The Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday slumped to a 0-2 loss to Serbia in a friendly game meant to help them fine tune their tactics ahead of the start of the World Cup in June.
Owngoalnigeria.com, Osas Mahawi picks four players who failed to click as the Super Eagles failed to match same result like their last game against Poland, which they won 1-0 on Friday.
William Troost-Ekong – Didn’t look comfortable at all without Leon Balogun, dragged out of position by the runs of Aleksandar Mitrovic, and failed to win any duel against the big man who scored a brace for Serbia.
Ekong also failed to protect the right side of defence where, he was suppose to provide cover for Tyronne Ebuehi. The both goals scored by Serbia had Ekong and Ebuehi beaten by a cross due to lack of communication.
Eddy Ogenyi Onazi : Known for his abilities to win possession when played in his preferred role as a defensive midfielder. He did almost just that yesterday but failed to use the ball well when in possession.
He was guilty of misplacing passes which helped Serbia build momentum from the midfield. Overall didn’t shield the back four properly and was no match for the physical imposing Serbian midfielders in the middle.
Tyronne Ebuehi – Relies more on his quick thinking than his physical strength , but yesterday was one game he needed to show a bit of why he has bulked up a bit since the start of the year.
Dudan Tadic was quite a handful for the young right back, who couldn’t cope with the tricks and power of the Southampton man due to probably he is apparent lack of fitness, no thanks to the injury he suffered while in action for his club ADO Den Haag.
Ahmed Musa – Showed a bit of his ability to attack with pace when he went past Branislav Ivanovic with some quick pair of heels and also pace. The move which lead to a foul was his best of the game.
Musa looked lost playing as the arrowhead of the 4-3-3 formation played by the Eagles yesterday, and even when he moved to the flanks in the second half following the substitution of Victor Moses, he didn’t live up to his true billing as a quick winger with eyes for goal scoring.
Osas Mahawi
