NIGERIA FELL TO CROATIAN FIRE POWERS

*by Adams Jesse, Ilorin*

The Super Eagles failed in it's attempt to defeat European side, Croatia as they fell to an Oghenekaro Etebo's own goal and a Luca Modric penalty as the Croatia goes top of group D.

Here we will highlight five points that decided the game.

*1. NIGERIA AND SET PIECES:* It very obvious that the super eagles of Nigeria and very poor in set pieces, a weakness which the Croatians took advantage of and it resulted into both goals.

*2. ETEBO: THE FUTURE IS NOW:* The newly signed Stoke City midfielder was the most lively of all the Nigerian players on the pitch breaking down Rakitic and Luca Modric on counter less times and his lowpoint today was the own goal he conceded against the run of play. He is definitely the one for the future and his future has began.

*3. IGHALO CAN'T SURVIVE ALONE AS THE BULL:* For the majority of the contest Odion Ighalo was unable to beat the defensive pair of Vida and Lovren because he was starved with passes, he would have done better if he were to have a partner. Victor Moses didn't live up to expectations and he was busy diving all through the game, more or less like he was gunning for medal at the world swimming championships.

*4. DROP THE 4-4-2:* It's high time we dump our traditional 4-4-2 formation and advance to the more compact 3-5-2 formation were John Ogu will come and play deep alongside Mikel, Etebo, Ndidi Nd Ebuehi then the supplies will flow in for the isolated striker.

*5. WE ARE DOWN BUT NOT OUT:* The Super Eagles of Nigeria might have lost the war but definitely not the battle. Three points lost, Six available for grasps. We play against a more trickish opponent in Iceland and we will need to bring out all our Arsenal else we might be leave the mundia early to join the spectators world wide.

I might be one of the critics of the team but the progress of the team is more important than anyone and together we will leave to celebrate the Super Eagles only that it might not be in Russia.