Tunisia once again stands between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and a place in the World Cup Finals. I suppose that would be simplifying matters a little bit – after all, the Eagles do have to play both Kenya and Mozambique as well before the Group’s sole ticket is decided later this year.
But it’s the Tunisians who have emerged – as expected – as the team we’ll have to better to win a place in South Africa next year. We’ve been down this road before of course – and the memories are from sweet. In 1977, a Godwin Odiye own goal gave the Tunisians a most painful victory in Lagos, and cost the Eagles a place at the Argentina 78 finals. Then, 8 years later, the Tunisans again triumphed, 2-1 on aggregate, to end Nigeria’s dreams of reaching Mexico 86.
This weekend’s clash in Rades could well be the make or break tie of these series. The Tunisians lead the group with 6 points, while the Eagles, on account of that goalless draw in Mozambique, trail them by two points. Nigeria need to avoid defeat to stay in touch – they have to assume that Kenya and Mozambique won’t be doing them any favours – while a win either way will put the victors firmly in the driver’s seat.
So, this is definitely not a must-win for Shaibu Amodu and his wards. If they draw here, that’ll come in the home tie in September, and that gives the much-criticised coach a little room in terms of tactical approach and game plan. I am not suggesting that the Eagles play for a draw – God knows that carries enormous risk – but while I certainly expect them to play for the win, they don’t have to throw all caution to the wind as though anything less than three points would spell disaster.
In two words: play smart. Leave the desperation to the Tunisians. Yes, they don’t have to win either, but they’ll have to attack in front of their home fans, and knowing that they still have to travel to Nigeria in the next round, they’ll be under pressure to get the business done as quickly as possible.
The bigger debate, of course, regards what kind of team Amodu will name. Should he stick with the youngsters who were so impressive in the 1-0 defeat of France three weeks ago, yet so disjointed even as they saw off Kenya in the last round? Or put in all the so-called “tired legs” that got them through the last round without defeat, but looked uninterested in Maputo last March?
How about a little bit of both? For me, the key word in any line-up is balance – both in terms of attack to defense and in terms of youth/energy to experience. Amodu clearly has to make some brave decisions, and it’s how brave he proves that will ultimately decide how well he does at international level.
Courage apart, here’s what else we’ll need to take something away from Rades:
First, he has to pick a side that is both experienced and able enough in defence to match what could be a relentless onslaught of Tunisian attack, at least early in the game. For me that would indicate a return of Joseph Yobo and Taiye Taiwo in defence, to support the impressive Niyi Adeleye.
Second, the Eagles have to be savvy and skilful enough to patiently keep possession for long periods and use the ball very very smartly, pretty much as they did for long stretches of the France game. I think that would call for a role of some sort for John Obi Mikel, who remains our best passer of the ball, as well as team captain Nwankwo Kanu, who sure knows how to play keep-ball and whose introduction against Kenya proved decisive.
Third, this team will have to have pace, mobility and aggression on the attacking end, since counter-attacks may well prove our best hope of grabbing what would be a truly crucial win. Here’s where the younger players must come to the fore. The injury enforced absence of Oba Martins and Aiyegbeni Yakubu as already forced Amodu’s hand somewhat, but I really think the trio of Osaze Odemwingie, Ike Uche and Victor Obinna have earned their place on merit, and – along with Chinedu Ogbuke - they embody the, smarts and finishing touch that the Eagles will need to see them through this group.
If I had to pick – and I obviously lack Amodu’s first hand knowledge of his players and any kind of coaching experience – our team for this match would look something like this:
(4-4-1-1) Enyeama; Odiah, Yobo, Adeleye, Taiwo; Odemwingie, Mikel, Olofinjana, Obinna; Kanu; Uche I
I’ll take a draw – but I’ll be most grateful for a win.
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