Super eagles of Nigeria scored a last minute goal through Paul Onuachu in the 83rd minute, to seal their qualification spot for the 2022 AFCON competition. The implication of the win means Nigeria is the only team in their group to have qualified for the finals in Cameroun, while other members of the group especially Seirre Leone and Benin Republic have a lot to do in the final game of the group to book a spot in that competition.
This article is focused on discussing the tactics Gernort Rohr employed that helped the super eagles end the 8 year unbeaten run, that Benin Republic have held at home in all competitions. It wasn’t a decent performance overall, but Nigeria dominated almost every part of the game and had many chances to to have scored more if they had been any clinical then it could have been more.
1) Accurate Game Plan:
Rohr played a transition between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, and this helped him field the numerous attacking options that the country possess into the team. He kept a balanced holding midfield in Aribo and Ndidi, as well as a solid defense in Ekong, Balogun, Aina and Sanusi. The players played to the game plan that was set before them, and were unlucky not to score even more goals as they build up showed how much they missed Alex Iwobi in the miss.
2) Proper Substitutions:
Gernot Rohr was a bit hesitant in making substitutions in a game that was in dire need of a change, but when the manager finally decided to make his substitutions, the substituted players won him the game. It took a rebound shot from Oshimen, for Paul Onuachu to find the back of the net, but it wouldn’t have happened if not for the efforts from the left wing from the Eyinmba substitute that replaced Henry Onyekuru.
Nigeria would still have to play Lesotho on the 30th of March in Lagos, to put an icing on the cake of their impressive qualifying run. Hopefully, they can add more goals for the entertainment of the Lagos fans as they wrap up the qualifying rounds in style. What are your thoughts on the game?
