The German manager has turned around the fortunes of the national team in no time at all, and after just two games, has his young team dreaming of the World Cup
The entire point of a Group of Death is that it is supposed to be arduous. No one told Gernot Rohr ’s Super Eagles though. Two games in, a 100 percent record, five goals scored, four points clear of second place. This is taking on the look of a beatdown.
The turnaround in fortunes for the national team has been remarkable. After the draw was made, it was apparent that if Nigeria expected to make a proper fist of it, a quick start was imperative. Algeria are poor travelers, while in Zambia, the Super Eagles faced the weakest team in the group on the road first. However, this was not a given by any stretch.
Credit then must go to Rohr. The German appeared a thoroughly underwhelming appointment at the time, especially following the mess that was made of appointing Paul Le Guen. However, fulfilling every possible cliche of German efficiency, his teams have been put together to win, and win they have.
There is flair aplenty of course. Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho are as exciting a pair as have been seen on these shores in the last decade, while team captain Mikel John Obi seems to be enjoying an Indian summer, his performances a sort of non-violent protest against his ostracism at Chelsea.
Victor Moses is a man reborn: no longer mercurial, suddenly full of steely bustle, slamming the bars shut as Algeria threatened a comeback.
Moses top, Onazi flop in my #NGAALG Player Ratings. https://t.co/oO3azhPKvi— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) November 13, 2016
Yet, this is a team that has yet to deliver a devastating performance in entirety. There have been caches of brilliance, periods of domination, but no smothering of the opposition. It makes for uncomfortable viewing-both against Zambia, and on Saturday against Algeria, there have been periods of sustained pressure after the interval-but there may be some design to it.
It cannot be coincidence that in both games, there is a peak close to the 30-minute mark, a wave that is ridden through to half time. Moses set the ball rolling this time, before Mikel doubled the advantage three minutes before the break, a goal for which time stood oddly still.
Streak ahead in the first half, flame out in the second - safe to call this the Rohr blueprint? #NgaAlg— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) November 12, 2016
This mastery of time seems the theme of Rohr’s reign so far. This is, after all, a young team - with an attack headlined by two players only just leaving behind their teenage years.
Kenneth Omeruo, Oghenekaro Etebo, William Troost-Ekong and Ogenyi Onazi all started in Uyo, and are all under 25 as well. The dropping off in the second period is perhaps inevitable anyway, and so pacing is vital, and the former Niger boss has correctly surmised the best time to wrest control of a game: just before half-time.
His decision-making has also been interesting from game to game. One would expect a new manager to quickly seek out his strongest 11 and stick to it, understandably seeking stability. Rohr is however yet to name the same team twice, and has made lucid, coherent choices game-on-game.
Against Zambia, it was Ndidi coming in to provide aerial combativeness. Here, it was the decision to field Etebo alongside Onazi at the base of midfield that was the curveball. Having excelled at the Olympics in Rio as an attacking force of nature, Etebo proceeded to show the range of his abilities, applying himself to a less glamorous beat.
Correctly recognising the need for greater discipline, the decision to free Mikel of defensive concerns proved a masterstroke. The team captain remains a sub-optimal no. 10, but his quality in the role is bound to shine through against non-compact opposition. He delivered an eye-catching display, knitting the midfield together, and connecting to the front. Clearly, something goes off in the Chelsea outcast when he has his manager’s complete trust.
The youth of this team irrespective, the 63-year-old coach has infused in it a belief in its own ability, and the feeling is mutual - they have embraced his blueprint faster than they did for any other Super Eagles coach in recent times. One can also infer a connection between this and the recent failings of the national team; a desire to dig in and make amends.
It has created a perfect storm, and Rohr’s balanced, humble temperament is perfect for harnessing it.
goal.com
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