Nigeria’s Super Eagles managed to lift their game (in the second half of their game) against Iceland to secure a very vital 2-0 win, thereby reviving their chances of a place in the World Cup round of 16. Ahmed Musa scored a brace as the Eagles outplayed Iceland in an awe-inspiring second half performance.
Here are 5 points that have been learnt from this victory.
3-5-2 formation works better for the current Eagles
The composition of the current Super Eagles thrives in a 3-5-2 formation. The team has struggled with the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation as evident against top quality teams like Poland, Serbia, England, Czech Republic, and lately Croatia. In most of the games the team switched to three at the back and performed creditably better. Against Iceland the team started with a 3-5-2 and the game turned out in their favour.
Improvement at dealing with set-pieces
The Eagles showed marked improvement at defending set-pieces. Against arguably the tallest team in Europe, Gernot Rohr’s wards scored 100% in aerial duels as they dealt effectively with every. thing thrown at them. Leon Balogun was colossal, as was William Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo in the Nigerian back three. The other players also pitched in.
Argentina is all about Lionel Messi
After struggling to draw against Argentina and crumbling to Croatia, it is evident that Argentina is not as great a team as it is made to look – at least not at this World Cup. All too soon many seemed to have forgotten how the team struggled in the qualifying series, only managing to qualify on the last day because of a Lionel Messi hat-trick. In Russia, Messi has failed to kick into competition mode, and Argentina find themselve with a solitary point after two games.
Experience is essential at the World Cup
Musa creates a record as the highest scoring Nigerian at the World Cup; as the first Nigerians to score two goals in a World Cup game – and twice. All these are testament to the benefit of experience in a tournament like the World Cup. He took his two goals perfectly with the comportment of a veteran, in sharp contrast to the poor shooting of the debutants due to lack of composure. Mikel’s experience also showed in the way he calmly dictated proceedings from deep.
Mikel’s best position
The debate about captain John Mikel Obi’s best position has finally been laid to rest. Against Croatia he was deployed behind the striker and he struggled to assert himself due to the close attention paid to him by the superior Croatia midfield, leading to a heated debate as to where he should be played in the team. Many even suggested he be dropped for the Iceland game thereafter. However, against Iceland, a vintage Mikel was on parade in a deep-lying midfield position and he delivered a near-flawless performance.