By Joe Apu
Former Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh has called on the Super Eagles technical crew and players not to take Cameroon’s ouster at the on-going FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia for granted, as the Hugo Broos tutored side could frustrate Nigeria’s ambition for a ticket to the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Coach Obuh while reacting to the ouster of the African champions from the dress rehearsal for the 2018 World Cup in Russia said that the brut force the Cameroonians are known for is still present in the team and nothing different in terms of tactics was observed from the three games they played.
“I watched all the three games of Cameroon and I must say that they didn’t show any difference in their style of play but that is not to say that because they have crashed out then we can go to sleep. I believe that the Eagles can get good results from the double header if our team is tactically disciplined and not follow them strength for strength.
“We need our best legs and should have control of the midfield effectively
while committing their defenders in the vital area. Cameroon plays with raw strength which we cannot match but only a tactically disciplined side can get them to fall.”
Though, Obuh admits that the Cameroonians may be well prepared going by the fact that they are coming from a competition while our players had been relaxing, he said it might be an advantage to Cameroon but called on Coach Rohr to do his best to get the players in shape for the all important clash in Uyo and Limbe respectively.
“No doubt, Nigerians would still be thinking of the Eagles’ 0-2 loss to South Africa but I think the Confederations Cup has provided the technical crew a good opportunity to study the Cameroon side, though no two matches are the same. Cameroon played a tactical German side in their last game and the result is there for all to see. However, I think the Eagles will rise to the occasion against Cameroon in the World Cup qualifiers,” Obuh stated.
African champions, Cameroon crashed out of the FIFA Confederations Cup, following her 3-1 loss to world champions Germany in their final Group B game with 10 men.
The Indomitable Lions will now turn their attention to the World Cup qualifiers where they confront the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a double-header and hope to qualify from a ‘group of death’ that also include Algeria and Zambia. They currently sit second with two points after two rounds of matches. Cameroon now joined host Russia, New Zealand and Australia to make up teams that failed to make it past the group stage. In the other Group B match, Chile drew 1-1 with Australia to finish in second place and will now battle Portugal in the Semi-final.