Review and Preview: What Eguavoen must correct ahead of an all-important WC qualifier second leg against Ghana

The part leg of the much anticipated Jollof derby double-header between Nigeria and Ghana for a place in the FIFA World Cup laster this year in Qatar ended on a disappointing note for both sides, but the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be more relieved that they left Kumasi unscratched as it was the Black Stars who are the better side on the night.

Credits: Nigeria Super Eagles

Deputizing for the injured Maduka Okoye in goal, Francis Uzohor proved the hero for the Eagles on the night as he was equal to the Ghanian’s threats when called upon. He did brilliantly well and will have the manager rethinking him as the No.1, a position he lost three years ago due to injury.

Apart from the 23year old Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper, the other positive for Nigeria in the game was that they did not lose and will hold the home advantage when they kickoff the second and decisive leg of the tie.

Ahead of the match in Kumasi, there were worries amongst Nigerians that the absence of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will be a major letdown for the team and during the course of the game at the Baba Yara Stadium, it was obvious that Nigeria really missed the 25year old.

The Ghanian midfield of the likes of Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax completely outran Innocent Bonke and the likes in the middle of the park, thus starving Victor Osimhen of services upfront.

Nigeria just had to be thankful that the Ghanian attackers were less clinical on the night lest they would be kicking off the return leg in Abuja on a deficit.

Making just his second appearance with the Eagles, it was obvious that Lorient midfielder Innocent Bonke is still a novice in the team and in a crucial game, up against players who have been playing at the top level and together in the national team for more than a couple of years, safe to say Austin Eguavoen gave him an uphill task.

The 26 year old struggled to get in the game while not taking any risky passes. The lack of ambition in his play was one of the reasons Victor Osimhen never get a chance to threaten the Ghanian defense and ahead of the second leg, the coach should be thinking of an alternative.

A game like the qualifiers is not one where you experiment new players because mistakes could be severely punished. Which justifies Eguavoen’s decision not to include the likes of Emmanuel Dennis, Lookman Ademola and Calvin Bassey in the starting XI.

Also, Samuel Chukwueze has been unconvincing with his performances recently and might need a break. The Villarreal winger is one of the danger man for the Eagles but has been rather poor in the past few games for him to get a starting spot in the starting side of an important qualifier.

Moses Simon, who was unarguably Nigeria’s best performer at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroun earlier in the year also had a game to forget in Kumasi. These are players expected to step up for the side on the big stage but unfortunately, Friday's game in Kumasi will not count as one of them.

Francis Uzohor was named the man of the match for his heroics for Nigeria vs. Ghana

For a side that relies mostly on the wings when on the attack, the form of these players have made the Eagles less threatening on the attack as they appeared to be easily shutdown by the opposition defense when under little pressure, which was evident in the AFCON round of 16 loss to Tunisia.

This really put the coach, Austin Eguavoen in a very difficult position ahead of the return leg, with selection headache predicted to be one of the dilemma he is nurturing at the moment. 

Oghenekaro Etebo is one of the experienced players in the ranks but having recently recovered from a long term injury which saw him miss the African Cup of Nations in Cameroun, selecting him as a starter could be too risky but the manager might be left with no choice when they host Ghana for the return leg.

The shortage of options in midfield, which meant the approach in attack has to come from the flanks was the reason Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze look inevitable because the much experienced Ahmed Musa is not as reliable as he used to be.

However, ahead of the return leg, surely Eguavoen will be anticipating bringing on the captain at some point in the game while a lot of changes will also be expected in attack with options like Odion Ighalo, who is also rich in experience is available for selection.

It remains to be seen if Eguavoen will make a lot of alterations to the side that started in Kumasi but what should be expected is that there must be changes in the starting XI.

Samuel Chukwueze missed training on Sunday. News has it that the Villarreal man was with the team physiotherapist on his rehabilitation following the knock he suffered in the first leg, which puts his involvement in the second leg in doubt.

Nigeria do have a multiple players to come in for him and it will be interesting to see if the manager decides to go for experience or recent performance when bringing in a replacement as it will be difficult for him to employ a different approach due to the shortage of options in midfield.

Nigeria will need a victory at home to reach the World Cup in Qatar later this year and Ghana stands in their way. Will they be able to capitalize on the home support to seal progression ? 

It remains to be seen as we anticipate the return leg at the National stadium in Abuja on Tuesday evening.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi