Last Saturday in Kaliningrad, the Super Eagles began their World Cup campaign with an unispiring loss to Croatia by going down 2-0 after Oghenekaro Etebo was unfortunate to score an own goal and Luka Modric making the game safe for Croatia by scoring from the penalty spot.
The Super Eagles failed to rise to the occasion in a game Croatia didn't have to get out of second gear to secure an easy victory.
The Croatians weren't spectacular. They were functional. Sure they were the better side on the night considering the fact that they were better organised and had more end product even though their goals were somewhat fortuitous.
And this is where Gernot Rohr should be concerned-a team that weren't great on the night could so comfortably defeat his team. The Super Eagles yet again were toothless going forward and as usual were vulnerable from set pieces.
On paper, the team looked good. Rohr stuck with the system that proved successful during the qualifiers but has so far proved ineffective when facing elite teams. Playing players outside their best positions might work during qualifiers but they may get exposed at the big stage.
Abdullahi Shehu was taken to the cleaners on a few occasions in the first half by Ivan Perisic even though he later recovered in the second half but he was no outlet for the Eagles on the right wing when the Eagles attacked because he failed to join the attack or make intelligent runs to support Victor Moses.
The defence did ok but were caught sleeping or sloppy with the goals they conceded directly or indirectly from corner kicks. Etebo was unfortunate to deflect a header going wide into his own net while Ekong ridiculously wrestled down Mario Mandzukic in the penalty box thus drawing a foul which the referee didn't hesitate to penalise. Nigeria was unlucky to get away with wrestling bouts which often occur during set pieces this time.
In midfield, what many suspected would be a problem reared its head again-the lack of creativity. Nigeria failed to create many clear cut chances for Odion Ighalo. The 2 chances that were created for him he could not take them.
John Mikel Obi who was saddled with the responsibility of creating chances for the forwards was slow going forward. Many feel he has lost the legs to play at this level. However, it is more likely that he still hasn't found his best form after being out for a while. Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi did ok. Where Nigeria struggled was in creativity and ball possession.
Alex Iwobi was ineffective on the wings and in the next game against Iceland he should be moved into central midfield. He would certainly do more than Mikel would probably do if Mikel's performance against Croatia is the yardstick by which we are to judge Mikel's current form.
Rohr is faced with a problem. If Iwobi is more suited to central or attacking midfield it means the team will be short of wingers. His decision not to replace Moses Simon who is out due to injury with another winger leaves Nigeria with only Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses as wingers.
Rohr is likely to retain Iwobi on the left against Iceland. If that's the case, then Mikel has to step up his game against Iceland and Argentina if the Eagles are to have any chance of getting out of the group. Chances have to be created for whoever plays as the striker. Whoever the striker is, he has to be clinical.
Kelechi Iheanacho should be given a chance to lead the attack. Or be made to play on the wings and Iwobi moved centrally. The full backs should join the attack when the Eagles are on the front foot and make good enough crosses to trouble the opposition.
Tyrone Ebuehi should come in place of Shehu. Shehu is decent when defending but offers little going forward. Tyrone who is a natural full back has shown he is capable of offering something going forward. Nigeria needs all the creativity it can muster.
This defeat to Croatia has made qualification out of Group D a Herculean task but by no means impossible. Rohr has to be bold to make the changes to bring the best out of the team. If he sticks to the same starting 11 with similar tactics and Nigeria gets knocked out then he should be shown the exit door.
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