Five things we must do to beat Germany tonight

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

Today's match between Nigeria and German will be a match between two high scoring side. Nigeria has pumped in 10 goals while Germany can boast of 19 goals 

Do not concede too many free kicks or corners

Against a ‘weak’ Denmark team, the Dream Team conceded eight corner kicks but even though the Germans have scored 19 goals [10 against Fiji], they have not scored any from a direct set piece. 

This does not mean that they would not start against Nigeria, because they are supposed to be technically suave and superior to their African opponents. The Germans are good in aerial balls, their players are physical and quite huge.  Also Max Meyer and Serge Gnabry (who has scored two free kick) can punish us at any time through free kicks

Play a double pivot in midfield

Azubuike Okechukwu is suspended for the semi-final and we have lost Oghenekaro Etebo to injury, so the advise to Siasia would be to play right back, Usman Mohammed in Azubuike’s place and ensure that Mikel stays more defensively-minded. The coaching crew should expect to have less time on the ball as it was against Denmark but they must ensure that there are no lone presses in midfield. When the team presses, all the players must press in unison, so as not to create gaps through which the Germans could exploit. 

If we fail to do this, the Bender Brothers (Especially Lars Bender can punish us).They have taken command of the German midfield all through their matches so far.  

Play with two central attackers

The Germans conceded five goals in their first two games and if not for late heroics from Serge Gnabry, they would not have made it into the second round. So, there is a weakness in the central defensive pairing of Niklas Suele and Matthias Ginter, who showed against Mexico and Korea that they do not enjoy playing against direct runners. Siasia should play Sadiq Umar and Aminu Umar with Imoh Ezekiel on the left flank to expose this weakness and to always have numbers in the box when the Nigerian team attacks.

Be hungry to win the ball after losing it and be Discipline without the ball

It is not only important that the Dream Team know what to do on the ball but more importantly that they do not daydream without the ball. Running off the ball to create space for another teammate is a distinct feature of the modern game, so whether in possession or out of possession, the players need to cover the miles. They must also ensure that they match the Germans for intensity throughout all 90 minutes and extra time if needed.

One thing that the U-23 have showed consistently in the four games played in Brazil is the propensity to drop off – to let their rhythm slacken or diminish. Against one of the super powers, Siasia has to ensure that the message to stay alert and concentrated resonates with all the players.

This are just pieces of advice for the technical team even though they definitely know more about managing the game than we do but as Nigerians, who want something to cheer, we could not stand aside and do nothing. We wish this team the best of luck.

Finally attack from the wing......

I don't think we can match these Germans in the midfield. So I suggest we attack from the wing. This is because they don't have good full backs. If Imoh Ezekiel and Aminu Umar can get their acts together, they can cause problems for the Germans via the wings, as we can boast of fast and pacy wingers who could pull beautiful crosses or square plays for Sadiq Umar to cause first class damage. 

Personally I have watched the full backs of the Germans that is led by Toljan and Sule they are not exceptional.We can over run them through the wings.

Read More

Nigeria vs Germany: Can the Dream team determination crush the youthful German Machines tonight

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit

When funding issues meant Nigeria’s men’s football team was stranded in Atlanta on the eve of the Olympics, even making it to its opening match appeared a tall order. The idea that the team could actually prosper in the event looked to have already been extinguish by the sort of administration woes that have hobbled the country’s progress on the football field for far too long. Yet, improbably, the Super Eagles now stand a win over Germany in Wednesday’s semifinals away from being guaranteed at least a silver medal.

It is quite the contrast. Off the field, the Nigerian team’s Olympics have been nothing short of a disaster. Its plane arrived in Manaus for its opening game against Japan only hours before kickoff, after the airline supposed to charter a flight from Atlanta failed to get paid by the country’s sports ministry.

Nigeria somehow won that game 5-4 and made its way through the group stage, but more problems arose ahead of its quarterfinal against Denmark when players refused to turn up for a training session after a pay dispute. Hearing of the financial woes, a Japanese plastic surgeon has even offered to pay each member of the squad $30,000 if they take home the gold medal.

Still, that promise did not prevent Nigeria from sending its two alternate players – Stanley Dimgba and Yusuf Mohammed – as well as three team officials home ahead of the semifinals in order to reduce costs. Yet, despite its country’s authorities seemingly doing everything possible to undermine its chances, Nigeria has continued to do the business on the pitch against far better prepared teams.

Twenty years after Nigeria’s greatest football moment, it is now eyeing further Olympic glory. Perhaps even the fact that the team’s plane was stranded in Atlanta of all places proved to be an omen for what has followed. It was, after all, the American city which hosted the 1996 Olympics and where Nigeria beat Brazil 4-3 in the semifinals in perhaps the greatest Olympic soccer match of recent times, before defeating Argentina in the final.

That side included a startling array of talent, including Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and more. And it was that team that had a pivotal impact on the captain of the 2016 Olympic team, John Obi Mikel.

“Watching Nigeria beat Brazil in the semifinal and then Argentina in the final really inspired me,” the Chelsea midfielder told the London Evening Standard last month. “I was just kicking a football around for fun back then in the streets. But after seeing Nigeria win the gold medal, I changed.”

Mikel may have scored just one Premier League goal in 247 appearances, but he found the net as Nigeria beat Denmark 2-0 in the quarterfinals. And it is Mikel who is the undoubted star of a 2016 Olympic team that doesn’t have the star power of the 1996 version but has produced some thrilling play in Brazil.

But, in Germany, Nigeria will be going up against a team that has also provided plenty of entertainment. Germany has scored 19 goals in its four Olympic matches, a remarkable tally even if 10 of those did come against minnows Fiji.

Serge Gnabry, alone, is responsible for six of those and has been the outstanding player for Germany ever since coming off the bench in the team’s opening game to help salvage a draw against Mexico. And the 21-year-old was on target once again in the quarterfinals, opening the scoring as his side beat Portugal by a surprisingly emphatic 4-0 margin. 

Gnabry will hope that his form in the Olympics will earn him a first-team opportunity when he returns to his club, Arsenal. But before that he can endear himself to Arsenal supporters by getting once over Chelsea rival, Mikel.

Nigeria vs Germany: Key Facts

Nigeria will be facing a European team for the third time in this Olympics and they have defeated the previous two. They Super Eagles have also lost one of their four games in the competition, scored 8 and conceded 6.

Germany will be locking horns with an African side for the first time in the completion. In addition, the German are unbeaten in the competition and scored the the highest no of goals 19 goals in the tournament, with 14 coming from last two games.

Nigeria vs Germany: Head to Head

These two Nations will be facing each other for the first time in this competition. Germany and Nigeria national football team last met in an international friendly that took place in Koln.

However, Germany have had encounter with African sides in the football aspect of the Olympics. During their last appearance in Seoul 1988, the German met African side like Zambia, And Tunisia, and enjoyed a resounding victory over them.

On their way to the Semi-final of this on-going Olympics, Nigeria faced and defeated 2 European sides. In Addition, any Nigeria Olympic football team has never lost to an European side since the West African country scooped the gold medal in 1996.

Prediction

It promises to be a thrilling contest in Sao Paulo between the two most entertaining sides in the competition. Much could come down to which side is more clinical in front of goal.

This is going to be close game considering the quality in both sides, and their exploit on the way to the final.

Germany has only one shot off target out of their 20 shot goal in this game, netting 19 goals the highest in the competition so far. The German will however be facing a more tactical side, and a team that have failed to loss against any European side in any Olympics game.

In their last Olympic appearance (i.e. Beijing 2008), Nigeria faced an European in the same level of the competition, and produced a wide margin victory over the European side. Dream team V under the tutelage of Samson Siasia defeated Belgium with 4-1 score line and ease to the final of the 2008 edition of the Olympics.

In conclusion, both sides have produced great performances in Rio so far, and have had few historical advantages. This clash is going to produce the best football performance in Rio, and narrow line will separate the two sides. I however predict a win for the Nigerian side.

Predicted starting Eleven

Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Daniel; Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Sincere, Amuzie; Okechukwu, Usman; Ezekiel, Obi Mikel, A. Umar; S. Umar

Germany starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Horn; Toljan, Ginter, Sule, Klostermann; S. Bender, L. Bender; Brandt, Meyer, Gnabry; Selke

Players to watch

Serge Gnabry

Germany’s Serge Gnabry is the leading goal scorer at the Olympics with six goals. He has scored in all four of Germany’s matches since he came on as a substitute in the team’s Olympic opener. 

Gnabry has been a consistent threat on the left side, cutting in to the middle of the field on his stronger right foot. He also has two goals from free kicks. 

This should be an exciting match with plenty of scoring chances for both sides.

Mikel Obi

Nigeria is led by captain John Obi Mikel. The Chelsea midfielder was selected as one of the team’s overage players. He plays behind Nigeria’s front line, which is loaded with talented players including Sadiq Umar, Imoh Ezekiel and Oghenekaro Etebo. 

Read More

Mikel is a genius says Siasia

Barely five hours after arriving Manaus as a miracle. Siasia said this during the post match press conference at the Amazonia Stadium, Manaus.

“I just can’t describe what happened today. My boys defied science to win this game; what gave us this game was the mental toughness of the boys. For a team not to train for two days and put up this type of performance is a miracle. You know that when players are tired they tend to lose focus. That is why we conceded four goals. For now, all I can say is I just want to go and savour this victory with my players.”

On his plan for the next game, Coach Siasia said: “We just won a game, we can’t and won’t allow this victory get into our heads. Our target here is to win the gold and this is just the first step of us achieving that aim. No two games are the same, for me this hurdle is over, when I wake up tomorrow I will then think of my next game.”

Describing the Japanese side as a good side, Siasia added: “The team we defeated is a good side; I respect them for pushing my boys to the limit.”

Coach Siasia refused to speak on the issues that caused him and the team to arrive Manaus hours before the game, saying the team has put that behind them and are grateful to Delta Airlines for coming to the rescue of the team when they did.

Describing the nine -goal session as a spectacle, the 2008 Olympics silver –winning coach said: “I knew that towards the end of the game my boys were tired and barely managed to hang on. I will not blame any one of them for the goals we conceded. We have put this match behind us. I hope my team sustains this great form and even step up a gear in our subsequent matches.”

Read More

We must win gold medals at Olympics, Mikel rallies Team Nigeria

John Mikel Obi, captain of the Nigeria U23 squad, has described his appointment as captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympic Games as overwhelming.

Speaking from the U23 team’s camp in Atlanta, Georgia, Mikel urged members of the team to work together and ensure they get gold medals.

“First and foremost, I will say I am overwhelmed with this opportunity to be the captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics,” he said.

“This is the highest accolade you can ever have as a sportsman‎ and it’s one I am really looking forward to.

“I am much pleased and very happy with myself for what I have been able to achieve, and grateful to the federal ministry of youth and sports and the entire country for this opportunity.

“My objective is definitely going to be to carry everyone along.

“I think it’s important that we all work together, it’s important that we all set one goal, and that goal is to be successful, to win medals, to make sure we get gold medals.

“Our country has not done very well in recent times at the Olympics, so hopefully we can go to Rio and do well.”

On the burden his appointment has placed on him, Mikel, who is also the captain of the Super Eagles, said: “‎It’s massive, it’s big, it’s not just the football team.

“I am the captain of the Super Eagles. Sometimes you look at it and you think that’s a big burden, but this is even much bigger; it’s one that I am looking forward to.

“If you look at my track record at Chelsea, I have always played for the team; I have always been a team player; I have never been an individual player, so I think this is something I will be carrying into the Olympics and carrying into Team Nigeria to make sure that we are successful.”

He called on Nigerians to support the team and wish players and officials well.

On this being his first Olympics, the 29-year-old midfielder said:”I don’t think it will be a disadvantage.

“I think leadership is either you have it or you don’t. Sometimes, people grow into leadership and sometimes people are born with leadership qualities.

“I think I have always been in that leading role since my U-17 days, even when not wearing the captain’s band; I have always had people looking up to me to carry the team.”

Read More

Siasia names Mikel and Akpeyi as over aged players

Nigeria Olympic team coach Samson Siasia has finally settled for Chelsea star Mikel Obi and south Africa-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi as his over-aged players for the Rio Olympics.

An official told AfricanFootball.com: “Siasia will be going to Rio with only two over-aged players – Mikel and Akpeyi.”

Other over-aged players who made the provisional 35-man squad were Turkey-based defender Godfrey Oboabona and Watford striker Odion Ighalo.

It was gathered from sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation that Mikel and Akpeyi from South African PSL side Chippa United made the final 18-man squad list submitted by Siasia to the football federation during the week.

Mikel has been keen on featuring in this year’s Olympic football tournament after he missed out on Beijing 2008.

Siasia’s team face local team Charlton Battery at 8pm local time in Atlanta, which is  1 am Nigerian time Saturday.

The match will be played at the Silverbacks Stadium in Atlanta.

Read More