OFF/ON-PITCH EVENTS ARE SYMBIOTIC

Prior to this qualifying game there have been severe problems plaguing Nigeria’s Football Federation; starting with Keshi’s unsigned contract, unpaid bonuses, the NFF building that got consumed by fire and the threat from FIFA to suspend Nigerian football with regards the NFF elections. Keshi, who had vowed not to coach the Super Eagles following his contractual problems, told CAF’s media unit before the game against Congo that he came back to manage the team due to calls from respectable Nigerians who pleaded with him to take charge of Nigeria’s game against Congo and South Africa. “Initially, I didn’t want to do it because I was done with Nigerian football having coached the team for over two and a half years but I got a lot of calls from respectable Nigerians who wanted me to continue with the work – and sometimes when people talk to you, you have to [comply]”. It is obvious the Big Boss loves the team but events outside the pitch are hampering the team’s progress. Meanwhile, the NFF is struggling to meet up with FIFA’s demand to avoid suspension and just fixed the elections for 25th of this month. The combination of all these have taken Nigeria’s football development a step behind after an impressive sign of development after the African Nations Cup and World Cup. The earlier these off-pitch problems are fixed, the better it is for the on-pitch results.

TEAM SELECTION AND MISSING PLAYERS
When Peter Odemwingie and Victor Moses were omitted from the list of those to face Congo and South Africa, eyebrows were raised. Victor Moses may not have been on the best of forms but such a presence on the bench would have made things better. The reasons for dropping Odemwingie were suspicious. Though these two lads broke down with injury a week to this game, expectation was high for Keshi to make do with the players available, but deciding to leave Emenike out of the starting eleven and opting to go with Nwofor is a mistake Keshi must surely be regretting. Questions would be asked regarding this as Emenike’s introduction brought about a change of the team’s attacking intent. Also, Enyeama’s absence was sorely felt as his apprentice, Ejide struggled to have a full grasp of the game and the shots and could have done better in stopping the second goal.

MIKEL’S CAREER NEEDS REIGNITING
Following a miserable 2013 season for Mikel Obi at Chelsea and an absence of suitors to give him more playing time, Mikel’s career has taken a sharp decline into wantonness. He has spent majority of his time on the bench and therefore finds it difficult to perform in the Nigerian colours which questions his motivation to play; whether he is more interested in his cumbersome wages at Chelsea or a place where he could find a decent playing time. It is worthy of note that this was a player ranked in the same mould as Lionel Messi some years ago. His wayward passing and inability to initiate attacks more than summarizes his wretched display against the minnows of Congo. At 27, he’s approaching his peak in football and at this point a reigniting is needed. His performance for Nigeria could be a significant step in doing so being that it all started in the Nigerian jersey

ANOTHER HOST NEEDED
Calabar has housed the Super Eagles for some time which hitherto this game held the record of not having to harbor a loss by the Eagles. Now the record has been decimated under rather sad circumstances, luck seems to have run out in the Canaan City. The surface of the pitch was an eyesore continuously hampering the free flow of the ball. The city looked unprepared to host the Eagles or maybe fell into the trap of “overfamiliarity” being the only state to have hosted the Super Eagles for close to four years running. Akwa-Ibom’s newly commissioned stadium provides a better alternative and could offer a breath of fresh air to the misfiring team.

CREDIT TO CLAUD LE ROY
This was a game where no chance was given to Congo on drawing much more winning but they pulled off one of the biggest upset of the first round of qualifying games by being the first team to beat the Super Eagles at the U. J. Esuene with less heralded players. It was easy to spot their motivation and determination not minding the panoply of players on display by the opposition. Due credits must be given to the brain behind the whole show – Claud Le Roy.

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Ayo-oluwa Obafemi is a football analyst and an independent/freelance writer