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Central defence, central problem!

By Daily Sports on November 21, 2016

Now, the hen is home to roost. The moment of home truth is here. It is time for stock taking where we will tell ourselves the naked truth and nothing but the truth that would turn our time around. It is only the four letter word that can set us free like time. An honest assessment of all the departments of the team after the epic game against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying ticket which is temporarily on break till August 28, 2017 remains a worthy step.

We have all acknowledged the resilient spirit, commitment, tenacity and sense of mission that saw the Eagles through, in the high necked wire game against Algeria November 12, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

It was significant in many ways to keen watchers at the stadium and the Eagles performance since it was commissioned. It is instructive to note that the match marked for the first time a watershed for the harvest of goals by the Nigerian side in a single game at the venue. An emphatic (3-1) win over a highly rated side, Algeria.

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Now back to the topic for the week. Yes, Eagles supremacy was tested by the Foxes and they came out smarter. We saw such hard game coming and the Eagles prepared roundly thus the result which though did not come easy. I have watched the video over and over in no tension mood and found out some lapses in the team.

Let me say that there is nowhere however, Rhor or his lads have given the team as a perfect one yet. They all said there are still lots of work to be done to achieve bravery, cohesion and one stop team. They also harped on the need to remain focused, steadfast and dedicated. Such from them have given me a glimmer of high hopes that despite that these players are not comfortable with the result the team has garnered so far. Kenneth Omeruo captured it aptly: “Two games cannot qualify us to the World Cup; therefore, all hand must be on deck to harvest more clean results in future encounters. He further described them as tougher battles ahead.” There are problem areas in all the departments of the team, but the central defence happened to be the worst hit by my candid assessment. Though blending is still far from being achieved, however, we are all on the same page trying to offer suggestions to Coach Rhor who will bring his technical and tactical expertise to bear.

On paper, the team has done a bit well. I also watched the quarter final game of AFCON 2013 between the dreaded Cote d’ Ivoire side and the Eagles. I was highly impressed with the clinical coordination between Kenneth Omeruo and Godfery Obabona. How the one time most dangerous player in Africa and English Premiership, Didier Drogba was thoroughly humbled. Omeruo made the ruthless finisher look ordinary. There was no panic when Drogba was of his often offensive attacking mission. The final against BurinaFaso the two lads did yeomen’s job. They stroked balanced partnership before they were suddenly separated by Gernot Rhor.

Honestly, I don’t know why Rhor has look off Obabona. Balogun and Ekong pair will be solid in future but the question is, can their pair make us survive in Douala, Cameroun and Algiers, Algeria. My fear is the home ward status of the qualifier is slippery and any form of mistake can prove costly. The second stanza will be tougher and rougher as opponents would be full blooded. We need to fortify our areas of blinding headache so they will set the tone instead of causing heartache too. Truth must be told, rapt attention has not been paid to Eagles trouble spot, (central defence) and it portends grave danger for us during the much feared second term of the qualifiers.

I have said this that the two boys marshaling the most vital area of the defence are new, less experienced and yet to develop a steel heart not lion one to ward off danger effectively while the team is under intensive pressure. I don’t have problem with their heights and built as time will take care because that most vital area needs towering and stronger on the ground players’ tricky and experienced attackers won’t just push off line at will. As it is constituted presently, the central defence is the darkest spot in the bright squad capable of picking the sole ticket of group B to Russia. What the second term of the qualifiers need most is careful planning, implementation and precision execution. Rhor should not keep deaf ears to the alarm bell tolling. It is not unfounded and it is not also a case of crying wolf where there is none. They founded and real too.

Super Eagles as presently assembled have the depth potentials of being yet again one of the strongest sides the country has for a major football in a long time, after Tunisia 1994, USA ’94 World Cup, 1980 squad that won the country’s first major trophy when we hosted AFCON in 1980 and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. But the greatest worry for now is the leaking defence which has been traced to the anchoring duo of the entire defensive network from the centre, Balogun and Ekong.

Let’s say this without any prejudice that the pair as constituted do not represent the true Super Eagles defence we have always seen and known in the past. Come with me, let’s limit our comparison with the golden era of Sunday Eboigbe to Uche Okechukwu. We all can vividly confess the calmness of these central defence men whose rock solid nature, calculative composure and intelligent ruthlessness on attackers was sure footed for Eagles defence making it more dreaded and water tight then.

It will be safe for one to conclude that they are born and true defenders in every true meaning of the word. They are careful with and about the elementary errors. They give the goalkeepers the safest coverage and they also build kit tight defensive network that was the best department in the team. No panic as it is the norm now. I saw Ekong twice nodding down the ball for his opponents inside the box. It showed and told a lot that the young man is not yet ripe enough to man that vital heart of the defence, such costly panicky action brings confusion and goal mouth melee which teams avoid.

Today, things have drastically changed. Our strongest department has suddenly turned out to be our weakest. Yes, we are building, yet we must not be blindfolded with that phrase. An average football fan is not comfortable with Eagles defence any longer just because the anchors are suspect. Yes, Balogun and Ekong are suspects! They have shown it and it is likely to snow ball to a time they cannot play for 90 minutes without one costly mistake, that oftentimes determines the outcome of the match. It was like this Joseph Yobo started. We have tougher matches ahead where the defence would be put under pressure against Cameroun and Algeria.

I don’t know how to put it, but it would be okay this way, when Ekong fumbles, Balogun crumbles. That’s the scenario in our central defence now. Rhor has to take a serious and second look at the central defence in the course of this qualifier because I not only fear, I saw it as the most troubled spot presently in the squad. The wings back to me are gradually being pocketed. Midfield has marshals in Mikel Obi and Onazi no matter how exposed their opposite numbers may be. Attacking line is nearing razor like, sharp and evolving with dynamic lads. Isaac Success is yet to play. Musa can be deadly from the right wing. Victor Moses is a utility player of repute. We need urgent fixing of the central defence before our game against Cameroun. Again, Obabona should not be discarded just like that. He is doing well in his Turkish club and experienced too. He is gritty to withstand the pressure when opponents turn the heat on his side. Our best legs must be involved in this crucial round up.

It is a critical stage as home stretch comes with its many and frustrating challenges. Teams have gone back to the drawing board to strategise and come back smoking, daring to fight for survival at the expense of the unprepared. A stitch in time they say saves nine. Discussion Continues! Meanwhile, keep shooting hard. Till next week!

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 21, 2016