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.

THREE THINGS FLYING EAGLES NEED TO DO TO WIN AGAINST SENEGAL

Nigeria's Muhamed Tijani goes up against Ukraine's Danylo Beskorovainyi

It may already be too late for the Flying Eagles, but if they have any intentions of going through to the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Under 20 World Cup, they will have to get past fellow Africans Senegal.

The Senegalese were the best performing African side of the tournament, finishing their group phase campaign as group winners with two wins and one draw without conceding a single goal after scoring five.

Nigeria, on the other hand, scored the same number of goals as the Senegalese, but let in three. More importantly, they lost their second game to the USA and barely managed to scrape through to the knockout phase by the skin of their teeth.

Their play was as uninspiring as it was lethargic and going intoMonday’s round of 16 fixture, there are a number of things that Paul Aigbogun needs to fix

1 FIND COHESION

Right from their very first game against Qatar, it was clear that the Flying Eagles looked like anything but a team. Their play was disjointed, their team work was virtually non existent and a team with so little talent like Qatar were opening them up at will.

It did not bode well for the future. Game 2 quickly proved it.

The USA ran rings around the Nigerians, passing the ball around them, switching play at will and getting behind almost for sun. It was embarrassing to watch. Not until the introduction of Aniekeme Ikon did the Nigerians look anywhere near a decent collection of football players. The same scenario played out against Ukraine in their final group game, to a lesser extent.

What Aigbogun needs to get his wards to do is play for each other. Football is a team game. There were too many instances of players wanting to go it all alone when it was easier and more efficient to pass to a team mate. Aigbogun needs to get them to find each other more often, avoid running into cul de sacs, encourage the forwards to make runs that create openings and the midfielders and defenders to find them when they make those runs. Basic stuff, but needs to be said.

2 BE PATIENT

Hopefully, they would have learnt from their debacle against the USA about the dangers of rushing at opponents and leaving wide open spaces at the back.

The team’s play is built on marauding fullbacks, but unless those fullbacks get cover when they bomb forward, they will need to stay home.

Senegal have shown that they can score goals, and the fact that their defence has let in a grand total of zero goals speaks for itself. Even at the African championship, the Senegalese only allowed two goals in their entire tournament play, scoring 11.

Going all gung ho might not be the way for Aigbogun and his players to go. They need to be smart, tactical and do the basics well (see above).

3 HAVE THE RIGHT TACTICS

So far, Aigbogun’s tactical nous has come under criticism back home. It is time for him to prove his critics wrong not only by fashioning out the right tactics to start he game, but by making the in-game adjustments necessary to help his players win.

To start with, his high press has been shown up by the USA. Simply because his players did not press as a unit and ended up running around the pitch with neither plan nor purpose. If they must press, they should do so low and tight and hit with pace on the break. 

Defence wins championships. This game might be decided on the odd goal, or even on penalty kicks, but the Nigerians have to make sure they are the ones left standing when the dust settles at the end.

BREAKDOWNS AND SCOUTING FAILURES: HOT TAKES FROM NIGERIA'S LOSS TO USA

Heading in vain. Valentine Ozornwafor's best efforts were not enough to stop Sebastian Soto/FIFA

Even as the Flying Eagles routed Qatar 4-0, the warning signs were clear and ominously present. The inexperienced Qatari moved better, passed the ball better, exploited openings better and carved the Nigerians open with ease that was at times embarrassing.

Their only drawback was the lack of efficiency in front of goal. It was clear that the Flying Eagles style would not survive much sterner scrutiny.

And the USA duly proved it on Monday. Here are three takeaways from the game.

SCOUTING FAILURE STARTS COLLAPSE

One of the most important things a coach does going into a game is prepare for the opposition by scouting them to the minutiae. Especially for a tournament where the draws had been made in advance.

Failing that however, the next best thing is to use the opening five to 10 minutes to assess the opposition, how they defend, how they attack and what weaknesses there are to exploit.

The USA played soon after Nigeria’s game against Qatar. Paul Aigbogun and his team had plenty of time to study them. They obviously did not.

Ukraine’s tactics were to sit in a low block and exploit spaces left by the USA when they poured forward. It worked. Aigbogun chose to start with a high press, which left yawning gaps all over the field. It was a gift the Americans were only too glad to accept as they calmly played their way out of trouble, and then pinned the Nigerians to their half, putting particular pressure on the fullbacks who had been the major attacking outlets against Qatar.

Aigbogun failed to react, failed to shut down the spaces as his team attempted to go on a passing toe to toe against a side as well-drilled as the US. The failure was spectacular. At one point during the first half, possession was 66% to the US.

In fairness to the Flying Eagles coach he made an adjustment within half an hour, hooking Tom Dele-Bashiru after a shocking error-strewn play. The Manchester City youngster was hooked for Aniekeme Okon, who brought energy and stability into the midfield.

At least we can’t say Aigbogun doesn’t know when to make a change.

NO BASICS

Aigbogun may have been quick to react, but he was also hampered by the tools he had. His players lack of basics was painfully accentuated by the technical ability and near-scripted execution of USA. 

They passed with crisp fitness, moved economically, exploited space and switched play almost telepathically. Their choreography left the Nigerians running around chasing their own tails.

When they did get possession, their touches were so heavy they could barely string three passes together before turning the ball over. Individual breakdowns littered the pitch.

Players appeared determined to forget that football is a team game, preferring to run into two or three-man cul de sacs when it was easier and more effective to pass their way out of trouble. 

The second goal was of such embarrassing simplicity it cold only be compared to a chess player falling for Scholar’s mate, an elementary checkmate in four moves. Four US players were involved, starting with the goalkeeper as they ran the length of the pitch without a single Nigerian player tracking within yards!

Thursday is not so far away, but Aigbogun needs to sort these out. Fast.

OKAY, THERE WERE SOME POSITIVES. . .

For all the hysterics that attended the game - and yes, said hysterics were justified - it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

There were a still positives to glean from the defeat. For one, the players did not roll over. Once the coach made the small but significant tweak of bringing on Okon, the midfield stabilised, Kingsley Michael became more influential and the Flying Eagles gradually wrested control. Oh, and they started passing the ball too! Shocker!

This proves that this team can ball, if they set their mind to it and have the right tactics and selection.

Success Makanjuola surely must have done enough over two games to have eared himself a starters shirt over Okechukwu Offia. And impressive as Tom Dele-Bashiru was in the first game, Aniekeme Okon’s energy, passing and vocal authority may just have nicked him a shirt for the next game 

Beyond personnel, Aigbogun needs to lay down the law on at least two things. First, players must stay tight and tackle to win and keep the ball. Two, they must look to release the ball as quickly as possible keep passes over 10 feet to the barest minimum. In other works, play as a friggin team!

Not a bunch of Messi-photocopies from a decommissioned copier

INVISIBLE PERFORMANCES ALL ROUND AS FLYING EAGLES SHREDDED BY USA

Valentine Ozornwafor (L) and Maxwell Effiom (R) leave the pitch heads bowed after losing to USA/FIFA

A horrifying first half performance and a criminal brain freeze at the start of the second from the Flying Eagles saw them succumb to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the United States on Monday.

Paul Aigbogun’s side looked shorn of skill or talent as they chased shadows for most of the first period. Running around aimlessly as the US ran jolly rings around them.

Sebastian Soto’s brace was just reward for the American endeavour on a day when the country was celebrating their fallen heroes.

For Nigeria, it was the ratings pits on a day they will need to forget very quickly

OLAWALE OREMADE 5

Beaten with an excellent header for the first goal, and went down too early for the second. Made a great save from Time Weah in the first half

ZULKIFILU RABIU 4

Suffered time and again on isolation plays against Tim Weah. Struggled to keep up with the PSG starlet and shares the blame for the ball-watching that led to the first goal.

Saw one skewed shot saved by the goalkeeper in the first half. Came close to scoring with an overhead kick late on.

IKOUWEM UTIN 3

Hero to zero. Pinned to his half for most of the game by the marauding stretched play of Konrad De la Fuente, and didn’t get upfront for the first half hour. Caught for pace when he did get forward

ALIU SALAWUDEEN 6

Dragged out of position time and again by the passing and movement of the Americans but did come up with a few good blocks, including winning some great defensive headers, including one that almost went in as an own goal. Ranged forward late in the game and almost created an opportunity 

VALENTINE OZORNWAFOR 5

Took a hit early on, but doubtful that was a contributor to the overall bad performance. Cut out a few crosses, but clearances were always hurried

KINGSLEY MICHAEL 5

Looked lost in midfield early on as the USA took complete control, passing the ball around him with ease. Grew into the game late in the half, and rocked the past with a vicious effort late just before half time. Much more of a presence in the second half. Won the penalty kick that was called off for offside 

JAMIL MUHAMMAD 4

One of a number of players involved in failing to mark and leading to that first headed goal. A step behind the US passing, and failed to read the play adequately each time

TOM DELE-BASHIRU 2

An ineffectual performance that saw him hooked early. Created little and lost the ball more times than even he would care to remember. A sign of his torrid day was being taken off after half an hour in what could only be described as a mercy substitution for the Manchester City man.

MAXWELL EFFIOM 6

Put in a good running shift, dropping back to cover for and help Rabiu with the Weah threat. Read the play and made interceptions, but was also guilty of the offence of always trying to do too much.

OKECHUKWU OFFIA 5

Dropped back to help with defending the wide threat, but always guilty of trying to do too much rather than look for the simple outlet ball. Little attacking threat

AKOR ADAMS 4

Started in place of Muhamed Tijani. But his link up play was sadly lacking. Always double-teamed by the US centerbacks and had little support. On the occasions when he had breakaway opportunities, the inability to make a quick pass cost his team valuable threats.

Okechukwu Offia pulled an Invisible Man impression

SUBS

ANIEKEME OKON 6

Almost made an instant impact after coming in for Dele-Bashiru with a ferocious volley that the US goalkeeper beat away. Stablized the midfield and helped the Flying eagles establish a foothold in the game. Tempted to give him a 7. Really tempted, but no. 

MUHAMED TIJANI 4

Slightly better performance than his first game. Held up the play, linked up better and created openings for his runners

SUCCESS MAKANJUOLA 4

Like he did in the first game, came on and immediately got involved. Won a tackle high up and put in a good cross

FLYING EAGLES PLAYER RATINGS: SEE WHO CLAIMED MAN OF THE MATCH AS NIGERIA OPEN CAMPAIGN WITH QATAR ROUT

Goalscorer Okechukwu Offia gets a double high five from Jamil Muhammad/FIFA.com

Captain Ikouwem Utin led from the back - and front - as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles opened their FIFA Under 20 World Cup campaign with a 4-0 rout of Qatar.

Maxwell Effiom reacted quickest when Utin’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Shehab Mamdouh. The defender then sliced through four opposing players before cutting back for Okechukwu Offia to guide home on the back foot.

Manchester City youngster Tomiwa Dele-Bashiru extinguished Qatari hopes with a curling ball from a slide rule pass before Aliu Salawudeen put the cherry on the cake with a sweeping effort from a corner kick.

Man of the Match honours go to Utin, but how did the others fare?

OLAWALE OREMADE 7

Big, confident but largely untested. Only really serious threat he had to deal with was a low cross early in the first half and he cut it out - like everything else - with  ease. 

ZULKIFILU RABIU 8

Made two great direct contributions to the win. Peeled off to receive a great cross field ball from Kingsley Michael, then returned the ball with a looping cross to Michael from where Utin drove in to set up the first goal.

And then made to excellent quick fire blocks to deny Qatar’s Yusuf who was through on goal after the Nigeria defence had been sliced open with a one-two on a quick counter attack.

IKOUWEM UTIN 9 

Such a dangerous attacking threat all through the game, it was hard to know if he was playing left back or left wing. Set up the first two goals and provided a constant stacking outlet on the right while keeping his defensive duties.

Man of the Match

ALIU SALAWUDEEN 8

Showed great striker’s awareness to turn and shoot inside the box from a corner kick, but his most telling contributions were of course at his place of primary assignment, cenreback where his combination with Valentine Ozornwafor denied the Qatari much of a sniff at goal

VALENTINE OZORNWAFOR 8

Strong and aware at the back and was always available to quickly cut off any balls to feet, especially to the lone foraging Yusuf. With Utin spending so much time upfront, covered a lot of ground on the left side of defence.

KINGSLEY MICHAEL 8

Very involved on the left side of midfield. Started the move that led to the opening goal with that cross field ball, and constantly tried to link up with Utin to create further opportunities.

Setup Dele-Bashiru for the third goal with a visionary slide rule ball

JAMIL MUHAMMAD 7

Sat deep - when he could - to cover both an adventurous defence and his midfield partner. But like the others, ranged forward on plenty of occasion.

TOM DELE-BASHIRU 8

Neat and tidy with excellent ball-playing skills. Dele-Bashiru was the engine that kept the team’s movement going in midfield. Always available for a pass and made the right decisions each time. Great run to receive the pass for his goal, polished touch to keep it in front of him and an even better finish with the outside of his foot. Stung the goalkeeper with a shot late on

MAXWELL EFFIOM 8

Great awareness and reaction to open the scoring from the saved shot. Never stopped running and taking life uncomfortable for the Qatari defence.

OKECHUKWU OFFIA 8

Like Effiom, showed quick reflexes to get a touch on Utin’s cutback and dried it past the goalkeeper for the second goal. Could have had a second goal after interception a pass but rushed his shot with time and space

MUHAMED TIJANI 6

Put a lot of effort into running, but was mostly motion without real movement. Dropped deep to receive passes, and ended up getting lost in the crowd. No surprise he was hooked with 20 to go.

SUBS

AKOR ADAMS 7

Brought a much stronger presence into the central striking position, and it was his cushioned header into the box from a corner kick that Salawudeen swept in for the fourth goal. Offered good link up play with Effiom

NATHAN OFOBORH

Not quite the same smooth effect as Dele-Bashiru whom he replaced, but provided stability as the Flying Eagles closed out the win. Even had time to set Adams away with a long raking ball that needed a desperate clearance for a cornerkick

SUCCESS MAKANJUOLA 6

Even coming on with just under 10 minutes to go, Makanjuola was always looking to take over the game and had an excellent chance to get on he scoresheet that he bent into oblivion