Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh first game against Tanzania was not too impressive as the Eagles failed to live up to the billing of many Nigerians, but his second game gave an impressive insight of what to expect in the coming days.
However, it is too early to press the panic button, knowing fully well that this is the first competitive job Oliseh will handle. Nigerians should be calm and stay positive, hopefully with time, Super Eagles will improve in subsequent matches.
The battle in Dar es Salaam was an eye opener for coach Oliseh to see the loopholes in the team and provide imminent solutions to them.
Challenges
There are lots of works to be done in the team; firstly, there should be proper synergy between the midfield and the attack. Also, the forwards should have chemistry with emphasis on burying every chance.
One of the glaring deficiencies seen so far is the lack of coordination in the defence. As a matter of urgency, the Eagles defence needs attention to avoid costly mistakes that could jeopardies the team and expose the goalkeeper.
Positives
A major break through for Oliseh’s first game is the discovery Carle Ikeme, who gave a good account of himself in his first debut for Nigeria.
Nigerians were impressed with the showing of Ikeme, the Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper whose debut heroics ensured Oliseh’s tenure didn’t begin with a loss.
For the first time in a long time, we saw a promising Super Eagles that can be formidable in the future.
It’s been a long while a Super Eagles coach will make a right tactical substitution based on poor display:
His decision to substitute an ineffective Lukman Haruna was swift and proves to Nigerians that Oliseh got his tactics right.
The Eagles improved in their game against Niger where some of the errors seen in the game against the Taifa Stars was addressed. The victory showed some level of progress in the team, but more work needs to be done.
Way Forward
The Eagles gaffer must select players based on merits with some exceptional qualities that can boost the strength and quality of the team.
Oliseh should show more technical depth and very strategic in his approach to every game.
His approach to games, and how his boys played will be key to enhancing the team performance. It will also tell more about how the Eagles will shape up in the coming months.
Oliseh should extend his searchlight to players who are ready to show total commitment to the Green and White jersey.
Some of it was down to a lack of cohesion, but there was little logic to his attacking play against the Taifa Stars. It is thoroughly impossible to attack effectively without creative and effective link-ups among the strikers.
It takes more than one, two or three games to build a formidable team. When a team plays together, they become formidable and strong, not necessary to have a big name in the squad.
The friendly game against Niger on Tuesday gave a promising insight that the Eagles will fly again. More importantly, Oliseh would have had couple time to work with the players, and show them what he wants.
Hopefully, the Eagles will show progress against subsequent game and put smiles into the face of fans.
The danger of missing out in two African Cup of nations is really scary in the eyes of Nigerians, but there is still plenty of time and Nigerians should be positive and be optimistic that Oliseh will get it right.
Nigeria host Group G leaders Egypt in their next Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March 2016.
Anthony Nlebem
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