IKENWA NNABUOGOR wonders why coach Gernot Rohr and his Super Eagles have struggled to beat even the less illustrious opponents…
Super Eagles were again not convincing when the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier group’s bottom team Liberia showed superior tactical discipline even in defeat.
Coach Gernot Rohr continued to entertain begging questions why Eagles have struggled to beat less fancied countries in recent times as seen in their laboured 2-0 victory against Liberia in Tangier, Morocco, the neutral venue of the World Cup qualifier.
It was from the penalty spot that the Eagles managed to beat their fellow West Africans, who were well prepared for the Eagles by the robust defending.
The Lone Star knew their opponents too well and stoutly defended their vital area as if their lives depended on it and they almost ran away with it, but for two careless penalty calls against their goalkeeper.
What this actually means is Eagles would have embraced pressures were it not for the two penalties the Lone Star goalkeeper gifted Eagles, who had boxed themselves in a corner by losing 1-0 at home to Central African Republic last month, to wait till Tuesday for the final decider?
Rohr reverted to 3-5-2 formation and no doubt played the better part of the game in the Liberian half, but clearly forgot the keys to unlock the well prepared Liberian defence in Lagos.
The game was played with what game plan?
Still a wicked begging question because the team lacked any form of ideas going forward and only appeared to be satisfied knocking the ball around in the midfield as the Liberian vital area looked like a “no fly” zone.
Liberia English coach Peter Butler knew he had no team to beat the almighty Eagles and tactically prepared a team that could stop the Victor Osimhen-led attack from scoring and ultimately, avoid a heavy defeat.
True to type, his tactics worked, but for the inexperience of his goalkeeper Boisson Wynney de Souza who was committed to foul Kelechi Iheanacho and Osimhen for Eagles efforts from the spot.
Were the Liberians more resolute in the attack as they were in the defence, the result may have been unpleasant and the attendant pressures would be startling in the Tuesday decider.
Rohr’s Eagles tactical prowess should be in the attack to say the least, but where are the tactics and are they only on the drawing board?
CAR came to town with a team largely made of players from the lower rungs of European football and displayed fantastic tactics that condemned Eagles to a shameful 1-0 defeat before the home fans.
Before that shame, Eagles were in Mindelo and only managed a victory with an own goal-assisted deficit against Cape Verde, who also frustrated Eagles with their stout defending.
The same Cape Verdeans are Eagles visitors for the Tuesday decider armed with 10 points against Eagles 12 points for the mother of all battles in Group C.
The Sharks from Praia will storm Lagos more prepared, more daring for an outright victory for a possible first-ever World Cup ticket.
Cape Verde, with their army of Portugal-based players against Eagles motley crew from England, Italy, Turkey and France, will approach this decider will tactics to ground their hosts.
Who wins this showdown it will be determined only after 90 minutes.
Eagles expectations will not necessarily be far-fetched as avoiding a defeat will only do the trick for the ticket to the final rounds, where a home and away basis with another group winner will decide who flies out to Qatar.
Rohr cannot afford to lead his men to another struggle against Cape Verde.
His tactics must get off the drawing board and be clinically executed after all this is the Super Eagles, once feared fourth best football team in the world.
