Paul Plans Going To Poland Without Polish

PAUL PLANS GOING TO POLAND WITHOUT POLISH

By Abiodun Mohammed

Aside the flying start against Burundi in their first match at the U-20 AFCON tournament in the Niger Republic, Nigeria's Flying Eagles have been unconvincing in this year's edition of the tournament.

The Paul Aigbogun boys who many thought were going to sustain the tempo after their 2 nil victory over lowly rated Burundi became a shadow of themselves against facially younger Amajita of South Africa in a nil-nil draw in their second match of the competition. They however struggled to beat host nation, Niger 1nil in the final group stage.

According to sports journalists, the boys were in camp under the tutelage of Aigbogun for months but that hardly showed in their game. The team always looked out of sorts in the final third with their persistent approach being delivering crosses into the 18-yard area - taking on players was practically impossible for the boys.

Aigbogun's plan was basically in favor of wing play but he did not get the right legs for the job as the wingers were all bereft of ideas. A certain Yahya Nazifi who was described as the shining light of the team could not carry the huge expectations of the team in his central striking position while some technically gifted players like Adeshina Gata were always starting from the bench.

Against Mali, Nigeria dominated like they did in the other games; the Flying Eagles had 63%-37% ball possession but the result was an elimination due to their inability to be decisive in front of goal.

The coach, Paul Aigbogun has just clinched the world cup ticket like any other average coach in Nigeria could have done but we can't entrust him with the task of tinkering the team to glory at the World cup in Poland.

His inability to read games properly and make game-changing substitutions could hurt us at the global stage.

Winning the World Cup at the U-20 level as undoubtedly been elusive and I don't think Aigbogun is the man to change that situation.