Stories by Paul Erewuba
As Super Eagles prepare for September’s double header against Cameroon, former Flying Eagles coach, Tunde Disu (OFR) has warned that the team’s Franco German manager, Gernot Rohr must avoid the blunders that saw him lose his first game against South Africa in an AFCON 2019 qualifier.
It would be recalled that South Africa stunned Nigeria 0-2 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nation qualifier at the Uyo Nest of Champions, the same venue where the first leg of all -important battle against Cameroon would be decided.
It loss to South Africa was a major upset as it was the very first time Bafana Bafana would beat the Eagles in a competitive game.
Second half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau saw Coach Stuart Baxter’s side begin their Group E campaign with vital three-points.
The defeat has since sent tongues wagging, with many already afraid that the Eagles might not be able to overpower their Cameroonian counterparts when the World Cup party begins.
Speaking to Saturday Sun in Lagos, Disu who led Flying Eagles to the famous “Miracle of Daman” feat against Russia stated matter-of-factly that Super Eagles Coach, Germot Rorh committed two blunders in the match against Bafana Bafana.
Disu who had also coached the Super Eagles specifically warned that Rorh should not use Kelechi Iheanaco as a striker against the Indomitable Lions.
He wonder why the German is still sticking to old tactical formation seeing that the world has shifted from such tactice.
“If I must tell you, Rorh has not used our best strikers to the best of our knowledge. He should tell us who our best striker is for now.
“Our best striker is not Iheanacho. Iheanacho to me is a supportive striker and we have seen him give his best in that position. At Manchester United where he plies his trade now that is what he is. So he should be played well.”
“Secondly, Rorh should abandon the 4-3-3 formation pattern he is currently using. It is outdated. Spain used it to win the World Cup twice and every country has known the tactics. So, as a German he should adopt the latest formation being played by Germany which is the 4-2-3-1 formation.
“I believe he has the right players to play that formation. His job now is how to fix such players into these positions. When players are played in the wrong positions you don’t get the best out of them. That was one of the technical problems against South Africa that led to their humiliating here at home.”
Continuing Disu said:”The players were confused against South Africa and did not understand themselves. The Technical Committee was right in telling Rorh to submit his list for vetting. This is because, they seem to know the players more than Rorh. The best way to go against Cameroon is to adopt the 4-2-3-1 formation and you will see Nigeria beat Cameroon home and away.”