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.”

 Demise Of Tiki-Taka Or The Rise Of Dogma?

Following Real Madrid’s counter-attacking masterclass that destroyed Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, Nuraen Adeshina offers his thoughts on Guardiola's brand of football

Well, lesson learnt then. Bayern lost the game to a simple albeit perplexing inability to do the basics; defensive organisation at set pieces. When the post mortem begins though, scrutiny will extend to the 180 minutes of football between both teams.

That’s when systems and tactics would be considered in some details. The default conclusion will put Bayern’s undoing down to their passing, passing and more passing game plan. In other words, Tiki-Taka will be lampooned as an unworkable system at the highest level. With some merit too, everyone will recall how this same Bayern team, combining power with finesse, steamrolled Barcelona, the original owners, over two legs last summer.

Bayern Munich boss, Pep Guardiola                       PHOTO: fcbayern.de

The enemy though isn’t really the system but a dogmatic adherence to systems. Pep Guardiola and the other so-called purists must understand what a manager’s role is: set up a team in a way that gives said team the maximum opportunity to play to its strength while simultaneously minimising the opposition’s strength.

In other words, systems must remain secondary in the overall scheme of things. This argument while well worn needs revisiting, football managers need to be reminded they are no different from Managers in other spheres of human endeavours, Subject Matter Expert, armed with nous and charged with delivering objectives.

This point cannot be over emphasized seeing as Pep has managed to spawn a huge, growing number of fundamentalists who hold almost to the point of dogma, that there is indeed only one way to play. How might Google for example contend with a manager who obdurately posit that the only way to beat Facebook in the race for social networks is not to own one?

Bayern’s chastening immediately reminds of Liverpool’s Brendan Rogers, who got frustrated by been out-thought by his erstwhile mentor, proceeded to proclaim the winning system immoral, almost illegal even.  And he is not alone. Liverpool legend, John Barnes had gone on record a week prior to proclaim Jose Mourinho’s use of three pure forwards late in the game against PSG as “not tactics but substitutions”. Yet it is not difficult to argue that a system switch can easily be regarded as a tactical decision.

Indeed, dogmatists miss the whole essence of systems and tactics – a clear cut approach of fulfilling objectives, with objectives remaining the end.

It is important at this point to take a look back at the contemporary evolution of tiki-taka with Spain as obvious example. One of Vicente de Bosque’s major tactical tweak, post 2008 European Championship, was to engender a slower, more patient system  that emphasized  passing sequences in and around their own half of the field essentially to deny opponents the ball, having realised his team’s (relative) inherent weakness laid at the back(regardless of who played there).

Obviously, Guardiola helped to develop this system, originally, taking the passing sequence to the opponents final third in the hope that away from his team’s goal, the opposition is less portent.Consequently, teams with fast transition simply allow them huff and puff in their exchanges, only to pick them apart with lightening counter attacks requiring three, at most four passes, to put deadly forwards clean through on goal.

At the heart of this steadfastness is an arrogance that borders almost on insanity. Football isn’t going to change; victory will forever be determined by goals scored versus conceded. Bearing this in mind, the best managers will develop systems that place the overriding focus on goals while simultaneously incorporating a distinct identity. That means a willingness to adjust playing systems (sometimes dramatically) to maximize strength and minimise weaknesses. In short, objectives and not identity is what must be cast in stone.

A Night Of Might

Chelsea have an uphill task to turn around their 3-1 deficit against Paris Saint Germain tonight at Stamford Bridge as they look to book their place in the semi-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Only a novice in European football will write off any top team’s chances of a comeback as it stands, let alone the Blues who have a tactical genius in Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese built his reputation on results, and relishes every chance to remind doubters of his managerial savvy in the beautiful game.

Tonight’s game offers another big stage for Mourinho to rally his army to battle against the odds. For the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Schurrle, the challenge is a huge green terrain, yet they must play significant roles to help their club reach the final four of the elite European competitions.

PSG Laurent Blanc would rightly think his men have done at least 60% of the job in the first leg, but he has also warned them that they cannot allow Chelsea to dominate proceedings at the Bridge as they would ‘suffer’.

Blanc limited the influence of Hazard, Chelsea’s tormentor-in-chief, by ensuring that his right-back, Christophe Jallet, led a hassling of the Belgian, with Marco Verrati. Indeed it was a ploy that even involved either of Edison Cavani or Ezekiel Lavezzi in closing down the playmaker, at different times in Paris.

With Samuel Eto’o injured, it worked well as Hazard lacked the support to help foil the organised shape of the French side. The Cameroonian could make a surprise return tonight as Mourinho refused to rule him out of the game, keeping the opponents guessing. Eto’o’s ability to drop deep and run the channels can offer a different puzzle to PSG.

Lucas Moura is the most likely option to replace the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Brazilian’s lightening pace and trickery would make an interesting battle against either of Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic. Blanc might perhaps pitch Moura to occupy the marauding Ivanovic, who is not as quick as Azpilicueta.

Cavani, as well as Lavezzi, were in the Napoli side that lost 4-1 at the Bridge in 2012 after a 3-1 first leg win in Naples, will relish his chance to play in his favoured central role. It would be recalled both players had great early chances to extend their lead before Didier Drogba’s goal began the Blues’ comeback. Chelsea must avoid such a shaky start tonight.

Cavani smells trouble and possesses the devastating persona to destroy the most difficult obstacle in a big game. He has got Thiago Motta to supply support from the centre. So David Luiz, and the centre back duo of John Terry and Gary Cahill must demonstrate a great level of concentration throughout the encounter.

Mourinho will have to decide whether to trust the industrious Ramires alongside Luiz tonight, like the first leg, or go for the experience of Frank Lampard in central midfield. Lampard could offer more craft, but Chelsea will be taking a huge risk defensively if their legendary midfielder is given the nod alongside Luiz, a makeshift option in the middle.

For Hazard, who has been constantly linked with a move to PSG (could easily be a strategy made in Paris to unsettle him), this is one of those games that could propel him to higher echelon of European football. His incredible talent is indisputable; but if he must be rated as one of the best in the game, like he dreams, the former Lille star cannot afford subdued performances in top games like tonight’s fixture.

Indeed Chelsea, will need the physical and mental might of the whole team to eliminate PSG, but Hazard will need to play a key role to make that happen. It is fair to say, at 23, he has had a decent season, yet a strong performance in this kind of stage can get him off the periphery of being regarded as a talent, rather than a top player.

We have seen the Hazard warning in sprinkles all season, it’s time Eden threw the sucker punch to claim a spot among the heavyweights.

Mour surprises, more decisions for Jose at Chelsea

If you think the decision to sell Juan Mata was a big one, then get ready for more surprises in the summer.

Jose Mourinho is no doubt one of the most influential figures in football and you can attest to that by the way he craftily masterminded the exit of  Mata from Chelsea without a major furore.

The charismatic Portuguese even managed to execute and justify the ‘unthinkable’-selling the amiable Spaniard, the fans’ favourite, to their loathed rivals, Manchester United, less than two years after the Blues supporters mocked Arsenal for trading their best player, Robin van Persie to the same club.

Chelsea fans spat at PSG’s face last summer after attempting a £40m bid to take the unwanted Mata to France, claiming he was worth much more after emerging one of the club’s best, and one of the best players in the English top flight over the last two years. So to have sold the same player to United at a lower fee (£37.1m) was a hard pill to swallow for the Blues faithful. Yet the manager has handled it well.

Last summer, Mourinho admitted he reluctantly accepted the new direction in the playing philosophy that Chelsea wanted, not that he agreed with it. “We had one meeting, and in that meeting we had, not an agreement, but we were all convinced this was the way we want to do it. It’s not my way, a specific way, it’s a way of adapting to the quality of the players.”

He also painted a vague picture of concessions on the part of the board this time around towards arriving at the decision to sell former Valencia man.

“This situation was discussed by a group of persons ... that group of people had different philosophies but a common interest: what is best for Chelsea? Those from the economic department don’t have the same needs as me, a football man, but we decided that for all these reasons – and the human one, that Juan desired to go – we did well. The owner [Roman Abramovich] is the owner. He’s the boss. I belong to the board, but the board is the board. So I come after. I give opinions. I justify my opinions.”  (Independent)

So Mourinho is gradually shaping his own version of THAT attacking style with the aim of ‘building for the future’. He has sold Kevin De Bruyne and Mata for around £55million, two of the players who were expected to play a key role in the expansive style. He has brought in Nemanja Matic and Mohammed Salah for around £33m.

The Chelsea manager is believed to be courting a new centre back with St. Etienne star  Kurt Zouma, 19, thought to have reached a verbal agreement with the Blues. That would reignite the uncertainty surrounding the future of David Luiz while the club’s goalie Thibaut Courtois is keen to resolve his future after three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid.

With Fernando Torres seemingly unmovable because of huge wage bills and unconvincing performances since swapping joining the club from Liverpool, the Blues boss will also have a bid decision to make on the future of Romelu Lukaku after indicating a striker could arrive in the summer.

Uncertainty

John Terry is yearning for a contract extension of more than a year that Chelsea are prepared to offer, while the duo of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole-both of whom have been less influential in the Chelsea side this season-are hoping to extend their stay too. Terry has proven he deserved an extension but Mourinho will have a lot to say to convince the board on the Lampard and Cole.

With the London club already considering the UEFA Financial Fair Play situation regarding their spending, Mourinho is bracing for a summer of huge decisions which could have a big effect on his ‘evolution’ project, especially with over 20 players on loan.

He can't afford to rely on Roman Abramovich to keep shelling out the funds to buy young players as his approach building for the future, as the club are desperate to produce players from the academy which has cost well over £60million. Disagreement over further signings were partly responsible for their previous break-up, while Michael Emenalo, the club's technical director, will also be keen to see how the manager consolidate on his work in talents management.

Mourinho hasn't shown he is ready to give the youngsters opportunities since returning to meet a much healthier youth set up than he left in 2007, the club’s authorities would be eager to see how the Portuguese fare in that area after this summer.

Both the Chelsea board and Mourinho are still sizing themselves up, but this summer’s big decisions will be crucial in testing the seeming serenity at Stamford Bridge.

 Chelsea fans won't mind enjoying the ride  with Mourinho as long as their team win, but he knows his employers are expecting more than the results.

Stop it! Enyeama is no overnight goalkeeping hero

Vincent Enyeama continued to make waves as an outstanding goalie after helping his French Ligue1 side, Lille to a huge win against top side Olympique Marseille Tuesday night.

It was another brilliant performance from the Nigeria captain who stretched his clean sheet to 11 successive games and 1035minutes without conceding a single goal, and 13 shut-outs from 16 matches this season.

Enyeama made four incredible saves, including a double one, as a rampaging Marseille bombarded his defence line, with his fiery look offering an impression of a man who was not ready to surrender his terrific streak. The cameras were on him, and suddenly there was more interest in a Ligue1 game than ever.

The countdown to history has begun, as the Super Eagles star closes in on Gaetan Huard’s 1,176minutes of clean sheet set in 1993, with Lille set to face Bordeaux (away) and Bastia (home) as the next games where the milestone could be re-written. 142minutes left to negotiate.

 Enyeama  with teammates after his heroics  Marseille.          PHOTO: LOSC 

Unsurprisingly, we have been hearing some interesting arguments on the impregnability of the Lille defence in a desperate attempt to downplay the contribution of the Nigerian. Without taking anything away from the performance of his club’s backline,  Enyeama’s stats of having kept out the last 33 shots he had faced (opta) doesn’t suggest he has merely benefited from being shielded by a Berlin Wall.

Then we’ve got the naysayers of “he’s just having a great season”. How dare you plant Enyeama into that ‘one-season wonder’ football cliché? Well you may not have heard of him, but sorry, you are probably a neophyte in international football affairs, not only at African level, but also the biggest stage.

Born 29, August, 1982, Enyeama had led Nigerian top division side Enyimba of Aba to national title in 2001 and repeated the feat in 2002, the same year he made his debut for his country in a preparatory match against Kenya barely a month to the start of the 2002 World Cup.

He got the nod from the then Nigeria coach and FIFA instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde who hurriedly assembled a fresh team after taking over from Amodu Shuaibu, the man who successfully oversaw the qualification campaign.

After his team’s losses to Argentina and Sweden in their opening two games, Onigbinde gave an acid test to the young Enyeama who was the understudy to national number one, Ike Shorunmu. He showed a nervy start but then pulled the save of the game diverting Paul Scholes’ customary pile-driver onto the upright. It was a watershed to greatness, but many never took notice.

A year later, the Nigeria captain led Enyimba to a domestic and continental double, becoming the first club in the country to win the CAF Champions League title, an African trophy he helped retained in 2004. He then joined local rivals, Heartland after which he left for Isreali side, Bnei Yehuda in 2005. It was somewhat an inauspicious move because Enyeama’s profile had risen tremendously on the continent.

Yet the goalkeeper remained consistent with his form and made another incredible mark at the 2006 African Cup of Nations competition where he helped the Super Eagles to a bronze medal feat, his second after achieving the same honour in his debut participation in 2004, . He saved FOUR penalties; one in the 15th minute to protect Nigeria’s early lead and three in the penalty shoot-out, including the deciding kick in the quarter finals of the Egypt 2006 edition.

Enyeama then led little known Bnei Yehuda to UEFA Cup qualification that year and consequently joined a more respectable Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel-Aviv, for whom he played in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The goalkeeper also had a stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv and was notable as a penalty shooting specialist, apart from his shot-stopping exploits and won league and cup titles in the last two Israeli clubs.

The goalkeeper lost his national team place briefly to Austin Ejide’s whose towering frame and form was preferred by the then coach, Berti Vogts as he led Nigeria to the 2008 Nations Cup where the team failed to progress beyond the quarter finals. But he reclaimed his top spot soon after, helping the side to another bronze in the 2010 tournament in Angola.

Enyeama went on to rubbish possible suggestions that he was playing in a small league with successive official man-of-the-match awards in Nigeria’s opening two games against Argentina and Greece at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He denied the best tormentor there probably ever was, Lionel Messi, several times with outstanding saves to the frustration of their coach, Diego Maradona.

He was linked to a move to Premier League sides Bolton and Arsenal at different times, yet none materialised. Then after moving to Lille in 2011, he never had the opportunity until this season when he made his breakthrough.

By the way, is playing in a lowly rated team a yardstick to measure talent? Not a rule of thumb in football.  Yaya Toure was considered not good enough after his trial at Arsenal and had to move to Ukraine instead, and then Olympiacos, Monaco before his big move to Barcelona in summer 2007. In contrast brother Kolo was however signed by Wenger from Ivory Coast and he became a huge hit

Again, despite having won the 1995 Champions League trophy with home team Ajax and playing for Juventus, Edwin van Der Saar still had to join Fulham, an average team, before securing a great move to Manchester United and became a bigger goalkeeping icon.In contrast,  Jussi Jaaskelainen would not be reckoned with as a great goalie in Europe just because he spent his best years playing for Bolton.

George Weah never had a chance to win anything with his national team, Liberia, but he got to the pinnacle and became the world best in 1995 via an incredible club career involving spells at Monaco, PSG and AC Milan.

So before you trivialise Enyeama’s goalkeeping career, think again.