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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face a stern test when they battle the Palancas Negras of Angola in the quarter-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
AFCON 2023 has been an outstanding tournament so far, with clear favourites Senegal and Morocco being dumped out of the competition by host Ivory Coast and South Africa respectively.
Most of the top-ranked teams by FIFA; Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt have all been shown the exit door, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria emerging favourites to pick up a fourth continental trophy, according to Opta.
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08:15 - 01.02.2024
AFCON 2023 Nigeria v Angola: Four tactical keys to victory
As the draw opens up, here are some tactical imperatives the Super Eagles must heed if they are to avoid becoming the latest upset victims at AFCON 2023
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07:59 - 08.02.2024
Stanley Nwabali: Super Eagles goalkeeper’s market value increases ten times
Since replacing Francis Uzoho in goal for Nigeria, Stanley Nwabali has made the number one spot his, with some outstanding performances
However, coach Jose Peseiro and his boys have to navigate their way through a tricky tie against an Angolan side capable of playing free-flowing attacking football.
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In what would be a battle between two Portuguese tacticians, Nigerian fans would be hoping that Jose Peseiro gets the upper hand over his compatriot.
That being said, here are some tactical changes Jose Peseiro needs to make to outsmart Pedro Goncalves, in the Angolan dugout.
1. Calvin Bassey at left-back
The Super Eagles have had FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi at the leftback position for all the games at AFCON so far but this needs to change against Angola.
Zaidu, for all his defensive prowess has been the weaklink in the team, especially when the team is on the attack. He squandered a glorious opportunity at the nearpost against Equatorial Guinea, and has not been able to pick out any of the forwards with his crosses.
Meanwhile, Fullham’s Calvin Bassey when switched to leftback against Cameroon for the closing minutes, picked out Haruna Lookman with an inch-perfect cross to scored Nigeria’s second goal - something that Zaidu Sanusi could not do all day.
2. Half-fit Nwabali better than Uzoho in goal?
This is where Jose Peseiro needs to be careful. Yes, Nwabali has been in outstanding form for the Super Eagles but he was stretchered off during the last 16 tie against Cameroon.
Although it has been reported that Nwabali is back in training, he should not be rushed back for such an important game if he is not fully fit, as this can spell doom for Nigeria’s ambition to lift a fourth AFCON title.
Likely replacement for Nwabali is Omonia Nicosia’s Francis Uzoho or Olorunleke Ojo who plies his trade with NPFL side Enyimba. Of these two, Uzoho is likely to get the nod, but many football fans in Nigeria have reservations about Uzoho’s capability, given that he’s the third-choice goalkeeper in his Cyprus club and the many mistakes he is prone to.
Fans on Pulse Sports Nigeria's social media page have stated clearly that a half-fit Stanley Nwabali is better than Francis Uzoho and that they would rather have Nwabali on crutches playing in goal than trust Francis Uzoho.
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However, I think these are emotional statements and Jose Peseiro and his technical team should trust Uzoho to man the post against Angola, should Nwabali not be hundred per cent fit to play.
3. Start Omeruo in defence
Nigeria’s backline has been one of the meanest so far in this competition - conceding just once in four games.
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11:35 - 01.02.2024
Super Eagles vs Angola: Time and where to watch Nigeria's AFCON 2023 quarter-final game
Here is all you need to know about the Super Eagles of Nigeria's quarterfinal fixture against Angola.
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02:33 - 31.01.2024
Nigeria now overwhelming favourites to win AFCON 2023 according to Supercomputer
Nigeria's quest for a potential fourth AFCON title has been assessed by Opta's Supercomputer
Coach Jose Peseiro’s favoured three at the back has served the Super Eagles well until now and should be maintained. With Bassey moving to left-back, former Chelsea man Kenneth Omeruo should be drafted in to pair Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi.
Calvin Bassey and the outstanding Ola Aina would have the licence to carry out their marauding runs down the flanks, playing as wingbacks.
4. Alex Iwobi in midfield again?
One major discussions that Nigerian football fans have had in this tournament is about ex-Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi.
Everyone knows Iwobi to be a creative player but he has shown very little of this in this competition. The argument by some fans is that Iwobi is playing a deeper role because of the Super Eagles' defensive style of play, which requires him to play deep.
The Nigerian team has lacked that creative bite and a player like Osimhen has not enjoyed top-notch service that will help him terrorise the opponent’s goal.
With Yusuf Alhassan likely to return against Angola, his pairing with Brentford’s Frank Onyeka can help unlock Iwobi’s creative spark. Jose Peseiro also has the option of calling on the reliable Raphael Onyedikachi to pair Onyeka in midfield, so Iwobi can play a free role.
5. Introduce Kelechi Iheanacho
Until this stage of the competition, Nigerians have not seen Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who picked up a knock before the tournament kicked off.
However, Jose Peseiro, while responding to questions on Iheanacho’s absence said the former Manchester City hasn’t featured because he can only start 11 players, with only five substitutes per game.
The game against Angola would be a good time to see what Kelechi Iheanacho can add to the Super Eagles attack, especially because of his creativity and ability to find space behind the opponent’s backline.
Nigeria’s quarterfinal clash against Angola would be a tactical battle as Pedro Goncalves’s side has been the highest-scoring side in the competition (9 goals), while the Super Eagles have conceded just one.
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