The Nigeria U20 team suffered an opening 0-1 defeat to Senegal in their first game at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt.
A lone goal from Souleymane Faye five minutes before the break ended up as the winning goal of the game. He was the quickest to react to a parried effort by the Nigerian goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu from a quick break.
OGN editor in chief, Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman picks five reasons why the boys of Ladan Bosso fell short.
1. Senegal Better And More Experienced- The fact that six of the players in the team of Senegal were part of the winning team at the Africa Nations Championship puts them ahead of the Nigerian team in terms of experience. Also they showed better understanding on how to see out a lead. Generally they had an idea of what to do and executed it perfectly. They were simply better.
2. Senegal Clipped Nigeria’s Wingplay- To those who have watched the Bosso’s team in test games and even at the WAFU B championship. Their strengths lies in cutting in from the wings. Senegal came prepared and doubled up on Haliru-Sarki and Mohammed Beji on the right and left flanks respectively. The duo of Jude Sunday and Emmanuel Ochegbu were also clipped when they were introduced in the second half.
The other option was to play through the middle but the injury to star Daniel Daga which led to his substitution left the Nigerian team confused. At that point they looked lost and out of ideas to find a way back into the game.
3. Poor Strikers – That the Nigerian team got three good chances before Senegal got one is not something that many realized after the game. However from all three Adams Olamilekan failed to hit the target. He was also all over the place and the team’s woes weren’t helped by the man who substituted him Ahmed Abdullahi as he got himself needlessly sent off.
4. Static fullbacks – With the wingers clipped by Senegal. The fullbacks would have offered width and also another option to play from the wings. They didn’t and rather make it a lot more easier for Senegal to make the transition from defence to attack. None of the Nigerian full backs took advantage of the spaces behind.
5. No Plan B – The moment the wingers were clipped. The Nigerian team became ordinary because it appears to be the only way they know how to play. All the substitutions were tailored towards having more penetration from the flank but Senegal nullified it leaving the Nigerian team with no other plan.
