By Bolaji Douglas
The next department I will be looking at is the defence. Once again, the team’s defence performed very well during the qualifiers with the highest number of goals conceded in match standing at 1. An impressive record comparing the calibre of teams in the qualifier group. Once again it would be sheer folly for the handlers of the team to rest on their oars, as a matter of fact there is the need to look at the defence again with the aim of looking at areas that can be improved upon.
Starting with the central defence, we have been blessed with the emergence of the duo of Troost Ekong (24) and Leon Balogun (29), the pairing of the two at the very heart of our defence has added some quality and discipline to the defence strategy of team. The ‘Oyinbo Wall’ as they have been named because of their defending qualities and a nod to their mixed race heritage, both were not born in Nigeria, but both have opted to play for Nigeria and have come to become the mainstay of the central defence. Troost plies his trade in Turkey for Bursaspor, while Balogun plays for Mainz in Germany, both are active for their clubs, something that is a big plus for the Super Eagles. They both come with decent defender’s qualities, both are combative defenders, from the old school of defending, and they complement each other very well. Both are very difficult to get past, big and strong, also very good at tackling. They are both good in the air.
Now for all the quality I have mentioned about these duo, there remains a flaw in their game, both of them are not strong when it comes to playing the ball out of the defence, although Balogun fairs a bit better of the two. However, in the modern game of football and at this level, that is a big quality and advantage to concede. Having two central defenders who are not comfortable with playing the ball out of defence is something to worry about. For the simple reason that it limits the team’s ability to plan its attack from the rear without resorting to long balls and hasty clearances when pressed.
There are many good reasons why defenders are now expected to become part of the attack build-up plays and generally part of the overall ball possession strategy of the team, you see in the modern game of football, ball possession remains a big tactical aspect of the game. The old football adage remains, to retain ball possession is a form of defence on its own, it is firmly believed that you cannot be hurt by the opposing team as long as they do not have possession of the ball. Therefore, retaining ball possession can be seen as a form of defence strategy on its own. Secondly with teams now resorting to the high pressing game strategy by using their attackers to put pressure on the opposing defenders, doing so with the aim of forcing them into early error as well as disrupting their attempt to build an attack the back, one can begin to see the magnitude of the highlighted weakness.
Watching the Italian trio of Chellini, Barzaghli and Bonucci retain possession, control and dictate the pace of the game from the heart of their defence remains a tactical delight to watch any day. What Italy lacked in midfield since the loss of the mercurial Andreas Pirlo, these defenders complemented with their clever use of the ball. Watching them at work during the last Euros championship was a beautiful sight to behold. They weren’t just rugged and good at defending alone, they complemented this with good handling of the ball while contributing to the attack build up. Personally, I believe they set a new standard for how modern central defenders should play the game.
Although both of Troost and Balogun appear to be in the pole position, worthy mention must also be made of the duo of Kenneth Omeruo (24) who plays in the Turkish league for Kasimpasa S.k, and Awaziem Eze (21) who plays in France for FC Nantes. Of the two, Kenneth is one that I am surprised and somewhat disappointed with his progression in the game. He has all the necessary skillset, which Chelsea noticed and made him one of their players even though he has been loaned out. He represented Nigeria at the last World Cup in Brasil and did exceptionally well. As a former central defender, I would say he impressed me a lot and I had high hopes for him. I expected him by now to be the one in leading position and the one who should be providing the leadership very much needed in our defensive strategy.
He has the experience having played in both of the Confederation Cup and the World Cup. He was also part of the African cup of Nations winning team in 2013, he is very good with the ball at his feet and a good reader of the game. He would have been the perfect pairing for either of Troost or Balogun. You do not get signed for a team like Chelsea without having something to offer. But for whatever reason, his career progression seems to have stalled and this it appears has also affected his standing in the national team.
Awazie on the other hand at 21 is a young up and coming defender, I think he is one for the future, but that is left for the handlers to decide. My verdict on the central defence position is that we have the required personnel available. But the issue I highlighted must be addressed.
Moving on to the right side of the defence, we have been blessed with two very promising defenders Shehu Abdulahi (25) who plies his trade in Turkey with Busarspor and Tyrone Ebuehi (22) plays as a right-back for Dutch Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag. In the pole position on the account of his experience is Shehu Abdulahi, he has been a constant feature of late on the right side of the team and it must be said that it has allowed him to accumulate valuable experience which is always handy. Also he was part of the Nigerian team that won the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, I want to believe this has given to him a valuable learning opportunity needed to play at this level. A versatile player who can play across the defence and even midfield role, especially the defensive midfield position. In addition to his decent defensive ability, he is also good at joining the attack. He is full of running and uses the ball intelligently, while his final delivery could do with an improvement, his game seems to be improving by the day. This has not gone unnoticed as shown by his recent move from Cyprus to his new club in Turkey.
Close on his heel however is another very good right back prospect. There is a divided opinion on who ought to feature and this is because both Tyrone and Shehu appear to share many qualities in common. Tyrone also loves to join the attack and like Shehu can also be counted upon to provide the needed support when needed as part of the attacking strategy. Perhaps what separates the two and might be the decider at the end would be the experience which Shehu has over him in the team. This I say because many a times team cohesiveness can be the deciding factor. Shehu has been part of what appears to be a formidable defensive unit, at least going by the record of the team till date. But whoever gets the nod, I don’t think will see any eyebrows raised. Once again while we may not parade world class defenders in this department, we have in these duo, two very good and promising personnel who with time can go on to make a name for themselves by posting solid performances at the World Cup.
However, the left side of the defence leaves the handlers with some questions to ponder upon. While Uwa Echiejile remains a reliable personnel which the team have counted upon in the past, the general opinion remains, we could do with better quality. While Uwa a veteran of the two World Cup appearances, Confederation Cup and the African Cup of Nations can be counted upon to provide experience and a decent defensive shift, his short comings remain, he hardly contributes when it comes to attacking play. In a game that is more and more relying on the full backs to provide the width necessary to stretch teams who try to play compact, his inability to provide the runs and the final delivery for me takes a lot away from his game. In fairness to him, he is hard working and remains one of those who can be counted upon for leadership in the team, but there is more needed which are glaring he wont be able to offer.
As a result the handlers have given opportunities to two other prospects Ola Aina (21), a Chelsea player currently on loan with Hull. He debuted for the team in the final away game of the World Cup qualifier against Algeria. He performed well which has made him part of the team to date. A left footed player who can play on both the ride and left side of the defence. A regular with his team Hull where he is deployed as a right back, the jury is out if he will be able to provide what is lacking on the left side of the team.
Currently the team handlers are looking at another prospect Brian Idowu (25) who plies his trade in the Russian league for Amkar Perm. He debuted for the team in the friendly against Argentina coming in for Ola in the second half and he immediately made a strong claim for the position by scoring on his debut, this has not gone unnoticed as he was invited and he featured in the friendlies against Poland and Serbia.
My verdict is that although both of them are an upgrade to Uwa when it comes to providing attacking options for the team, in addition to being younger, I don’t think Uwa is going down easily, he has the experience and has also been part of this defensive unit that has posted a credible performance over the qualifiers, he might just cling unto his shirt. But I won’t be surprised if I see a new face on the left side of the team.
My final verdict on the defence as a whole is, while we do not have an array of world class defenders, what we have is a bunch of decent and promising young men who given the right training and tactical instructions will do just what is necessary to get the required results.