Mexico v Nigeria : How the Super Eagles can cage El Tri's lightning-quick strikers

After missing out on a place in the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the Super Eagles will have to focus on qualifying for the upcoming African Nations Cup.

But before that, they have to surmount friendly match hurdles against Mexico and Ecuador.

In five matches against El Tri, Nigeria has won none, drawn three and lost twice. The South American team scored four unreplied goals in the last meeting between the two teams.

Peseiro's men will have to put their teamwork to the test against a formidable South American outfit.

Nigeria will put its defence to the test against Mexico, which boasts one of the continent's best-attacking players like Raul Jimenez, Marcelo Flores, Rodolfo Pizarro, Alexis Vega and Santiago Giménez

However, allnigeriasoccer.com will be discussing how Nigeria can cage Mexico's lightning-quick attackers.
It's no easy task but Nigeria has to make use of the funneling/channeling defensive tactic.

This defending method is effective and it involves being simultaneously soft against the pass and stout against the run.

For the funneling to work effectively, the defenders do not chase passes aggressively. Instead, they aggressively track the runs of attackers. If carried out perfectly, the central areas become compressed and inconvenient for interior players.

They are thus forced out wide where they are less effective and they will be reduced to trying "out to in" crosses which can easily be dealt with by the aerial prowess of William Ekong and whoever pairs with him in the central defence.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

Photo Credit : fmf.mx

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