Reasons Nigeria Super Eagles is struggling to score goals

Nigeria continued their quest for a place in the AFCON billed to hold in Cameroon with a doubleheader against Sierra Leone. However, it turned out to be a dismal outing for the Super Eagles as they could only manage a point from each game. They drew 4-4 only to settle for a stalemate in Freetown. The Super Eagles were disappointing as goals were hard to come by especially in the return leg away from home. The same scenario was the bane of Super Eagles friendly showing against Algeria and Tunisia last month. It’s becoming a problem for the team as the Super Eagles need an urgent solution to the current deadlock. With the Gernot Rohr-led side struggling for goals, BSNSPORTS.COM.NG evaluates the three reasons the Nigerian side could be struggling to find the net as evident in their recent matches. Absence of Victor Osimhen The Super Eagles are struggling to find the net as Victor Osimhen was unavailable for the teams’ friendly games against Algeria and Tunisia. His absence against Sierra Leone made the team toothless in front of goal as the match finished goalless in Freetown. Kelechi Iheanacho missed Nigeria’s major chance after being put through by Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze in transition. The earlier the Rohr-led technical crew find a resolution to this issue, the better for the Eagles team at large. Genuine Midfield Combination Nigeria’s major issue to this goals scoring story is the midfield combination as presumed from the team’s line-up. Against Algeria and Tunisia, Alex Iwobi was playing alongside Frank Onyeka and Semi Ajayi, leading to a lack of clear purpose and definite surge into the opponent area. With teams well tactically built ahead of games against Nigeria owing to her football pedigree, the Super Eagles would need more quality for flair and dynamism in the central areas. Super Eagles need professionals who are willing to take on opposing players with the aim to make things to happen on the pitch for Nigeria. The combination of Etebo-Aribo and Iwobi can’t work well as there is no defensive midfielder among the three. Understanding of The Players’ style The likes of Cyriel Dessers and Paul Onuachu may have taken their time to flourish in the Super Eagles as criticism continue to build especially on the latter owing to his low-key showing for Nigeria. But understanding players’ strength and weaknesses can give birth to genuine success in the National team. Onuachu is in form even more than Victor Osimhen who is out injured. Nigeria must get to find a way to get the striker ticking for the Super Eagles just like he does for Belgium side, RC Genk with a goal at the weekend. He’s a top striker for his Belgian side, and he should deliver for Nigeria as he’s got the quality to do so. A better understanding of how Nigerian forward perform could see them thrive in the new-look Super Eagles heading for big things in the future.