Super Eagles news: Ikhana’s five-and-five warning before Zanzibar

Former Nigeria defender and 2003 African Coach of the Year Kadiri Ikhana has praised the Super Eagles' response in the 3-1 win over Tanzania, but warned that the goals Nigeria keep conceding could cost them in the Group L race.

Ikhana, 74, guided Enyimba to the 2003 CAF Champions League title. He gave his verdict on Friday's win in Uyo in an exclusive interview with Completesports.com, three days before Nigeria face the Taifa Stars again in Zanzibar.

I'm impressed with the way the team played, especially after Tanzania's equaliser.

He added that the players “dug deep into their vault of experience and refused to be demoralised” once the game was level.

Five in, five out

Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead inside two minutes in Uyo before Alphonce Msanga equalised on 32 minutes. Tolu Arokodare then scored twice in eight second-half minutes, on 52 and 60, to settle it, and Soccernet looked at what Eric Chelle made of his striker on Sunday morning.

Ikhana's concern is at the other end. He pointed out that Nigeria have scored five and conceded five in their three Group L games, while leaders Guinea-Bissau have scored six and let in only one.

Five goals in three games, for me, is not a bad return for the strikers. But conceding five goals in the same three games is not a good return for the defenders.

“You know, goal difference counts in all of this,” he continued.

Analysis: Why Ikhana's arithmetic matters in Zanzibar

On Ikhana's figures, Nigeria's goal difference is level while Guinea-Bissau's is plus five, and that gap is a reminder that a win alone may not be the whole story if the group is tight at the end. A clean sheet in Zanzibar would help the numbers as much as any goal.

It is also a pattern, not a one-off. Before this window Soccernet counted five games without a clean sheet, and Uyo extended that run. The Super Eagles have shown they can score their way out of trouble; Ikhana's point is that the leaders have not needed to.

Tuesday's game at the Amaan Stadium, with kick-off at 14:00 WAT, is the next chance for Chelle's back line to answer him.