Onazi out, Nigeria continue sloppy feat in World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria would have qualified for the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers if there was a top goalscorer on the pitch Wednesday night, surviving a late surge from Namibia to secure a point. 

Not only were they disappointed for missing numerous chances to win in Windhoek, the team also look set to be without their influential midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi for the FIFA Confederations Cup following his injury last night.

The Super Eagles key rival in their group, Malawi had made it look like a realistic target after only managing a draw at home against Kenya earlier in the day, a result which meant the African Champions only needed to win in Windhoek to progress to play offs on a day Brazil marked exactly one year to the Mundial.

But it was Brave Warriors who opened scoring 12minutes from time against the run of play when Deon Hotto Kavendji pounced on a cross with the hosts’ first real chance of the game. It took a delightful free kick from central defender, Godfrey Oboabona in the 83rd minute to salvage a draw for the visitors.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi opted for FC Cologne striker Anthony Ujah in place of Brown Ideye who appeared to be carrying the hamstring  injury he sustained  in the friendly against Mexico in Houston. The duo of Ahmed Musa and Nnmadi Oduamadi to complete the attack, the most shuffled department in the qualifying campaign. And it turned out to be the reason the Eagles will have to wait till the last game in September to know their fate in a tricky tie with second-placed Malawi.

Spartak Moscow of Russia striker, Emmanuel Emenike was the firepower who led Nigeria’s victorious quest, emerging the golden boot winner with four goals at the African Nations Cup in South Africa in February. His absence has exposed the national team’s frailty and lack of quality in the forward line.

After suffering a muscle injury in the AFCON semi-finals against Mali, Emenike returned to action in April against Anzhi Makhachkala, only to be sidelined with knee ligament damage after coming on as a substitute in the encounter.

Sadly for the Eagles, Chelsea forward who was also crucial to the country’s continental triumph was also out injured, and it left Keshi with little options, especially after his decision to do away with big egos like Obafemi Martins and Osaze Odemwingie. Villareal’s Ike Uche has also failed to impress in the energetic style the team has shown under the current technical crew.

Albeit Nigeria stretched their unbeaten run to 18 games under Keshi with the, yet it is worrying to note that the team has only managed only two wins in five games in this  World Cup qualifiers in a relatively easy group. None of their three opponents are ranked within 100 in the FIFA log. Malawi (109), Namibia (120), Kenya (123). The Eagles are ranked 31st in the global standings.

Indeed Namibia’s head coach, Roger Palmgren had resigned barely 48hours before the encounter after citing death threats, and having lost in Windhoek to Malawi in March, the momentum was with the Eagles who had defeated Kenya in their last qualifying game.

So judging by the circumstances and quality of the opponents in the group, Keshi must be worried that his side has hardly lived up to expectation and it would be interesting how he handles subsequent challenges, beginning with FIFA Confederations Cup. Big task ahead for the Eagles

John Obi Mikel had the chance to put his side ahead after just inside 10 minutes against Namibia, after the speedy Musa was brought down from just aside the opponents’ box. But the Chelsea midfielder’s free-kick could not threaten the Warriors’ goal. It was actually surprising to see him fancy his chances, given his poor goal scoring record.

Mikel was enjoying a lot of freedom and time on the ball with the ever impressive Onazi marshalling the holding role in a fluid 4-3-3 formation. Musa, who had won the Russia title and cup double with CSKA Moscow, then provided great chances. The first with a cheeky back heel pass, that set up Ujah  who fired straight at the Namibia goalie, Virgill Vries and then another cutback pass for Oduamadi whose tame strike allowed another block. Ujah was on hand to turn it in but chose power and shot awfully wide to leave the score line barren at the break.

The Brave Warriors grew in confidence in the second half but the duo of midfield Mikel and Sunday were still finding the spaces in the final third without producing quality final balls for the three attackers. And when Oduamadi was found with a cross from six yards out, his header went shocking wide with Vries at his mercy. Both Mikel and Musa also bungled decent chances at goal, compounding Keshi’s frustration while his assistant Daniel Amokachi was hugely animated from the sidelines.

Nambia then punished Nigeria’s profligacy when Kavendji pounced on an inviting cross with Enyeama, who had rarely seen action all night, having no chance. Two crucial errors responsible for the goal; John Ogu, who had come on for the injured Onazi (most impressive player on the pitch), weirdly failed to prevent the cross despite having covered well, while Oboabona was late to intercept the goal scorer.

But Oboabona made amends by scoring the crucial equaliser with a stunning free kick five minutes later to claim a crucial point for Nigeria. Ogu then wasted a late free kick from 25 yards as both sides held on till the end.

The Eagles are up against Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain in the group B of the Confederations Cup which kicks off this weekend in Brazil. Their participation would afford them a more competitive tournament experience after conquering Africa.