AFCON: ‘Decide on Super Eagles’ preferred tactical formation'
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/03/afcon-decide-on-super-eagles-preferred.html
Waidi Akanni, an ex-international, has advised the Super Eagles
Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, to decide on what tactical formation
best suits the team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr |
Akanni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that a notable
style of play was needed in order for the team to perform well at the
AFCON tournament.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles beat the Pirates of Seychelles on
Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba in their final
qualification match for the 2019 AFCON.
“The coach has to show us his formation. In all what he has been
doing, I honestly have not seen the formation he is playing. We have to
have a formation.
“We should have a recognisable style of play. If we don’t have a
style of play going to the Nations Cup proper in Egypt, it will be very
difficult for the Super Eagles when they meet tougher opponents,” the
former Super Eagles defender said.
Akanni said with the calibre of players at Rohr’s disposal, he should by now be known for a particular style of play.
“He needs a good combination of players. The coach needs to let us know if he is playing 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 3-5-2.
“We now know the core of players available to him. We should therefore know his tactical formation based on the players we have.
“Rohr has to show us that he has a style of play, which, for now I can’t see in the team,” he said.
The Super Eagles ended the qualifiers as Group E leaders with 13 points, having won four games, lost one and drawn one.
A first half penalty kick by Odion Ighalo and two second half goals
from Henry Onyekuru and Moses Simon gave Nigeria a routine 3-1 victory
over Seychelles on Friday.
The victory cemented the Super Eagles’ top-place finish from their
group, having already qualified for the continental showpiece slated for
June in Egypt.
However, Akanni was not so impressed with the performance of the national team, especially in the first half.
“It was an average game by all standards. The first half was below
par, but the Super Eagles brought some momentum into the game in the
second half.
“More important was the fact that they were able to find a way to
score those two goals in the second half. Football is a game of goals
and a team can only be taken seriously when they score goals.
“So, it was okay that they got three goals,” he said.
Rohr had invited some new players for the Seychelles match, including
former Flying Eagles defender Valentine Ozonwafor, former FIFA U-17
World Cup winner Victor Osimhen and Denmark-based forward Paul Onuachu.
Akanni said although the new players have to be gradually integrated
into the senior national team, the coach should have handed them a start
against Seychelles.
“I would have expected the coach to start the new players by resting
Ighalo, Etebo, Ndidi and some of the other familiar players in his
starting line-up.
“But, somehow, I understand that he wanted to win the game first. So, he didn’t want to take too much risk.
“The fact is that when you want to test new players, especially in a
game of little significance like this, you have to give them good game
time.
“I believe Rohr should have taken the risk of starting many of the
new guys,” the former Lagos State Football Association chairman said.
The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
NAN