NIGERIA-EGYPT AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER: WE NEED A MIRACLE - Esesien Ita

Coach Siasia

In the build-up to Nigeria-Egypt AFCON 2017 encounter in Kaduna on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, a friend asked if I was not going to watch the match. I told him I wouldn’t, adding that I did not want to develop hypertension. Though a Chelsea and Super Eagles fanatic, I preferred to watch the game after it had ended so that with the scores known, whatever moments of suspense and tension there were would not affect my mood. We all know it ended a one all draw. I watched the highlights on video and concluded we need a miracle at Alexandria on Tuesday, March 29 to defeat Egypt in the return leg, and stay on course for qualification for the continental championship next year.

We know that North African teams all play the same pattern of football – rugged, dogged, and in every way, physical. They are ready to die on the pitch, if need be, for their country. We saw a bit of that spirit in the stretch-to-death save by the Egyptian defender who blocked Victor Moses goal-bound ball. That was the spirit in 1994 Super Eagles that went to USA for our first senior male World Cup, and reminds us of Ben Iroha who picked an injury from a similar save in one of our Group games in USA ’94. Taribo West in later years was another defender in that mould. The ruggedness of the North Africans contrast sharply with our fine, tactical, technical, and should we say, complacent football. Why on earth should our strikers go easy on a team that was determined to spoil our day? Egypt did not come as friends. They did not see the game purely as a game. To them it was war of sorts. They started by telling us to stop talking about the match but concentrate on our preparation. That was sending the signal that they were not coming for a picnic. They were here to play and win. Then they rejected the hotel accommodation offered them by the NFF. That was saying they did not trust us. So by all indications Egypt sent out the message that they were not in Nigeria for a friendly but for business, and that business was to win. With such a team you do not play soft. You match ruggedness with ruggedness, determination with determination, stamina with stamina, and what have you. After all, no one has a monopoly of any of these. It all depends on what a team wants. Even team formations – whether 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 or 4-3-2-1 depend to a large extent on the knowledge of the opposing team’s playing pattern, and formations do change even in the course of a game, should permutations fail. It was the discovery of Sam Okwaraji in the late 80s that made NFA Chairman Emeka Omeruah convince our coach to change his formation to accommodate the midfielder, a decision that paid well for the country.

Many agree our boys played well. I believe they played to instruction. But ‘playing well’ and ‘winning’ are too different things. In USA ’94 Nigeria was adjudged the most entertaining team but we went home in the second round while non-entertaining teams played on. Beyond the playing well, we needed a win because we are aiming at qualifying for the continental championship. My humble opinion is that our boys were too soft with Egypt. There was no bite in our attack. Whither have gone the fiery diving headers of the Amunekes of USA 94, the unstoppable shots of the Siasias, the one-on-one taking on of keepers of the Amokachis and Kanus, the volleys of the Olisehs of France ’98, and other goal-producing effort of our boys? Why are our strikers today shy of making attempts at goal? They almost want to walk into the net with the ball. If there is any truth in the saying that heaven helps those who help themselves, we can also say goals come to those who attempt them! Let the boys make attempts at goal, and goals will come.

The second problem is that of understanding among the players. This was evident when Ihenacho had the ball but was barricaded by Egyptian players. The only outlet he had was a diagonal through which he successfully passed the ball with the expectation, I believe, that a winger will run into space and pick it. Nobody did. In the few days left for the return leg, Siasia has got to build understanding in the team.

The other problem is loss of concentration at the last minute. Athletes don’t need to be told that maximum concentration at all times is needed in every game, lest one lose what they have all along laboured for. We know that is what cost us a win. Roving Mohammed Sallah has been well marked out of the game until that last minute when it was as though the game has been won and lost. I do not know why this has remained our main problem in football. It happened in USA ’94 when up to the 88^th minute of play we held to our one goal lead against Italy until our defenders slacked and allowed a Paolo Rossi goal in the 89^th minute push the second round knockout game to extra time. It happened in a Challenge Cup (now FA Cup) Final in the 70s, with Bendel Insurance of Benin leading Mighty Jets of Jos by two goals to nil up to the 88^th minute of play. The game was as good as over for all but Sam Garba Okoye, the mercurial No. 9 for the Jos outfit, and one of Nigeria’s finest central strikers of all times. Within the remaining two minutes of play, Sam Garba scored two goals, the second being on the dot of 90 minute. Centre referee Sunny Badru was confused as to whether to allow the equalizer or declare the game ended before it. He did the former (and I believe, rightly, because 90^th minute is still part of playing time), but that initial indecision earned Badru a suspension by the NFA (now NFF). Our boys need maximum concentration at all times. We need it especially in Egypt. If any of the players slacks he should be replaced, granting we would not have exhausted our substitute quota.

On a last note I want to encourage the boys not to be afraid in Egypt. Their ferocious fans are likely to do everything to intimidate you but you should not fear. The fans are not the players. You are eleven on the field and have only eleven persons to play against at a time. Forget the fans. Pretend they are not there, and face your opponents in the field of play. By the grace of God, you shall come out victorious. Wishing you all, the best.