Super Eagles defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in the second leg of the match, after losing the first leg by a goal to nil, the Super Eagles got their revenge despite an uninspiring performance. Jose Peseiro’s side still used the same tactical system but had a tweak in personnel as Terem Moffi, after calls for inclusion, was given a spot pairing with Victor Osimhen, and the Super Eagles got the desired win needed to top the group, having nine points, three wins and one loss; for Guinea-Bissau (two wins, one draw, one loss); Sierra Leone with five points; and Sao Tome and Principe with a solitary point;
Tactical Anaylsis
Nigeria started the game with Uzoho in goal and the center-back pairing of Kenneth Omeruo and Semi Ajayi. Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel started as a right-back, while Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi slotted in on the left. Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Everton’s Alex Iwobi started as central midfielders, while Nantes Moses Simon and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze played wide, with Simon on the left and Chukwueze on the right. OGC’s Nice Terem Moffi slotted in next to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen to complete the 4-4-2.
When attacking Nigeria, the two center backs stayed deep together, which is why the fullbacks sat touchline-wide to help the wingers, occasionally joining the midfield. With Onyeka and Iwobi playing as a double pivot, the two center-backs focused on the defensive side of the game to be able to mop up long balls from the hosts.
The wide midfielders are also playing as wingers. Simon and Chukwueze tried to cut in and create as many chances as they could or interchange passes with the fullbacks, and Moffi could be seen playing as a supporting striker or drifting to the wings to create chances, which is why Victor Osimhen stayed in the box as the team’s poacher. Expect to drift to the wings or deep to get the ball and find space to shoot. At times, the formation switched to 2-4-4 or 2-2-6 when attacking.
But when defending Nigeria, the defensive structure resembles a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-4-2.
The home team, Guinea-Bissau, actually started the game the same way, sitting deep, but after conceding a goal through a Simon penalty that was converted, they made bold steps to attack and missed chances to convert.
What next
If we fail to beat lesser teams or assert superiority, we are still far from being a top contender for the African Cup of Nations. Also, the coach needs to find a way for our attacking players to convert; despite having ammunition for a machine gun, the attackers are being used as spoilt toy water guns. We need to start firing on all cylinders.
•Wavyvibrations
