NIGERIA vs ICELAND: IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR THE SUPER EAGLES
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NIGERIA vs ICELAND: IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR THE SUPER EAGLES
After the 2-0 loss to Croatia, nothing but a win against Iceland will
enhance Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup hopes.
The team can, however, use Spain as a positive reference point. The
1982 World Cup host lost their opening game of the 2010 World Cup in
South Africa, going down 1-0 to Switzerland, before going on to lift
football’s greatest prize after defeating the Netherlands by the same
scoreline in the final in Johannesburg.
Nigeria met with a similar fate when they were brushed aside by
Croatia, with the Blades carving them open at will and sealing a win
they thoroughly deserved.
Gernot Rohr, calm and phlegmatic, will not have enjoyed his side’s
approach, nor is he likely to forget the ease with which his central
defensive pairing of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong were so
ruthlessly exposed by the unstoppable Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic.
Two further group matches remain with the first, against Iceland on
Friday in Volgograd, giving Rohr’s men a chance to bounce back from
the loss suffered by the former African champions.
The Eagles boss could also be considering a call-up for Ahmed Musa,
perhaps as part of a false nine set-up, should he decide to sacrifice
Odion Ighalo. In defence, Rohr also has the option of bringing in
Tyrone Ebuehi and reorganising a sluggish Nigerian backline.
Skipper Mikel Obi didn’t thrive behind the striker, with Alex Iwobi
favoured to take that role on Friday.
The team lost their last two pre-World Cup friendlies to England and
the Czech Republic but defeat to the Croats revealed greater
weaknesses, prompting many to conclude that changes must be made on
Friday.
Iceland adopt the 4-5-1 formation against stronger teams, which
usually means most sides they play against.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, aside, Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has few
household names in a team that nevertheless plays with a swagger.
Iceland combine an aggressive pressing game with a fluent passing
approach.
Nigeria should be too strong for the Europeans on paper, but the
extent to which the Eagles have recovered from the debacle against
Croatia will be the key to their World Cup future.
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