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.”