

Energetic, quick and incisive. Etebo’s dynamic play covered for the lapses ahead of him. He all but ran himself aground covering space and keeping Gael Bigirimana from running away with midfield control

IWOBI 8

Looked on the fringes of the play in the opening minutes but came into his own once he was moved centrally. His quick, one-touch passing opened up space upfront and helped keep Burundi pinned to their own half for the rest of the game

CHUKWUEZE 7

Looked fearless in his firs senior major tournament start and terrorised the Burundi fullbacks and genre backs no end. One deadly run in the second Hal left two players on their backsides and nursing their waists as the Villareal forward stood over them with an impish smile on his face

ONUACHU 6

Earned his place on the team on the back of that sensational performance and goal against Egypt. But against Burundi, as in subsequent games, has struggled to capture the same sort of form. A lack of service did not help.

SUBSTITUTES 

AWAZIEM 6

On for the injured Abdullahi, gave a steady perforce but one strewn with almost a foul a minute

MUSA 7

Changed the complexion of the game almost as soon as he came on. Ran at fullbacks, played combination balls and set up at least two superb low crosses that could have been turned in.

IGHALO 7

Showed once again that class is permanent. Threatened from the moment he stepped on the pitch and scored almost instantly. Could have scored even earlier but for a heavy first touch which took the ball away from him. But there was to be no mistake for the second.

AFCON 2019: IHEANACHO, SUCCESS TOP NIGERIA’S MISSING XI

Isaac Success, left,is on the outside looking in as Nigeria head to Afcon

Gernot Rohr’s picked his squad and the Super Eagles are already in Egypt enjoying sunshine, water and beach while going through their paces as they prepare to make a run for a fourth African title.

For the second tournament in a row, there has been next to no complaint about the German’s squad selection, a far departure from what used to happen in the past. Is that due to a dearth of quality talents, or simply a consequence of Rohr’s consistency in squad selection?

No matter. There are still naturally some players who missed out of the 23 and we decided to draw up a sit of the Nigeria Best XI who did not take it into the squad.

Would any of these have made a significant difference? Is the squad poorer for the absence of any one of them? Who would they have replaced?

This list is limited to players who have been called up by Rohr, but feel free to suggest any outside of that

The Missing XI

GK: Theophilus Afelokhai

Enyimba’s first choice goalkeeper just edges Dele Ajiboye here. His firm grip on the top spot forced Ikechukwu Ezenwa to look elsewhere for first team football and he has just helped Enyimba to another title but failed to make it past Rohr’s standby list

RB Tyronne Ebuehi

Tyronne would arguably have been in the squad were it not for the ACL injury that he suffered at the World Cup in Russia. 

LB Bryan Idowu

Starting left back at the World Cup, Idowu has disappeared from the national team in just the same way as he dropped in, with little fanfare. His stock dropped gradually to the point where he was no longer a factor for Rohr.

CB: Stephen Eze

Title winner with Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Eze has been called up by Rohr but there was little chance he was going to dislodge any of the current centrebacks. At least, not at this time

CB: Valentine Ozornwafor

One of the more recent call-ups to the Super Eagles, and an under 20 international from the recent World Cup, Ozornwafor like Eze stood next to no chance of dislodging the current group of centrebacks

MF: Mikel Agu

Long touted as one who could possibly claim one o the midfield roles as his own, Agu disappointed when he came on as an early sub prior to the World Cup His chances do not seem to have recovered. He was also named on the standby squad.

MF: Ogenyi Onazi

Onazi used to be one of the first Ames on the team sheet until a disastrous game against England in a pre-World Cup friendly. That cost him his starting place and he did not see action at all a the world Cup. There were reports of a falling out with Rohr, but his absence is mostly down to a long term injury that is currently recuperating from.

MF: Junior Ajayi

The Al Ahly star has only been called up a couple of times but was on the standby squad named by Rohr. 

FW: Kelechi Iheanacho

By far the biggest name on the list. A year ago, few would have dreamed this. But it is a sign of how low his stock has fallen that Iheanacho’s place in the squad has been taken up by two players whose combined senior caps can be counted on the fingers of one hand

Kelechi Iheanacho, right

FW: Simy Nwankwo

Nwankwo was expected to be the next great striker after his performances at Crotone, but he never quite hit it off with the Super Eagles despite making it to the World Cup.

FW: Isaac Success

England appears to be the grave of talented Nigeria junior internationals. Along with Iheanacho, Success was in that under 17 team which conquered the world and between them they were expected to rule the Eagles roost for a long time to come. 

Instead, both players find themselves out in the cold

Must be something in the water. . .

ROHR’S AXE, IHEANACHO AND OTHER MATTERS

Kelechi Iheanacho has been shut out of the Super Eagles

Such has been the consistency of Gernot Rohr’s squad and team selection that there was next to no surprise when his final 23-man squad list for the African Cup of Nations was released.

And while Semi Ajayi’s cut may have stirred a flutter of emotion from fans, the axing of Kelechi Iheanacho, expected as it was, cut to the quick.

It has been less than four years ago since the forward made a blistering start to his senior international career. Since then, his club fortunes have taken a nosedive. Offloaded by Manchester City, Iheanacho’s career at Leicester City has stalled to the point of stagnation.

For the first time ever, he was left out of the Nigeria squad for games last March, and suffered a public chiding by the Nigeria manager.

Even when he was called up to the current squad it was little more than a token recognition, and after he failed to feature in the friendly against Zimbabwe, it was clear that the deed was done.

From the high of being one of the most talented players of his generation, perhaps a future leader around which the team could be built, Iheanacho finds himself cut from the Nations Cup squad, and replaced by Paul Onuachu and Victor Osimhen.

It is a rude awakening for the forward, if he will take the lessons. Rohr agreed that he spoke to the striker, but declined to say what was discussed

“I speak to the players but our conversations are confidential,” he told me.

It is clear however, that whatever the conversation was, it would have involved pulling up his socks and knuckling down for next season. Moving clubs, if necessary and possible.

For a player of his talent and potential to fall so low in such a short time is as shocking as it is unacceptable.

Kelechi’s failure is not his alone. It is also Nigeria’s failure. To put it in perspective, Christian Pulisic is the poster boy for the future of the US national team. After a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, he will now join Chelsea where his growth trajectory is projected to continue to stay on the upward curve.

While it can be a dangerous pastime trying to predict the future (Freddy Adu, anyone?), Pulisic’s foundational grounding and management means he is more likely to hit his expected heights than Iheanacho or most other African talent.

Looking at the bigger picture, the same basic foundational issues that afflict the likes of Iheanacho (a leaden first touch, amongst other things) was also on exhibition when the Flying Eagles stank up the joint at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Poland, and when the Super Falcons let in three goals against Norway at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

These are all symptoms of a much bigger malaise, one that needs immediate surgery and reconstruction. 

At the moment, there is too much of a dependence on the hit or miss approach. It is time to start taking a more structured approach to both identifying, developing and grooming talent for the long haul.

It is the only way we can avoid seeing a major talent gradually slink into oblivion, or two (and more) national teams display disgraceful performances at the international stage.

Otherwise, the only way is down.

MIKEL INTEGRATION AND OTHER THINGS ROHR WILL BE LOOKING FOR AGAINST ZIMBABWE

On Saturday, Gernot Rohr will lead his Super Eagles team out against Zimbabwe in the first of two friendly games before the Nations Cup.

While the game will be largely preparatory, it affords the German a first opportunity to look at the bulk of his squad and also confirm the decision of which player to drop before CAF’s June 11 deadline.

What exactly will the coach be looking for 

RETURN OF THE MIK

Captain John Mikel Obi has been out of the squad since the World Cup in 2018. That would be nearly 11 months since he last kicked a ball in the green and white strip.

In his absence, the team have qualified for the Nations Cup with a game to spare, but he still remains a vital piece of the puzzle, both for his status and the control he brings to the midfield and team as a whole.

Mikel starting is a no-brainer. But Rohr will be keeping an eye on him to see how seamlessly he re-integrates himself into the side. 

Mikel has looked good on training, moving economically, releasing the ball quickly and linking up well with teammates as he works his way back to some rhythm.

Don’t expect him to last the 90 minutes though. Rohr will be looking to manage his captain’s minutes and exposure to injury.

STRIKERS’ AUDITION 

There are essentially two spots where Rohr has said he will be looking to make cuts, in midfield and attack.

Upfront, the battle for the second striker’s spot to join Odion Ighalo is between Paul Onuachu and Victor Osimhen. Both players will be making their final cases for inclusion. Onuachu currently holds a big edge over his younger rival, and Osimhen would need to play out if his skin to dislodge him.

Kelechi Iheanacho might also get minutes, but it may be academically as he looks a strong candidate for the chop after dwindled production at both Leicester and Nigeria.

Outside of that p, Rohr will also want to see some cohesion from his core team with only one other game before the Nations Cup kicks off.

GOALKEEPERS BATTLE

At Thursday’s press conference, Rohr told reporters he had not made up his mind about who will Be first choice goalkeeper at Afcon.

This suggests that at least two goalies will have be under observation against Zimbabwe. 

Francis Uzoho has his nose in front in this battle. But he also has the most to lose as any mistake, like the one which gifted Seychelles a goal in the last round of qualifying, could leave him in a hole he will find it tough to dig himself out of.

So a reasonable guess would be Uzoho and Ezenwa, and then depending on how things go in Saturday’s game, Uzoho and Akpeyi in the next Friendly.

The margin for error is slim to nonexistent.

Total become new CAF Nations Cup sponsors

CAF have announced multinational oil and gas company TOTAL will take over from Orange as the new sponsors of its ten principal competitions.

The new partnership will run for the next eight years, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, which will now be renamed the Total Africa Cup of Nations.

“This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football’s development, bring its governance up to date, upgrade its sports infrastructure and advance its performance globally,” Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football said in a statement released by the body. “As a leading multinational in its field, with strong ties to Africa, Total will make a significant contribution to CAF’s initiatives to foster personal and professional growth for young Africans.”

“We are delighted to partner with CAF, because Africa is part of Total’s makeup,” commented Patrick Pouyanné, President and Chief Executive Officer of Total. “Through this commitment, we hope to strengthen ties to our stakeholders and customers through exciting, celebratory events that are always popular, including within our own teams.”

As the title sponsor of 10 CAF competitions, Total will be seen during:

·         The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

·         The African Nations Championship (CHAN). 

·         The CAF inter-club competitions (CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Super Cup).

·         The Youth competitions (U-23, U-20 and U-17 Africa Cup of Nations).

·         The Women Africa Cup of Nations.

·         The Futsal Africa Cup of Nations.

No details of the financials involved have been released