24th May, 2012
Chief Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi is sad that his team lost to Peru in the international friendly match played in the early hours of today in Lima.
The Eagles fell by the odd goal to Peru in the tie which was part of Nigeria’s build-up for the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This was Keshi’s second loss since he took charge of the team, and Keshi was bitter that his team had to concede defeat few days to the crucial qualifying matches.
“I feel bad because this was a match we ought not to have lost,” he said. But former goalkeeper trainer of the Eagles, Joe Erico, believes the defeat is good for the team, arguing that it is a clear pointer that there is still a lot of work to be done.
The former Green Eagles’ goalkeeper added that despite the loss there are still a lot of lessons to be learnt. According to him, “we should not be worried about the outcome of the game but what we stand to gain. Though we couldn’t match the Peruvians with their short passes, I still believe the coaches have learnt something from the tie.”
Former Nigerian international, Patrick Paschal appealed to football-loving Nigerians not to crucify the Keshi-tutored team, noting that success does not come suddenly when a team is rebuilding.
“The game ended 0-1 against Nigeria. The team did not play badly if we look at the fact that Peru paraded a team that comprised their established players like Pizzaro, Farfane and host of others playing in Europe and with UEFA Champions League experience, unlike the Eagles with mainly home-based players who are still struggling with nonpayment of their sign on fees and salaries” Paschal said.
He, however, advised Keshi to work on the attacking prowess of the team which was weak against Peru.
“The problem I saw in the game which needs urgent attention is the attack. The attackers could not connect themselves very well in the game. Even when Keshi brought in Nnamdi Oduamadi and Ekigho Ehiosun, the problem still persisted,” he said.
But besides the defeat, the individual performances of Gege Soriola, Raheem Lawal, Henry Uche, Godfrey Oboabona and Izu Azuka gave hope ahead of a hectic month of June, crowded with three qualifiers.
Experienced Hamburg striker Paolo Guerero nicked the match winner four minutes from the interval.
Nigeria held their own against their South American hosts. They were solid in defence and also kept their shape in the middle, but would need to add more pep in their attack.
The Eagles go into next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Malawi without the reliable skipper Joseph Yobo, but the showings of new boy Soriola could well have plugged the vacuum caused by a muscle injury to the Fenerbache star.
He could now play alongside giant Warri Wolves centre half Azubuike Egwuekwe in the qualifiers.
Olympic international midfielder Lawal made the most of his Eagles bow and should be among those from the trip to Lima to now get the nod for the squad for the qualifiers.
He came in on the hour for Henry Uche and did enough to impress in the middle of the pack that has not exactly inspired confidence under Keshi.
—Adebobola Alawode & Francis Achi/Abuja