Super Nigerian Eagles: Lazy, Classless, and Coachless...

What on earth would his apologists throw at us this time? What would midwives of Nigeria’s misfortune say in response to the calamity that has befallen Nigerian football this day? We watched as we were led into the dungeon of sporting embarrassment by the chief herdsman of incompetence, Amodu Shuaibu.

The Nigerian Football Federation asked us to gag our mouths and allow a rudderless Amodu to complete his job of utterly destroying the senior team. But we know a pig cannot fly, and you would only annoy it with your insistence on making it airborne.

It was not only a shoddy display by the Nigerian team against African giants Egypt; it also showed the deep reserve of ineptitude inside Amodu.

First, the Nigerian team lacked a coherent game plan. It would suffice to ask the mediums and sorcerers, for they are the only ones that can read into that man’s mind now, what formation he had in mind when he asked his boys to step onto the field; was it a 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-4, 2-4-4? Crazy!

What did he intend to achieve by fielding a burly Yakubu Aiyegbeni on the flank rather than through the middle? What inspired his mind-boggling substitutions that only left bigger holes and lesser fluidity in the Nigerian team?

When Amodu was departing the country, a reporter asked him at the International Airport why he was proceeding to the African Nations Cup with players who had tired legs, his reply was a simple: “you are stupid.” Now I wonder who really feels ‘stupid.'

We had a situation were Joseph Yobo, Mikel Obi, Yakubu and Taiye Taiwo were practically strolling on the field of play. Yobo’s listless attitude on the pitch was more embarrassing as he was wearing the captain’s armband, and failed woefully to inspire his team.

In the defensive department of the team, Yobo and Nwaneri were paired together, but they did not understand each other; this was evident in the first and third goal of the Egyptians, and the two players failed to take responsibility on several other occasions, too.

On the flanks were two static players who just did not comprehend their roles on the field of play. Taiye Taiwo was absolutely disappointing.

Taiwo failed to track back when the team was under pressure and failed to provide support for the attack line when he ventured forward, prompting one to wonder what exactly his purpose on the field of play was. His decision to turn his back to the ball inside his area resulted in the second goal for the Egyptians.

His counterpart, Yusuf Mohammed, did not fare any better, as his lack of confidence on and off the ball really caused concerns for the team.

The midfield was stacked with defensive minded players who always got in each others way. When will we realize that Mikel Obi is not an attack-minded player? Etuhu and Ayila were the only working figures in that midfield, while Mikel was more interested in back-passes and putting pressure on the already weakened defence.

Yakubu was played totally out of position on the flanks, whereas he might have had a lot more purpose as an out-and-out striker. Chinedu Obasi was by far the best Nigerian player on the pitch, and his goal was a work of individual brilliance. To think Amodu had contemplated dropping him!

The team lacked discipline and cohesion. Those in favour of Amodu’s perpetuation as chief coach of the Super Eagles have only succeeded in dragging the sporting reputation of the country further through the mud.

With the pacey and precise brand of football both Mozambique and Benin played out in the second group game; can we boldly assert that the lazy Nigerian team can beat either of them?