TheCable

The Super Eagles on Nigeria earned a 1-0 win over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the “Battle of the Eagles”, Odion Ighalo once again showing his predatory instinct with the solitary goal to deliver the usual Bronze for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles were again dangerous but less efficient in attack, wasting several good openings to kill off the Tunisians.

The defence was, however, a major problem for Nigeria in this tournament with players lacking concentration at key moments and sometimes looking at each other like strange bedfellows, unable to extract the right connection. But things proved different here, there was a refreshing leap in the step of the defenders even though it came after the big prize had been lost.

Was it the return of former first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, between the sticks? Or the lack of pressure in a losers’ final? Perhaps it was the resignation to fate that it could not be? Something happened to the Super Eagles’ backline that was absent since their first AFCON encounter against Burundi.

Communication was top notch throughout this encounter at the back as the jitters of the past five games simply vanished. Connectivity was near faultless in central defence while the full-backs pushed upfield, Jamilu Collins delivered the dangerous cross which led to the goal while Ola Aina danced around defenders with marauding runs from deep in his favourite right-back position.

This could have been the preferred set-up coming into the tournament but Gernot Rohr and his technical crew saw things differently, especially in the goalkeeping department: safety first.

Daniel Akpeyi, a regular in his club, was preferred over Uzoho who made mistakes in friendlies leading up to the tournament. Cyprus-based Uzoho did not inspire with his poor club record either, appearing only thrice — and receiving a red card — during his six-month stint at Anorthosis Famagusta.

Therefore, while Akpeyi was busy making saves in South Africa’s PSL, Uzoho was busy warming the bench or conceding goals- six goals in three games- and entering the black book, the technical crew could feel justified making 26-year-old Akpeyi the first choice in Egypt.

However, all goalkeepers have their clangers but their ability to rise mentally, especially with the coaches trust is a pivotal point.

Under-17 World Cup winner Uzoho, who was touted the long-term first-choice goalkeeper by Gernot Rohr at the 2018 World Cup handled himself well in his solitary AFCON appearance and the defence was the better for it.

The understanding between himself and the duo of Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong was impressive all night. The defenders- and other players- were happy to seek him out regularly and also leave balls for him even with danger lurking.

These were not the case with Akpeyi, as defenders cleared at the earliest opportunity and players unsure of their course of action on set-pieces due to the Kaizer Chiefs’ goalie jittery nature even though he made some superb saves.

The nation had barely gotten her mind off Vincent Enyeama’s absence and we are where we started: the search for a constant, inspiring and determined presence between the sticks.

Rohr and his assistants would need to solve this conundrum as the World Cup 2022 qualifiers roll into town in the coming months.

Notable mentions:

Odion Ighalo

All hail the king of goals. Seven goals in AFCON qualifiers won him the top marksman. Another five in the tournament proper and he looks likely to pick the Golden Boot award, barring two or more goals from Senegal’s Saido Mane. King-in-waiting.

John Obi Mikel

Goodbye to the captain. It could have been better, he could have been better in Egypt but after playing 88 games and scoring six goals, he has proved himself a legend of the Super Eagles.

Samuel Chukwueze

A new king is born. However, the Villareal FC winger would need to add a final product to his dribbling prowess. A change in position to a number 10, perhaps?

Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo

Both powerhouses in midfield eventually ran themselves into the ground and out of steam. Kudos to these patriots.