Both Scotland and Nigeria attacked down the left flank on Wednesday night, while the Venlo striker made a big impact others showed wear in this tactical review of the game that was
Nigeria just about earned a draw at the death against an impressive Scotland side in a game low on technical quality.
Stephen Keshi’s selection was highly experimental, with Elderson Echiejile the only player who could be regarded as first choice. Uchebo reprised his role behind the striker from the Mexico game, Kunle Odunlami played at right-back.
Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney played on opposing flanks cutting inside, while Steven Naismith got the nod upfront.
As expected with such a high turn-over of playing personnel, the Super Eagles struggled to play cohesively. Scotland did a fine job of pressing the initial pass into midfield, preventing the Nigerian pivot from turning, even to the point of persistent fouling. Inter man Joel Obi normally excels at this, he possesses good speed on the turn, but he has struggled with fitness concerns all season and looked well off the pace.
This meant that the centre-backs, especially captain Joseph Yobo was forced to play long to get the ball to the wingers stationed high up the pitch or to the giant Uchebo. Yobo’s experience playing as a full-back early in his career means he is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, but Uchebo’s lay-offs were poor and his touch lacking. The team got more joy finding Ejike Uzoenyi wide on the left, who dovetailed very nicely with Elderson ‘underlapping’.
Scotland asserted themselves more as the first half wore on. While there was a hint of good fortune about their opener as Charlie Mulgrew flicked in a shot dragging wide on 10 minutes, they got the upper hand by getting Anya space to run into. Naismith played as a false-nine, much like he did for Everton against Arsenal at Goodison Park in April, dropping off the front and tempting Azubuike Egwuekwe high up the pitch. As a result, Anya got a lot of joy running at Odunlami and gave the Sunshine Stars defender a torrid time.
The area of strength for the Super Eagles was also in Scotland’s right-back zone; where, as mentioned previously, Uzoenyi and Elderson forged a good understanding. Allied to Joel Obi’s drifts into that area, Scotland were undermanned 3v2 with Scott Brown moving over to help out Alan Hutton. This left space between the lines for Uchebo, and the giant attacker brought the game back to level pegging just before half-time thanks to a huge deflection off Grant Hanley.
Odunlami | A shaky showing
The start of the second half saw no personnel changes, but Uzoenyi and Michael Babatunde switched flanks. The Volyn winger was now on his favoured side, but crucially Nigeria lost impetus attacking down that flank and Hutton felt free to scamper forward. He crossed for Scotland’s second seven minutes into the second half, serving to highlight Babatunde’s lack of defensive awareness; he had been playing up against Andrew Robertson in the first half who offered little going forward (but was flawless in his defensive duties). Up against the attack-minded Hutton, his inability to track his man cost the Super Eagles.
The customary rash of substitutions began on 53 minutes, and all were positive: Nosa Igiebor came on for Obi and immediately looked sharper, the same can be said for the returning Osaze Odemwingie, whose introduction injected a sense of urgency into Nigeria’s play.
The key change was Heerenveen’s Uche Nwofor replacing Shola Ameobi, who was largely ineffectual bar a smart snapshot volley in the first half. Nwofor may not be a household name (yet), but his movement and anticipation are first rate: he quickly beat Gordon Greer to a fizzing near-post cross by Odemwingie but could not direct the header, and put another header from a deep Nnamdi Oduamadi cross just over the bar after an intelligent run in behind.
Nigeria struggled to penetrate as Scotland sat deeper, often guilty of not opening up passing lanes. The slew of forwards would often stand in a straight line, all looking to sprint behind the Scottish defence, and in this the Super Eagles missed the passing range of John Obi Mikel or a true creative ‘no. 10’ to work in tight spaces. Gabriel Reuben was a pallid imitation, constantly underhitting his passes into the forwards; this caused Odemwingie to drop deeper and deeper in order to get on the ball and prompt attacks.
It was fitting that Nwofor got the breakthrough in the end.
His persistence paid off on another run in behind, and he picked himself up to fire in from a tight angle after a dummy by Oduamadi. It was perhaps more than the Super Eagles deserved, but if the measure of a top player is one who can turn a game when his team is playing poorly, then the shoe fits Nwofor perfectly.
Keshi gave the fringe players a run-out, and will be satisfied that almost everyone has been granted a fair chance. Of the starting eleven, only Uzoenyi staked any sort of claim for a ticket to Brazil. Odunlami looked utterly out of his depth at right-back, and Gabriel's over-casual passing and lack of pace means he would be a huge risk. Babatunde is high on endeavour but low on quality, Uchebo’s work-rate and movement continue to belie his decisions, which are often poor.
The biggest disappointment however, is for the returning Joel Obi. If Keshi intended this as a fitness assessment exercise, then Obi did little to indicate he is in the right condition physically. It is a shame, as he is highly rated, but his chances of surviving Keshi’s big cull took a severe hit with this performance.
Attentions turn now to June 2, when the final 23 will be announced. The day after, the group will take on Greece. Keshi’s Brazil mural will be a whole lot clearer then, that much is certain.
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