Nigeria’s Statistics Show Inexperience, Lack Of Continuity In Eagles’ Squad

Startling statistics have revealed lack of continuity and inexperience as two major factors that accounted for the Super Eagles’ inability to edge The Black Stars of Ghana in Tuesday’s decisive World Cup qualifier in Abuja.

Against the expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Eagles failed to step up from the gritty efforts that saw them play out a goalless draw in the first leg last Friday, as they had to fight back from a goal down to force a 1-1 end on Tuesday.

Megasportsarena.com reports that Abuja fans then went haywire, wreaking havoc on facilities at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, drawing a possible ban by Confederation of African Football (CAF) and global scorn.

However, milestone data has now hinted that it could have been better had continuity and experience featured from the start in the Eagles’ first 11 that toiled to get a footing under the fading sun in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Although veterans like Ahmed Musa, Odion Jude Ighalo and Abdullahi Shehu eventually got off the bench late in the second half, the damage appeared to have been committed already when several players got full debuts on the night and a large number of them had tender ages to their names.

Details of these frailties in the Eagles’ arsenal were provided by a survey published before kick-off by allnigeriasoccer.com, which noted in part: “Calvin Bassey was the youngest player at 22 and his Rangers teammate Leon Balogun the oldest at 33.

“The lineup features five changes from the eleven that started against Ghana in Kumasi, with Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo and Victor Osimhen retaining their places.

“Three Britain-based players are making their starting debuts for the national team: Ademola Lookman (Leicester City), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford) and Calvin Bassey (Rangers).

“Victor Osimhen is the only player named in the eleven to have started the previous six matches played by the national team in 2022 World Cup qualifying.

“Four players started Nigeria’s last game at the World Cup: Uzoho, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Etebo.”