THE FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP:GROUP BY GROUP ANALYSIS

GROUP B
NIGERIA
     The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the reigning AFCON champions and are making their second appearance at the tournament after finishing fourth in 1995.Nigerian football had seen its standard drop a little bit especially after failure to qualify for the 2012 AFCON.They did qualify for the 2013 tournament and won it,and are therefore fortunate to play in the tournament,because if it wasn't for CAF's decision to prevent AFCONs from being played in World Cup years,Zambia would be the ones making the trip to Brazil and representing Africa.The Nigerian players threatened not to participate in the Confederations cup after getting half of the bonuses they are meant to get from World cup qualifiers drawn or won.That issue was sorted out,as they were now paid their remaining money.The team will therefore now get to Brazil on saturday,meaning they have one day to train before they play Tahiti,which would be music to the ears of the Islanders.The Nigerian team is coached by Stephen Keshi,he is a former player of the super eagles and became the 2nd man to win the AFCON as player and coach when he guided Nigeria to the 2013 AFCON glory.He famously handed in a resignation letter after wining the competition,after rumour came out that he would be sacked after the tournament.Neither thing happened and he remained on board.Nigeria seat top of the first phase of their qualifying table with 9 points two clear of nearest rivals Malawi who they play in the group decider in September.The team play a 4-3-3 system.The system is going to be the same as the AFCON winning system.Enyeama in goal.Efe Ambrose-Oboabona-Omeruo-Echijiele in defence from right to left.In midfield Onazi will be the holding midfielder,although he has an injury and is out for the game against Tahiti,he will be replaced by Fegor Ogude in that match or when ever he gets back.Mikel Obi the controller and pace setter while Sunday Mba as the most forward player of the 3 midfielders.In attack comes the real problem for Stephen Keshi.The 3 forward players of the AFCON winning team were Brown Ideye,Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses.The last two along with Mikel,Mba and Efe Ambrose were to me Nigeria's best performers at the Nations Cup.The aforementioned Moses and Emenike gave them real attacking energy and impetus and these two are out injured.So what to do for Stephen Keshi? In the Nations cup final Emenike was also out injured.He was replaced on that day by Ike Uche,he didn't make the squad for the Confederations cup.Going with his selections at the recent World cup qualifiers,he is not sure which 2 of 3(Nnamdi Uduamadi,Anthony Ujah and Ahmed Musa) he should go with.I personally will go for the first 2,they will be eager to really prove themselves and will want to take their chances when given.Musa on the other hand has been given many chances on the field which he somehow manages to miss time and time again.I've seen this guy play for both Nigeria amd CKSA Moscow and he tends to miss chances,take on a defender when its not nessecary, give the wrong pass and even when he gives the right pass,it is either missed placed,too early or too late.Don't get me wrong,he has the potential and also has incredible pace but he really needs to work on the problems i mentioned above.Players to watch for the Super Eagles,i'll say,the two strikers Stephen Keshi picks to replace Emenike and Moses,they'll have big boots to fill and many people in the West African country will be looking to see what they do.They have to impress and put in a good show or risk being left in the dark for later events.The Midfield trio of Mba,Mikel and Onazi were excelllent at the Nations cup and will need to be at that again especially when they come against World champions Spain.Sunday Mba has proven to be one who scores important goals,as he scored the Nations Cup winner against Burkina faso and also the winner against Cote D'voire in the quarter final,both goals happened to be scored on a sunday strangely enough,So beware Spain(they play Nigeria on a sunday) and opponents of Nigeria in the 3rd place or Final(both matches will take place on a sunday) if they get there.Onazi had a fantastic season winning the Coppa Italia with Lazio and also had the habit for scoring breath taking goals,Nigerians will hope he recovers in time to face Uruguay and Spain.Mikel is the most famous player for the Nigerian squad and probably the best player in the squad too.He tends to play a more pace setting game for Nigeria rather than the holding one he plays for Chelsea.He did that well at the Nations cup and will also do well to produce an even better performance in Brazil.Another player people should watch out for is the Celtic defender Efe Ambrose,he impressed me alot at the AFCON with his dribbling ability and forrays forward,all the more impressive is the fact that he is a centre back for his club side,Celtic.






One thing i love about African football is that,the other countries tend to support their neighbours.The Nigerian players not only carry the hopes of their country but also the hopes of a continent.I'm a big fan of the Nigerian band they always carry about to all their matches and can't wait to hear their drums and trumpets.All the talk that Stephen Keshi carried 8 home based players and hence Nigeria won't take the tournament serious is nonsense.They will go to Brazil and give it a real good go as they always do and maybe,come June 30th we all will be more surprised than we were when Nigeria won the AFCON,if the Super Eagles emergence victorious in Brazil.



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