The Super Eagles kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2018 preparations with 2 friendly matches against Poland in Wroclaw and against Serbia in London. The results though mixed, revealed the level of work the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has on his hands when the tournament kicks off in Russia in June.
At this point, majority would agree that the result in these friendlies is not a major yardstick to judge if this team is ready or if they will go far in the tournament. More important for now would be how they performed.
Did they play in an organised fashion? Where they solid in defence or midfield? Was the goalkeeper up to scratch? Was the attack potent? Was there a fluid style of passing? These and other pertinent questions is what would probably be on the minds of keen observers when assessing the team.
Uzoho needs more examination
The general consensus of most fans on social media after the game against Poland is that Francis Uzoho who was given the nod by Gernot Rohr to start the 2 friendly games against Poland and Serbia may not be up to the required standard for a team going to the World Cup.
He was jittery and short of confidence in the first half against Poland. This is probably due to a lack of competitive games and let's not forget, that this was his first start and second cap for Nigeria.
In the game against Serbia, even though he was beaten twice, he showed more composure and confidence. It is safe to say, he stood no chance in saving the goals scored by Serbian striker Alexander Mitrovic. It would be interesting to see if he would still be given the nod to start in goal in the upcoming friendly games already lined up. Uzoho should get more games so that a decision who should be the team's first choice goalkeeper can be reached easily.
It will probably come down to between him and Ifeanyi Ezenwa. Daniel Akpeyi looks nailed on to be third choice after the embarrassment of a performance in the 4-2 friendly win over Argentina and other shaky performances in the past.
Of course, some fans are already clamouring for the return of Vincent Enyeama. Well, if Enyeama wanted to return, he would have the moment Carl Ikeme was diagnosed of Leukamia. Ikeme who has made the retirement of Enyeama barely noticeable will be sorely missed at the World Cup no matter who we put in goal.
Defence looks solid enough but...
The defence did okay against Poland. They showed grit, organisation and resilience. The central defence pairing of Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun looks to be our best central defensive partnership with decent cover in Chinedu Awaziem and Ken Omeruo. The fullback positions though, remain a headache for the Super Eagles most especially at right back.
Shehu Abdullahi has deputised admirably at right back during qualifiers but his absence was felt against Serbia who spotted a weakness and launched many of their attacks through that wing with Tyrone Ebuehi, who was the man chosen to play there not able to give a good account of himself. He didn't do much either to support the attack. There is no serious competition for Shehu Abdullahi or cover if he picks up an injury or is suspended.
As for the left back position, Brian Idowu was given 2 starts in the friendly matches and would probably still be given a look in in the next set of matches but his performance was not eye catching. Most of Serbia's attacks were from their left wing meaning Idowu was not really tested.
Elderson offers experience and is a natural left back but he appears to have regressed when going forward to support the attack. Rohr probably knows this and perhaps it's why he didn't feature in the 2 friendly games. Ola Aina had a cameo against Serbia and should get a few games at left back or right back to see where he best fits in this team.
The midfield lacks creativity without Mikel
Nigeria does not lack hardworking or defensive midfielders but it does lack creativity when John Obi Mikel is not in the squad.
This should be a worry for any forward thinking Super Eagles supporter. Mikel is over 30 and could announce his retirement after the World Cup if things get ugly. Even though he hasn't hinted it yet but surely, Mikel is probably an AFCON away from retirement. Right from the qualifiers, the Nigerian midfield struggle to control possession or support the attack when Mikel is substituted or not available.
Kelechi Iheanacho played the creative role against Poland and would probably need more games to adapt again to this role. His conversion to a striker in England has made him lose somewhat, his creative touch. Nigeria will need someone to step up his game if Mikel happens to get injured, unavailable, suspended or worse retires...
The defensive midfield and central midfielders that Rohr used during the World Cup qualifiers will probably not change. Wilfred Ndidi is spot on to man the defensive midfield. Who pairs him and Mikel to form the midfield trio is what is up for grabs.
Onazi was anonymous against Serbia. He wil probably make the final cut but his performance against Serbia was nothing short of mediocre. He probably was saving himself for the World Cup proper.
John Ogu, Joel Obi, Mikel Agu have not done enough to merit a World Cup place. Mikel Agu seems to be favoured by Rohr and could make up the numbers but Joel Obi seems to have blown his chance with his wayward passing in those 2 games.
The team's passing in midfield has been awful to say the least in the friendlies and will need to improve drastically when sterner tests come up. A midfield that has Rakitic and Modric in play will pass that Nigerian midfield to death...
Our wingers are great but Nigeria still lacks a reliable point man
Victor Moses won and scored the penalty that gave Nigeria victory against Poland while Alex Iwobi did okay against Serbia. You would expect Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa to put in a shift when called upon but the team still lacks a consistent striker. Odion Ighalo does work hard but is wasteful. You wouldn't count on him going on a scoring run. Iheanacho seems more consistent but his small frame could count against him when Nigeria take on mean defensive partnerships.
Ighalo's hold up play is better and would probably cause havoc in many defences. He still needs to be more clinical in front of goal though.
Rohr may need to look for another decent striker to make up the numbers and who knows, possibly spring a surprise at the World Cup.
He will probably have a fair idea what he must now do to fine tune this team if he is to achieve the minimum requirement the NFF would have demanded which is a quarter final place.
He would have to announce a provisional squad in May. Based on what he has seen during this international break, he must know by now that getting out of a group that would parade the likes of Messi, Aguero, Di Maria, Mandzukic, Perisic or Rakitic would be a Herculean if not impossible task.
