By Ettedem Philip
It's official that Gernot Rohr has released his final squad for the match against Algeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and barring any injury or unforeseen circumstances, this team will on November 12 play against Algeria.
I will dissect the invited players to the team based on their various positions and also do permutations .
Goalkeepers:
Three goalkeepers were invited, Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Delete Alampasu.
This looks straightforward as Ikeme is the first choice goalie but it's the second choice that will pull a little bit of competition as Ezenwa is not playing regularly due to NPFL being on break while Alampasu is playing regularly for his Portuguese club side FC Cesarense.
How this will play out -we shall wait and see because it will matter little if Ikeme is in goal.
Defenders:
Starting with the central defence we have four of them; Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong and Henry Agbo. This also looks straightforward as Balogun and Troost Ekong are set to start against Les Verts with Omeruo and Henry Agbo though playing regularly for their clubs have not been in the kind of form Ekong and Balogun are in for Hagesund and Mainz.
It also doesn't help their case when you also consider that Omeruo's club Alanyaspor is fighting relegation in the Turkish League and Granada have the worst defence in La Liga where Henry Agbo sometimes doesn't play as a defender but a defensive midfielder. In the right back position we have Shehu Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed and unknown quantity Tyronne Ebuehi, the favourite to play there is Shehu Abdullahi as Musa Muhammed is lacking match fitness and doesn't play regularly for his club while Tyronne Ebuehi is an unknown quantity even though he is quick, strong and athletic.
This game has come too soon to make his debut while on the left we have Elderson Echejile and Kingsley Madu favourite to start is Echejile as Kingsley Madu is too attack minded and sometimes abandon his defensive duties.
Midfielders:
Rohr invited five midfielders, Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo. It is expected that Rohr will be going for two midfielders- Mikel is the obvious choice for the starting position in the middle of the park despite him not getting game time at Chelsea, the quality he brings into Chelsea is undeniable but who occupies the second midfield spot is where the real conundrum is. Ogenyi Onazi hasn't had a good game for the Super Eagles since his injury against France apart from the friendly against Cameroun where John Ogu on the other hand has been consistent for his Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. His ability to break up play and initiate attacks will come in handy in for Nigeria. Ogu is worthy for a mention in the starting lineup but then, there is Wilfred Ndidi who is a workaholic and has been doing well for his club Genk as for Etebo he is attack minded and might not fit in for a starters shirt but he may play sub role.
Forwards/Wingers:
There are three out and out strikers that were called up- Kelechi Iheaneacho, Brown Ideye and Odion Ighalo. As it stands, Ideye and Iheanacho are set to lead the line against Algeria they had a good understanding against Zambia and it could be more of the same while ighalo drops to the bench because of his poor form in front of goal not only at Watford but in Nigeria and his uninspiring performances for the Super Eagles hasn't helped his case. As for the wingers we have Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
The two favourites to start are Moses and Iwobi who have been impressive for their clubs especially Moses who has enjoyed a rebirth in Chelsea would slot in as our right winger while Iwobi occupies the left . Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon could be our jokers coming off the bench.
Verdict
Rohr has assembled one of the best young Nigerian talents available with quality oozing from this Super Eagles side however let's hope this side will Rohr to victory come November 12th against Algeria .
It's official that Gernot Rohr has released his final squad for the match against Algeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and barring any injury or unforeseen circumstances, this team will on November 12 play against Algeria.
I will dissect the invited players to the team based on their various positions and also do permutations .
Goalkeepers:
Three goalkeepers were invited, Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Delete Alampasu.
This looks straightforward as Ikeme is the first choice goalie but it's the second choice that will pull a little bit of competition as Ezenwa is not playing regularly due to NPFL being on break while Alampasu is playing regularly for his Portuguese club side FC Cesarense.
How this will play out -we shall wait and see because it will matter little if Ikeme is in goal.
Defenders:
Starting with the central defence we have four of them; Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong and Henry Agbo. This also looks straightforward as Balogun and Troost Ekong are set to start against Les Verts with Omeruo and Henry Agbo though playing regularly for their clubs have not been in the kind of form Ekong and Balogun are in for Hagesund and Mainz.
It also doesn't help their case when you also consider that Omeruo's club Alanyaspor is fighting relegation in the Turkish League and Granada have the worst defence in La Liga where Henry Agbo sometimes doesn't play as a defender but a defensive midfielder. In the right back position we have Shehu Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed and unknown quantity Tyronne Ebuehi, the favourite to play there is Shehu Abdullahi as Musa Muhammed is lacking match fitness and doesn't play regularly for his club while Tyronne Ebuehi is an unknown quantity even though he is quick, strong and athletic.
This game has come too soon to make his debut while on the left we have Elderson Echejile and Kingsley Madu favourite to start is Echejile as Kingsley Madu is too attack minded and sometimes abandon his defensive duties.
Midfielders:
Rohr invited five midfielders, Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo. It is expected that Rohr will be going for two midfielders- Mikel is the obvious choice for the starting position in the middle of the park despite him not getting game time at Chelsea, the quality he brings into Chelsea is undeniable but who occupies the second midfield spot is where the real conundrum is. Ogenyi Onazi hasn't had a good game for the Super Eagles since his injury against France apart from the friendly against Cameroun where John Ogu on the other hand has been consistent for his Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. His ability to break up play and initiate attacks will come in handy in for Nigeria. Ogu is worthy for a mention in the starting lineup but then, there is Wilfred Ndidi who is a workaholic and has been doing well for his club Genk as for Etebo he is attack minded and might not fit in for a starters shirt but he may play sub role.
Forwards/Wingers:
There are three out and out strikers that were called up- Kelechi Iheaneacho, Brown Ideye and Odion Ighalo. As it stands, Ideye and Iheanacho are set to lead the line against Algeria they had a good understanding against Zambia and it could be more of the same while ighalo drops to the bench because of his poor form in front of goal not only at Watford but in Nigeria and his uninspiring performances for the Super Eagles hasn't helped his case. As for the wingers we have Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
The two favourites to start are Moses and Iwobi who have been impressive for their clubs especially Moses who has enjoyed a rebirth in Chelsea would slot in as our right winger while Iwobi occupies the left . Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon could be our jokers coming off the bench.
Verdict
Rohr has assembled one of the best young Nigerian talents available with quality oozing from this Super Eagles side however let's hope this side will Rohr to victory come November 12th against Algeria .
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