It is
different opinions really, while over 160 million Nigerians believe their
national team will go all the way through the group stage, right to the semi
finals and the finals of 2014 FIFA World cup in Brazil, many football analysts
predicts that the team may struggle badly and may likely to be ouster in the
group stage.
“Well, here
in Nigeria, we strongly believe in miracle, and we’ve actually seen our
national teams perform wonders in the past, but football analysts base their
opinions on facts.” Michael Asomugha
explained.
Nigeria is
currently placed 47th in the World FIFA rankings, lower than all its
opponents in group F – Argentina is ranked 3rd in the World; Bosnia
21 and Iran 42.
Moreover,
Super Eagles key players like Liverpool’s Victor Moses; Emmanuel Emernike;
Sunday Mba; Kenneth Omeruo… may have lost form since the team’s AFCON victory
in 2013. The African Champions without Moses and Emernike, looked so ordinary
at the last Confederations cup in Brazil. Perhaps, Nigeria needs ‘Another Moses’
to save them from the coming onslaught of their World cup opponents. But can
Moses divide the ‘red sea’ again?
Let me
preview Nigeria’s opponents, so that Super Eagles may begin to envisage the
best way to handle each match effectively. Nigeria will be playing Iran first,
then Bosnia and then Argentina as the last group match. (See fixtures below)
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Iranian
National Team
Iran may not
necessarily be called Asian power on the level of Japan, South Korea or
Australia, but certainly Coach Carlos Queiroz has greatly transformed the team
to booking a world cup place ahead of South Korea. Though, Iran had been in the
world cup 4 times.
The former
Real Madrid coach, Queiroz, took over Iranian team after he led Portugal in the
2012 World cup in South Africa. He has since
revitalized ‘Team Meli’ by calling up some players with dual citizenship such
as the Iranian-Dutch striker, Reza Ghoochannejhad of Standard Liege; former
German Youth International, Ashkan Deljagah… since then the Persian stars has
started to fire with all cylinders.
 |
| Coach Carlos Queiroz |
Key Strength of the Team: The tactical prowess of coach
Queiroz may be the major strength of the team, but team Meli is well organized
in the defense anchored by Jalal Hosseini, D.Perscopolis veteran center back
since 2007.
The defense
had only allowed 7 goals in 16 qualifying games. The team is very physical
playing a blend of European-Asian style. The team had only lost 4 games in 32
matches.
 |
| Captain Jared Nekounam |
Star Players: Captain Jared Nekounam of M.
Gsteghlalal FC, a former player of La liga side Osasuna, only came up short in
his chase for the AFC Player of the year Award in 2013. Then Reza
Ghoochannejhad of Standard Liege and Jalal Hosseini are the real stars of the
Iranian team.
Coach Queiroz Comments about Nigeria:
“Nigeria appears to be the weak link in the group and we must ensure to
take the first game in our stride to put our world cup campaign on the right
footing.”
My Verdict: Many Nigerian fans I spoke with also
think that Iran is the real chance Super Eagles has in group F. A defeat of the
Persian stars may give the Nigerian side the necessary motivation and
confidence to battle Bosnia and Argentina. But anything short of winning may
put Nigeria’s World cup Campaign in Jeopardy. Let me have your own opinion too.
Post a comment below.
