At the risk of creating a needless debate, I dare say the Cameroon team we defeated yesterday was not a fantastic one. All games they played in this tournament showed, they were a shadow of themselves and not a true reflection of the indomitable lions.
The Eagles on the other hand, obviously has been on the low for some time now. No doubt, a team blessed with some talented skillful players but yet cannot find their rhythm as a team,this is one reason the Eagles have struggled with goal scoring. They have been very cautious in this tournament with a formation that load the back line defensively as though they are under dogs;The coach is obviously aware Nigerians will have him for dinner if their outing turns out to be woeful.
Yesterday’s game was more like a local derby. Both countries have history and scores to settle in the game and Nigeria carried the day while Cameroon lives to fight another day.
The indomitable lions came in with a strategy of keeping the ball in their own half, catching the Eagles with long thrust and on a break. Thanks to the fighting spirit of Osimhen who was a spoiler of that strategy, alas, they underestimated his strength and speed.
Osimhen ‘s work rate yesterday, resonated while Napoli was not ready to let go of him. Super Eagles have missed that calibre of striker since the exit of gangling Yekini. Osimhen is a true African striker. He is physical, fast and very tough on the ball. We have missed this for a while.
I guess the lions are licking their wounds by now. They are probably regretting not having Onana in goal because both goals conceded should have been stopped by a good “Uzoholess” goal keeper.
However, that had been their pattern in this tournament, always coming from behind but not with the Eagles of Nigeria.
“Now we move” like they say, Angola is a dangerous one for the Eagles. Those who are good at sport betting may put their money on the Eagles but for me, I will pray the gods of soccer look in our direction to carry the day. I still feel the pain of Angola stopping us from going to the world Cup, for that reason, we need to “pepper them”, but are these Eagles super enough to do it?
