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2014 W/Cup: Posers For Keshi, S’Eagles

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With about two
months to go until Nigeria’s opening World Cup game against Iran, a number of unanswered questions still exist for Stephen Keshi and his Super Eagles.
Many fans, had hoped that the recent international friendly against Mexico would answer some of the issues that still linger around the squad and the Big Boss’s approach.
Unfortunately, the friendly largely failed to elucidate the watching world on some of the enduring questions that Nigeria faces ahead of the World Cup.
In fact, it was more a case of “like a bathroom wall, the more you look, the more you see” as, rather than questions being answered, a whole new set of potential problems now swirl ahead of the trip to Brazil.
The most pressing questions surrounding the expected performance of the Super Eagles at the World Cup include the followings among others;
Who Will Score the Goals?
Okay, okay, so the immediate answer here should be apparent to everyone. Who will score Nigeria’s goals? Well, Emmanuel Emenike will, right? Well yes, he will, as he has done so often, and so regularly, for Nigeria in the past.
But is that enough?
The dismissal of Ideye Brown and the inclusion of new boys Michael Uchebo and Imoh Ezekiel was a revealing window into Keshi’s concerns about the team’s ability to produce goals.
Beyond Emenike, who was the side’s saviour against Ethiopia in the World Cup play-off, and who scored four goals during the Cup of Nations, it is hard to see who can be considered a regular source of goals for the Super Eagles.
This may well be the issue that is making the Big Boss fret as Brazil draws near. It is one he cannot afford to ignore ahead of the World Cup – solutions, however, do not come without their own individual concerns.
Will a lack of playing time affect some of the squad’s Big Names?
This issue has emerged from the shadows and now, with its ogre’s sneer, represents a genuine concern for Keshi and his staff.
It is a problem that has come in the form of Nemanja Matic, of Layvin Kurzawa, and of Raheem Sterling. Too many of Nigeria’s would-be superstars are playing second fiddle at club level and not receiving the game time that might be considered necessary preparation for the World Cup.
To a point, this might not necessarily be a grave concern; many a fine World Cup side have, after all, been derailed by a fatigue and burnout.
No danger of that for Keshi’s current collective but, as was evidenced against Mexico, the lack of minutes has left the likes of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses battling ring rust ahead of the world’s greatest sporting event.
How will Keshi configure the midfield?
The fact that this concern is even being raised is, probably, a good sign.
Nigeria’s preparation for their last two forays to the World Cup were both undermined by issues graver than this and many of us would probably accept Keshi facing one key tactical conundrum ahead of the sojourn to Brazil.
The identity of the would-be ‘Third Man’ or Keshi’s alternate midfield configuration remain mysteries and with no more pre-squad-naming friendlies left to play, they will remain works in progress until Keshi has at least identified his 30.
Against Mexico, the Big Boss appeared to be leaning towards a 4-4-1-1 formation, while the inclusion or continued ignoring of the likes of Sunday Mba, Nosa Igiebor and Nnamdi Oduamadi might also give clues as to the manager’s ultimate intention here.
Can any of the new additions secure a starting role?
By ‘new additions’ in the title, I refer not just to the likes of Ramon Azeez, Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo – all of whom made their international debuts against Mexico – but also to the likes of Ejike Uzoenyi, who was recalled to the squad for the friendly after a long period of absence.
Keshi’s decision to shuffle the pack ahead of that match at least demonstrated the manager’s keenness to assess a broad range of options ahead of the trip to Brazil.
His move to start Uchebo was a sign of great faith in the Belgium-based youngster, who, up to that point, had largely been overlooked by the majority of the media covering Nigerian football. In his brief cameo he showed the energy and creativity to suggest that he might be a genuine option for the Super Eagles behind Emenike in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
I was one journalist who had often taken the occasion to call for the inclusion of Imoh Ezekiel but, in truth, when his international recognition finally came, my attention had moved on to Olympiakos’s Michael Olaitan.
Had Leon Balogun not been injured so unfortunately, he might have been a contender for a starting berth but, as it stands, the Dusseldorf man needs an incredible change in fortunes just to make the plane.
It may be, then, that Ramon Azeez, championed by several of my colleagues as a midfield anchorman, is best-placed to force his way into Keshi’s starting plans.
Will Keshi stay true to his philosophy?
Keshi is a man who has built his reputation upon the bold and brave decision to jettison the underachieving and the tarnished to construct a side upon the young, the hungry, the uncelebrated and the inexperienced.
Up to a point, this approach has served him well; his Super Eagles elect did, after all, bring home the continental crown and seal World Cup qualification.
However, as the tournament approaches, the creaks appear to be emerging in Keshi’s masterplan.
Some of the deficiencies in the current squad may well find answers in some of those ignored by the Big Boss, not least Osaze Odemwingie, who is performing effectively at Stoke City.
Keshi’s decision to recall Joseph Yobo for the Mexico friendly was a first step on the potentially sloppy slope to ultimate compromise. Who else will follow?
Dove writes for kickoffnigeria.com
Ed Dove

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La Liga: Atletico Bring Real Back To Earth

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Atletico Madrid scored five goals against city rivals Real for the first time in nearly 75 years when they fought back from behind in a pulsating derby.

It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five in a Madrid derby, the last occasion being a 6-3 victory in November 1950.

Real lost for the first time this season, having won all six of their opening La Liga matches as well as their first Champions League tie, a 2-1 victory over Marseille.

The last time Real conceded as many in La Liga was a 5-1 defeat by Barcelona in October 2018.

Robin le Normand’s header had given Diego Simeone’s side an early lead that was overturned by superb goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler.

But Alexander Sorloth levelled the game at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

And the hosts took charge after the break when Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converted from the penalty spot before curling home a brilliant free-kick.

Atletico went into their shell, but held their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann grabbed their fifth goal deep into stoppage time.

The result maintained an impressive record against Real in La Liga for Simeone’s side, who have not lost in their past six league encounters with Los Blancos.

PSG Regain Top Position In France (7)

Paris St-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a comfortable victory over Auxerre at the weekend.

Illia Zabarnyi scored his first goal for the club since his summer move from Bournemouth when he volleyed in at the back post from Vitihna’s cross at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

The home side doubled their lead when Lucas Beraldo headed home from Senny Mayulu’s cross.

PSG moved above Marseille, who beat them on Monday, as they made it five wins from their opening six league matches.

Auxerre had their chances, with a fierce shot from Kevin Danois striking the woodwork and Sekou Mara having a header cleared off the line.

There were further opportunities for Luis Enrique’s side but Achraf Hakimi’s dink was ruled out for offside and Bradley Barcola sent a header over the bar.

Auxerre are 13th in the table with four defeats from six matches.

PSG travel to Barcelona on Wednesday in their second Champions League group stage match.

Before the PSG match, Marseille scored two late goals to move level on points with hosts Strasbourg and go top of Ligue 1 on goal difference.

Strasbourg looked on track to move four points clear at the top until the 78th minute as Abdoul Ouattara’s goal had them ahead.

But former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the equaliser, and Amir Murillo completed the turnaround as the clock ticked into added time.

Aubameyang was first to the rebound following his own shot to level the score after goalkeeper Mike Penders spilled the initial shot.

Penders, on loan from Chelsea, seemed to have done better in stoppage time when he tipped substitute Robinio Vaz’s header onto the crossbar, but the rebound landed with Murillo.

Marseille were top with five teams all on 12 points, including Strasbourg who were in fifth place.

Kane Sets Elite Scoring Record With Bayern  (5)

Harry Kane scored twice in Bayern Munich’s win over Werder Bremen last Friday to become the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a club playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

The England captain won and converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time, before firing home from close range in the 65th minute to reach the century mark in just 104 games.

The previous record of 105 games was set by Cristiano Ronaldo while playing for Real Madrid in 2011, and matched by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland last year.

Former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz had opened the scoring when he deflected in a Jonathan Tah flick from a corner, while Konrad Laimer slipped home a late fourth as leaders Bayern preserved their unbeaten start to the season.

Kane broke two other records in his side’s 4-1 victory against Hoffenheim last weekend, during which he scored a hat-trick.

He reached 70 Bundesliga goals in just his 67th game in the competition, faster than anyone else in the league’s history.

Previously, the 32-year-old broke the record for the most goals scored in 50 Bundesliga games (54 goals), and the fewest number of games needed to reach 50 goals in the competition (43 matches).

On Friday, Kane also became the first player in Bundesliga history to convert their first 18 penalties, as well as score 18 consecutive spot-kicks.

Kane was the first player in Bundesliga history to finish top scorer in both his first two seasons, and the only player to score 25 or more goals in their first two campaigns in the competition.

He has started this campaign with 15 in eight games in all competitions – including two hat-tricks in five Bundesliga games, with Vincent Kompany’s side top of the league table with a 100% record.

Kane is the highest scoring Englishman in Champions League history (42 goals), and scored against all 20 teams he has faced in the Bundesliga.

Only Miroslav Klose has played against more sides, while scoring against all of them (28).

Kane joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in a £100m transfer in 2023, having scored 280 goals in 435 games in all competitions for the Premier League club.

He has two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed with the Munich outfit, although he has recently been linked with former club Spurs and Manchester United.

But when asked on Friday if he was thinking of a Premier League return, Kane said: “No, not at the moment. I’m really happy here. I have two years left on my contract.

“I’m enjoying every moment. That is not in my thought process. I’m enjoying it with the team, with the coach, and hopefully we continue to be successful.”

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Forest Still Looking For Winning Formula 

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Ange Postecoglou’s difficult start to life as Nottingham Forest head coach continued as Omar Alderete’s first-half goal gave Sunderland victory at the City Ground.

The former Spurs boss, appointed on 9 September, has now lost three and drawn two of his first five games in charge, with Saturday’s loss coming in his first home game with Forest.

But the hosts will feel aggrieved by the manner of Sunderland’s winner, with the visitors awarded a free-kick when Nicolas Dominguez was penalised for simulation when he clashed with Trai Hume while attempting to clear.

Grant Xhaka sent the ball in from the set-piece and Alderete was there to direct it into the net.

Dan Ndoye came close to equalising just before the break with a deflected effort before Chris Wood headed over.

Elliot Anderson curled a shot just over the bar as Forest pushed for the leveller in the second half, while Robin Roefs, who has been excellent for Sunderland so far this season – saved well from Omari Hutchinson, Wood and a long-range Anderson effort.

But despite the pressure, Forest could not find a goal as promoted Sunderland’s third win of the season moved them up to third in the table.

Forest, meanwhile, are 16th with just one win from their first six Premier League games.

 

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Man Utd Lose, Again 

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Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes had a second-half penalty saved as Ruben Amorim’s side slipped to a Premier League defeat at Brentford at the weekend.

United were trying to fight their way back after Igor Thiago capitalised on some shambolic United defending inside the first 20 minutes to give the home side a two-goal cushion.

Benjamin Sesko pulled one back with his first goal since making a £74m summer move from RB Leipzig.

Fernandes was given the chance to level when Bees captain Nathan Collins dragged former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo back inside the area.

After a delay of almost five minutes, which included a video assistant referee red card check against Collins and Brentford making two substitutions, Fernandes’ low effort was turned away by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford wrapped it up deep in stoppage time when Mathias Jensen drove a high shot past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from the edge of the area.

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