Connect with us

Sports

Mikel, A Key To Success Or Failure Of Super Eagles In 2018 World Cup

Published

6 years ago

on

Nigeria’s head coach Gernot Rohr looks to bow to the pressure of removing playmaker John Mikel Obi from the crucial “No 10” role but the former Chelsea defensive midfielder still holds the key to Nigeria’s midfield woes. Mikel was subject to criticism after their 2-0 defeat to Croatia as the captain failed to inspire his teammates despite being fielded in the creative midfield role. This have prompted several football analyst including legendary footballer Jay Jay Okocha who voiced out their disdain at the former Chelsea defensive midfielder.

Football analyst and supporters have advised head coach Gernot Rohr to deploy him to the defensive midfield position or to drop him to the bench in the upcoming game against Iceland with legendary footballer Jay Jay Okocha and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho backing the ideas. While the “No 10” role is tasked with the role of creating chances for the wide players and striker, the defensive midfield position is the role tasked with the job of shielding the defense and midfield stability. Nigeria football news reported that the Super eagles captain have shown openness and liberality to any decision the coach takes as he promises to do everything to ensure Nigeria makes it to the knockout stages of the Russia 2018 World cup. When asked about playing in defensive midfield position on Wednesday, Mikel responded “If I have to sacrifice for the team to progress, I will”. “If I have to sacrifice a position, go play wherever, I will do that for this team to win games”.

The deployment of Mikel to the defensive position of the Nigerian midfield might be the key to attaining midfield and overall stability in the Nigerian team. It is no longer news that this was the position that the Super eagles captain operated from in his successful 11yrs stint at Chelsea. Mikel while at Chelsea played under different tactics, managers and players in this position as well as in big games with the famous UEFA Champion’s league final against Bayern Munich in 2012. The Nigeria talisman within his 11yr stint mastered the art of retaining possession with accurate passing of the ball while playing in the defensive midfield role, a rare feat that will prove to be vital when the Nigeria team take on Iceland on Friday. Mikel Obi was also revered in the position due to his flexibility as he complimented his partners, the Nigerian midfielder adapted to difference calibers of midfielders ranging from box-to-box to central midfielders.

The deployment of the Nigerian midfielder in the defense midfield position could provide the stability and platform from attacking minded players could operate from. While former Chelsea footballer offers all this positives in the withdrawn role, his switch in position could have a negative impact on the team. Gernot Rohr have been accustomed to field 3 recognized midfielders in matches in a bid to balance the midfield in case of moments requiring intense defense, the deployment of the Nigerian captain in the defense midfield position could potentially alter the entire team. Mikel despite his experience and quality lacks the pace to keep up with the position. This could prompt another tactical decision to field Onazi, Etebo or Ndidi alongside him. While fielding Onazi affords him less defensive duties at the middle of the park, Etebo or Ndidi playing alongside him could mean that the former Chelsea midfielder will be heavily involved in defensive duties.

Mikel remains the key to unlocking Nigeria’s midfield potential in this world cup irrespective of the position he is deployed to on Friday. Gernot Rohr will need to make a strong tactical decision on Fridaywhether to field the Nigerian skipper in his “Creative role” or “the withdrawn role”.

Related Topics:

Sports

Juventus ordered to pay Ronaldo €9.7m unpaid salaries

Published

21 hours ago

on

April 18, 2024 10:01 am

By

Juventus must pay Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo 9.7 million euros ($10.4 million) in back wages for the 2020-21 season, the Italian courts announced on Wednesday.

The Court of Arbitration, to which Ronaldo appealed, “orders Juventus Turin to pay the sum of 9,774,166.66 euros”, plus interest and procedural costs, it stated in its decision.

The sum equates to the difference between the salary actually received by Ronaldo and that which he should have received after tax and other deductions.

Ronaldo, who spent three seasons in Italy with Juventus (2018-21) before joining Manchester United (2021-22) and then the Saudi club Al Nassr, was claiming 19.5 million euros but the arbitration panel reduced that by 50 per cent.

Contacted by AFP, Juventus declined to comment, but said it would be issuing a statement “shortly”.

According to the rankings drawn up by the American business magazine Forbes, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the world’s highest-paid sportsman in 2023, with $136 million, including $46 million in wages.

Juventus, who are listed on the stock exchange, recorded losses of 123.7 million euros in the 2022-23 financial year, which ran to the end of June, it announced in October.

No provision has been made in the accounts of Italian football’s most successful club, currently third in Serie A, for the payment of this wages backlog.

Continue Reading

Sports

EPL to adopt semi-automated offside technology next season

Published

6 days ago

on

April 13, 2024 12:19 pm

By

The English Premier League (EPL) says semi-automated offside technology will be used in matches from next season.

The league announced the decision in a statement on its website on Thursday.

The decision was made after a unanimous agreement by all the clubs at a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting.

The technology will be ready for use from the 2024/25 season after the autumn international breaks.

“The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks,” the statement reads.

“The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.”

The first usage of the semi-automated offside technology in top-level football was at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The offside rule has been subjected to change in recent years, with the video assistant referee (VAR) technology also deployed to assist the on-field officials in checking for offside calls leading to a goal.

The EPL further updated its offside rule in the summer of 2023 to include that “a player who is clearly offside should not become onside on every occasion when an opponent moves and touches the ball.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya sets to break Guinness World Record

Published

6 days ago

on

April 13, 2024 12:17 pm

By

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya has revealed plans to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya who made the plan known on his X account on Friday said that he is “doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.”

He added that the attempt will hold on April 17th at the New York City’s Times Square and he is to play chess for 58 hours without a single defeat.

He wrote, “On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guiness World record for the longest Chess marathon in the heart of Times Square New York City for 58 hours without losing a game. Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.”

Onakoya disclosed that the attempt will start at 10am and would be available for all to stream on YouTube.

He appealed to Nigerians residing in New York, urging them to come forward and provide their enthusiastic support as he strives to establish a new world record.

Tunde Onakoya is renowned for his philanthropic efforts, notably utilizing chess as a tool to offer opportunities for young people residing in the marginalized areas, often referred to as ‘slums,’ within the country.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...