By Victor Okoye
Abuja – Football enthusiasts on Friday said the draw recorded by the Super Eagles against the Teranga Lions of Senegal was a fair result.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Super Eagles forced Senegal to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly game that was decided at the Hive Stadium in London on Thursday.
In spite of the Super Eagles’ dominance in the game, Moussa Sow’s second half goal would have condemned Nigeria to a defeat in London, but Kelechi Iheanacho’s penalty at the death saved the Eagles from a defeat.
Some enthusiasts, who spoke to NAN, noted that even though the Super Eagles put up an average performance on the night, the outcome of the game was fair.
Emmanuel Amakiri, the proprietor of Amakson Football Academy noted that some of the players performed below expectation because they were rusty.
He said Iheanacho’s lack of playing time affected his confidence in the game, but, however, said that all his mistakes were forgiven when he turned from villain to hero at the end.
“Lack of active playing time this season in the Premier League really affected Manchester City striker Iheanacho as he missed numerous chances which would have resulted to goals for the Super Eagles.
“He was the major culprit in this tie as he could not make use of all the chances that came his way, but thankfully he redeemed himself at the death scoring the equalising goal for Nigeria via a penalty.’’
Amakiri singled out Wilfred Ndidi as the key player for the Eagles, saying that the midfield was well marshaled by him.
“John Ogu also gave an average performance on replacing the injured Ogenyi Onazi early on in the game.
“I think Coach Gernot Rohr must, however, start looking for a more versatile defensive midfielder who will rise up to the occasion when it matters.
“In all, the result was fair, but could have been better,’’ he said.
Nduka Ugbade, an ex-international said, “we had a theoretically exciting attacking core, but neither Leicester’s Ahmed Musa nor Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi were in form.
“As for Iheanacho, he can barely get a game for Manchester City and it showed in his performance as he scuffed two glorious point-blank chances to score for the Eagles.
“I’m pretty sure that if Pep Guardiola was watching, this would not have impressed him.
“Iwobi was particularly poor, hooked on the hour after a performance notable far more for its errors than any incision in the number 10 role.
“Out of the Premier League contingent, only Ndidi showed himself in a good light,’’ he said.
Ugbade, however, noted that the team could not be judged by friendlies such as these, adding that it was an experimental side and it was good to see some new young blood injected into the squad.
“Kudos to Coach Rohr for putting together a team to play the second best team in Africa after they had a scintillating performance at AFCON.
“He showed strong technical prowess and made some tactical changes which turned the game on its head.
“But for Iheanacho’s point-blank howler, we would have won the game. At the end, I must say it was a well deserved draw,’’ he said.
Akintunde Bada, a renowned football pundit said the defence of the Super Eagles was a source of concern, especially the goalkeeping department.
“Frankly speaking, I think there is the need to get Vincent Enyeama back in there because we don’t have a keeper apart from Carl Ikeme.
“Akpeyi was so jittery and was responsible for the goal we conceded.
“Also, we still have problems with the right full back position.
“The midfield was intact with Ndidi the key man and Ogu did pretty well for me when he replaced Onazi early on in the game.
“Up front Kelechi was wasteful in the first half, Iwobi just couldn’t get going, Musa was full of running with poor final delivery, Simon was just okay.
“The entrance of Etebo and Success changed the game in our favour.
“In all, a draw was just a fair result to be honest,’’ he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT chapter, described the performance of the Super Eagles as average, adding that the absence of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses was felt in the game.
“The Super Eagles really missed their captain Mikel Obi in this encounter as he would have been of great help in the Nigeria’s midfield, which lack coordination and allowed the Senegalese to penetrate’’.
NAN reports that Mikel opted out of the game due to the new football League season which just began in the Chinese Super League where he currently plays his trade.
“Chelsea striker Victor Moses would also have been of great help to the team, but for the injury which he picked up while playing for his club.
“Considering his sparkling form this season for the Blues, Moses would have made use of all the chances missed by Iheanacho.
“Also, the injury sustained by our defensive midfielder Ogenyi Onazi was disastrous for the Super Eagles as he was replaced by John Ogu who failed to create a major impact in the encounter.
Bamigboye, however, showered praises on Coach Gernot Rohr for making good use of the players at his disposal and preserving his unbeaten run.
“Credit must be given to the Coach for his reaction after the Eagles’ went a goal down.
“He responded by making three swift substitutions as the trio of Isaac Success, Etebo Oghenekaro and Kayode Olarenwaju came in for Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa to further add bite to the Eagles attack.
“Indeed, the fresh legs caused series of problems for the back line of the Teranga lions as the pressure soon led to a penalty that was coolly converted by Iheanacho which helped preserved Rohr’s unbeaten run,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that the draw is the Super Eagles first under the tactician, who has so far won three competitive games against Tanzania, Zambia and Algeria before this friendly in London.
The Super Eagles will next take on Burkina Faso on Monday at the same venue.