Since the appointment of German tactician Gernot Rohr as the technical adviser to the Super Eagles three months back, the 63-year old have transformed the side into a winning team.
Many sports pundits initially doubted the technical competence of the former Burkina Faso coach as Super Eagles coach, but Rohr has proven his critics wrong following overwhelming results Eagles have recorded since he arrived Nigeria.
Unlike previous years, where watching Nigeria play was boring with tension high, but now under Rohr the team is a delight to watch.
The fine form of Eagles stars in their various clubs is now paying off. I recall the story I wrote earlier in October 28, 2016, titled ‘2018 FIFA World Cup: Good signs for Nigeria’ where I mentioned that the blazing form of Nigerian players at the Premier League will definitely make a difference for the national team.
The fine form Super Eagles could be as a result of the young blood coach Gernot Rohr has injected into the team.
The Likes of Manchester City’s wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho, hot Chelsea winger Victor Moses, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Premier League debutant Ahmed Musa, Isaac Success and Odion Ighalo both of Watford all having regular playing time for their clubs is now yielding results for Nigeria.
I must not fail to salute the technical prowess of Rohr, which is visible in the three games he had handled for Nigeria.
Before now, the Super Eagles have relied on permutations and that has led to the team missing out in two consecutive nation’s cup and the last edition of the World Cup. They solely relied on the outcome of the results of other matches and failed to take their destiny in their own hands. But with the present lead Rohr’s Eagles, that seems to be a thing of the past.
The Eagles have won their first two games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on the African continent toping group B with six points with good goal advantage. With five goals scored and conceding just two is a sign of good attacking football.
I must commend the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation for recommending Rohr to NFF and that has paid off. Well, some fans and pundits might say it is too early but honestly speaking, the game reminds me of the 1994 Eagles side that dominated Africa and made an incredible mark at the FIFA World Cup in USA.
After watching Super eagles scintillating performance against the Desert Foxex of Algeria on Saturday, November 12 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Uyo Stadium, I concluded by saying this is a rejuvenated Eagles side paying with new classic definition of football. The team displayed confidence, flair, composure and attitude on the field of play.
These Eagles parade young and vibrant chaps that play regularly for their various clubs and that has translated to the results we are seeing today.
From the defence to the midfield and to the attack- all the departments clicked perfectly and it’s been long we see the Eagles play this kind of good football.
Fantastic captain John Mikel Obi despite not having a regular play with Chelsea keeps improving each time he wears the Green White Green jersey for Nigeria. We are seeing a new brand of him.
Mikel, who has been frozen out at Premier League club Chelsea, crowned a commanding display against Algeria with a goal to keep the Super Eagles on course to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
I must confess that Rohr has done a fantastic job on the team but there is still more room for improvement especially at the defence, but in all kudos to the technical crew of the Super Eagles.
With the blistering display from Super Eagles in their last three games, it’s obvious that the four-time African champions are back to winning ways and I plead with Nigerians to rally round the team.
With what I have seen so far, these Eagles have the potential to rule Africa and make a big statement in the World.
Up Super Eagles of Nigeria!!!
Anthony Nlebem
Twitter :@AnthonyNlebem
Facebook: facebook.com/AnthonyNlebem
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