Flying Eagles coach Samson Siasia has backed Shuaibu Amodu’s tactical deployment which earned the Super Eagles a 0-0 draw against Tunisia in their decisive 2010 World Cup qualifier on Saturday at Rades.
Siasia
Amodu’s team stifled the Tunisians for long periods before taking control of the game in the closing stages, as the hosts legs began to give way. And they could have won it if Esperance striker Michael Eneramo had put away a gilt-edged opportunity late in the game.
“I liked the way Amodu played. I would have played the same system too.“The back four looked very solid. I like the way the four defenders at the back played like a unit and they were very strong which actually helped in curbing the forays of the Tunisians,” Siasia said.
He added a caveat however, which focused on John Mikel Obi’s deep-lying role, urging the Chelsea midfielder to take on more offensive responsibilities in order to assist the team in creating more goal scoring opportunities.
“The only problem was that Mikel has to move up a little bit more and support the three strikers up front. Besides that, I think they had a good game away to Tunisia.
“The players did their best in the match and did well by salvaging at least a point. But the grey area in the team is that we didn’t create a lot of chances in the game which is very important for scoring goals in any match,” Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com in Abuja on Sunday.
He went on to make the bold prediction that Nigeria would be in South Africa for the World Cup as long as the Eagles keep their focus and win their remaining three matches. “If we can just win the remaining three games we will be home and dry.”
The game has been played but i must say it was much tu tu tu game. that skill,the finess,the fans entertaining aspect which is very important in football was not seen. tip tap, sharp game. Compare what we played and the game between Italy and Brazil in Confed.Cup SA. you would be afraid if any of those two teams meet us.
Again, the substitution that change the game was done pretty late. Kanu is an encouragement to other players in the field of play whether he is playing well or not; he hardly play badly. we should not be disappointed the effort of the Uche brother; i think they like challenges and we will see them better in subsequent games.
Amodu was wrong when he stated that games are not won from the midfield. The midfield is the engine that runs the team, if the engine is weak the whole team will also be weak. Amodu should as a matter of urgency fix the problem in the midfield if we want to see Nigeria play in the world cup.
its a good game, but Amodu need to work more on the attack.
Them try my brother majke we talk true eh!
This team is not going to any world cup. the coach is technically deficient; there is no understand among the players; the midfield is not there; no attacking game plan. please forget about the world cup.
I began watching the game twenty-five minutes after it all started, at that time Nigeria was basically in control of the game. Although we achieved a draw, honestly we could do far much better than we did by creating clear cut chances. I mean convertable creative and delibrate goal strategies considering the calibre and pedegree of people that made of the Nigerian Eagles. I will give a “C” grade performance. They can’t win a game with a visionless attack team that played in Tunis. If we do not up the tempo, there is no realistic chance Nigeria will make it to the world cup. I don’t see that combative soccer spirit we are feared and known for around the world. Where is that Daniel Amokachi “bull spirit”?
I was realy dissapointed in our performance against Tunisia.Mikel mustn’t play that match,we need a midfielder that is vry creative like Iniesta,fabregas even Abou treka .Mikel kills attack when he delays the boy,i thnk he shld be left as a defensive midfilder,if he must actually play d match.
When I first saw the team list, what came to my mind was that Mikel Obi will be deployed to support the attack while Olofinjana will play the defensive mid-field role with Kalu. The attack were too isolated from the mild-field. But that not witstanding the super eagle did a good job. I am very impressed about the discpline in our defnce, it is a million miles better than what we saw against the Harambee stars of Kenya. Though there is room for improvement, but the the Eagles must win all there remaining matches to have a realistic chance of qulifying for the world cup.
Good comment from a good tactician. Mikel is not to be blamed as aa weak link.The “MAKELELE ROLE” is only understood by the Blues. The weak link is Olofinjana who should be the connecting link b/w Ike Uche and Mikel,
Personally i think the eagles can do better. i really didn’t see much of the skillful play we know eagles for.