MATCH ANALYSIS: NIGERIA VS GUINEA

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS (AFCON) 2019 GROUP GAME 

FORMATIONS 

The Nigerian Manager, Gernot Rohr was always likely to make changes to the side after the injuries suffered and the impact of the substitute players in the game vs Burundi. He made 5 changes to the side with Odion Ighalo taking the place of Paul Onuachu upfront. The Captain, John Obi Mikel was dropped in favour of moving Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi into the 10 position, with Ahmed Musa coming in on the left wing. Shehu Abdullahi and Jamilu Collins were ruled out of the game with injuries, so Ola Aina continued at left back with C Awaziem deputising at right back. Samuel Kalu had recovered from dehydration but was likely to only be gradually phased back in so had to do with a spot on the bench.

The Sylli Nationale were disappointed not to have obtained the maximum result vs. debutants Madagascar. However, they were able to give their star player Naby Keita some minutes in that game so he was declared fit to start vs the Super Eagles. He was joined in midfield by Napoli midfield prospect Amadou Diawara and Boardeux winger Kamano. Both teams lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Starting Lineup – Nigeria vs Guinea

DIFFERENT PASSING APPROACHES

Guinea were expected to use their aerial strength in setpiece situations while Nigeria needed to resolve the lack of creativity in wide and central areas. The Sylli Nationale had the slightly better share of possession in the first half (Guinea 53%: Nigeria 47%). The Guineans had more refined possession as they sought to progress the ball through the thirds. Diawara was instrumental to Guinea’s creativity from deep, picking up the ball from the back and playing it forward. Nigeria largely relied on direct balls from the back or midfield areas in order to progress up the field. Most of the direct balls were played by Omeruo, Ndidi and Etebo deep from the Nigerian half.

Match Statistics NGA vs GUI (whoscored.com)

This was often ineffective as centrebacks Faletta and Seka paid close attention to Odion Ighalo often fouling him or comfortably winning the ball. When Ighalo did get in behind in the 31st minute, he chose to shot when he could have squared it to Musa for a tap in. Iwobi played in the 10 role for Nigeria and had the burden of expectation from fans of the Super Eagles who wanted to see him succeed as the creativity hub of the team.  Early on he dithered on the ball when he got into good positions, however he got better as the game progressed and took a good shot which the goalkeeper Kone had to punch away.

Player Passing Statistics NGA vs GUI (whoscored.com)

USE OF CORNER KICKS

The Guineans were expected to use setpiece situations especially corners to create goal scoring opportunities. However, they failed to get enough corners to trouble the Nigerians with none in the first half and just one in the 2nd half. Nigeria had 4 corners in the first half and a total of 10 by full time. Initially, most of Nigeria’s corners were deep swings towards the backpost which should have been headed back into the mix instead of at goal. Different approaches were employed in the 2nd half and one did result in the goal with Omeruo connecting with Simon’s cross. Simon was a surprise inclusion at the expense of Chukwueze on the right wing who impressed with his dribbling vs Burundi. Simon offered great defensive protection to Awaziem at right back and was also a threat going forward providing 4 key passes.

BATTLE BETWEEN NDIDI AND KEITA

Much discussed prematch was the midfield battle between two outstanding talents Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Naby Keita of Liverpool. Ndidi together with Etebo in midfield did a job on Keita limiting his influence on the game. He also went down often due to injuries suggesting he was not fully fit for the game.

CONCLUSION

Nigeria would be happy to have qualified with a game to spare. Coach Rohr would probably makes further changes in the final game and look at ways of improving the team’s performance especially from the knockout stages of the competition.