Green Eagles: A colossus with feet of clay

On paper, Nigeria is scary but on the field, we can doubt the real strength of this team. Their coach continues to raise the morale of his boys by prophesying loud and clear that Nigeria will win the CAN on Ivorian soil. While Liverpool and Chelsea are at war over Victor Osimhen, in Nigeria some specialists have started to question the real value of their team. Can the Green Eagles win this competition? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this team?

Let's take the Football Calendar of this team for the past year 2022. Out of 9 matches played in all competitions, Nigeria won only 1 against Mozambique with a score of 3-2. The team recorded 3 draws and lost 5 matches in a row. Of the 5 matches lost, the attack only scored 2 goals. Nigeria is unproductive in attack with one of the best scorers in Calcio, and African Ballon d'Or: Victor Osimhen. Some will say that the two playing systems are different, while others will blame the lack of good balls in the penalty area . Of the 5 matches lost in a row, only one was against an African country, Algeria (2-1), the rest of the matches against countries with an advanced level of football (Saudi Arabia-Mexico, Ecuador , Costa Rica, and Portugal).

The last two matches, relating to qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, ended in draws: 1-1 against Lesotho and 1-1 against Zimbabwe. To access the next phases of qualification, the Green Eagles will have to occupy at least first or second place. Currently, the team is in third place.

The strenght of the Nigerian selection.

The strength of the Nigerian selection undoubtedly lies in the game without the ball and the goal instinct of its center forward, Victor Osimhen. This argument must be taken with reservation as Victor has not truly demonstrated these qualities with the national team. The Ivorian Coash Gasset, shouldtell his defense to watch over Kelechi Iheanacho, the Leicester City striker. He is the Green Eagles' second scorer after Victor. He could make the difference at the finish if he applies himself in front of the Ivorian goalkeeper's pole. He actually receives more dangerous balls per match (7.69) in the penalty area than his friend Victor (6.93)

The Weakness of the Selection

The worry of Nigeria is the one who keeps his poles: Francis Uzoho, who took some really easy goals. In his not too eloquent record, we remember this 35-meter strike from a Zimbabwean attacker who finished without too much difficulty in the Nigerian team's net. Despite public calls to remove Uzoho from the poles, the nigerian coach remains convinced that his “goalie” is the best.

This Nigerian team is takeable if its opponents apply the right strategy, among other things, putting pressure on the defenders. preventing them from building from back Another tactic would be to overwhelm the midfield by applying a 4-3-3.

In terms of individuals, any team will have to pay attention to Victor Osimhen's off-the-ball play which indirectly can create goal-scoring opportunities for the other attackers.The last two matches, relating to qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, ended in draws: 1-1 against Lesotho and 1-1 against Zimbabwe. To access the next phases of qualification, the Green Eagles will have to occupy at least first or second place. Currently, the team is in third place.

Francis Konan, graduate in game analysis, Soccer option, SoccerHub (Prof and FIFA instructor, Jorge Castillo)