Super Eagles Final List Will Be A Team Of Too Many Strikers

Apart from the midfield and maybe the defense where we do not have a lot of options, competition for first team position has been very tough in other departments of the team.
Starting with areas of less competition where the desired quality seems to be lacking; Mikel Obi, Rabiu (injured and out), John Utaka, Osaze are the players who will likely make the team. Apart from Mikel and the injured Rabiu Ibrahim, the other two are not real midfielders. Osaze is known to be a striker as well as Utaka who also prefers to play as the top man upfront. In my view Mikel Obi has become more defensive in recent times. Kanu still part of this list and definitely team captain. However these are the people we are likely to see in our midfield. So we will see a midfield where non of the players are midfielders.

At least at the back we’ll have natural defenders doing their thing even if not at their preferred positions. For Instance Obinna Nwaneri naturally plays in the middle of the defense. But with Yobo more established will be preferred In that position. Nwaneri, who will definitely not be droped, so will have to move up in front of Yobo. Of course Taye Taiwo will be retained at the left fullback position with either a Daniel Shittu probably at the right full back.

Upfront we may have a little problem selecting who carries the day. With Yakubu, Martins, Ike Uche all top strikers every coach will have a tough task making his choice. The fact that these players are all top quality, we are likely to see a Super Eagles team with five to six strikers in the pack.

This will certainly not allow our natural wing play with Osaze, Utaka, Ike Uche, Yakubu, Martins and Kanu all set to make the team. That is six strikers in all.

In this situation, even Kanu Nwankwo will have to play in the middle since he also has the ability to hold on to the ball. Vogts will allow more lethal strikers to handle the job in front. But he’ll do well playing directly behind a striker although that will be a difficult decision especially with Yakubu and Martins all rearing to go.

Super Eagles goal is another place where real competition will be seen. Vincent Eyeama, Dele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide are very good goal keepers. However, while the coach favours Ejide to carry the day, the fans favour Eyeama on their part based on his experience. I have confidence whoever is picked at the end should be able to do the job.

In the end the team will be deficient in the middle and over endowed upfront. There is a tendency the players who will be selected to handle the task in the middle will leave it bare due to the natural instinct to go up front. Is this an advantage or disadvantage? Time will tell.

NB:This article was written a few hours before the final squad was released.

Emmanuel Ekanem is a webmaster and admin of Nigeria’s first and only Online Football forum.