Nigeria in 2013 Confederations Cup: A Preview
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, as reigning African football champions, will be representing Africa at the 2013 elite football competion, the Confederations Cup. This is the secodn time Nigeria will be representing Africa at the tournament. Nigeria, as 1994 African champions, had represented Africa in 1995 edition (then known as King Fahd Cup), emerging 4th, no thanks to Emmanuel Amuneke penalty loss in the third place match against Mexico.
The best performance by an African side in Confederations Cup was in 2003, when the then African champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun, narrowly lost in final to France, courtesy Henry ‘Igwe’ Thierry’s solitary extra-time strike. Cameroun had a fantastic outing in that tournament, beating Brazil in the group stage with a Samuel Eto’o cracker. The tournament is better remembered for the death on pitch of Manchester City midfielder, Marc Vivien Foe. Egypt also had a good tournament in the last edition (2009)
Marc Vivien Foe lost his life playing for Cameroun in 2003 edition
The tournament will see world champions (Spain), meeting other continental champions (Nigeria – Africa, Uruguay – South America, Italy – Euro Runners Up, Japan – Asia, Mexico – Carribean & Central America, Tahiti – Oceania ), and hosts Brazil.
NIGERIAN TEAM
PLAYERS TO BE MISSED
Nigeria is not going to the tournament with its best eleven, as key players Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike are missing due to injury worries. This analyst also thinks Nigeria will be missing other key players like IK Uche, Kalu Uche and Obafemi Martins.
Kalu Uche, who ended last season as Africa’s second highest goal scorer in a major European league (19 league goals with Kasimpapa in the Turkish first division) would have been a quality addition to this team. He was also Nigeria’s best outfield player in World Cup 2010 and would have been a quality addition to this team.
His brother, IK Uche, even if not in top form in the last Nations cup, is another missing player Nigeria may rue not taking along. He returned to Spain to hit form back in Villareal, helping the team back to La Liga. The Uche brothers ahev proved themselves in Spanish La Liga, and the younger one still doing, and I believe they would have brought some psychological boost to the team versus Spain. These guys have scored against Real Madrid and Barcelona, and have faced the Spanish super stars many time. I believe they would would have been Super Eagles engine room in the match against Spain.
The Super Eagles’ technical team, obviously unimpressed with his performance versus Kenya in Calabar in March, dropped Martins for the Confederations Cup. I believe this is not a wise decision. He did well in that match, to me, but we put too much pressure on him. Martins, take it or leave it, is a big player and he is not spent. I believe Keshi made a mistake not taking him to Brazil.
KEY PLAYERS
Mikel Obi is going to be Nigeria’s most key player in Brazil. The performance of the entire team will depend on Mikel’s performance, just as his performance in 2013 nations Cup played a key role in Nigeria winning the tournament. The manner he anchors the midfield and attack, his leadership role on the field, will be crucial for the Eagles.
Mikel – Nigeria’s hope in the tournament
Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa are other key players whose finishing performance will determine Super Eagles’ performance. I hope they live up to expectation.
THE DEPARTMENTS
Enyeama can be unpredictable, but he has had more good games than bad ones, so he still remains our best bet in goal post.
Nigeria’s defence is okay, and I see these hungry-for-success central defenders doing what they did to Drogba and Yaya Toure in South Africa to Spanish and Uruguan stars in Brazil. Of course, they will concede, but they wont be disgraced. Ambrose has also come fo age and has improved greatly. Echiejile can be shaky, but he is not totally bad. My only reservation with that defence is that there is no tested alternative if any of the backline 4 gets injured. If I were Keshi, I would have included Yobo in that team, warts and all.
In Fegor Ogude and Ogenyi Onazi, Nigeria’s defensive midfield department also appears okay. Onazi can also score goals.
Something keeps telling me Mikel will come to this tournament with his A-game. Mba has not been so fantastic since Nations cup and I would have loved Keshi bring Nosa Igiebor to give Mba competition in supporting Mikel in the middle.
Our front? I have fears about our attach, as our best legs are not available. Yet I still have some confidence in Ideye. It is not for nothing that he scores an average of 14 goals in European leagues every season. He has the quality, Nigerians just have to be patient with him. I hope he proves me right in Confederations Cup. Musa also needs to do better in terms on crossing ball. Ujah and Akpala are average strikers. Not sure they are the best we can offer, but I wish them the best.
VERDICTS
NIGERIA vs TAHITI
First game. Nigeria to up their game and narrowly win with 1-0 or 2-1 victory
NIGERIA vs URUGUAY
Cavani and Suarez will be handful for Nigerian defenders, and I fear for penalty. But if Ghana can hold Uruguay in World Cup quarters, why not Nigeria. 1-1, 2-2?
Cavani – Eagles’ defender should be wary of the potent striker
NIGERIA vs SPAIN
This will be Nigeria’s best match. Recall Nigeria held Catalunya (which consisted of 80% of Spanish National team players) to a 1-1 draw on their home soil last year. Eagles also historically do well against opposition that play free-flowing football. Unfortunately, no Uches to do this for Nigeria. I see Spain winning 1-0 or 2-1.
Stay close to Jarushub for player ratings after each match.
