Chris Maduewesi
Member
A 3-2 loss to Argentina in a highly entertaining game was just enough to qualify the Super Eagles for the knockout stages of the competition after the result in the other group F game went their way.
It was Nigeria's third game at the tournament and it showed that the Nigerian team is getting better with the games.
Nigeria have now met Argentina on four different occasions at a World Cup tournament losing all of them. But they will take solace in the fact that they have all been close shave victories,not a complete whitewash,and the recent loss is no different.
It might not have gone the way the Nigerian fans would have wanted but there are positives that can be drawn from the game.
However we noted five talking points that we observed from the game that was played in Porto Alegre
*This was Ahmed Musa's best game for Nigeria:
Ahmed Musa only had two shots and he converted them all to score the two goals Nigeria recorded in game.
The CSKA Moscow man has always been vilified by the Nigerian fans but somehow Keshi has kept faith with him,and he didn't disappoint,shutting up his critics.
His first goal in the game was immaculate,getting the perfect bend and curl to beat Sergio Romero and equalize for the Super Eagles.
He followed it up with his second of the match,showing great composure as he was played through on goal and slotted past the keeper to level.
He himself didn't believe his turnaround in fortunes as he emerged Nigeria's best player on the day.
If only he can be this consistent,the Super Eagles would be a much more tougher proposition.
*John Obi Mikel was a complete passenger:
These are some of the games that you expect Mikel to step up and be counted,but he was completely lost and remained anonymous for the entire duration.
It was no secret that the midfield lacked creativity and Mikel was expected to impose himself in the match and be influential.
But he was hardly noticed and when an opportunity came for him to make a mark via a corner that came off Efe Ambrose,he missed the chance to net a goal.
That drive and craft was missing and Nigeria's midfield was second best to that of the Argentines who moved with pace,threatening each time Angel Di Maria was on the ball.
Already people have started clamouring for him to be dropped in the second round match,it is left to be seen if Keshi would heed that advice.
*Nigeria showed Argentina too much respect:
Even coach Stephen Keshi admitted that they showed Argentina way too much respect in the game.
The Super Eagles were a bit awestruck playing more recognizable superstars in the ranks of the Argentines.
Lionel Messi,Angel Di Maria,Sergio Aguero,Gonzalo Higuain are names seen mostly on the television,none the less from the Nigerian players themselves.
Messi succeeded on rubbing off his infectious artistry on the Nigerian players,and it glaringly showed.
The Super Eagles did great to immediately equalize once they fell behind to Messi's early strike,but Nigeria was doing all the chasing of the ball and were just giving away fouls.
Yes they gathered themselves and tried to claw their way back but maybe they would have been talking about another outcome if Nigeria had tried to impose their own game on the Argentines.
*Vincent Enyeama blew hot an cold:
Make no mistakes he single handedly prevented Nigeria from bagging a cricket scoreline in the game.
Kept Angel Di Maria at bay saving five shots at goal from him,the Lille FC stopper made prompt decisions especially on Gonzalo Higuain that twice the Napoli striker was through on goal he went wide.
However Enyeama's failing came in the last two goals he conceded. Messi had two successive free-kicks and he netted from the last one going into the break.
So how was it Enyeama's fault that Messi scored from the free-kick? Enyeama arranged his wall properly for the first free-kick that he was able to see the ball and successfully parry it out of play.
In the second one that he eventually conceded,he didn't put his wall in order to have a clearer view of the ball,and you can't give someone of Messi's quality that luxury to curl the ball of your wall.
That was just what Messi needed and he got,and Enyeama was helpless for the goal as he barely made a dive because he was completely beaten.
In the third goal that he conceded,the ball appeared to have gotten about two touches before beating Enyeama.
Marcos Rojo got the final touch but the distance it went past Enyeama wasn't big,in fact he didn't even go down to try his luck and just watched as the ball went in.
Acknowledged that it was the responsibilities of his defenders to contest the ball with the Argentines but Enyeama would have at least gone down.
Enyeama is Nigeria's best keeper by a mile,and the kind of saves he makes astounds one,but at the same time they are almost in the same vein with the goals he let it.
*Keshi's substitution was of little effect:
No where is it written that a coach is bound to use up all his substitution in a game,but losing a match it is expected that Keshi should have made a change to at least influence the game.
Michael Uchebo come in for the injured Michael Babatunde,but he failed to sparkle and close the yawning gap between the midfield and attack.
Uchebo rarely touched the ball and was just running about like someone who was short of ideas
Uche Nwofor is renowned for his abilities to change the game from the bench,but what kept Keshi so long from bringing him in?
If he had come in a little earlier than he did,maybe he would've helped the Super Eagles level in Porto Alegre.
Do you know that:
Ahmed Musa is the first Super Eagles player to score more than a goal in a match for Nigeria at a FIFA World Cup game?
Photo Credit: @FIFAWorldCup