The Super Eagles put
four goals past their Libyan counterparts, in a 2019 African Nations
cup qualifier played in Uyo. Odion Ighalo scored the first from the penalty
spot in the fourth minute of play. Two quickfire second half goals put the Eagles
firmly in the driving seat, with Samuel Kalu adding a beautiful fourth late on.
Here, Econsport dissects the major talking points ahead of the second leg in
Tunisia.
Jamiu Collins shines IN DEFENCE
It's
still early days, but Jamiu Collins had a solid debut at left-back for the
Super Eagles. With erstwhile first choice Elderson Echiejile experiencing
dwindling fortunes in recent seasons, and stand-in Bryan Idowu doing little to
ease concerns, the number 3 slot is very much up for grabs. Collins, who plays
for Paderborn FC in the German Bundesliga 2, was solid at the back, and
enterprising going forward. Dovetailing nicely with Alex Iwobi. One of such
forward forays came close to yielding a second, only for his chipped shot to
come back off the bar. Another solid outing against the Libyans in the return
leg on Tuesday would go a long way in him becoming a mainstay in Rohr's side.
MIDFIELD
CRYING OUT FOR A CONTROLLER
The
scoreline would suggest the Libyans were played out of the park, but it was far
from the story. The North Africans dictated play-even after going a goal down
in the fourth minute. For much of the first half, play was mainly in the eagles
half as the midfield regularly turned over possession to their opponents. A
major cause was the disconnect between the three man midfield and attack,
leading to long balls being played over the top, or Iwobi having to drop deep.
A pattern which continued in the early stages of the second half. Etebo's
energy is mind blowing, but he is no ball-playing midfielder. Ndidi, a tough
tackler he is, a Mikel or Okocha he is not. With tougher tests ahead, the lack
of a ball-playing deep lying midfielder might be exploited against better
sides. Can Kelechi Nwakali be the answer?
Samuel
kalu NEEDS TO BE EASED IN
A stunning goal, yes, a stunning
display, not at all. Kalu's afternoon was a mixed bag really. The left flank still remains a tough nut to crack for
Gernot Rohr..Gone are the days of John Utaka tearing down the wings. The
emergence of Samuel Kalu raised hoped that a solution might have been found .
Though raw, his direct running style, pace and dribbling ability can cause
problems for any defender, on his day. Against libya however, he was largely
subdued. The left flank was a major attacking outlet for the Eagles during the
game, but the Bordeaux man's decision making and final ball were found wanting.
A silky interchange and turn with Iwobi in the 60th minute presented a chance
to pick his spot from the edge of the area. The weak straight shot that
followed was emblematic of a player not yet in sync. On other occasions, he
went for glory with teammates better placed. A fine goal in the 90th minute- a
brilliant curler into the bottom left corner- would boost his confidence ahead
of the return leg.
Classic Alex BRINGS X-FACTOR
Few
have benefited from Unai Emery's appointment as Arsenal manager than Alex
Iwobi. The fleet footed attacking midfielder has found a new lease of life. At
the Godswill Akpabio stadium on Saturday, he was superb. Occupying the space
between midfield and attack, he was the Eagles creative outlet. Watching him on
his day is akin to theatre. Always seemed to be ahead of play. Like he has some
kind of remote to rewind, pause or fast-forward play. One of such ingenious
thinking released Jamiu Collins on the counter in the first half. The bar
coming to the Libyans rescue. Iwobi's
eye of the needle pass that put Odion Ighalo through on goal for the second was
sublime technique, at a time when the Libyans seemed to have their tails up.
The 22 year old was simply immense. A pass to release Musa, and a first time cross
from the winger to feed Ighalo led to a third in the 68th minute. Out of
possession he led the pressing from the front. Hustling and harrying the
opposition. He is really coming on in leaps and bounds. Consistency is the next
step needed in raising his game to the next level.
A lesson in ruthlessness.
Up until
the second goal, this match was firmly in the balance. The Libyans dominated the
ball, their movement off it causing problems for the Super Eagles. Indeed at half-time,
the North Africans had over two-thirds of the ball. Goals,
they say, change games. The second took
the wind out of the Libyan's sails, as the Super Eagles went for the kill. A bit
of calm was restored. Back came the smooth interchanges, passes being zipped round
the pitch, touch-and-go football, just what the fans want to see."Ayes,
ayes, ayes", came the chants from the crowd. Cheering every flick, trick
and pass. The sight of defender, Leon Balogun touching
the ball over the head of a Libyan attacker was confidence at its peak. A
third soon followed and the icing on the cake in Kalu's fourth. The Super
Eagles' clinical display showed up their opponent's lack of cutting edge. The
Eagles lured the Libyans out, and in a split second, launched a sucker punch.
Their opponents, clearly dazed, just couldn't respond. Ruthlessness at its
best.
HAT TRICK IGHALO STILL HAS TO
IMPROVE
How often do we see a striker,
having scored an hat trick, have concerns raised as to his all round display?
Enter Odion Ighalo. The number nine showcased the good and bad facets of his
game. With the Super Eagles struggling to get a hold on sustained possession,
they resorted to balls over the top. One of such long raking passes put Ighalo through in the ninth minute. With the
goalkeeper way out of his line, a perfectly executed chip would have had the
net ripple with joy. A poor touch however epitomized his recent struggles in
front of goal in Nigerian colours, on the back of a dismal world cup in Russia.
A good cross in the early stages of the second half in his direction was also
laid to waste. Kudos to him though, as he kept on going, grabbing his hat trick
with two second half goals. While his hold up play is one positive, his
movement off the ball, and ability to stretch defences, has to be much better. With
the fierce competition upfront, he can ill afford to rest on his oars.
The
Super Eagles travel to Tunisia for the second leg on Tuesday, and will seek to
consolidate their position in the group. Especially, with South Africa, who
spanked Seychelles 6 nil, in imperious
form and currently topping the group. Coach, Gernot Rohr can count on many of
his stars however for an improved showing. With his defence looking watertight,
goalkeeper Frank Uzoho- whose reflex save in the twelfth minute preserved the
lead- looking assured in between the sticks, and the creative spark of Iwobi,
the team is on the right track. However, complacency should be avoided, and gaping
loopholes plugged.
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