Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle was not the happiest man yesterday when his team let lead their 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 against Jordan at the recently concluded four team friendly tournament in Turkey.
Nigeria started the campaign on a sound footing with a 2-1 win over Iran , and after falling behind yesterday in their final game of the tournament, they turned it around and were leading 2-1 before conceding towards the end of the half to draw 2-2.
OwnGoalNigeria.com picks five valuable lessons the coach learnt from the tournament.
1. Alternative To Semi Ajayi – The Hull City defender left the tournament after the first game after picking a knock. He has been battling with fitness issues for a while and it’s about time one of the duo of Emmanuel Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu step up as an alternative.
2. Maduka Okoye Will Replace Nwabali – Chelle showed no remorse in handing Okoye a call up despite snubbing the AFCON team , and he proved that in the absence of Stanley Nwabali who is clubless at the moment. He can be relied on.
3. Diamond Formation Is Best – The team initially struggled to come to terms with the demands of playing in his preferred formation, but from what we have seen from the two games it’s obvious that they now under better.
4. Fernandez Is A Set Piece Threat – Newly invited Emmanuel Fernandez came into the tournament with five goals for Rangers. An impressive tally for a centre back having his breakthrough season. All five goals came from set pieces and yesterday his first goal from Nigeria came from the same source. He was a threat all through the game.
5. Right Wing Is Still A Problem – Chelle used four right wingers in two games at the tournament and none in Samuel Chukwueze, Yira Sor, Philip Otele and Chidera Ejuke played to satisfaction. That’s a concern to be addressed before the next set of games in June.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
