‘Ifreke Inyang: 5 things we learnt from Nigeria vs Ethiopia

Congratulations to the Super Eagles for being the first African nation, to book their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. It was a tale of two Victors – Moses and Nsofor. Both players converted set-pieces, to ensure we will be among the 32 countries at next year’s fiesta.

But what were the five things we picked out from the second leg of the play-off?

1. Ideye and Musa should not go to Brazil

Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa have been given ample opportunities, to prove themselves in the colours of Nigeria, but one struggles to count on one finger the decent games they have had. Ideye missed two sitters in the first half, when it seemed it was much easier to score and Musa’s determination to run into blind allies, begs the question: don’t we have better wingers?

2. The Eagles should have stuffed Ethiopia

You could see immediately after Victor Moses converted the penalty, that the Walya Antelopes’ confidence flew right out of the stadium. They were really hoping they would shock their hosts, but it wasn’t to be. Rather than conducting wave after wave of attack, the Eagles decided to allow them back into the game. If not for inexperience and wayward finishing, anything could have happened.

3. Omeruo should not have started

I wrote a piece this morning, where I implored Keshi to stick to the Oboabona-Egweukwe partnership in central defence. He did not. Omeruo’s lack of match fitness was evident to see and his not-too-fantastic afternoon, ended with him being pulled out for Egweukwe.

4. We don’t need a 4-2-4 formation

We don’t. Right now, we don’t have players who would make it work. Ideye and Musa were particularly hopeless today. Even the ever reliable Emenike was off colour and Victor Moses took an extra touch a few times. Against a well drilled side, we could have picked apart.

5. We are not quite ready for the World Cup

There are a few areas in the team that Keshi needs to look at, especially the attack. We should have done better at the FIFA Confederations Cup for instance, if our finishing was up to par. And in Brazil next year, matches will be decided on finer margins.