By Bolaji Douglas
In the part 4 of this write up, I will be looking at what perhaps is arguably the most exciting department of any football team, the attacking department. Everyone loves to see the final product of a team’s play and this is measured in goals, the primary task which this department is saddled with. The Super Eagles have never been shy in this department, having produced over the years some of the most prolific and exciting attacking players the continent of Africa can boast of. The likes of Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, Amokachi Daniel,Emmanuel Amuneke, Thompson Usiyen, Kanu Nwankwo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Julius Aghaowa, Tijani Babaginda, Adokiye Ameasimaka, Obafemi Martins , all have at one time in the past terrorised teams and entertained fans on the African continent and some of them even at the World Cup. In 1994 World Cup hosted by the USA, the Super Eagles were one of the most exciting attacking teams on display, a performance that earned us decent respect at the global level.
Over the years our strength as a team has been our ability to line up a potent attack, one that thrives on pace, quick movement and devastating finishing. The sight of Rashidi Yekini grabbing the nets after scoring what was Nigeria’ first goal at the World Cup in 1994 after a swooping attack on the Bulgaria team leaving them chasing after winds. An attacking move that left them bewildered by the devastating and unstoppable manner of the movement which resulted in a goal. That image captured and helps to preserve the ecstasy which the attacking strength of the Super Eagles can give whenever it ends up with a goal.
In the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the sight of Ahmed Musa striking fear into the Argentine defence with his devastating pace and clinical finishing on his way to scoring twice against the Argies serves as a reminder of the attacking prowess which the Super Eagles has never been short of. And this I would say is the legacy which the current set of attackers would be trying to preserve or even strive to improve upon.
The following players have been presented with the opportunity to do this going by the provisional list released by the Nigerian Football Federation. I have left out Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, both of whom I see more as more as attacking midfielders. That leaves me with the following 6 players for this write up.
Odion Ighalo:
At 28 Odion is the oldest Super Eagles attacking options. The Changchun Yatai FC of China player is also one of the most experienced with 15 appearances and goal tally of 4 the last one coming in the World Cup qualifier match against Cameroon. While the goal returns might look poor in comparison to the number of appearances, we need to look at what he brings to the team as well as his club records before we make such a hasty judgment.
Odion played in the EPL for Watford before moving to China, while at Watford, he posted a impressive goal scoring ratio with his team, in his first season at the EPL with Watford, he made 55 appearances scored a total of 16 goals, that it must be said is not something to be sniffed at considering the standard and level of his Club and the league in question, the EPL. With Changchun Yatai FC this season so far, he has 7 goals from 11 appearances, not a bad return. For whatever reasons however, Odion has not been able to reproduce this form for the Super Eagles, of course in trying to find out why, many factors must be taken into consideration.
But he brings other qualities on board notably among them being his hold up play, an essential attribute required of strikers in the game of modern football where often for some spells in the game they are expected to play all alone upfront. Also, many teams tend to play with a lone striker and apart from being a good goal scorer, such a striker is expected to possess the ability to retain possession of the ball and be clever to take part in the build-up and not just finishing. Odion is perhaps the best in this aspect of the attackers available to the Super Eagles. He is also a good dribbler, thus posing problems for defenders, an attribute that can be used to draw fouls and free kicks, as well as unsettle defences.
Finally, Odion also has a very good work ethic on and off the ball, his ability to chase down and hustle defenders remains one of his biggest assets comes to the table with, add also to that a decent pace and quick movements that can trouble defenders.
Ahmed Musa:
When Musa moved to Leicester after his successful spell with the CSKA FC of Moscow, many believed that the move would be a step up to the next level for him but it did not quiet happen for him at Leicester. Never to be deterred he took good counsel by seeking a loan move back to CSKA. The move paid off as he seems to be back to his scoring best, having notched a couple of goals both in the European league competition and the Russian league. Musa has made 56 appearances for the Super Eagles playing as an attacking winger and has 13 goals to his credit. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2010, with 8 years of experience in the national team, he remains one of the most experienced players in the team at the age of 25.
Musa was part of the African Cup of Nations winning team in 2013, played in the Confederations cup (2013) 2013 and the 2014 World Cup both hosted by Brazil. He scored two stunning goals against Argentina using his pace to great effect. Musa’s strength lies in his blistering pace and eye for goals. It should be said that Musa is yet to be properly utilised in the Super Eagles set up, where he is made to play on the wings. This contrasts with what he does at CSKA, where he is deployed in a more central role and in a formation, that allows him to use his pace to devastating effect. This would explain while he maintains a healthy scoring percentage for CSKA. Often when he plays for the Super Eagles he is asked to take on more responsibilities than he should do just because he is one of the senior players.
He has been saddled with taking throw-ins (possesses long throws), corner kicks and even free-kicks. In another match he was even deployed in a deep lying midfield position, none of these play to his strength, which consist of frightening pace and good scoring ability. Watching him play for his club, it appears his roles were clearly defined for him, he is expected to be at the end of passes not at the base of it. He remains an asset the team can fall back on where pace is required. Possibly not a starter, but he is surely an asset to have in the kitty to fall back on.
Kelechi Iheanacho:
Nacho as he is popularly known in the Nigerian soccer circles comes as the youngest of the attacking options available to the Super Eagles, but he comes with a frightening goal scoring statistic. Now 21 years of age, he made his debut in November 13, 2015 and has since notched up 15 appearances with an impressive return of 8 goals. For someone who is still in the early days of his international career, that is a record worth looking out for.
Nacho joined Manchester City after an impressive FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament (2013), where he scored and contributed 8 goals from 7 matches that helped Nigeria to lift the trophy. His ability to score goals with relative ease did not go unnoticed and out of the numerous clubs that sought his signature he settled for Manchester City. He was named The Most Promising Talent by CAF for the year 2013.
He made 46 appearances for Manchester City (2015-2017) coming in mostly as a sub, his return of 12 goals however were quite remarkable. At one time his scoring statistics was one of the best across Europe. Despite this, he became surplus to requirement under Pep Guardiola whose style of play seems to demand more than goal scoring ability from his strikers. This paved way for his move to Leicester where it has taken him down to settle down into a new role where he can only be accommodated by playing alongside the club’s established leading scorer Jamie Vardy. Nacho finished the season on a strong note, something that will delight both the handlers of the Super Eagles and the fans
Nacho comes with a deadly left foot and eyes for goals. He scores with such an ease, he is the player you would want to be at the end of every attacking move. But for someone with such an impressive scoring ratio, he poses a tactical nightmare for any coach…how best to deploy him. His hold up plays if at all he has the ability, still needs a lot of work. Perhaps one of the reasons why he fell short of Guardiola’s standards would be his overall contribution to the team besides scoring goals. His adaptation to positions outside of the box, his ability to offer more in terms of general ball play can do with a lot of improvement. At 21 he still has a lot of development to do, but when it comes to goal scoring his clinical efficiency cannot be ignored, especially in any team looking to score goals. This is where and why he will be one the Super Eagles key assets in Russia, the task for the handlers would be to figure out how best his talents can be harnessed for the benefit of the team.
Moses Simon
The 22 years old KAA Gent plays as a winger. He was actively involved in the World Cup qualifier contributing 2 goals from the matches against Swaziland and Cameroon. He is not new to the Super Eagles team, he made his debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi and has since been capped 21 times, he has 3 international goals to his name so far. Not a bad return for a winger.
Moses is a tricky player very good at running at the opponent with the ball, a very good dribbler with the ability to wriggle his way out of tight situations. Not one to stick to the lines as many wingers tend to do, he would come inside to try for goals whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Simy Nwankwo
In what looks like his dreams coming true, his coming into a fine goal scoring form could not be timelier, 6 goals in 7 matches, that will be enough to raise eyebrows anywhere in the football world. Simy plies his trade with FC Crotone in the Serie-A. At 26 and yet to win an international cap, he can be rightly termed a late bloomer, but if he can fight his way into the team and make the final list to Russia, then it can be said that he blossomed at the right time. Standing at about 6’ 3’’ he brings to the team’s attack physical presence. For a tall and big fella, his touches are decent, he is good with his head and his movements in and around the box is quite decent as well. Watching his composure as he scored a couple of his goals showed that he has the potentials.
But worrying would be why it has taken him this long and the issue of experience comes in. While the handlers claimed that he has been under their radar for some time, hence the extended invitation, the question for now would be, does he have time on his side to settle into the team. The team already have Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho in the central attacking position, will he be able to dislodge either of them? It must be said that he has his work well cut out for him and the coming friendlies it is hoped would present him the opportunity to show the handlers if he is ready or one for the future.
Junior Lokosa
One of the two surprises on the 30-man provisional list which saw the likes of Ideye and Onyekuru left out in the cold. At 24 Junior plies his trade in the Nigeria Premier League with Kano Pillars FC of Kano. He has been in fine scoring form which has drawn the attention of the Super Eagles handlers. Without downplaying his ability, it is hard however to see him in the final list that would make it to Russia. But the experience from being part of the training should help him to continue his career development, there is life after the World Cup after all.