Sports Feature Lessons from the confederations cup By Eventus EDEM The just concluded FIFA Confederations Cup tournament hosted by Brazil, aptly tagged was one the glorious soccer spectacles in recent times. If was as if the best soccer prize, the FIFA world cup was at stake some pundits call it a mini World Cup featuring fewer countries of the world participating. Just eight countries, the best from each continent, it was also a dress rehearsal for the main show coming up next year in at least six countries in Brazil. On display was the best of Europe as represented by Spain and Italy, the best of the Americas with Uruguay and Brazil, the best of Asia, Japan, the best of North America, Mexico, Tahiti, stood in for Oceania, while Nigeria that recently emerged as the African Champions early this year, represented the African continent at the soccer fiesta. Apart from the goal feast offered by Tahiti which conceded a total of 24 goals in only three matches (Spain 10, Uruguay 8 and Nigeria 6) the games were keenly contested while the football fans had good value for their money. We could not also forget in a hurry the way the Tahitians celebrated their only goal against Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The team which is largely made up of artisans, craftsmen, physical education instructors etcwere facing the big stage for the first time. Little wonder therefore, their players and officials celebrated their only goal in the competition as if their lives depended on it or they have won the converted trophy already. But of course, not too far from the pundits predictions, Brazil which won the last edition in South Africa, won this year’s FIFA confederations cup tournament in the grand finale against current World Cup winners Spain. It was like a miracle when a highly rejuvenated, tactical and young Brazilian side defied all-odds and spanked high flying Spanish team complete with all their regulars and big-names in World football with three un-replied goals. Before the derby, the Spaniards who were favourites to win the tournament had spent a 120 minutes of enthralling game before they could dispatch last World Cup runners-up Italy that played without their talisman Balitoli, 7-6 on penalties to book a place in the final. That was perhaps why the European and World champions Spain featuring Xavi, Iniesta, IkerCasillas, Fabrigas and Fernando Tores were heavy and sluggish on the pitch while the Coach Filipe Scolari tutored lads countered the free flowing Tiki Taka pattern common amongst the Spaniards. The Brazilian soccer tactician momentarily dropped the jongo bonito playing pattern exponents that characterized most Brazilian teams and adopted a fresh or strange German pattern, that was action packed as the young Brazilian team ceaselessly contested the ball, chocking the midfield, making effective use of the wings, adopting fast break during counter attacks culminating in Spain’s net conceding three goals in the tension soaked encounter, the first in the first two minutes of the match. Also that perhaps explains why the tournament’s over-all best player and Barcelona’s new kid on the bloc, NeymarJur was a thorn on the flesh of his opponents throughout the competition. He combined effectively with Chelsea’s wonder boy Oscar, and Fred with occasional support from the former Porto FC Star Hulk to torment the Spanish eighteen yard box manned by the ever dependable Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid and Pique of FC Barcelona who unfortunately got the centre referee’s matching orders before the end of the second half. Some argued that Spain would have been in control of the match, if it’s experienced Assistant skipper Sergio Ramos had converted it’s penalty and if David Luis had not swiftly stopped a goal bound shot from Pedro which had beaten Brazilian keeper Julius Ceaser hands down and was heading to an empty net. Methinks that even if Spain had equalized early enough in the game and had gone ahead to score a leading goal, the Brazilian side we watched last Sunday could have equalized and gone ahead to win the match. The Brazilians had everything going for them in that match, talk of confidence, stamina and even their morale was boasted throughout the match. For the Spaniards, it was simply not their day. The wings of Torres and co upfront were chipped while the midfield general Iniesta was not allowed to control the pace of the game from the middle of the park. They probably thought that all they needed to win the match was accumulated experience. And that worked against them. This Spanish team was not a very fantastic side after all. Despite winning Nigeria’s Super Eagles 3-0, the Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa and highly improved left full back EldersonEchegile occasionally tore open the Spanish defence but inexperience as in debutant Gambo Mohammed and poor finishing in front of goal as in Brown Idehen cost Nigeria the match. One thing I admire in the Nigerian team to the tournament was their cohesive pattern, and self belief. Against Uruguay, they were a thorn in the flesh of the South American Champions, as Mikel Obi got a deserved equalizer for Nigeria before a last minute lost of concentration in the defence made Diego Forlan to mark his 100 game for his country with a winning goal. As a result of the not too impressive outing by the Super Eagles, many football watchers and administrators have called for the inclusion of some of the country’s known names such as OsazeOdewingie, Victor Anichebe, IkechukwuUche and KaluUche to complement the good work done by Emmanuel Eminike, Onazi and Victor Moses as witnessed during the last Nation’s Cup in South Africa. While calling for the injection of more experienced hands in the team, former Nigeria International Benedict Iroha also had a word of praise for the Super Eagles performance in Brazil as he believed that the Nigerian team was not disgraced in the competition despite being ousted by World Champions Spain which they lost 3-0 in the last group match. “They were no disgraced in all the three matches they played. They played a good match against Tahiti and also played beautifully against star-studded Uruguay. They could have even won the game if not for poor marksmanship most especially in the first half. This was later repeated in the third group match against Spain. “I think in all, Nigeria played impressively and showed the world that we have got quality. As we know Team Head Coach Stephen Keshi is still building the team and the Eagles can only get better with time”, Iroha submitted. But to former Super Eagles Captain, Sunday Oliseh who scored a winning goal against Spain in 1994 for Nigeria in a 3-2 thriller, he does not support the injection of local talents into the National Team by Keshi, adding that the Nigerian league players paraded by Nigeria were not ripe for such a big tournament. According to him, “the home-based players need fine turning with many matches to be able to compete favourably with the oversees based ones despite having the potentials to be great players”. “So we need to revive as well as improved on the quality of our league to be able to produce quality players”, Oliseh lamented. While I agree with Mr. Oliseh on the need to improve our local league, I wish to assert that most of our players in the local league especially the likes of nation’s cup discovery Sunday Mba, defence stalwart Godfrey Ogbogbana and Ekewekwe are about the best talents we have in their departments at the moment. Apart from administrative frailties and injuries to key players like Victor Moses of Chelsea, Spartark Moscow’s Emmanuel Eminike, or Lazio’s OganyiOnazi not forgetting Kenneth Omeruo (who had a head injury in the last match) Nigeria’s fortunes would have changed. Had we these regulars, so such would have been different or if Keshi was able to convince Everton’s Victor Anichebe and US based Bright Dike would have added bite to our attack and cause anxious moments in our opponents vital area. What Nigerians must take home as lessons from the just concluded confederations cup is that Keshi’s team is gradually taking shape. Positions are beginning to solidify. Not in the last few years could Nigerians see a clear picture of their National team. The technocrats at the Glass House (Nigerian Football Federation NFF) should allow the Chief Coach to complete the work he has started. Talk of vetting his selection now would amount to undue interference which is like imposing certain players on the Coach. This is against the international best practices the world over. Keshi on his part, should learn from Brazilian Coach Scolari who drafted another eminent tactician and world cup winner Carlos Alberto Peraira to assist him mid-wife the Brazilian team to world beaters. All hands must be on deck to bring back the lost glory to our National team.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 23:56:28 +0000
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