An idea on why the CHAN team of Togo thrashed their counterparts from Nigeria 4-1 in the first leg of the qualifiers for next year CHAN Championship has been suggested to Owngoalnigeria.com.
A Nigerian student Joseph Audu who was at the stadium to cheer the Nigerian team told Owngoalnigeria.com in an exclusive interview that the boys of coach Imama Amapakabo crumbled due to five reasons.
Poor Fullbacks : Togo didn’t notice too early that the fullbacks for the Nigerian team are both suspect. Once they did in the second half, they launch all their attack from the positioned manned by John Lazarus and Ebube Duru. They were the weak link although the central defence didn’t help.
Weak Midfield : The Nigerian team didn’t get going at all particularly in the middle of the pack. Imama had no real playmaker in the team and despite the fact that they were deep in their own half they still didn’t protect the back four as expected.
Poor Goalkeeper : Theophilus Afelokhai is a good goalkeeper but not on Sunday. He wasn’t there for any of the goals conceded although two were not his fault. He however looked very heavy and short of confidence as he didn’t make any save of note.
Injury To Sunusi : He started the game like a house on fire, took his goal nicely. All round energy until he went off injured and everything went south for the Nigerian team. In his absence they looked one dimensional and weak in attack.
Poor Tactics : While it took Togo the first half to code how to deal with the Nigerian team, coach Imama Amapakabo and his crew didn’t react to counter the Togolese or step up their plan. That also played a role in the heavy defeat.
