For the first time Gernot Rohr will have a real opportunity to build his team. The Premier League ends on May 21 and the Nigeria Super Eagles camp open on May 28...then most European leagues would have being on holiday.
There may be little or no holiday for players invited to Nigeria national team Camp ahead of AFCON qualifier against South Africa in June and the two legged games against current African Champions - Cameroon, in a world cup qualifiers... August and September. First leg will be played in Cameroon in August and Second leg in Nigeria in September.
Over the years, the strength of the Super Eagles has always been in the attack. We' ve found Nigeria raising incredible attacking players, many of them though, having challenges with winning the ball or controlling the midfield or as well organizing a turgid defence.
But in modern football, experts say games are won from the midfield. A team that has a dynamic midfield players that can easily support the attack and the defence are most likely to control and dominate most games they play..
With the current make up of Nigerian players doing well at this time, we could improve the strength of Super Eagles more from the midfield. Having dynamic midfielders like Wilfred Ndidi, Etebo Ogenekaro, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Moses Simon who can both attack and defend very well; Rohr have a real chance to build a more formidable team for Nigeria.
Rohr should find a way to blend these players mentioned above and get most of them playing at the same time in the first eleven. I know experts say matches are won from the bench... Of course, these are not only the good players, but I think Super Eagles has an urgent need to stabilize both its midfield and defence... and now is the time.
In my own opinion, I think some of these central midfielders should be drafted to solidify the Super Eagles defence line. Sincerely, we urgently need left half back to support Elderson Echejine in that position.
Coming upfront, I think Super Eagles still have some decent attackers, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Isaac Success, Fanendo Adi, Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Odion Oghalo... Nigeria can still hold its own in goal scoring.
As it is now at goalkeeping position we still need the experience of Vincent Enyeama... Of course, Ikeme and Ikpeyi have not been doing badly at the national team level. But if players like Gianluca Buffon still man the goal post as Italy first choice goalkeeper, I don' t see why we can't convince Enyeama to return to the Eagles camp, no matter what happened in the past... Nigeria is still his father land.
Once again, I think we have the players and, if Rohr can get it right in Super Eagles tactical play, no team in Africa... not even South Africa or Cameroon will be able to withstand Nigeria in the following months.
One thing going for the Super Eagles now is the team spirit...and I hope that will drive the players to arrive in camp early and remain although the training period without breaking out for holiday or starting off unnecessary rancor with our football administrators.
