By Daily Sports on November 15, 2016

Two games into the World Cup qualifying campaign, and the Super Eagles are sitting pretty at the top of Group B, the supposed 'Group of Death'.

Everyone is basking in the euphoria of being four points ahead of nearest challengers Cameroon after the defeat of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday took the Super Eagles to six points from two games.

Cameroon could only draw against Zambia in Limbe which, following on from their stalemate with Algeria in their opener, leaves then in second place on two points.

Following the delightful—and somewhat unexpected—win by the Super Eagles, many people have had their say—especially on social media—with many offering unconditional support for Gernot Rohr, whose short tenure to date has seen the players play with the sort of verve and attacking vibrancy that Nigerians have desired for years.

However, irrespective of the fact that maximum points have been accrued from the first two qualifying games, the displays have been characterized by defensive mistakes…something which should be alarming for Eagles supporters.

The team’s soft underbelly will worry Rohr, who has his work cut out if he is to make the defence play as a unit.

At times, the Algerians cut through the Nigerian defence like a hot knife through butter, and the defensive display could have undermined the collective performance of the side.

The Super Eagles had the Algerians’ profligacy to thank for not succumbing to an undesirable result at home, and ultimately, the three points may mask that weakness, however, the defensive frailties were noticeable in the opening game of the qualifying series against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola as well.

On that occasion, the defence had the outstanding Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Carl Ikeme to thank for letting them off the hook with a series of fine saves in a man-of-the-match display to deny the Copper Bullets and win the three points for his country.

However, Ikeme can’t be expected to deliver these kinds of heroics on a consistent basis!

The defensive mistakes and the pervading inability of the back line to function coherently as a unit will worry Rohr, and it’s imperative that he now turns his attention to defensive organisation.

Would a change of system to playing three at the back bring forth better defensive displays without compromising the team’s attacking fluidity? The possibility of Nigeria switching to a 3-4-3 formation has been mooted by Goal’s Solace Chukwu, among others.

Another noticeable weakness has been the Jekyll-and-Hyde performance of the players in both games—first against the Southern Africans and also in the win over Algeria this weekend.

There's been a tendency to get complacent after going in front, and the inability to stay focused for the duration of the game shows a lack of professionalism by the players.

The game against the North Africans bore similarities with that of the group opener—with the Super Eagles taking their foot off the gas and letting their opponents back into the game.

On both occasions, there was a noticeable drop in performance in the second half, and Rohr and his staff will be worried about the inability of the players to 'feel the danger' of self-satisfaction in games which lets opponents feel they always have a chance—a consequence of players contentment.

There is a high chance of these vulnerabilities coming back to bite the Super Eagles in the back if not addressed, and much work is needed if Nigeria are to secure the ultimate target of a ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Super Eagles are on the right track under Rohr, but the German coach will need to work on the team’s failings over 2017 if they are to build on their strong start. (goal.com)

•Photo shows Kenneth Omeruo

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 14, 2016

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