Nigeria's Super Eagles started the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on a promising note with a deserved win over the Chipolopolo of Zambia last weekend.
The victory which goes down history as first away win in two years did not go unnoticed by President Muhammadu Buhari who described it as a ‘first step in a long journey.’
The journey will take the Gernot Rohr-led team to a home and away matches against Cameroon and Algeria and a home leg against Zambia.
For such journey, here are 5 things Super Eagles coach must accord great importance:
1. Draw
The head-to-head rule is very important in World Cup qualification rounds. Either home or away, the impact of draws on a team’s success is huge and sometimes it cost a nation ticket to important tournaments. One of such experiences where the Super Eagles has been denied a ticket due to a drawn match is the 2016 world cup qualifiers. Nigeria and Angola finished the group on 21 points each, Nigeria having the advantage of 14 goal difference against Angola’s 6. In the end Angola qualified due to a draw played on Nigeria’s home soil.
2. Early jubilation
The German coach should avoid early jubilation and prediction. In a post-match conference Rohr, said that 11 points before Algerian second leg match will be enough for Nigeria to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 11 points? This may be wrong mathematically but whichever way one views it, Rohr should avoid unnecessary self-aggrandizement and prediction.
3. Proper preparation
The coach has been steadfast on this. He started preparation for the next match right after the Zambia win. In his interview with Guardian, he noted that the eagles will need at least a week training in order to prepare well for Algeria first leg match to hold in Uyo next month. The coach can go further to enact strict rules for players who resume camp late.
4. Strong defence
A major problem faced by Gernot Rohr is how he will sort his defence out ahead of the next game. The Algerian team are swift and needs a good defence line to maintain a constant a caution. Kenneth Omeruo is still susceptible to costly errors as seen in the game against Zambia. The Eagles coach needs to find a reliable centre-back. But thankfully injured Leon Balogun should be fully fit for the game against Algeria in Uyo on the 12th of November.
5. Ikeme is good enough
The unsung hero of the Zambia match is the team goal keeper Carl Ikeme. Shortly after his appointment, Gernot Rohr spoke on considering a comeback for Vincent Enyeama. However with such performance from Ikeme, Rohr should stop looking elsewhere and believe in his ‘man.’
The victory which goes down history as first away win in two years did not go unnoticed by President Muhammadu Buhari who described it as a ‘first step in a long journey.’
The journey will take the Gernot Rohr-led team to a home and away matches against Cameroon and Algeria and a home leg against Zambia.
For such journey, here are 5 things Super Eagles coach must accord great importance:
1. Draw
The head-to-head rule is very important in World Cup qualification rounds. Either home or away, the impact of draws on a team’s success is huge and sometimes it cost a nation ticket to important tournaments. One of such experiences where the Super Eagles has been denied a ticket due to a drawn match is the 2016 world cup qualifiers. Nigeria and Angola finished the group on 21 points each, Nigeria having the advantage of 14 goal difference against Angola’s 6. In the end Angola qualified due to a draw played on Nigeria’s home soil.
2. Early jubilation
The German coach should avoid early jubilation and prediction. In a post-match conference Rohr, said that 11 points before Algerian second leg match will be enough for Nigeria to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 11 points? This may be wrong mathematically but whichever way one views it, Rohr should avoid unnecessary self-aggrandizement and prediction.
3. Proper preparation
The coach has been steadfast on this. He started preparation for the next match right after the Zambia win. In his interview with Guardian, he noted that the eagles will need at least a week training in order to prepare well for Algeria first leg match to hold in Uyo next month. The coach can go further to enact strict rules for players who resume camp late.
4. Strong defence
A major problem faced by Gernot Rohr is how he will sort his defence out ahead of the next game. The Algerian team are swift and needs a good defence line to maintain a constant a caution. Kenneth Omeruo is still susceptible to costly errors as seen in the game against Zambia. The Eagles coach needs to find a reliable centre-back. But thankfully injured Leon Balogun should be fully fit for the game against Algeria in Uyo on the 12th of November.
5. Ikeme is good enough
The unsung hero of the Zambia match is the team goal keeper Carl Ikeme. Shortly after his appointment, Gernot Rohr spoke on considering a comeback for Vincent Enyeama. However with such performance from Ikeme, Rohr should stop looking elsewhere and believe in his ‘man.’