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Soccer News of Saturday, 5 June 2021

Source: www.completesports.com

5 lessons from Super Eagles 1-0 defeat to Cameroon

Super Eagles Super Eagles

The Super Eagles may have lost 1-0 to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Friday’s international friendly game in Austria, however, there are few lessons to be learnt from the defeat.

Completesports.com’s AUGUSTINE AKHILOMEN highlights five areas the Super Eagles must work on before facing Cameroon in the reverse friendly game on Tuesday, June 7.

1. Poor coordination and understanding in the team

The game against Cameroon may be considered as a friendly encounter, however, the game also exposed the Super Eagles’ inability to gel properly, most especially in the midfield, where the likes of Etebo, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi failed to create quality cohesion.

This also contributed to the lack of enough supply to Paul Onuachu in the attack as he barely threatened the defence of the Indomitable Lions. The Eagles hardly sprung two or three passes before losing the ball to their opponent.

2. Iwobi still unconvincing

It is still strange to imagine why Alex Iwobi always finds it diffuclt to replicate his club form in the Super Eagles. Iwobi, who is known to dazzle with the ball, failed to put his feet right as his poor passing and dribbles against Cameroon further highlighted the need for improvement from the former Arsenal player.

3. Onuachu’s aerial prowess not well utilised

Despite scoring over 30 goals for Genk in the Belgium League last season, Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu was expected to continue with that same scoring form against Cameroon, but the story was not the same due to the players’ inability to utilize his aerial presence.

The gangling striker was more of a ‘passenger’ in the game as the midfielders failed to connect with him in the attack. This is one area Gernot Rohr must work on or else the real potential of Onuachu won’t be well utilized.

4. Jamiu Collins, a shadow of himself

In the absence of Zaidu Sanusi due to injury, Jamiu Collins was saddled with the responsibility of marshaling the left-back but he failed to fill the gap. He often failed to track back after overlapping to join the attack, a situation the Indomitable Lions capitalized on each time they attack from that position.

5.  Olayinka and Moffi impressed, need starting roles

The introduction of Peter Olayinka and Terem Moffi in the second half added some spark into the team’s attack against Cameroon. Both players displayed a glimpse of sharpness in the attack and committed the Cameroonian defenders to make serious fouls against them. To properly access them, it would be ideal for Gernot Rohr to give both players starting shirts.