A desperate Nigerian team played against a deep-lying Sudanese team that was more interested in wasting time and then switched to trying to frustrate the Super Eagles. The looks on Stephen Keshi’s face during the game was more like one of a concerned coach rather than a non-challant one taking into consideration the statement he made about the countries that’ll snap him up in a second should the Nigerian Football Authourity sack him.
The Super Eagles, knowing what was at stake started the game at a frenzied pace, throwing all they had at their opponents but leaving those “little spaces” at the back, giving the Sudanese team the opportunity to hit them on the counter. Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was playing where. Musa was everywhere, Mikel roamed forward, Aaron Samuel and his towering body was always seen in front, Obabona took his chances with a few runs into the opposition’s half too. That’s how desperate they were for a win. In the first half, they were less than clinical and failed to take their chances but as expected, they came out guns blazing in the second half, shooting, passing, crossing in, running at their opponents and more.
Mikel’s almost constant presence around the Sudanese 18-yard box paid off as he lost two of his opponents before sliding a pass through to Musa who wrong-footed the goalie and put Nigeria a goal up.
If you’re a true Nigerian and you know how the Super Eagles play, you’ll almost know what’s coming when the Super Eagles score first. They switched to “relaxed mode”, showing off their flicks and tricks to the cheering of the home fans. Then, as in the first leg, they got caught offguard. A free-kick was conceded. It was taken quickly. There was a burst on the left flank, a cross-in and a goal. It was that fast and simple. The whole stadium fell quiet while the Sudanese coach jumped playfully in celebration of his team’s goal.
Kick off and the Nigerian onslaught continued again for the umpteenth time. The Super Eagles seemed to not lose steam, knowing that it was a break-or-make match for them. Win and keep hope of defending the title in Morocco alive. Draw or lose and you’re out. They kept asking questions of the Sudanese goalkeeper. First it was a stinging shot from Emenike’s right foot which he parried away. Then another save by the near-post but he couldn’t stop Aaron Samuel from getting his debut goal and Ahmed Musa from getting a second to lift the Super Eagles to a 3-1 victory.
The message was passed across: The Nigerian football team has been boxed into a corner. They’re a desperate bunch that will do whatever it takes (including leaving their defense susceptible to counter attacks) to make it to Morocco next year to defend their AFCON title. Should Keshi be sacked or not? Maybe not. He and his boys have been pushed to the wall and their reaction: An outburst of energy and the will to win is one Nigerians will be happy to see again in the Super Eagles. *drops mic*
About The Author:
Rotimi Daramola: An avid soccer fan who is a freelance soccer writer and analyst too. When not writing soccer articles or watching the games, he can be found on social media sharing his views and opinions. Follow him @Rotdav on twitter.
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