Post-Game Wrap-Up Nigeria Vs Zambia : A Tale Of Two Substitutions Mikel & Iwobi

The Super Eagles scrapped through to the World cup finals in Russia next year by virtue of Iwobi's late strike but then it was not all that straightforward.

If there is any virtue in playing a helter-skelter game inefficiently for a huge part of it, perhaps it is precisely that it imposes a starker dose of efficiency on the opposition.

Above all ecstasies and jubilation, the trepidation-like trend of this game served up a clear message: make hay whilst ye can, before the crackling whip didst descend.

As the door of fortune gradually closes,so does hope's bright light, leaving a trail of looming déjàvu dread.

Judging by the way most things had appeared so simple for the Super Eagles during the course of their qualification games, they could be forgiven for faltering in Uyo yesterday evening — that Mulenga off side goal would have proved a buzzkill had the referee allowed it to stand, a sub-plot sticking point in the affair, causing divisive opinions to arise.

Then, complacency seemed to be creeping in but even when the Chipolopolo theoretically threw everything they had at their opponents in desperation especially in the first half, that oozing confidence of securing the end result kept the Eagles ticking.

The set-up made it favourable for Nigeria (we are well aware the Super Eagles do thrive in adversity) ;compactness in defence was once again pivotal and it more than set the tempo for the rest of the chaotic, hazy game.

As Mwepu and Mulenga tried unlocking the Nigerian packed backline, Simon and Moses hovered around, sniffing at their best moments to dart off with stray balls into the opposition areas.

It was anything but easy but they dutifully tried to.

Save for few nervy moments for the pair of Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, the duo did well in snuffing out dangers.

Ogenyi Onazi was substantial as much as he lasted, Wilfried Ndidi proved an astute pivot alongside John Obi Mikel as he operated a bit higher in build-ups and it is little a surprise that Nigeria came out top in ball recoveries in the midfield.

Mikel Agu's entrance to replace the injured Onazi contrived to prove an imprudent decision as he offered little of the Trabzonspor man's tenacity and was poorly disciplined too: perhaps, Rohr should have gone for either John Ogu or even Oghenekaro Etebo.

But yet, if that substitution was somewhat bizarre to comprehend, the second one turned the game on its head.

Just when the German tactician needed an inspirational motive to influence the course of the game; somebody who would step out and guide his side through the choppy waters of such a tricky encounter, it came from none other than Alex Iwobi — the one who was unable to wrest a starting place from his direct replacement Moses Simon from
the previous qualifiers.

His positioning stood out almost instantly, the way he drifted into areas the opposition had until then locked tight was simply heartwarming.

And by the time he made himself available to stroke home Shehu's cut back to secure the three points, the positivism he brought to the rather tepid, high-intensity game was glaringly obvious to miss out.

So, while we continue to celebrate this passage to the next rounds, much gratitude should go to the game-winner who kept his composure to decide a difficult game in the simple way he did.

After all, sometimes, it is in witnessing the simple nature of football, the fluidity embedded therein; that we all appreciate its complexity.

All hail Alexander Chuka Iwobi!

Emmanuel Chinaza