Injuries have been very unkind to key Nigerian and Argentine players ahead of the November 14 clash in Russia. It has taken the spark out of the game, with key players such as Lionel Messi and John Mikel Obi, waiting for the Mundial for a likely showdown. Messi’s absence isn’t because of injuries. Messi is out of the game in partial fulfilment of his contractual obligations to his European club, Barcelona FC of Spain. Barca’s coach wants Messi to rest for the daunting European tasks. Will you blame the coach? He who pays the piper calls the tunes. A sigh of relief for Mikel, but it won’t be an easy game, considering the presence of Di Maria, Aguero et al in the Argentine side. Di Maria’s goal cost Nigeria the gold medal in the final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Both countries want the game, going by the stories that the Argentines rejected offers from Ukraine and Azeberjian that are better placed on FIFA ranking than Nigeria. Nigeria got the Argentines’ nod because of our players’ exploits with their European clubs. Besides, the Argentines have had remarkable experience playing against Nigeria, especially this golden generation of players in Argentina. The Argentines still point at Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over them at the Atlanta’96 Olympic Games as one of their saddest moments. Will you blame them? We had such great players as Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Uche Okechukwu et al.
On November 14, the Argentines won’t be seeing Samson Siasia on the bench. Siasia has lost thrice to the Argentines. He got his pound of flesh against them in Nigeria with a 4-1 whiplash at the National Stadium in Abuja.
The November 14 encounter best suits Nigeria because we have been crippled by injuries to key players, such as Ogenyi Onazi, Simon Moses, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses and recuperating goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. This setting has made it mandatory for Coach Gernot Rohr to field new players who have been warming the bench when the big boys held forte.
Eagles’ biggest test for Rohr will be goalkeeping where I expect the manager to field the two goalkeepers at the appropriate time in the game for them to prove their mettle. Perhaps field one goalkeeper per half. Most pundits believe that one of the weakest points in the Eagles is in goalkeeping. They want Vincent Enyeama back. A good choice if he is fit, irrespective of fears of leadership tussle between Eneyama and Mikel.
Rohr will try Mikel, Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi in the midfield. Etebo and Iwobi will be replacing Simon Moses and Onazi, who are injured. The Argentines have a galaxy of intelligent midfielders, such as Di Maria. The Argentines have very fast strikers, who have been scoring goals for their European clubs. One is excited that Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun are fit. It will be nice to see how they battle it out with the sleek Argentine side.
Rohr should know that the Argentines are not formidable at the rear, which explains why their coach is ruing the absence of Manchester City defender Otemandi. Unfortunately, Nigeria will be missing Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and Moses Simon in the attacking section. Perhaps, Iwobi and Iheanacho can trouble the Argies.
Feelers from Russia suggest that the weather is at near freezing point, but that shouldn’t trouble our players who play in Europe and are used to such unsavoury weather conditions. This is the first reward for the players with this game in Russia. I hope that NFF chiefs will seize this trip to scout for training grounds, camping centres and hotels where they hope to keep the team next year.
Based on FIFA ranking, Nigeria shouldn’t beat Argentina. But it is a different game with shocking results, where ‘’minnows’’ upset the big boys. A win for Nigeria will boost the players’ confidence. It will throw up new options for Rohr to plot his World Cup strategies. Victory for the Eagles will increase the competition level for first team shirts.
Nigeria appears to be a team of 11 players. Only Grade A matches, such as the one against as the Argentines, can push our boys to give their best as the world waits for the fixtures on the Russia 2018 World Cup to be drawn on December 2.
I hope NFF chieftains can organise more top grade games for the Eagles before the Mundial to help the coaches blend the players properly. NFF’s men must ensure that the Eagles play a send-off game in Nigeria before the World Cup to give Nigerians the chance of seeing their ambassadors to the Mundial against a big football nation – Brazil, Germany and Spain. Interestingly, Rohr has pleaded with NFF chiefs to get a send off game for the Eagles in Nigeria. that is how it is done. Other climes renowned for soccer always get their teams to play the last preparatory game at home. Such games precede a buffet later at night with the head of government of such coun tries. The reception will further strengthen the players’ resolve to do well at the Mundial.
Indeed, when countries head for the World Cup, they do so with great ceremony. It is always a spectacle to behold countries with national airlines land in World Cup venues with the airplanes emblazoned with these countries’ flags and colours. When will Nigeria join the party of countries which celebrate their arrival at big sporting event now that we seem to have found the key to qualifying for the World Cup?
It is always shameful seeing Nigeria’s delegation arrive in competition venues in batches. Our administrators like it because it hides their ineptitude. But the message is sent when our big stars are part of such batches. Our stars’ arrivals are always captured in lousy dressings unlike their contemporaries who arrive in neatly cut designer suits in one delegation.
2018 marks Nigeria’s sixth appearance at the Mundial. Are we arriving in Russia in batches? Will the Eagles be wearing all manner of apparels as if they are going to the beach? What has happened to our national dresses which show who we are? We seem to be destined to arrive in Russia in foreign airlines, but we can still get attention if our players deck our national attires. When will Nigeria have a national carrier? That is discussion for another day.
Thank you Emenalo
Michael Emenalo has quit Chelsea honourably, with the owner Roman Abramovich and board members acknowledging his laudable contributions towards lifting the club to new heights after 10 years.
Emenalo came with Avran Grant, a former coach of Chelsea. He remained after Grant left, working behind the scene to recruit the right players and give the owner quality advice which have made Chelsea the brand that it is today.
In his 10 years at Chelsea, Emenalo fought battles with new managers, who wanted to annexe his behind the scene jobs to their coaching assignment. He won all the battles, twice against the Special One Jose Mourinho. The owner stood by Emenalo, who earned his trust and confidence. With Emenalo’s help, Chelsea have won the Premier League title three times, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League while he has been at the club.
Stories from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last week suggested a rift between Coach Antonio Conte and David Luiz. Emenalo’s exit is said to be a fallout of the rift. Emenalo has left Chelsea with dignity, not trying to destroy what he built simply because Conte wants to do his job. It is quite cheery that Chelsea’s owner has acknowledged this quality in Emenalo with this statement on his exit.
The statement states: ‘’ It is with regret that the owner and board of directors accepted Michael’s resignation this week. He has had a tremendous impact on the club over the past 10 years and this is evident in everything we have achieved. We are sorry to see him go but understand his desire to move on and explore new challenges.’’
Emenalo told the media in London that: ‘’ After 10 years here, 10 wonderful successful years, but very demanding years, it is a very difficult thing to decide to step aside. It is entirely my decision and it has come about for very simple reasons. I need an opportunity to get to see my young kids grow and also to step back and reflect on the work that I have done here and the things that we have been able to accomplish together in this great club.
‘’It is something I have been thinking about for quite some time now and it is something I have discussed with my family and they understand the reasons and timing for wanting to step aside,’’ Emenalo.
Thank you Emenalo.
