More Insight Into The Super Eagles' Team Set-Up

5 Games Undefeated With Convincing Victories - More Insights Into The Super Eagles Team Set-Up

 

Ola Aina will now have to sweat harder to stake a starting 11 and win that right back from Osayi-Samuel who has refused to make the shirt available to anyone going forward. Against a higher rated Algeria, his gallantry recorded intimidating statistics- One crucial block, Two clearances, Six recoveries and won Seven duels, while also making several attacking runs that repeatedly unsettled the Algerian defence. Bright played like he had an in-built metronome that helped him perfectly time his defensive and offensive duties as both were flawless every single time. He left no room for his primary assignment to be compromised, and sometimes appeared at the left back to help the duo of Bassey and Bruno. He must have been responsible for 3 of the yellow cards the Algerians got on the night.

 

Raphael Onyedika showed so much solidity and maturity in the few minutes he was on the field, slotting in perfectly into that role like fish in water. The smooth operator will be one reason we wont miss Captain Wilfred Ndidi who has been a rock protecting our back four.

 

Bruno Onyeamachi will be the core reason Zaidu Sanusi may no longer kick a ball in this tournament. With a remarkable improvement, he has fine-tuned his game with every given opportunity, earning the coach’s confidence. Worthy of note is his final third balls which were not so pleasing at the beginning of the tournament but has now been refined into one that gave an assist for Osimhen’s opener versus Algeria. Bruno’s defensive skills, now combined with attacking prowess, coated with pinpoint crosses for the strikers ae nothing short of pleasing to the eyes.

 

Everyone has really improved, including Osimhen with the offside trap. He has perfected the right time to make runs. Not a single offside call against him today.

 

Conductor of the Orchestra, Alex Iwobi is the Brain Box of this team 100% – unplayable, unassailable, and unbenchable. His pass to Bruno Onyemaechi led to the team's opening goal, while the pass to Victor Osimhen for Akor Adams' goal also came from the king of pre-assists. He has not only mastered the art of assists and pre-assists, but he has also improved defensively and in intercepting potential build-ups in the middle. The midfield emperor has now completed a mind blowing 46 through balls at the tournament, more than double the tally of any other Super Eagles player which speaks to his command of the midfield.

 

Onyeka’s word is law in that midfield, he is the soul of the dominant play we can boast about today. His perfect understanding and execution of the box-to-box role has helped Iwobi and Ndidi thrive effortlessly as an enviable trio. Brilliant tackles, vibrant play link up, wining duels in “no gree for anybody” fashion - this Industry Machine is the real clearing and forwarding Marshall.

 

Victor “The Menace” Osimhen played like a Man on a mission and was deservedly crowned the MVP against Algeria. Big energy, intensity, neck-pressing, and tireless teamwork ensured he made good use of every ball.

His efforts produced Nigeria's opener with a beautiful header before assisting Adams for the second.

 

 

Monsieur Chelle has shown workings in all sincerity, igniting the fire we all waited for years to seeing the in Men’s National Team. Against all odds and gang ups he has cleaned up most of mess he met, coordinated the team excellently well, and given the team an IDENTITY!!!

Gone are those days we only managed to pick a handful of outstanding players, rather, these days, you are almost tempted to put up all 10 outfield players up for Star of the Game. Talk about the depth of this team which ensures we have an equally solid second XI team that can give any opponent a run for their money, then appreciate this tactician for a job well-done.

This is the Super Eagles identity many of us have missed. Thank you, Coach Eric Sekou Chelle.”