Very brief thoughts on Nigeria vs DR Congo

I was not going to write anything at all about this game against DR Congo. As a matter of principle, I found it offensive; in terms of utility, I found it unnecessary.

The very setting was problematic — I’ve always deeply disliked the turf at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, and I found it a constant source of distraction during the game.

All of this said, here I am again. Masochism? Fate? I don’t know. Maybe I’m just excusing myself from a lengthier post? I wouldn’t rule that out either.

Gernot Rohr wheeled out his trusty 4–2–3–1, not seen since November, and handed debuts to Simy Nwankwo and Junior Lokosa. The Kano Pillars man started on the right, with Oghenekaro Etebo on the other flank. Elderson Echiejile returned at left-back.

Two observations from a largely forgettable game, without going over old ground (no pining for Mikel, or banging on about the build-up)

1. Kelechi Iheanacho presents a serious problem

In terms of impacting the scoreline with a moment of sheer individual brilliance, there is arguably no one better in the Super Eagles than Iheanacho. And yet, his very presence presents an intractable question: how does the team function with him in it the rest of the time?

By the very virtue of being underdogs, Nigeria cannot afford to facilitate this type of player, and especially not within the current system. We are saddled with a player who is neither midfielder nor striker: who does not work well enough in tight spaces or take decisions quickly enough to be a creator between the lines; who lacks the physical intensity or explosiveness to play upfront alone.

He ought to play well enough as a support striker, but only with a certain profile of forward ahead of him. What’s further worrying is that, of all available options, Simy is perhaps the most compatible in terms of style, and still the Leicester man bombed.

The riddle of how to coax a consistent level of performance out of Iheanacho will be one to keep Rohr awake at night. No worries though. He’ll probably crack one in from 30 yards at Wembley and we’ll forget all about this.

2. The debutants

It’s only fair to acknowledge that Lokosa was in a no-win situation. His already miniscule chances were further jeopardized by being stuck out on the right wing. That ought to provide a caveat for anything else that comes after: you’re unlikely to find much to get excited about with a poacher playing out wide.

That might, perhaps, explain some of the hyperbole surrounding his debut, some of which seemed to evince gleeful relief that, being based in the NPFL, he did not trip over his own feet. The truest compliment one could pay was to say that he did not look out of place on a technical level: he received the ball cleanly, passed it in similar vein, aided his full-back and looked calm.

If anything, he looked too calm, and erred too much on the side of safety, even when presented with a great opportunity to steam forward down the line. That will ultimately prove his undoing, I believe. He seemed more focused on proving he belonged there than on actually showing what he could do differently.

As for Simy, it’s safe to say he has earned a place in the party of 25 to London. He displayed interesting footwork, and while I have my doubts still, he varied his movements and positioning more than I thought he could. His lack of speed means he can’t press quite so effectively, but his effort cannot be knocked either.

The squad will be pruned to 25 before the trip to London, and then we can take a look at some ideas I have had percolating in the back of my head.