Let's review the first leg and talk tactics in the second leg coming up in Bissau on Monday

 

A review by respected football Super administrator Austin Akpehe who is the Executive Chairman of Galaxy Sports Development China and Galaxy Sports Academy Nigeria

Goalkeeper 

Jose should be good at reading games and he knows he was lucky not to had conceded more goals based on the counterattack approach the Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro used on the Super Eagles. If Uzoho isn't able to watch the back of his defense and wants to stay on the line when SE attacks, then Jose has to consider a keeper amongst the others that can help the defense cover up that huge empty space on attacks.

Wingbacks 

Both of our wingbacks are good at offensive football which is good but both can't be attacking at the same time. This was a big tactical flaw the defense had. When the left WB is attacking, the right WB drops and fills up the space. Both WBs have to anticipate errors from our MF and attackers, and counterattacks to come from the Guinea-Bissau players. Our left WB has to know he is playing against a deadly right winger and must not be frequently found surging forward at every offensive move.

CB 

Caught ball-watching several times in the first leg. Jose has to be active on the touchline and ready to scream and have quicker actions on the touchline, so as to help his CBs. These CBs played together for the first time. Surprisingly, I never saw a good through pass coming from Bassey to any of the strikers. You have very quick attackers and wingers. No CB was able to launch and good ball to our strikers. Both guys have good work to do and prove a point. If they play in this way again, our two oyinbos should be brought back quickly.

Defensive Midfied 

Using Iwobi on this position wasn't bad but Ndidi was not able to be productive on the third half. He seemed surprised and short of creativity when he was in the box. Try having Iwobi play a free role and Ndidi sticking to his DM position. I prefer 2 defensive midfield players and one playmaker since the game has become so fast.

Offensive Midfield 

If Iwobi plays a free role, it might solve more problems. Aribo and Ndidi in the DM will still have Aribo launching forward to help in the third half. To me Iheancho didn't do bad in the pattern that played him deeper in the midfield.

Wingers 

Look an failed to show his sparkles as a winger. Maybe he preferred to play upfront. No coach will happily leave an active and confident winger like Moses Simon on the bench. Chukwueze would have stolen the show. I was surprised to see him passing so much at the start of the game but he later started taking on the defenders. His crosses and shots were horrible and he seemed not to had been targeting Osimhen. Both of our wingers have to do better in the second leg.

Strikers 

The headache of Jose in the first leg would be the selection of the strikers to start. He had too many good legs on this position and I think it caused him a problem since he felt some must start. Osimhen had too much of pressure on him in the first leg. He has a chance to redeem his image in the return leg. Jose has to be careful while changing tactics. His intention of long crosses because of Onuachu wasn't bad but he and Osimhen now have issues being upfront. I still insist not playing both players at the same time, except towers the end of the game. Both strikers never complimented the efforts of the other while exchanging runs. They never laid or flicked any headers to themselves. This made it dangerous for the team. That's why Jose said if they continued the game and we played in that manner we would never score a goal. Moffi with his exclusivity and Osimhen upfront would still yield better results. Or Onuachu and Moffi in, and Osimhen on the bench which isn't possible. Osimhen should be encouraged to take his mysterious shots from all angles when he breaks through the wings.

Summary 

It is time the psychologist of the Super Eagles does his job and proves a point to the technical department. Let him call for a meeting with the strikers and educate them about why they came. They are a team and Nigerians will be happy if any of them scores. He has to let Osimhen and Onuachu know they are on camera and are seen when they frequently disagree. Both strikers need to be helped in this aspect.

Jose should be able to switch from a 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with the caliber of players he has while the game is on. 

His communication skills with the players while the game is on seem very good. He has to be able to aid the defense by reminding them to watch out for counters arising from errors from our players. Our defense was severally standing flat and he has to be ready to remind them as the game is on. 

Let Jose win the battle in the midfield in this second round and hope his strikers deliver him in the second leg on in Bissau on Monday.