Yusuf, Nigeria’s Ngolo Kante
Had Super Eagles converted half of its chances to goals in yesterday AFCON match against Equatorial Guinea, the scoreline would have been terrific.
Unfortunately the team had to chase Equatorial Guinea for a draw.
I could hardly understand the formation of Coach Jose Peseiro nor his tactics but I saw a petit player in the middle of the park to define the flow of the midfield.
He is AlHassan Yusuf of Nigeria. He plays for the Royal Antwerp, a first division club in Belgium. Yusuf was a late inclusion in the Super Eagles squad, following the late injury of Leicester midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi.
Ndidi wouldn’t have done better with what Yusuf did yesterday but then there is fear that this new revelation may also be prone to injury.
Yusuf was stretchered out of the pitch yesterday even though a report had suggested that his injury was light and that he might return against host, Cote D’Ivoire.
Nevertheless, the Antwerp midfielder showed resilience, good distribution of ball and strong character on the field. He is fast, smart and creative with a lot of energy.
What Yusuf will need now is more composure and sense of adventure. His shot at goal in the early minutes of the match showed he was a bit nervous.
Yusuf’s midget size could also be an advantage. He will be slippery enough to do the damage against Cote D’Ivoire on Thursday.
However, I have a reservation for the team manager, Peseiro who has started talking like a pastor instead of a coach.
He said at the post match press conference that God gives and takes, perhaps God will give Eagles victory of Thursday. Hmmmm
By Kunle Awosiyan
