Five Things We Noticed From Nigeria's 4-2 Win Against Argentina

Mikel's leadership qualities, Iwobi-Iheanacho fluid combination, Idowu and Ebuehi's remedial expositions, Akpeyi's backlash — the lucid things we had gleaned from the Argentina friendly.

The Super Eagles had battled back from a two-goal deficit to triumph 4-2 against their more illustrious Albiceleste opponents yesterday evening, but aside the obvious caveats that sprung up, here, we would review the salient things taken away from the clash, not without some conflicting decisions anyway.

Iwobi and Iheanacho at their attacking best :Much has been said about what these youngsters can bring to the Super Eagles and without a tinge of doubt,at the height of their alchemical powers, they are, to the core, a devastating force.

With Iwobi continuously peeling off Javier Mascherano and Iheanacho blatantly toying with Otamendi at the
other side as well as combining perfectly with the former, one just had to agree that this was pure, incisive footie chemistry at its best here.

If they do repeat such things as we have seen in Russia next year, then the signs are ominous even for the super powers. Brazil, England, Spain and Germany must have taken notice.

Count on Mikel to always lead from the center :Very few would begrudge the Super Eagles skipper or loathe his continued inclusion in the set up in spite of his fast-winding age. Why? Because he is always producing the goods. Time and again, he got the better of Ever Banega to open up play for his attackers.

Even Sampaoli had to agree that the Super Eagles should have scored more if all their chances had been taken.

Mikel was more than central to making sure those chances kept coming and we have yet come to agree that we are better off with his calculative, slow-fast paced approach.

Brian Idowu and Tyronne Ebuehi can remedy our full back positions : When the two players came on in the 46th minute, Nigeria were trailing.

By the 54th mark, Idowu had shot the Super Eagles ahead with a deft first touch. If you are lulled to believe the Amkar Perm's defender's sensational goal to be a one off, then you are mistaken.

Alongside Ebuehi, there was no hiding the fact that the introduction of these ones brought a renewed vigour and gave width at the flanks for cantering into as Argentina retreated, and  suddenly Rohr has very plausible solutions to a headache area.

Shehu and Echiejile might be first choice picks, but if Ebuehi and Idowu's showing were anything to go by, then they might as well be making big shouts for starting berths.

Akpeyi's backlash uncalled for : Even though the harsh criticisms and jibes might take time to stop flowing, let us get more realistic, folks: aside the Banega's curler in which the Chippa United's goaltender was no doubt culpable for, it could easily be forgotten then that once, he had stymied a one-on-one chance off Enzo Perez with a strong right arm and a couple of minutes later, reacted quickly to thwart a cross flung towards an onrushing Di Maria at the near post by
a rampaging Cristian Pavon who had outpaced Ola Aina.

Those awesome and timely saves had been shockingly overlooked with many absurdly calling for his head.

Akpeyi would yet excuse himself for the topsy-turvy showing last night, on the face of it that the whole team had looked completely out of sorts for most part then and while it might not hold water as a saving grace, it was nonetheless, practically true.

The Super Eagles readily have their best eleven : Even before 2018 had yet to roll out, Rohr can handily stake a claim to already knowing his first choice picks in nearly all positions.

Troost-Ekong and Balogun are certified to always start in defence. Ndidi, Mikel and Iwobi are almost irreplaceable.

The crocked trio of Victor Moses, Ogenyi Onazi and recently, Abdullahi Shehu are equally part and parcel of the set-up on which the Nigerian team clicks the most and bar any last ditch developments, most of these players that turned out against Argentina do have a viable chance of featuring as starters for the Super Eagles against their World Cup opponents next year.

Emmanuel Chinaza