When the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier grouping was revealed, that Nigeria will alongside Morocco, Cameroun and Zambia vie for the Group B ticket, many thought it was a lost cause.
Algeria was ranked 35th in world while Cameroon sits almost comfortably at 59, both better than Nigeria’s 64th.
However, with an away win against Zambia in the first group match, many have forgotten the early pessimism. With hopes raised, they now see the Super Eagles jersey adorning the 2018 World Cup fiesta.
Below is a candid analysis of 5 demons that will may block Nigeria's way to Russia. They are demons because they are problems known yet endured.
1. Bad pitch
A bad pitch could make for a worse game more than any other physical attributes of the round leather game. In the AFCON qualifier match against Tanzania in September, Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr stated emphatically that ‘the management of the (Uyo) stadium will have to be more professional if they want to have Nigerian team come to play here.’ Super Eagles laboured to score one goal against a lowly rated Tanzania and now, two months after, the NFF will take its foreign-based studded team to a bad turf again.
2. Reliance on foreign-based players
In the game against Zambia, Gernot Rohr invited only 5 home-based players and none of them featured in the match. The number of invites was reduced to 1 for Algeria clash. What if in future, foreign teams refuse to release key players?
3. Injury
Injury crisis is already taking its toll on the team. Rohr seem not to have a back up plan for injury in the team. During the first training session on Tuesday, three players were reported to have minor injuries “Leon Balogun suffered a knock on the knee, while Brown Ideye and Shehu Abdullahi have problems with their ankles.” Said Rohr. Rohr needs an injury back up plan. Imagine the case of injuries to Iwobi, Iheanacho, the team may collapse.
4. Belief
One of the first responsibilities Rohr assigned himself was to contact a retired Vincent Enyeama to return to the team. With bountiful option of Ikeme, Alampasu, Ajiboye and many on ground, one wouldn’t have expected Rohr to make such move. Also, when it was confirmed this week that Ikeme will not be in goal for Nigeria, Rohr was still skeptical on what next to do. He seem not to believe in some certain players and this may cost the team Russia ticket.
5. Financial motivation
Before the Zambian match, the players were told they won’t receive bonuses at the instant as the NFF purse is not buoyant enough to pay them. This has been the case in Nigerian football in recent times and it may go a long way in serving as discouraging omen for the players.
However, a pragmatic look and actioned response to these factors may earn Nigeria the much desired Russia ticket.
Algeria was ranked 35th in world while Cameroon sits almost comfortably at 59, both better than Nigeria’s 64th.
However, with an away win against Zambia in the first group match, many have forgotten the early pessimism. With hopes raised, they now see the Super Eagles jersey adorning the 2018 World Cup fiesta.
Below is a candid analysis of 5 demons that will may block Nigeria's way to Russia. They are demons because they are problems known yet endured.
1. Bad pitch
A bad pitch could make for a worse game more than any other physical attributes of the round leather game. In the AFCON qualifier match against Tanzania in September, Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr stated emphatically that ‘the management of the (Uyo) stadium will have to be more professional if they want to have Nigerian team come to play here.’ Super Eagles laboured to score one goal against a lowly rated Tanzania and now, two months after, the NFF will take its foreign-based studded team to a bad turf again.
2. Reliance on foreign-based players
In the game against Zambia, Gernot Rohr invited only 5 home-based players and none of them featured in the match. The number of invites was reduced to 1 for Algeria clash. What if in future, foreign teams refuse to release key players?
3. Injury
Injury crisis is already taking its toll on the team. Rohr seem not to have a back up plan for injury in the team. During the first training session on Tuesday, three players were reported to have minor injuries “Leon Balogun suffered a knock on the knee, while Brown Ideye and Shehu Abdullahi have problems with their ankles.” Said Rohr. Rohr needs an injury back up plan. Imagine the case of injuries to Iwobi, Iheanacho, the team may collapse.
4. Belief
One of the first responsibilities Rohr assigned himself was to contact a retired Vincent Enyeama to return to the team. With bountiful option of Ikeme, Alampasu, Ajiboye and many on ground, one wouldn’t have expected Rohr to make such move. Also, when it was confirmed this week that Ikeme will not be in goal for Nigeria, Rohr was still skeptical on what next to do. He seem not to believe in some certain players and this may cost the team Russia ticket.
5. Financial motivation
Before the Zambian match, the players were told they won’t receive bonuses at the instant as the NFF purse is not buoyant enough to pay them. This has been the case in Nigerian football in recent times and it may go a long way in serving as discouraging omen for the players.
However, a pragmatic look and actioned response to these factors may earn Nigeria the much desired Russia ticket.