Ex-Rwanda U20 Coach: Nigeria Play Like French Team, Defenders Strong & Wingers Fast
Published: December 25, 2017
Former Rwanda U20 manager Tomislav Obradović has explained why he is confident that Croatia will beat Nigeria in next summer's football festival in Russia.
The Croatian coach noted that the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun are strong defenders but there are no creative and world-class players in the Nigeria squad.
''West Africa, where Ghana, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast are the top football teams on that continent, mostly it is a French school. Their problem is not discipline,'' Obradović told Sportske Novosti.
''Almost all of them are very powerful, swift, but for a better result they lack certain player profiles. They have a lot of defensive players because they are strong, physically dominant, as they have fast wingers.
''But Nigeria has no creative players or real stars. This is our chance because they are key segments, game organization and defensive.''
Nigeria have never met Croatia at the World Cup, but have defeated European opposition five times : Bulgaria (2), Greece, Spain and Bosnia.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
The Croatian coach noted that the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun are strong defenders but there are no creative and world-class players in the Nigeria squad.
''West Africa, where Ghana, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast are the top football teams on that continent, mostly it is a French school. Their problem is not discipline,'' Obradović told Sportske Novosti.
''Almost all of them are very powerful, swift, but for a better result they lack certain player profiles. They have a lot of defensive players because they are strong, physically dominant, as they have fast wingers.
''But Nigeria has no creative players or real stars. This is our chance because they are key segments, game organization and defensive.''
Nigeria have never met Croatia at the World Cup, but have defeated European opposition five times : Bulgaria (2), Greece, Spain and Bosnia.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Latest News
- Manchester United join Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham in race for Nigerian central defender
- Olympics could begin new era for Nigeria women's soccer
- Denmark coach reveals he has visited Obi-Martin at Arsenal ahead of 2024 U17 EURO
- Official: 34yo Nigerian striker with 105 career goals in EFL released by Colchester United
- Report highlights why Ajax striker Akpom is a very interesting player for several PL clubs
- Report: Chelsea retain a strong interest in signing former Super Eagles invitee
- Retained and released list: Reading make contract decisions on three Nigerians including Paul Mukairu
- Nationwide League One: Coach Bunmi Haruna reacts to FWC FC clinching top spot in Area 3 Centre
- Transfer market guru Gianluca Di Marzio claims Chelsea, Arsenal are the two clubs that could sign Osimhen
- Tottenham, Inter Milan learn asking price for youngest ever Nigerian to score in UEFA Champions League
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football