Out-muscled, outfoxed, and outplayed. The desert foxes of Algeria came bustling with so much hype about their star-studded team, and all the hippy-dippy talk. But football isn't played on paper. At the end of ninety minutes, they left with their tail between their legs. Boasting of Last season’s premier league winner, and PFA player of the year, Riyad Mahrez, not forgetting the likes of Islam Slimani and FC Porto's Yacine Brahimi, when push came to shove, however, they were brushed aside by a brilliant Super Eagles team. It’s been ages since local fans have been treated to performances such as this on display. Amidst the economic slide domestically, succour and smiles were put on the faces of millions of fans cheering their team on.
If anything, the 3-1 victory rolled back the glorious memories. The glory days of the 90's and turn of the millennium, when Nigerian football more than held its own among the pantheon of great footballing countries. Commitment, team-spirit, a clear tactical plan, entertainment, suspense……all on display. The mix couldn't have been better. It is a truism that Nigerian football has gone down the drain in recent years. However, if the effort of those at the administrative offices can mirror the selfless effort of the Nigerian players on display at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, it won't be long before the country assumes its mantle as the giant of Africa once again.
Heading
into the dicey FIFA 2018 world cup qualifier against Algeria, plenty was at
stake. A win for the desert foxes would have put Nigeria's hopes of qualifying
in a precarious state. A win for the Super Eagles, and their lead would be
consolidated atop the table. On the day, the latter came to pass, and it was no
less than their performance deserved. Faced with the daunting task of coping
with the massively talented North Africans, the Super Eagles went about their
work with diligence and precision. Coach Gernot Rohr deserves plaudits for
properly oiling his team's engine. Set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with a three
pronged attack featuring Manchester City star Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and
Victor Moses. The latter was arguably the man of the match. Running in between
the lines, the Chelsea star dovetailed nicely with Captain Mikel Obi and
Oghenekaro Etebo in the middle of the park. Coming infield at times, and
staying out wide when necessary, he provided an extra body in midfield, thus
outnumbering the Algerians in middle of the park. Purposeful with the ball at
feet, he tracked back relentlessly to provide cover for Kenneth Omeruo at right
back, stifling to some extent the creativity of Algeria's Yacine Brahimi down
the left flank. With Captain John Mikel Obi dictating play from the base of
midfield like a general, reminiscent of the guile of the great Jay-Jay Okocha,
the stage was set for an outstanding outing. And the Eagles obliged, putting on
a recital. The Algerians simply had no answer to the assured, and creative play
of the hosts. Carving them apart at will, the Super Eagles sliced through their
opponents, like a mower cutting through grass. Oh how super they were. The
sheer pace, tenacity, and movement of front men-Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and
Iheanacho, proved a torment too much to bear.
Pass
after pass followed, deft touches bringing fans to the edge of their seats, in
delightful passages of play that practically roared poetry in motion. Seemingly
in dreamland, thanks to the Eagles magical display, the Algerians were
bewitched by the beautiful spell cast upon them. Try all they might, they finally succumbed to
pressure. Knocking and pressing hard,
Nigeria deservedly went in front, Victor Moses making amends for a glaring miss
moments earlier, by coolly slotting past goalkeeper Rais M'bohli in the Algerian
goal.
Victor Moses is joined in celebration by teammate Leon Balogun (right), after his opener which sent the fans into delirium
The stadium erupted. Fans went wild. This was no fantasy, it was real stuff.
Brimming with confidence, the Eagles smelled blood. And they got their fill.
Captain fantastic Mikel Obi made it 2-nil minutes before half-time. Played
onside, he finished coolly with unerring precision. With performances such as
this, he is living to his billing as the leader and captain of this team. On
this evidence, the Chelsea star would surely not be short of top quality clubs
knocking at his door step, should his club contract be allowed to run out in
the summer.
Captain John Mikel Obi scored his side's second goal on the stroke of half-time, to cap off a wonderful first-half display
And
so the first half ended, battle won, but certainly war not over.
If
the first 45 minutes from the Eagles was filled with brilliant attacking
endeavour, the second showcased the other facet of this team; a resolute
defensive resolve. Awake from their
slumber, the desert foxes of Algeria came back strong, but the Super Eagles had
reached a height too far off. Growing into the game, the likes of Mahrez and
Bentaleb punched the buttons in midfield with greater urgency, forcing the
hosts into their defensive shield. Midfielder, Nabil Bentaleb grabbed a goal
back, a jaw-dropping strike from all of 30 yards, that left Nigerian goalkeeper
Daniel Akpeyi— deputizing for the injured Carl Ikeme—with no chance.
Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb scored an absolute screamer from 30 yards to haul his side back into the game. It proved a mere consolation however, as they were soundly beaten 3-1
Game on.
Sensing the fragile nature of Nigeria's back-line, the foxes came snarling back.
But having been granted their spot in the sunlight, the Eagles were not to
relinquish it without putting up a fight. Bodies were put on the line, socks
worked off, with the experience of key men Mikel Obi, and Ogenyi Onazi helping
to steady the ship. And with seconds left on the clock, the Algerians lost the
ball in their attacking third. The Nigerians broke away. Two, three passes. It
was five against three. Committing so many men forward in search of the
equalizer that never came, the Algerians were left shorthanded at the back.
Ahmed Musa, wide right, squared to Victor Moses. The result? A rifled finish
inside the near post. Like the biblical Moses, Victor dragged the Super Eagles out of
the onslaught of the foxes. 3-1 it ended. With Cameroon and Zambia, playing out
a 1-1 draw in the group's other match, Nigeria is firmly in the driving seat on
the road to Russia 2018. Six points, four clear of second placed Cameroon. All
well and good. So what next?
This
is no time for complacency on the part of all and sundry. The pains of missing
out on the forthcoming Africa cup of Nations in January 2017, have been far too
excruciating. The Nigerian Football Federation ( NFF) would do well to avoid all
potential points of friction, via unpaid salaries and match bonuses. If
anything, Nigerian football when it seemed to be getting back on track, has
been let down by woeful leadership on the part of the administrators. Four
rounds of matches remain, and with the combined efforts of the team, coupled
with much needed support from the NFF, the only way is up.
For
now, hordes of Nigerian fans, head back home happy. Sound the bells, join the
party, the Super Eagles are soaring high again.
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