The day Nigeria beat France (Also see match pictures)
Nigeria -1 France-0
If you missed the Nigeria vs France international football friendly today (Tuesday June 2, 2009), then you have never seen the Nigerian team (the Super Eagles) play football in your life; I guarantee it! The Super Eagles demonstrated to long time skeptics like myself, that they can be a world cup winning team. I never gave them much chance against France, but this team won me over completely! The last time I saw this type of a Super Eagles team – a team determined to win- was the team of the 1994 world cup. Everyone in this team was determined to win, from the goal keeper to the strikers. In this team, I saw both latent and explosive talents. Ikechukwu Uche could easily be one of the best attacking mid-fielders (8) Nigeria ever produced. This boy is a coach’s dream forward. He is as fast as lightening; he dribbles intelligently and makes “to-die-for” passes. He strikes with both legs; turns quickly, and runs at defenders with confidence and ferocity. A defender blinks and he makes him pay! He is close to the ground and cannot be easily pushed off the ball. He runs up and down the pitch, occasionally helping defenders to defend. He is a defender’s nightmare and I liken him to Lionel Messi of Argentina. Period!
The Super Eagles defenders were simply awesome too. Some of them are former Under 20 players (Siasia boys) like Olubayo Adefemi (3). Elderson Echiejile (2), Kalu Uche (16), and Dele Adeleye were simply awesome throughout!
Who says Kanu Nwankwo is a spent force?!!! The Kanu I saw was unbelievably Kanu. He provided the stability in the midfield and the occasional surgical passes which typifies Kanu- probably the most intelligent midfielder ever to put on our greens. Kanu applies economics to the leather game. He runs only when absolutely necessary, but never loses the ball. Then suddenly, he provides “out-of-this-world” defense splitting passes to overwhelm the opponents.
Vincent Enyeama is the best goalkeeper we have today. I don’t know why the debate is still raging. This guy has iced water running through his veins but is equipped with the reflexes of a panther. He saved the day countless times in this game. Perhaps the most revealing player in this game is Dele Adeleye. This guy is something else: courageous, tireless, intelligent, and basically everywhere at the back! He never gave the French a break for a second. If only Nigerian leaders possess this mission-critical mindset, we could at least have electricity!
Finally, Osaze Odemwingie! This is a Super Eagle on his own, wreaking havoc on the opponent. Osaze is a quintessential war horse. With him in this team combining with Ikechukwu Uche, any enemy defense is vulnerable, I don’t care the opponent. Good job Amodu and Amokachi; finally we have a team. Next is to beat the visiting Harambe stars on Sunday the 7th and all the remaining matches, home and away. Then we arrive the world cup fuming!
The Teams (before substitutions)
(France)
Steve Mandanda
Julien Escude
Sebastien Squillaci
Patrice Evra
Rod Fanni
Patrick Vieira
Alou Diara
Franck Riberry
Nicholas Anelka
Karim Benzema
Loic Remy
(French Coach:Raymond Domenech)
(Nigeria)
Vincent Enyeama
Sam Soje
Elderson Echiejile
Olubayo Adefemi
Dele Adeleye
Kalu Uche
Seyi Olofinjana
Nwankwo Kanu
Osaze Odemwingie
Ikechukwu Uche
Joseph Akpala
(Nigerian Coach:Amodu Shuaibu)
