Could the pairing of old and new see Sunday Oliseh’s Nigeria cruise to the World Cup in Russia?
Nothing quite elevates the spirit as having one’s desires met—whether they are pure or downright ugly.
The international invitations handed to Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins and Manchester City’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho have not only added more lethal forward options to Sunday Oliseh’s team but have also quelled the increasingly frustrating grumblings of Nigeria fans.
These two inclusions have steered up overwhelming joy, mixed with relief, as the team prepares to face Swaziland in a two-legged World Cup qualifier.
There’s a tingling feeling to Martins’ latest Nigeria recall; the last time he lined up for the Super Eagles, John Ogu and Michael Babatunde were in line to make their senior debuts in March 2013 against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier.
It’s been more than two years.
Martins | A long-awaited return
More intriguingly, however, is the fact that Martins’ absence from the national side almost exactly coincides with the goal drought of the now-retired Emmanuel Emenike.
If you didn’t believe in timing, fate and the likes, this might readjust your thinking.
The Al Ain forward ended his Super Eagles career in October following alleged in-house quibbles and many, including Goal’s Solace Chukwu, believed Emenike's decision to retire from international football at the ripe age of 28 was an act of cowardice.
Others, including myself, believed it was only a matter of time before he was exorcised into international oblivion. The decline was sharp and unexpected, both for club and country; from Turkey to the Middle East.
It is quite canny from Oliseh, though: simultaneously handing out invitations to two in-form players who are at opposing ends of their football career spectrum: one 31 and the other 19
Could the injection, and possible combination, of experience (Martins) and youthful exuberance (Iheanacho) take the seemingly resurgent Super Eagles to greater heights?
Tactically, how they would line up, with the preponderance of talents available, might cause Oliseh some (good) headaches. However, as every shrewd coach would do, he must use this to the advantage of the team.
Martins may not have the ability to bulldoze his way through defences, or tire them out for another to capitalize on like lambs readied for slaughter (the kind of tactic Emenike has been credited for), nor does he possess adequate height to dominate the air as the likes of Odion Ighalo, for example.
However, what he brings to the table is the ability to maximize transitional play, making defenders pay for keeping a high line with his pace and incisive finishing.
His almost-telepathic combination with USA’s Clint Dempsey for Sounders in Major League Soccer flourishes on this basis: quick, sharp interchange with purpose, direction and end result. He doesn’t need a second invitation: just lay it into his path, into space, and watch him work his way past defenders, with an almost certainty that he would find the back of the net..
His debut goal against Ireland in 2004 epitomizes this innate ability.
Cue Iheanacho.
The wonderkid is all about pace and vision.
‘Selfish’ is a word that least describes the former U17 star, and despite his current re-sculpturing into an ice-cold striker by Manuel Pellegrini at City, his selflessness is unlikely to be scorched in the flames.
His latest pair of assists came in the 5-1 rout against Crystal Palace in the League Cup, and Martins as well as others would be thrilled to have such an eagle-eye behind or beside them on the pitch.
Iheanacho | Will the youngster play as a striker or an attacking midfielder for Nigeria?
It is yet to be seen where and how Oliseh will use the pair, but the potential interaction and link-up of both players is sure to give Nigeria more options and dynamics when the going gets tough.
Evidently, the inclusion (or recall) of these players to the senior national team may be a tad belated, but it's better late than never!
A note of caution is highly in order at this point, however. The match may be made in heaven but the earthly work requires patience and perseverance. Iheanacho has a whole future ahead of him whilst Martins will surely draw the curtain soon.
For now, may their left feet cause havoc to opposing teams.
0 Comments