Nigeria has reached a critical stage, and at this point, coach Eguavoen might have to throw in the kitchen sink if need be
The Super Eagles of Nigeria battle Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday in arguably the nation’s biggest football game in the last four years.
As has been reiterated, the Qatar 2022 ticket is not the only thing at stake in the face-off between the two West-African heavyweights. The clash encompasses all areas of life, as Ghanaians and Nigerians are constantly in a battle for supremacy, even in social matters.
Nigeria welcome Ghana for the second leg after holding the Black Stars to a goalless draw in Kumasi. While there were some positives from the first leg, the display from the Super Eagles, especially in the attack, was largely disconnected.
Osimhen, who has been on fire for Napoli this season hardly got any clear chance. Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon had poor games, and there was hardly any form of creativity coming from the middle, as Kelechi Iheanacho was largely nonexistent.
It is not the first time Iheanacho would become invincible in a game. At the last Nations Cup, he blanked out against Tunisia. And last Friday, he hardly conjured anything in attack for the Super Eagles.
The Ghanaians were very physical in their approach, and Iheanacho struggled with that.
At this crucial point, Eguavoen does not have the luxury of fielding a misfiring player, as all players would need to be at their best to beat the Ghanaians in Abuja.
The issue of Simon and Chukwueze is already on the table, and so is Iheanacho’s case. With the kind of firepower available to coach Eguavoen, it would only be expedient that he looks to replace Iheanacho in the return leg, especially as he has the services of Ighalo and Umar.
Of the two strikers, Ighalo is the more suitable option for the game against Ghana. Asides from his experience on the big stage, Ighalo is not a stranger to playing as a supporting striker.
Although Ighalo’s call up to the national team is still under the jury, his quality is never in question. Ighalo has been a top-notch predator since he moved to the Saudi Arabian league last year.
The 32-year-old has scored 31 goals and assisted five in 41 appearances since his move to the Saudi Arabian league.
The former Watford man was instrumental when Nigeria qualified for the last World Cup, and against Ghana, he could be a vital addition. Ighalo could also be the key to neutralising the Ghanaians’ physical approach.
However, Ighalo’s potency would depend on how Eguavoen sets up. In all the games that the Nigerian gaffer has executed, he seems over-reliant on wing play which is good, but he seems to run out of ideas when the wings are marked out.
With Ndidi out, the players that would do the job in the middle of the park are still somewhat unpredictable. But if Bonke is fit enough, he could get another run-in. Aribo is the most creative midfielder in the squad right now, and he should partner Bonke.
But for Ighalo to be effective, the midfield has to be in full throttle- doing the job defensively and offensively, especially if the wingers are well marshalled.
Then again, Eguavoen could resort to a three man defense, but that is unlikely, as Eguavoen has shown overtime that he is not ready to switch tactics.
Nonetheless, if Eguavoen can get his midfield sorted, a striking duo of Ighalo and Osimhen would indeed prove to be a handful for the Ghanaian defence.
