Akor Adams had said he and his Super Eagles teammates trust head coach Eric Chelle to come up with the best tactics to beat Tunisia.
The Super Eagles will face Tunisia in their second Group C match on Saturday.
While the Super Eagles pipped Tanzania 2-1 in their opening fixture, Tunisia defeated Uganda 3-1.
Adams, who was in action against Tanzania and went close to scoring but hit the cross bar, told journalists on Tuesday:”He knows what is best for every game and in the previous games he has shown that he knows what he is doing.
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“We trust him and he will come up with the best possible way.”
The Sevilla star striker believes the Super Eagles are capable of securing the three points.
“Compared to the North Africans, we in the west have intensity we play with a lot of aggression so we have what it takes to do the job. So against Tunisia we have to come out as always, be prepared and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles returned to the training pitch on Wednesday, after the win against Tanzania.
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
6 Comments
Unfortunate that Osimhen”s goal was disallowed, but I have to say I love the buildup to the goal. Chuk’s pass to Akor, and Akor’s movement on the right flank and the quality cross delivered. Nice flowing football.
Me thinks Akor is a utility player. He can perform anywhere in the attack. I also think he could play in midfield. But I suggest we use him on the right wing.
A starting attack of Lookman on the left, Akor on the right, and Osimhen in the center.
Then subs – Simon or Chuks on the left, Ejuke or Dele Bashiru on the right, and Onuachu or Dessers in the center.
Plenty of good options for Mr. Chelle to select from.
The team is looking good, and they will hopefully improve with each game.
Was it me or did Akor Adams look disappointed when substituted in the 59th minute for Dele-Bashiru against Tanzania?
Up to that point, the flashy finisher hadn’t put a foot wrong. He was at the heart of a strategy of “interchange movements” employed to perfection by Coach Chelle on the night.
This interchange saw Chukwueze and Lookman swap positions seamlessly between centre attacking midfield and the right wing. Akor, for his part, darted to the right wing and also operated from midfield, in addition to his support striker subroutine where, in all positions, his deliveries were deft, delightful, and dutiful.
Be it delivering long balls from midfield, crosses from the flank, driven passes from close range or just driving through a body of opposition defenders with menace, Akor schooled us in a masterclass of attention to detail within within the framework versatility in application.
That said, I stand by an earlier assessment of mine that both he and Osihmen were slightly hesitant in pulling the trigger on the night though Adams came close to smashing he fiendish header beyond the reach of the Tanzania goalkeeper, only for the post to have other ideas.
I don’t think Akor should feel disappointed to have been substituted. I know what I am about to say is a cliché but this team, this Super Eagles outfit is somewhat star-studded with a sprinkling of dangerous and hungry wildcards.
So, being substituted was not an indictment of Akor’s performance, no, other players as equally patriotic, passionate and pulsating as Akor are also itching to pull the house down with rip-roaring performances.
There is no need to say it: Akor has won the hearts and minds of Super Eagles fans and, along with Benjamin Frederick, constitute one of Chelle’s greatest accomplishments in unearthing raw diamonds and refining them for the mammoth tasks of meeting expectations in Super Eagles colours.
Onuachu appears to have been elevated in the pecking order of strikers; I am happy for him. However, it also seems like Chelle might utilise his services like Peseiro did in the last Afcon which is to waste time in the dying embers.
My first post above was never meant to have been published under any thread, it was a standalone report and not be treated as a retort.
I still think Chelle will stick with his narrow diamond shaped 4-4-2 formation against Tunisia which engenders overlapping fullbacks, interchanging forwards and at times having 2 defensive midfielders in Ndidi and Iwobi.
Iwobi is here to stay. I don’t foresee Chelle dropping him. Do I think we have other midfielders who can “interpret the same role in a fresher, more dynamic, more interesting manner”? Oh yes I do.
But Iwobi’s workrate masks and somehow makes up for his shortcomings. Coaches like, love players who put in 100%, Iwobi puts in 120%.
Ndidi channels his years of experience to also make up for his waning attributes. It is almost impossible to see any other midfielder apply the kind of level-headedness Ndidi brings. His tackles are not as reckless as before and his interceptions are somewhat timely and his marking does put off strikers.
Dele-Bashiru operated as a right attacking midfield which he will have to grow into. I think he is a bit frustrated as he prefers the middle but he still brings maturity and calmness to his role on the right. Only decision making, holding on to the ball for far too long and wanting to score from stupid angles all revealed his frustrations.
If Chelle retains the diamond 4-4-2, both Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka will have to get used to being deployed as as right attacking midfielders (that resembles right wingers) or else some of the other new boys (Usman, Akinsanmiro, Nnadi even Onyedika) will grab the opportunity with lucky legs and will lovingly apply themselves without frustration or complaint to cement themselves there.
I think Nwabali should learn to rush out a bit more and Zaidu should work on his deliveries. I am waiting with bated breath to see what Alebiosu brings to the party.
All in all, I think the outlook looks good for this team. If they grab a win against Tunisia, then Chelle can utilise the final game to try out fresh legs, fringe players who, instead of complaining about being played out of position, will relish the opportunity to display their versatility and will grab any opportunity to prove their mettle with their hands and feet.
Pompei , pls chukweze shouldnt start that game. His pattern is not cut out to win big games maybe because his last balls are always poor. Only few are good. Iwobi should instead be shifted to play that role while Mohammed or akinsanmiro takes iwobi role in the middle. This is because iwobi is poor in marking and also keeping possession. With these adjustments we are go to go defeat Tunisia
Original 442, Chuks may have missed a begging chance in the first half, but he did produce several quality passes and crosses into the box. He will be at his best on thr left flank, in my opinion.
Good to see Simon stepping up. Between him and Chuks, we have 2 viable left wing options. The versatile Akor and Lookman can also play there if required. Chuks will do his best in the midfield and on the right wing, but the left wing is where he can really hurt the opponent.
I just feel we need an extra box to box midfielder to help out Ndidi with marking. Especially against stronger sides. I agree with your observation regarding Iwobi. He is more at home closer to the opponent’s box than ours. Iwobi should play ahead of 2 box to box midfielders. Or on the wings.
We also need to convert more of our chances. We do create chances, loads of them, but we miss way too many!
Finally, Chelle should trust his bench more. Rotate the squad, to avoid injuries and burnout.
Hopefully, the team will get better as the tournament goes on.