Nigeria still reliant on old heads in AFCON

If Nigeria are to win the African Cup of Nations this time around, they will inevitably be thankful for the experience heads of Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo.

The Super Eagles started their opening game against Burundi with a youthful side, one that is sure to one day grow to be a powerhouse in African football, and challenge on the international stage.

They boast supreme talent such as Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Torino’s Ola Aina and Chelsea’s Kenneth Omeruo. All of whom are thought to have a bright future ahead of them within the European scene.

In fact, of the starting XI for Nigeria, only midfield stalwart John-Obi Mikel and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi were over the age of 26. Villarreal wonderkid Samuel Chukwueze and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi supported Paul Onuachu at the top end of the pitch, a combined average age of 22.6 years old.

Onuachu was making his African Cup of Nations (AFCON) debut and struggled to impose himself on the game with any real quality. His large frame caused a nuisance when the ball was lumped into the Burundi penalty area but his link up play left much to be desired.

Iwobi was his usual flash self, looking to be the creative spark on the side using all his skill and guile to catch the Burundi defence off guard. The Premier League winger created three chances for his side, joint most in the game with Gael Birigimana doing the same for his side.

Chukwueze was proving what all the talk in the season has been about, the talented youngster completing seven of his nine attempted take-ons. All but one were in threatening positions on the pitch, proving he may be able to take some of the creative workload off of the aforementioned Iwobi in the future.

Despite the dominance on the ball, Nigeria completed 439 passes throughout the game to just 198 by Burundi, who seemed to play with some naivety which could be put down to their lack of experience on the big stage. Nigeria have failed to qualify for the past two editions of AFCON and this generation of talent was hoping to bring back their past glory.

A plethora of talent in midfield and defence could not stop Burundi peppering the Nigerial goal, although few of those attempts were truly threatening. The Nigerian back line seems to be missing leadership, with Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong sometimes struggling with the movement and power of Abdul Razak and Saido Berahino.

Former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo echoed the sentiments that experience is key for this side, as the introduction of Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo proved key in the 1-0 win. Speaking after the game to SuperSport, Yobo understood the need for patience with the young players.

“The second half, when the changes were made, we got better. It doesn’t mean those that started the game are not very good as well but sometimes coming into the Afcon, you’re building a new team.

“They haven’t been with the team for a while, as much as they are good, it might take them some time so it is safe when your strong players, players that can win you games when they are ready, it is always good to throw them in. It gives you a better chance.”

Ahmed Musa, formerly of Leicester City, provides this side with electric pace on the turn, able to meet almost any man in a one on one situation. He exploited any space left by the tiring legs and minds of the Burundi players to put his side on the front foot.

Whilst Ighalo, who scored over 30 Premier League goals for Watford, proved to be a nuisance to the entire backline. The forward emerged from the bench with the sole intention of preventing any defender time on the ball, or even time to think.

It was this harrying of the defence which forced the opening, and winning goal. Ola Aina tried a backheel to the run of Ighalo, but the striker never initially made the run. In what most forwards would deem a lost cause, Ighalo raced after the ball, causing panic in the defender as he swiped a leg at the ball, missing it completely. Only for the Shanghai Shenua man to calmly caress the ball past the keeper and in off the post.

There is a certain amount of pressure on this Nigeria team to perform, and they will need to utilise every tool in their arsenal to give themselves the best chance of success.

Yobo questioned the decision to omit the two forwards from the starting lineup;

“The two players who came on [in the second half]should have started the game because they have the experience, Ighalo and Musa. Ighalo with his experience at the World Cup and everything,”

Nigeria sit at the summit of Group B after that 1-0 win, with Madagascar and Guinea playing out a 2-2 draw. Nigeria next face Guinea knowing a win would put qualification at the top of the table in their own hands.

But beyond this tournament, the future is bright for Nigerian football, the talent is already there. These young stars just need to gain as much knowledge from their senior pros and tournament experience as possible.