Super Eagles + Mediocrity = Super Chickens

The truth about the Nigerian Debacle at the FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 in South Africa was not least expected.

In this writer’s  previous article in this same medium, it was pointed out, how the house would cave in when the going got tough.

A team constituted by old and burnt out men, lacking skill ball players, undisciplined people, age-cheats, lazy and unfit sportsmen can only be disgraced and for the reason of natural fair play, that should reward hard-work and proper preparation.

In defense the only shining light was goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Danny Shittu. It is agreed that a goalkeeper is only as good as his defense, but in Nigeria’s case, the goal keeper was far better than his defense, but as we witnessed, everyone is prone to some mistake or two, and we appreciate him for his great performance. Shittu, the man with a failed to put in games at club level through the previous season, was a tower of strength and put in a shift in every game.

He provided strength and character, even in the absence of proper fitness and must be a buy for any team that picks him up this summer. The rest where a bunch of runabouts!!!! From the man lacking in any sort of character and ability, Yobo, to the one who thinks he is Jay Jay and was the best at turn-overs throughout the competition, Chidi Odiah, the obviously unfit Taiye Tawio and his deputy Echiejile, indeed The Super Eagles went to the tournament lacking a defense!!!!

In as much as it is not easy to replace the amazing talents of the 90′s, in Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Thomson Oliha, and the Great Jay Jay Okocha, it is shame to note that the team lacks a Midfielder of repute. With all the talk about Mikel, he has yet to show character and unlike his Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba, who put his body on the line to represent his country, he shied away from greatness and as such should not be bothered about in this equation.

Dickson Etuhu, was an absolute joy to watch all season, especially in Fulham’s Europa League run and it was expected that he would bring steel to the holding midfield role, unfortunately, he didn’t and was terrible in doing his job. Slow, lacking composure, absent, and poor in his tackling, just like Yusuf Ayila never really protected the back four. One true bright spark was Lukman Haruna. In him it is hard not to see talent in a subtle form. He didn’t get to show his best qualities which coming in an attacking form, but he hustled, tracked back and put in tackles to cover for his defensive midfielder.

Sani Kaita, is a story for another day, but it must be asked, what was he doing donning a Super Eagles jersey? A footballer lacking in the basics, ball control, positioning, marking, poor at tackling, pace, intelligence and of course discipline. He’s is a no brainer!!!!!

In the attacking department, it was unfortunate that from three games, Nigeria managed to score three goals and even when there were many good goal scoring chances, those who should have, failed woefully to finish. Kalu Uche did make a name for himself, by scoring twice in a World Cup. Yakubu Ayegbeni, Osaze Odemwingi(the biggest flop of all), Kanu Nwankwo, Obinna Nsofor, Chinedu Ogbuke, Obafemi Martins did little to enhance their reputations and indeed that of the once feared SUPER EAGLES…….

In the end, they didn’t deserve to qualify for the knock-out rounds, and in truth, Nigerian Football should undergo reforms, from the top down……