The
Dream Team VI have started the Olympic games on a bright note to the delight of
soccer loving Nigerians who have trooped in their large numbers to watch the
U-23 side in a 90 minute encounter irrespective of the timing of the game and
different weather conditions around the country and beyond. The team produced a
magnificent performances against Japan and in the second game against Sweden as
well and have booked a place in the quarter final stage with great aplomb.
With
respect to these victories we proffer into the Dream Team VI scenario to
discover what and things the team they have done well to remain on course for
Olympic Games in the couple of games played. With the team led by Samson Siasia
there are surely things the Master planner must have done behind the scene that
has catapulted the Dream Team VI to the top spot in the group standings.
On
this note we evaluate what the Coach (Siasia) have rightly done in the course
of the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
PICKING THE RIGHT ELEVEN
The
starting eleven like I said earlier is the key component of a team especially
going into a tournament and it must be gotten right so that maximum
productivity will be ensured as such teams progress. This starting spot does
not really rely on the quality alone but the ability of the player to find a
rhythm in a definite system.
The starting eleven is an 11 players who can
complement each other in transition and in maintaining defensive organization.
In the first game and with a possible tiredness in the match due to flying
conditions (Jet lag) Siasia made the right decision in his selection by
starting three pacy and skillful forward in attack as the trio of Oghenekaro
Etebo (Flag Bearer) Umar Sadiq (New Nwankwo Kanu) and Imoh Ezekiel (young Ike
Uche) ran down the Japanese defence with flair and skill to the good of Nigeria
with Mikel and Azubuike protecting the back four along in the talented
youngster Usman Mohammed who must improve more as competition gets tighter in
the days ahead.
BALANCING THE EQUATION
There
was strong need for the coach to balance the defence line with duo of Sincere
Seth and William Troost-Ekong who are a product of complement for each other.
What Sincere Seth lacks in experience Troost-Ekong has intact as he is more exposed than the youthfulness
of Sincere Seth who is so crucial for the team in the days ahead.John Obi Mikel among
the mist of inexperienced players who might be appearing in their first major
tournament to bring all man at per with the task at hand was a brilliant
decision by the coach.
This balance of youth and experience will be absolutely
key as Imoh Ezekiel (22) who is very exposed in international football partners
Umar Sadiq who is just enjoying possibly his first major outing in his carrier
in the Olympic Game with so much promise in the days ahead. So the team gaffer
must be applauded for a job well done in the team.
TEAM CONTINUITY
There is every need for a team stick to their
familiar players or playing personnel for over a course of time. Team
continuity is very vital as the Dream Team VI have formed a cohesive unit in a
space of time leading to understanding of a more or all closing an opposition
in transition.
The fact that Daniel Emmanuel was retained in goal as the No. 1
ahead of over aged and high profiled Daniel Akpeyi who has made his debut in
the Senior Team is a sure sign that the coach (Siasia) recognizes the need for
the team to maintain continuity and consistency especially at the back with the
familiarity of Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers Goalkeeper) owing into plays
regards to decision making among the team (central) defenders.
With this sort
of continuity Nigeria can march further as understanding and the ease of play
is increased for the benefit of the Dream Team VI manager and technical crew led
by Samson Siasia.
GOOD SUBSTITUTIONS AT THE RIGHT TIME
The
gaffer have made six changes from the two games (against Japan and Sweden) the Dream Team VI have
played so far at the Rio Olympics Games. The timing of those substitutions is
sport on as the candidate’s substitutes are accurate and proper as regards to
the interest of the game for Nigeria
at a particular point in time.
In the second half of the game, it was right for
Siasia to substitute the tired and becoming influential Usman Mohammed for Madu
to shore off the defence as Japan
mounted a charge for goals late in the game. The replacement of John Obi Mikel
with Popoola Saliu who recently celebrated his birthday after the game was met
with a warm welcome as the veteran lanky midfielder lost the ball in Nigeria’s
half seven when trying his obvious trademark of shielding the ball effectively
which he failed at that moment as he was really won out in the game.
Just as
name sake Umar Aminu came onto replace the fading away Umar Sadiq who opened
the scoring for Nigeria
in the 39th minutes.
SIASIA METICULOUS APPROACH
The
manager Coach Samson Siasia has been meticulous all this while at the Rio
Olympic Games, dishing out instructions constantly to his players at every
giving opportunity. That is why the team have being following and maintaining
focus in the course of a match.
Siasia consistent approach in speaking to the
players can be likened to that of Chelsea Coach Antonio Conte who meticulous
shout to his players with special burning desire and passion for productivity
on the field of play.
Siasia’s willing was to stand and watch closely the shape
of the team have proven to be key for his team as some Nigerians doubted the
score line (whether it was Sweden
or Nigeria
that was leading as Siasia raked at his players after (Sadiq) their late goal.