GOAL
The goalkeeping department is still the most uncertain department of the Super Eagles going into the 2018 World Cup despite the influential role goalkeepers play at a competition like the World Cup. Coach Gernot Rohr has kept faith with Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa who prosecuted the qualifying series after Carl Ikeme was ruled out with illness, while also opting for the upcoming Francis Uzoho. Unfortunately, none of this trio is world class and this is worrisome considering that one wrong goalkeeping decision could be the difference between qualification and elimination – and they all seem to have a mistake in them, per game.
Francis Uzoho came to reckoning when he was thrown into Deportivo La Coruna’s starting line-up for two La Liga games last year. He was immediately called up to the Eagles where he had an impressive 2nd half cameo in the victory over Argentina, only to put up shaky performances subsequently. He looks a very good prospect for the country beyond the World Cup but recent developments suggest that he will be the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper at the World Cup.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa played the last four 2018 World Cup qualifiers to ensure successful qualification for the World Cup. On the strength of this, he deserves a place in the World Cup team despite not totally convincing.
He plays regularly in South Africa for Chippa United, but Daniel Akpeyi has been unconvincing for the Super Eagles. He has looked very shaky and susceptible to blunders and so does not inspire the required confidence, going into the World Cup.
DEFENCE
The Super Eagles’ defence has been fairly stable despite a proliferation of options. The youthfulness of Shehu Abdullahi, Tyrone Ebuehi, William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem and Brian Idowu is encouraging on one hand, as it portends a bright future. However, it is also worrisome because it means there is a significant lack of experienced leadership which Elderson Echiejile and Leon Balogun have not been able to provide.
After a shaky start at right back, Shehu Abdullahi has improved remarkably, playing in all the games during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers including one he was ineligible for. He is still not yet the finished article as there is still room for improvement, notably in his offensive play.
Tyronne Ebuehi has shown that he can compete favourably with Shehu for the right back berth, even performing better as a right wingback. He is very young and still developing, and so is an asset for the present and future Eagles.
His experience cannot be discountenanced, but realistically, Uwa Echiejile is a shadow of the player he used to be. He was at his best during the 2013 Nations’ cup victory but has steadily declined ever since. The paucity of credible replacements makes his return imperative, if only for his experience.
Brian Idowu is a versatile defensive player who seems to have won Coach Rohr’s heart as he looks like to be the Super Eagles first choice left back in Russia though he hasn’t shown enough to merit that.
Leon Balogun has shown himself to be a capable spine of the Eagles defence, despite an inconsistent run due to struggles with injuries in the last year. The Super Eagles will benefit immensely if stays fully fit during the World Cup – though he seems a little slow sometimes.
Since after winning the bronze with Nigeria’s U-23 at the 2016 Olympic Games, William Ekong has been progressively consistent in the Super Eagles’ backline, and is growing into a leader at the back. A lot will depend on him and how he performs at the World Cup.
After a promising start to his Super Eagles’ career, where he was tipped to be next leader of the Super Eagles backline, Kenneth Omeruo’s progress has been hampered by injuries and loss of form. By starting all the games at the last World Cup, he is probably the most experienced of the current lot in the defence, strengthened by some momentum from a very impressive season just past.
Chidozie Awaziem may still be rough at the edges as he is being eased gradually into international football, but playing relatively regularly for Nantes in the French Ligue 1, he is a huge prospect for the future.
MIDFIELD
This department continues to experience an increasing number of options. However, majority of these options are of the defensive genre – Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Ogu, Joel Obi – and so the midfield remains seriously bereft of inventiveness owing to a lack of players with creative ability with just John Mikel Obi and Oghenekaro Etebo.
It has to be said that Ogenyi Onazi is a far cry from the indispensable midfield Trojan 4 years ago. Aside his experience and his role as the team’s vice-captain, his performances in the recent past seriously question his overall ability to give the team that much-needed lift required from a senior player at the World Cup.
Though still very young, Wilfred Ndidi has grown in leaps to merit his role as the Eagles’ lead midfield spoiler. He is not yet the finished product and so needs to be managed and supported effectively to deliver optimally at the World Cup especially just recovering from injury.
John Ogu has exhibited patience while working hard in the background to earn back a place in the Super Eagles. He has not completely convinced on his return, though he brings back some steel and shooting ability to the midfield.
In what is most probably his last major competition in an Eagles’ shirt, John Mikel Obi’s experience and influence in orchestrating proceedings from the midfield will be essential if the Eagles are to make any impact in Russia.
While he can play as a box-to-box midfielder as well as a support striker, Oghenekaro Etebo has not been able to make a mark in any definite role in the team, like he did in the U-23 team to the 2016 Olympics.
It is pleasing to see Joel Obi bounce back to reckoning on the back of his performances at Torino and, perhaps, his experience. His recall and selection is perhaps more sentimental (to compensate him for the lost years) than of necessity because in the games he has played so far, he has not offered anything exceptional.
ATTACK
Like the goalkeeping department, the attack also has a number of options but none of the selected – Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo and Simeon Nwankwo – can be described as truly “world class.” The attack generally suffers from inadequate support from the midfield.
As one of the senior players in the Eagles, Victor Moses has consistently carried the team and consequently and he will be instrumental to the team’s success in Russia.
Ahmed Musa’s performances had declined earlier in the season until his move back to CSKA Moscow. His experience, his versatility across the attack, work-rate and probably Henry Onyekuru’s injury are lifelines that secured his place in the team to Russia. Already has experience of playing at the World Cup and has played the role of an impact player very well in the run-up to the World Cup.
Alex Iwobi has developed immensely over the last two seasons at Arsenal and this has shown in his increasing influence on the Super Eagles. One of the future hopefuls of the team, he has had a prominent role under Rohr, offering crucial goals, creativity and versatility to the attack – notably scoring the goal that sealed Nigeria’s place in Russia.
Kelechi Iheanacho remains one of the team’s most gifted and promising players. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a natural defined role in the team’s preferred 4-3-3 formation as he is a natural support striker.
The sudden paucity of experienced strikers presents Odion Ighalo an unchallenged opportunity as the team’s first choice striker going to into the World Cup. It is hoped he can come up with the goods in Russia.
after only making his international debut against DR Congo during the preparation for the World Cup following a breakthrough season in Italy where he scored seven goals to ensure FC Crotone stay up in the Italian top flight, Simeon Nwankwo has shown enough to merit a place in the World Cup team. It is hoped that his towering presence, eye for goal, good skills and shooting ability can do the job in Russia.