The Super Eagles of Nigeria will later today take on Ghana in the first of the two friendly games they will play in the Morrocan city of Marrakesh during the international break, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
It will be the first time the team will be getting together after the 1-2 defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in February. They will be without head coach Jose Peseiro who left his role upon the expiration of his contract at the end of last month.
Looking back at the defeat, Alex Iwobi who played in all of Nigeria’s game at the tournament including the final lifted the lid on how they couldn’t react to the tactics of the host in the final game. He also explained why he was not at his creative best at the tournament.
“Obviously it does help when you are the host like the fans are dressed in orange bro, it does help, although we weren’t fazed but we just couldn’t get the ball out of our half”, he explained in an interview on the YouTube channel of his pet project named Project 17.
On his game not up to the usual way he operates, the 27 year old explained that it was basically an instruction from the coach for him to be more defensive in tandem with his partner in a two man midfield in Frank Onyeka.
“Playing a game every four games in those conditions (hot weather), it’s not an excuse though but playing a game every four days in those conditions and the role I was asked to do alongside Frank is literally like second balls, run, keep the ball.
“Obviously everybody is like why is Alex not being creative but I was told to keep the ball, manage the ball, change it from left to right, we have wing backs that can support. We’ve got Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon that can create. Victor is a goal scorer he is lethal. All you have to do Alex and Frank is sit and manage the game”, he further said before going ahead to speak on the poor reaction to the Ivorian set up that led to the defeat in the final game of the tournament.
“Moreso defensively is like when Semi Ajayi or Kenneth Omeruo is heading the ball you have to be there. That’s the role I was told to do. Against the team of Ivory Coast. Who have definitely analyze our games. They have put Kessie (Franck) who is pinning me back but doesn’t want to go to Calvin. So I am dropping deep.
“They have got Serri managing the game, so obviously it’s hard for Victor to control or dictate that one defender or one CDM. Then they have got Fofana on the other side trying to pin Frank back. So we didn’t know how to handle that.
“It’s hard to adjust so we just had to continue doing what we have been doing every game which is being defensive. Coming back, trying to make sure we are solid at the back. It was hard to get to the ball. It was hard to press”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
