29 March 2011
Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has admitted his team may have ran up four goals past Ethiopia, but the Walya Antelopes outplayed his team in the midfield.
The goal rush that the fans asked for at the Abuja National Stadium Sunday night came to pass, but the overall performance of the team left very little to cheer as the Ethiopians simply crowded the middle of the park and relied on their short passing style to enjoy ball possession.
We struggled in the midfield because we were not coming back on time. We had only two midfield players, Mikel and Joel (Obi). May be they (Ethiopia) had more number in that area and that was why most of the time they had possession, admitted Siasia after this Nations Cup Group B clash.
But in the second half, we changed a little and that was why we did a little better in the midfield because we changed the formation. We asked Obinna (Nsofor) to come back a little bit in the midfield.
All the same, the Ethiopians gave us a good game. They kept possession, while we were doing the scoring. It is better to score more goals than keeping possession.
The idea was to move forward and create more chances and try to score goals. We did what we were supposed to do.
He further added: We scored more goals which would help us in the future. So, if we keep repeating what we supposed to do (in training and match situations) we will get better. We dont have enough time to practice before games but as long as we come three, four days before a game, we will work more on what we are doing and keep our tactical discipline.
We make sure we create more chances at goal and make sure we do a little better in the midfield. I think that will help.
Norway-based midfielder, Fengor Ogude, who was an unused sub against Ethiopia, could well make his Eagles debut on Tuesday evening as Siasia continues to pay special attention to an engine-room that spluttered on Sunday.
AC Milan left winger Nnamdi Oduamadi, who shone like a million stars against Equatorial Guinea in an Olympic qualifier on Saturday, will also rejoin the Eagles for the Kenya friendly in Abuja.
Top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would also want two-goal hero, Nosa Igiebor, to be involved with the Super Eagles as soon as possible.
The Lillestrom of Norway midfielder has shown class with Dream Team V.
