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Nigeria 1-0 Zambia: Observations of some Eagles

After a tough 1-0 victory over the Chipolopolo of Zambia, here my evaluation of the Super Eagles.

■ Ikechukwu Ezenwa had a decent game,his deliveries were good but he was surely giving possession away to Zambia trying to launch a counter attack with a static striker upfront.

He completely misjudged Alex Ngonga audacious long range effort that struck the post.

■ Elderson Echiejile: More or less the glaring weakness in the Starting XI , he was found in defensive midfield position on Saturday thereby allowing Augustine Mulenga put on a show, Leon Balogun had to cover Uwa times without number and it could be suicidal against smarter oppositions.

Ola Aina brought energy and pace during his 10 minutes cameo.

■ Shehu Abdullahi: Against all odds, the former Kano Pillars midfielder is becoming a beast on the right and was rightly rewarded with the Man of the match cash and Bags of Rice.

He was behind Musa Muhammed, Wilfred Ndidi,Kenneth Omeruo before and with performances in the last three matches, Tyronne Ebuehi(Who was secured with panic) and Ola Aina will be having a lot going through their minds.
■ Mikel Agu: With the name, a lot will be expected from him especially with the Talent in John Obi Mikel but was never in the resemblance of Mikel Arteta.

The injury to Onazi changed the game completely as Agu struggled to compliment Ndidi and also created defensive work for John Obi Mikel.

Midfielders are blessed with acute passing accuracy but positioning and mental alertness was not in his game as most passes caught him by Surprise.

Rohr was forced to invite John Ogu at the expense of Nosa Igiebor because many Nigerians felt that Ogu been named the best foreign player in Israel last year is better than Nosa who was also playing in Israel then.

Rohr must leave sentiments and give Ogu a chance.

Mikel Agu is not a National team material.



■ Victor Moses: He was in his true element but was always in the forest of legs as Zambia Coach instructed his boys to always close him down.

Moses held on to the ball too much few times and he could have done better by trying to set others up but he lacked support from Echiejile especially, he enjoyed Abdullahi and Aina because they gave him options by running behind him.

■ Odion Ighalo: The former Watford striker was just immobile, Ezenwa tried some long deliveries but Ighalo instead of positioning himself along the channels preferred to stick with taller Sunzu and Ziyo Tembo in central defence of Chipolopolo.

Two of three South Africa goals against Burkina Faso were launched by Kaizer Chiefs Custodian Itumeleng Khune for Percy Tau, Zwane and Vilakazi to take advantage

Jude murdered some attacking moves taking more unnecessary touches during hold-up plays and making the back tracking Zambians to retreat. Ideye and Kayode still stand a chance of making the team while Kelechi Iheanacho remains a plan B.

■ Alex Iwobi: He brought Arsenal into the match, playing Iwobi or Etebo on the wing is an avenue of having an extra midfielder to assist the trio of Onazi,Mikel Obi and Ndidi.

Mikel Agu situation is like mending ship on water ways.

The Goalkeeping position is also dicey with:

● Carl Ikeme

● Vincent Enyeama

● Dele Alampasu

● Dele Ajiboye(CHAN)

● Ikechukwu Ezenwa(CHAN)

● Another Goalkeeper(CHAN)

If Carl Ikeme complete recovery before World Cup and Vincent Enyeama was able to accept a call-up,Dele Alampasu might make the Mundial squad to understudy the two because of his younger age.

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