Former Nigerian goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu has urged the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr to work on the midfield ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly game against Cameroon.
A goal from Andre Zambo Anguissa ended the Super Eagles’ three-game unbeaten run against the Indomitable Lions.
Despite Nigeria fielding the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekharo Etebo, and Alex Iwobi in the midfield, they failed to create any chances for Paul Onuachu against Cameroon.
Speaking with Completesports.com, Shorunmu stated that the German tactician must address the midfield issue in order to ensure that the strikers get quality passes.
Read Also: Udeze: Rohr Should Give Other Goalkeepers Chance In Second Friendly Vs Cameroon
“I was not too pleased with the way the midfielders failed to connect properly with our attackers in the game against Cameroon. I expected more from them knowing fully that the duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Etebo are not playing with each other for the first time.
“Rohr must try to address the midfield issue so that they can be fielding our attackers with the ball. If the midfielders are not doing the right thing, how do you expect Paul Onuachu to score goals? You need someone that can connect with the attack with just one or two quality passes.
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COMMENTS
The big mistake Rohr made in that game was playing Iwobi wide out to the right. But I take it he was trying out something, otherwise that ain’t wise at all. Iwobi is a driver player and sparks when on the steering. Until we find a better No10 in action for the national team n blab blab blab for clubside, Iwobi remains the best we have in that position. Watched that game over n over again, and could easily see we wasted one player/position amongst Ndidi n Etebo virtually playing same role. These two can’t play together. Rohr isn’t perfect but remains Nigeria’s best option putting situation things in this our very FUNNY COUNTRY together. Any honest person who sincerely think about this will definitely agree. So then what? We try support him correcting with encouraging words. YOU CAN ONLY GET YOUR BANANA OFF THE MONKEY BY STRETCHING MORE BANNANAS N NEVER BY AGGRESSION OR INSULT.
Meant n not blab blab blab for clubsides…. All the he does this, he does that for club are all becoming flash in the pan.
“Rohr must try to address the midfield issue so that they can be fielding our attackers with the ball. If the midfielders are not doing the right thing, how do you expect Paul Onuachu to score goals? You need someone that can connect with the attack with just one or two quality passes”.
May God bless you more Mr. Shorunmu.
I am not a coach but I can line up a solid squad that can compete with any top team in the world.
I hate nobody and I am here for the truth and for the love of my darling country and my dear Super Eagles of our beloved country Nigeria.
Hmmm. Whenever my patriotic Nigerians and I omo9ja, telling the coach what to do, oga Rohr fans will attack to the extent that, they ready to abuse you.
Most especially Ayphillydegreat and his troops.
Did anyone hear from Dr. Drey? As usual, he is not available and he won’t be available this time around because he knew that Oga Rohr’s time is up.
Where his Oakfield?
Did we hear from Oga Pinnck himself since that match on Friday?
Come on Nigerians, I told you all that these people just using Super Eagles to make money.
Oga Rohr followers are backing the gaffer because they love to see Oyinbo coach.
Oga Rohr is an average coach and he can not go beyond this level.
He invited a player that can added quality to his team but he gave the player just 3 minutes to show his worth? Are you kidding kę.
After tomorrow match, the coach will invite another set of players and chase these new players away and we are expecting the coach to build a team we can be proud of right? We must be joking kę lolz.
Nwakali is the missing link in that squad period. That guy would have done much better against Cameroon on Friday but it shows that you have to work your way to the top before you can do anything in Nigeria.
Our strikers were missed firing on Friday when Dessers was available for selection, the sharp shooter Dessers would have comes in and rescue Eagles on that day but money changes hand, if you know you know.
Nigeria is playing against Cameroon, we are complaining like this but what of when we are playing against Mexico, what will happen?
The players in camp now can beat Cameroon inside out but the gaffers are not capable to use the right tactics to win matches.
We hire and we fire. Oga Amaju Pinnick should be careful, bring Amunike, Manu Garba, Enyeama Egbo to work together for 3 years with our players and see what will happen between now and then.
The time will tell. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
@Glory, you are right, Rohr made a big mistake by fielding Iwobi on the right wing. This is because, Iwobi really stiffled all the counter attacking opportunities that fell to him, due to lack of pace. However, it was an experiment by the coach which we all have seen the result. Going forward and until we get somebody better, Iwobi should be our number 10. To be honest, Iwobi would have been a lot better if he has been consistent in playing number 10 for both club and country. That is why I support the idea of him fighting for the number 10 position in his club or look for another club that will play him in that position.
For Etebo,I didn’t really take much note of his activities in the last match. So I can’t actually rate him.
Onuachu is somebody I saw very well. His problem was not lack of services. His problem was more about ball control and making good passes. He couldn’t control some of the passes that came his way. Some of the ones he managed to control, he was either dispossessed or made a wrong pass that put us under pressure. Furthermore, he kept falling like an epileptic patient at the slightest contact by our opponents.
For Okoye, the goal he conceded was save-able. This is because, the shot wasn’t unexpected……it was really expected after our defensive midfielders gave the Cameroonian the space and chance to shoot at goal. So I actually expected Okoye to adjust his position and make the save. But it seemed he lost concentration and dived later than he should have. And the problem is that, he keeps conceeding such goals even in his club. It is left for the coach to decide to play him or try another keeper. But if it were in my power, I will pick him again for the second friendly to consolidate on the goalkeeping position. Believe it or not, the boy will continue to get better and better. For somebody who is still starting with the SE, Okoye has not done too badly
Very well said @ Ocherome Mma. You see there are players that have got bits n bits of talents in different positions, these players can play different positions, but never very efficient in those positions albeit they can, just like Jack of all trades and master of none. There are other players whose playing style only fits a particular position, where they truly / seemlessly excel. From watching Iwobi right from his Arsenal days, it’s being evidently clear to see, he is truly cut out for the attacking midfield role, the NO 10 position. Rohr should please hand Iwobi that No10 jersey so he can start to identify with it. Being moved from one position to another, every now n then both from country n club is doing serious damage to this pure talent. Wearing that NO 10 jersey will sure bring upon Iwobi some new motivation to play.
If ever he has to play from the wing, then the left side may suit, because from the left, he receives passes with the outside of his right foot, which set him quickly in a forward movement to drive into the middle or give quality defence splitting passes. But putting Iwobi on the right wing forces him to always receive balls with the instep of the right foot. The draw back here is , he is now more likely going to be backing opponents goal, reason he seems to always pass the ball backwards, because before he turns n face the opponent goal from the right, he gets closed down. This makes Iwobi really slow n ineffective from the right. You only get to use such player there, when you playing really really deep but Iwobi looks every inch a player that isn’t defence minded, so why force such on him, when you can get a bounty from him attacking the opponents goal area. Haven said that, the reason Rohr played him there, was to try out sending crosses to Onuachu, which saddly didn’t work out simply because Iwobi isn’t a right winger. On Onuachu, I will beg to disagree with you n others about his performance. I never used to be Onuachu’s fan, but honestly speaking, haven truly studied him over time, I have come to see, that Onuachu is a real goal threat, that is almost sure to get a goal in every game. He was simply unlucky in that match not to score but watching that game, you can see those very dangerous goal attempts. He seems to only Understand playing football inside the goal area, that I sometimes get worried when he is within our own goal area. True, his languid style never seem to attract but yet always quite deceptive, hence his goals. For me though, I will suggest Onuachu come into games 30mins to end because his huge upper body gets him to tire out easily, but coming in 30mins to end when opponents are tiring out, he will sure be unplayable within that 30 mins, trust me. As for Okoye, no doubt, he is got huge huge potential but suffering terribly from concentration. Okoye must understand that goalkeeping doesn’t only come alive when opponents are now well within our goal area. Goalkeeping follows every movement the opponents are making, working out best position to stand as well as sorting out the feet in readiness for belters. It demands 100% concentration until game ends. Also Okoye has to be brave. This guy has the potential to be one of the best in the world but he only can make that happen.