Former Nigeria international, Etim Esin,
has said Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, should improve to avoid
losing his place in the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup
qualifiers.
Etim, who praised the team for their 3-1 victory over Algeria, said Onazi had become the team’s weakest link in the midfield.
He said Chelsea midfielder Mikel and
Fareinse of Portugal midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo should be praised for
rising to the challenge when Turkey-based Onazi performed below
expectations in the clash against Algeria in Uyo on November 12.
“The Eagles’ midfield for the game
against Algeria was very different from the one which played Tanzania
in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and the World Cup
qualifier against Zambia. The midfield (against Algeria) was stronger
than the two previous matches,” the former Lokeren of Belgium
midfielder told our correspondent.
“But Onazi must pick up the form we
knew him for. He has dropped considerably from the reliable cover for
the defenders. His passes are not as accurate as they used to be and he
often exposes the defenders to danger.
“It was however a delight to watch the
play between himself and Mikel and Etebo. – They really covered for
Onazi. The moves leading to those two goals conceded against Zambia and
Algeria could have been prevented if Onazi was the player we knew in
2013. He needs to work harder because if another player does well in
that role, he may dropped from the team.”
The former Calabar Rovers player
believes the Eagles will beat Cameroon but advised Nigeria coach
Gernot Rohr to strengthen the team.
He said, “Nigeria are no strangers to
Cameroon and they will want to put up a fierce battle when we meet them
next year. But I believe that with adequate preparations the Eagles
will defeat the Lions.”
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