Nigeria v Jamaica (3:0): Retrospective Reflection

Nigeria v Jamaica (3:0): My Thoughts

So he should celebrate those 2 goals he scored against Jamaica last night (as widely reported in media outlet), so he should. Speaking of Al Hassan Yusuf, he pulled the strings sumptuously in the midfield for Nigeria yesterday with movements, distributions and interactions that should herald his readmission into the Super Eagles A team.

It wasn't the World Cup trophy, it wasn't the Africa Cup of Nations trophy, heck it wasn't even a WAFU trophy, but we will take the Unity Cup. Obscure, yes. Low profile, yes. Largely inconsequential, yes. But we will still hug this trophy like a lover.

So, congratulations to Eric Chelle's management team, the players and the entire Super Eagles fandom for joy of what being winners brings.

The final match itself wasn't played at such a high tempo however, kudos to Jamaica for making the Super Eagles toil, sweat, and bleed for the victory. Some of the Reggae Boys' crosses were a delicious feast for the eyes, only begging for a deft connection inside Nigeria's 18 yard box.

When they had possession, they made Nigeria work hard to regain it. They played so well that it was plausible to expect the game to end 1:0.

But no.

Egged on by the boisterous Nigerian fans in the stadium, the Super Eagles turned on the charm when one least expected it.

The movements from our fullbacks were insidious as they supported attacking initiatives. For me, Igboke was the star here, showcasing some neat legovers and a willingness to penetrate.

Our centre backs did just enough to help keep the clean sheet by not allowing Jamaica to profit from their crosses. Our goalkeeper distributed well and did make some routine saves.

The midfield was the beating heart of the team where Nnadi, Tijani and Yusuf cut a wide swath with passes and passion. Tijani's pitch-perfect pass freed up Azeez who produced a sublime legover to ghost his marker before planting his cross on a plate for Moffi to power home the second goal.

Honourable mention must be made of one instance when Nnadi did a Usain Bolt to sprint from his own half, past bullets of tackles and stones of harassment to almost reach Jamaica's 18 yard box: it was great! It was glorious! It was gratifying!

As mentioned, Al Hassan Yusuf chewed the scenery with fabulous displays laced with 2 goals: the first, stabbing home wickedly without a care in the world from a rebound and the second, blasting the ball to smithereens with the back of the Jamaican net sent to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for the final goal.

The Super Eagles frontline took a bit of a backseat as our midfield ran riot on the night. Still, there was time for Moffi to head home, Azeez to provide an assist, and Durosinmi to bully defenders with his physicality.

The subs too did well with Otele tailoring some good crosses into delicate areas.

Jamaica struggled with Nigeria's high pressing strategy on occasions as this was the culprit of the second goal they conceded with Durosinmi, Tijani and Azeez all doing a yeoman's job in the build-up to that goal. The counter-attacking manuovre that gave birth to Nigeria's final goal was executed as sleek as a mouth being plied with Palm Wine over a tantalisingly tainted tongue, with Otele and ultimately Yusuf delivering the goods from their marsupium of marvel and wonderment.

Next stop now are the friendlies with Portugal and Poland where a more familiar assemblage of Super Eagles players will be hoping to build upon the feel-good factor fabricated by the fabulous collage of players who had moved heaven and earth to take this Unity Cup by storm thereby writing their names in the folklore of Super Eagles mythology.