The worst part of my Ghana 2008 experience is that the Super Eagles could not score goals with any conviction or creativity. The team was not lethal. Since the exit of Emmanuel Amuneke the team’s left side of attack has been its weakest side. Taiye Taiwo is the team’s only left-footed player and he plays very conservatively these days at the rear. The response to that challenge is the conversion of right-sided players to manage it. Where are Nigeria’s left-footed players? The question is begging for an answer now.
A new comer also played in the team – Yusuf Mohammed. Although he seemed to meet his defensive responsibilities he failed to ignite any enthusiasm amongst observers. The match was also played in such a subdued manner that it looked like a training match for the team.

Find below my short, uncritical evaluation of the players that played that day.
Vincent Inyeamah – he was hardly tested at all. But it was good to see him return to the team and get a start up shirt. He did what he had to do to keep a clean slate!

Yusuf Mohammed – I had not seen him play since he turned professional abroad some two years ago. I was told that he did well in the friendly match against Austria. But watching him live was such a disappointment. Initially he looked exciting with his first overlapping run that ended with the first of his several poor crosses or passes. Soon, it became easier to look at him and see another failure at getting a great right-back since the lingering injury of Chidi Odiah halted his ownership of that position. Yussuf did not play with the arrogance of the older members of the team. Every time he tried to do some clever stuff he failed to impress.
Taiye Taiwo – He played conservatively without over-exerting himself. He did just doing enough to keep him out of trouble should things go wrong. Only once in ninety minutes did this great overlapping left-back make an attempt to go forward even if the South Africans posed absolutely no risk. Average, quiet performance!

Joseph Yobo – I may have criticized the choice of a position for him in the heart of the Nigerian defense. But without question he has held the defense of the Super Eagles relatively intact for several years. The worry is that if and when Yobo is not available to play what would happen to the team? He led the team as captain very well and played safely. Uncharacteristically, he had a good, solid game.
Nwaneri – he scored Nigeria’s second goal that sunk the South Africans. That was his first goal since he joined the national team. His initial lack of confidence should now disappear. In Enyimba Football Club where he was before moving abroad he was a totally different player, raw and full of physical expression, making him a fringe player in the team. With his performance in the last match Daniel would have an authentic challenge for the partnership with Yobo when he returns. That goal may mark his turning point, his transformation from an ordinary into a great player! Only time will tell.

Yusuf Ayila – I don’t think he has fully recovered from the injury that has kept him away from the national team for so long. His choice was as result of his past performance. The effect of not playing regularly showed through his lack of sharpness all round. But for the injury, Ayila would have been the best natural successor to Sunday Oliseh. Last Saturday, he was one of the few not to impress at all. He was rightly removed as he tired and made more mistakes.

Mikel Obi – Mikel was at his worst last Saturday even though he still held the mid-field together for most of the match. He ran and dribbled, trying to impose himself on the match as he successfully did during Ghana 2008 but failed. He looked the worse for wear after a long bruising season with Chelsea. This may have been his worst match for Nigeria so far, yet he was not really bad. Everything considered Mikel can do a lot better than he did last Saturday.  Several times he tried to do it all alone and would take the ball into enemy territory and try to meander through the tackles of several defenders. He was dispossessed of the ball every time also because the team was not in cohesion!

Okechukwu Uche – the senior? of the brothers that made history as the second set of brothers to play together in the national. The other two I know are the Atuegbu brothers – Andrew and late Aloysius Atuegbu.  Sunmi Smart Cole sent me a text during the match informing me of the Igwe brothers that may have played in the 1960s. I do not know for sure. Okechukwu worked hard, supported Yakubu upfront very well and scored a good goal, out-jumping defenders that were a lot taller than him. He was given the man-of-the-match award simply on the strength of his running and hard work.

Uche 2 – he had an average game in midfield. He can’t be compared to most of the great players that have manned Nigeria’s creative midfield. He had an average game and deserved to be substituted when it happened. But he is still young and would mature with time to be a better player. There is plenty of time in the immediate future to observe his growth and maturity.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni – I do not know what to say about this lethal striker. He hardly ever plays well in the Nigerian team but scores vital goals. Last Saturday he did not catch sight of the South African goal and that’s what he is paid to do! If you are looking for a player to impress do not look in his direction. If you are looking for a player who can score goals with half chances that’s your man. Last Saturday he could not deliver as there were hardly any half chances!

John Utaka – I really do not know what to make of him any more. I could not understand why John continues to be economical with his talent. With his speed and dribbling skills he should be a copy of Christiano Ronaldo who has made playing down the wings and his sidestepping dribbles his trademark. Utaka can do the same but chooses instead to dash down the flank passed his opponent, and then halt again, wait for the defender to recover and take him on again. Utaka can be Nigeria’s goal scoring machine from the wings but he refuses to take responsibility. He does not exploit his own full potential. That’s my problem with John Utaka.

Olofinjana – he came in for Ayila. Both of them play the same way. I almost cannot differentiate. Olofinjana could not do better than Ayila. He just fell into the trap of the fine, easy play that evolved in the match and enjoyed being part of the exhibition display.
Kanu – he went in to enjoy the game and maybe get a goal. The stadium became a theatre for him to showcase his array of football skills. He stepped onto the field and began to perform, moving elegantly to some invisible beat! He played for the spectators and television audience. He had nothing more to prove but to enjoy the rest of his time in the game.