Troost-Ekong/Balogun pairing no longer comfortable, ex-Eagles player says
Super Eagles
Abuja, June 2, 2018 (NAN) Former Super Eagles player Waidi Akanni says the pairing of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun at the heart of the national team’s defence may not be Nigeria’s best option in Russia.
Akanni, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the warm-up match between the Super Eagles and Three Lions of England on Saturday, faulted the once-dependable partnership.
Two first-half goals by England defender Gary Cahill and striker Harry Kane proved enough to give the home side a 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles at Wembley.
It was a nervy first half for the Nigerian side, with England constantly knocking at the Eagles’ door and asking questions of the defence.
But for Raheem Sterling who missed two great chances and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho who did well, the first half would have ended in a disaster for the Eagles.
And Akanni, a former head of the Lagos State Football Association, said it was the pairing of Troost-Ekong and Balogun which looked suspect the most.
“I have never been too comfortable with them. I am happy Omeruo has come back and I think he should give them stiff competition.
“So far, Ekong and Balogun have not been playing well together like they did during the qualifiers. With Omeruo jumping into the fray, I think we will have a better defence line.”
Indeed, the introduction of Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo, who replaced Balogun in the second half, stabilised the defence and warded off England’s attack.
“In the end, it will be between Ekong, Omeruo and Balogun. But I am happy Omeruo did enough to show the coach that he could compete for a place in our central defence,” Akanni added.
The former player however acknowledged that playing England at the Wembley Stadium could have made the Eagles jittery in the first half.
“It was Nigeria’s first high-profile game in a while and we were playing against England in London. So, you will expect that the first half for the Eagles would not be that perfect.
“Of course, maybe they were trying to study the England team and their play. But they were able to make up in the second half whatever they did wrong in the first,” he said.
An early second half goal by Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, a rebound off an Odion Ighalo effort which hit the upright, reduced the deficit and restored confidence among the Nigerian players.
Akanni believed that coach Gernot Rohr’s team selection and set-up played their parts in the outcome of the game.
“It was a very interesting friendly game. Nigeria didn’t start on a good note by way of players’ selection and set-up but the second half was a bit better.
“They were able to score a goal and they were able to get behind the English defenders like they never did in the first half,” he observed.
One of the talking points of the Eagles team going to the World Cup in Russia is the decision about the first-choice goalkeeper for the team in Russia.
The former Eagles player told NAN that Rohr might have made that decision already.
“Uzoho has got some match games under his belt and that is what he needs. So, I think he is who the coach will depend on,” he said.
Akanni also stated that there were still areas where the coach had to work on.
“Basically, we need to work on the left-back and then of course one or two players in the midfield. Once we get a good combination, I think we will do well.”(NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)