Brazil 2014: How Nigeria fared against Bosnia 

The Super Eagles had a single job to do against Bosnia & Herzegovina-to win-and they did it. It was a victory that kept Nigeria's second round qualification alive at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil, but it was never an unexpected victory.

To Nigerians, it was a no-brainer that the African champions  were only second behind Argentina, as group favourites, after the World Cup draws, but team only threw uncertainty into the party after an uninspiring performance against Iran in the opening game.It's arguably the most colourless game at the Mundial, so far.

But to many football followers, particularly outside African continent, Bosnia who are making their World Cup debut in Brazil, earned their respect significantly after their performance against a struggling Argentina side, in their opening game. Suddenly the newcomers became a big deal and jumped into the favourites order, ahead of the Eagles.

 Odemwngie celebrates his winning goal with Emenike. Photo:FIFA

Led by Man City striker, Edin Dzeko, the European side relinquished their ultra-defensive performance against Argentina for a more adventurous version, an apporach that played into the hands of the Super Eagles. The Nigerians' slow and uninventive play couldn't break down Iran's resolute defending last Monday in Curitiba.

Emmanuel Emenike, who was a stalwart in the attack set up Peter Osaze Odemwingie to score the winning goal and earned Nigeria the country's first World Cup win since 1998. But their oponents were disappointed as Dzeko was wrongly ruled to have been offside as he scored via a clean strike in the 1st half.

DEFENCE

The Super Eagles defence had a torrid time especially in the first half, constantly experiencing suicidal moments with Bosnia's midfield anchored by the excellent Miralem Pjanic. The Eagles visibly played a highline in the opening half and it was Pjanic’s brilliant pass that put Dzeko through for Bosnia’s disallowed goal.

Vincent Enyeama was outstanding on occasions when called upon, including a brave stop from Dzeko in added time. He’s been very reliable for Nigeria and will be key in the country’s quest for glory at the World Cup.

Kenneth Omeruo had a brilliant game, by far Nigeria’s best defender in the game. His alertness and awareness were impressive, particularly after a nervy first half when Dzeko troubled him, alongside Yobo with great movements. Juwon Oshaniwa was steady while Efe Ambrose was the weakest link in defence. Ambrose allowed easy crosses on occasions and hardly showed dynamism going forward.

MIDFIELD

I wasn’t impressed with the performance of John Mikel Obi for obvious reasons. He’s the most experienced among the Eagles midfield trio including Ogenyi Onazi and new boy Michael Babatunde who added some creativity and caused Bosnia many problems.

Nigeria’s defence suffered hugely as they were, on many occasions, exposed to the onslaught of their opponents but Bosnia showed profligacy with many chances to have a go at the Eagles centre backs who adjusted to low block defending in the second half. Onazi worked really hard without the ball, doing most of the defensive duties. Mikel would need to do more to shield the backline and show urgency in influencing attacking play. (excuse the cliche)

Babatunde was however impressive and looked to be the new Sunday Mba, the midfielder who could actually support the attack and stretch play even to wide areas, when needed. He grew into the game and showed huge composure, coming close to scoring a few times. But he would need to improve in helping to retrieve possession. 

Babatunde went off injured but I hope he''ll be available for our next game against Argentina.

FORWARD

Emmanuel Emenike came alive, like a warrior who wanted to respond to the disappointment of a previously failed expedition. He was aggressive and made life difficult for Bosnia skipper Emir Spahic all night. The Fernabahce man combined finely with man-of-the-match Odemwingie, whose technical ability helped Nigeria manage possession immensely.

Odemwingie's technical prowess was the reason I chose him to replace Ahmed Musa but Victor Moses was disappointing against Iran and rightly lost his place in the starting line up. Unsurprisingly, Musa couldn't exploit his best weapon (pace) again, failing in his decisions in the final third.

Nigeria need at least a draw or hope Bosnia avoid a defeat against Iran, to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Argentina are not invincible, but they've got Messi who reminds us that anything is possible, in the game.

Keshi and Odemwingie conundrum

Stephen Keshi looks to be having a problem already in accommodating Peter Odemwingie in his starting line-up, just days to the commencement of the World Cup in Brazil.

The Nigeria coach has thrived particularly on playing a 4-3-3 formation, or an apparent 4-1-2-3 with two of his midfielders alternating between themselves to support the main striker, constantly bursting through from the centre of the pitch. The clearest exploits of Keshi's style was evident at the 2013 African Nations Cup, but one important factor was the fluidity of his three attackers, whose interplay caused problems for opponents.

It appears the poor form of Sunday Mba following African Cup of Nations last year has been a major blow to the Super Eagles coach's 'building project'. He had stated strongly at the continental competition that he was assembling a new and enduring team. Rightly so, especially as most of his players were playing for the first time a major competition.

Like the Nations Cup, Keshi’s back five has remained intact while the duo of Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi also retained their position in the midfield in the World Cup team. He had an experimental starting line up in the 2-2 friendly draw against Scotland at Craven Cottage, understandably, to make a final decision on his 23-man World Cup squad.

But the Eagles coach gave a glimpse of his starting line-up Tuesday night in Philadelphia against Greece when he paraded virtually his Nations Cup starters but with Peter Odemwingie joining Mikel and Onazi as the third midfielder, with licence to play the attacking/playmaker role.

The Stoke City striker may have been assured of a key role in the World Cup team before his recall to the national team after being left of both the AFCON and Confederations Cup squads, probably the reason for his new role.

Of course why will Keshi bring the controversial Odemwingie to the team if he was going to put him on the bench and risk the camp disunity he avoided (he admitted this) in previous competitions?

Unsurprisingly, Odemwingie, who has played either as a striker or a winger through his career, failed to perform in his role against the 2004 European champions. His touches let him down and the Nigeria midfield lacked cohesion and chemistry.

The Greek side exploited the African champions’ lack of understanding and created numerous chances, all of whom they failed to capitalise on, partly due to the excellent performance of Nigeria goalie, Vincent Enyeama.

Greece looked a more coordinated side and you’ll expect such from any team, with barely a week to the start of the Mundial. It is however fair to say Nigeria will be sharper in their next pre-World Cup friendly against the USA in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday.

The Eagles have struggled to find a genuine playmaker since the exit of former captain, Austin Okocha, with Mikel taking up the role, without genuine conviction. The Chelsea midfielder look more suited as a defensive central midfielder, having played in the position for nearly a decade for his London club.

But he has regularly played the creator’s role for Nigeria and he is the best for Keshi in Brazil, as things stand. This is where Ramon Azeez can come in to support Onazi as a strong duo to protect the backline while Mikel is allowed to orchestrate Nigeria’s attack.

Azeez, although is new to the team, made 30 La Liga appearances for Almeria with just five cautions. So he seems to be stable in terms of discipline, albeit the World Cup is a different stage entirely. Odemwingie should not be doing role learning again on Saturday against the USA

Fernabahce striker, Emenike remains, undoubtedly, the number one striker option, so that leaves Keshi with one option regarding starting Odemwingie. He will have to persuade him to play wide as he is experienced and have a better football judgement than Ahmed Musa. Otherwise he may have to be contented with substitute roles.

Keshi has no time to do further experimentation as to his starters, albeit his decisions will still depend on individual matches. Luckily for Nigeria, they have ‘minnows’ Iran in their opening game, so it gives them a bit of time to grow into the competition, like they did at AFCON.The ‘Big Boss’ was right to invite Odemwingie because he also gives him a very good option as a striker, after a decent season for Stoke City.

Keshi must not entertain any obstacle to his team’s campaign, or else he could find himself empowering the doubters of his coaching credentials if the Eagles perform below expectations in Brazil.

And the key to that? A team united on a mission, a weapon the Nigeria coach used effectively to conquer Africa. Now he must prove that feat was not a one-off at the global stage.

Lukaku has proven he deserves a chance at Chelsea

He is powerful, confident, determined, pacy, bullish and a target man. These features woulld naturally make you a 'Chelsea-type striker', all of which you can find in Romelu Lukaku.

Indeed the above sounds like a prologue to another attempt to drum unnecessary beat of superfluous platitudes in praise of the Belgian striker, especially after his hat-trick helped Belgium destroy lowly Luxemburg, and scoring another beauty against Sweden.  Surely not, though performances in those pre-World Cup friendlies were only a continuation of the impressive season he enjoyed on loan at Everton.

There are suggestions Jose Mourinho has no place for him in his Chelsea plans and several clubs including Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, Atletico and Juventus are, reportedly, considering taking him away from Stamford Bridge. Unsurprisingly, some interesting arguments are already making waves to justify a potential sale of the young striker.

‘Lukaku is no top quality’, is one of such arguments. Certainly, at 21, the former Anderlecht forward is only an ambitious striker who has given a very good account of himself in two seasons in the Premier League, with clear signs of progression in his game.  With a decent record of 32 goals in 66 appearances, Chelsea would have been one of the clubs chasing his services in the summer if he was not on their payroll.

His technical quality has also been called to question, and it was the reason I was hoping to see him play in a more ball-playing side after netting 17 league goals for West Bromwich Albion in the 2012/2013 season. Michael Laudrup was a fan, and wanted him at Swansea before Roberto Martinez took him to Everton.

Martinez was unequivocal in his belief about the Belgian’s quality after winning the race to sign Lukaku on loan last season. “We have seen him develop into a top striker. He had potential at Anderlecht and now you can see he is a really mature boy. He gives you something different. What we are looking at is an outstanding footballer and we are hoping that it will be a perfect marriage.”

Lukaku claimed the top striker spot at the Merseyside, and at times, Martinez played him wide on the right with Steven Naismith up top. He improved on his touches and was devastating on counter-attacks, combining well with Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley to destroy Premier League opponents.

Talk of attitude problems is even more ridiculous especially when you consider the fact that he has only been cautioned five times in 78 appearances for club and country in the last two seasons. Lukaku has maintained a level head working with Steve Clarke at West Brom and Martinez at Everton. So calm down, we are not referring to a Balloteli here.

‘It is a different thing playing for Chelsea and Everton’, claim the naysayers. But isn’t it interesting to make such claims without having not trusted a player with opportunities at a club that has endured Fernando Torres’ paucity of productivity for three years?

Chelsea are believed to be close to a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa, but Lukaku looks ready to battle for a place at Stamford bridge with a crucial experience of playing in the Premier League.

Lukaku doesn’t possess the eye-catching touches and technique of Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez or even Daniel Sturridge, but if there is any striker that looks suitable to what Mourinho offered as a system last season, he’s already got one in the big Belgian.

Chelsea’s proposed ‘pro-active’ football wasn’t a design meant for Mourinho (admitted he didn’t agree), and played his usual way last season. He needed the big Branislav Ivanovic to battle the long balls from Cech, and had no Didier Drogba-like striker to pounce on the end of crosses, mainly from the Serbian.

Indeed, Lukaku, like the Blues did last season, can struggle when opponents ‘park the bus’, but his brace against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at the Goodison Park last season offered some hints he could play do the job, without the spaces behind opposition defenders. He anticipated and finished a fortuitous lose ball with composure, and powered in a brilliant header for his second.

It seems always outrageous to compare upcoming stars to legends, but it is easy to see why the young striker has been compared to Chelsea legend Drogba.  The Ivory Coast striker’s superior hold up play is comparable to none, but watching the Belgian can only remind you of Arsene Wenger’s famous “he doesn’t do a lot” quote about Drogba in November 2009. Yes, not a lot of touches, but lots of goals.

Like Drogba, Lukaku would lose the ball plenty of times with poor touches, but that won’t discourage him from registering his name on the scoresheet even in a generally poor performance. Many times it looks easier to watch both players’ goals than seeing them for 90minutes. Like his hero, the Belgian forward can also poach from few yards from goal, a pure centre forward trait.

Chelsea were hoping to move on from the Drogba-era, but it appeared they have rekindled the need for a new power striker. In Lukaku, they’ve got a bargain for 18million euros. Romelu is not a top player yet, but the Blues should be grateful they already have a quality 21 year old who is aiming to be great.

Mourinho should be eager to play his part in Lukaku’s quest. As the late American editorial cartoonist, Frank Tyger said: “One of the greatest talents of all is the talent to recognise and develop talent in others.”