Nigerian coaches must learn how Not To Play Against Ghana.
If Danjuma plays against Ghana 20 times he will lose each time. The Falconets had to settle for Silver having lost to Ghana in the Africa Games Women’s football final yesterday by 2 goals to 1.
Earlier in the game, Nigeria saw a lot of the ball, looking particularly comfortable in midfield. But, going forward, their attacking routines were tailor made to be effectively dealt with by Ghana.
Yes, it caused Ghana problems initially, even forcing the mistake that led to Nigeria’s goal.
But after Ghana caught on to Nigeria’s strategy, they were better positioned to foil Nigeria and Danjuma had no other tricks up his sleeves.
Once Ghana were able to effectively curtail Nigeria, they now started to launch their own attacks, which led to 2 fabulously well worked tactical goals – the first goal saw the Ghana striker effectively peel off Nigerian defence before finishing with aplomb with the second goal seeing Nigerian defence dispelled to create space for that beautiful, world class number 8 to launch a screamed past Nigerian substitute goalkeeper.
Ghana goals were well worked and they could easily have scored 2 extra.
I am bitterly disappointed in Danjuma. He was soundly beaten by Ghana in consecutive finals despite having some decent players.
It is not rocket science to defeat Ghana. Midfield organisation (which Nigeria displayed effectively yesterday), defensive discipline (which Danjuma failed to orchestrate) and intricate methodical build up in attack devoid of cliché crosses and unimaginative bulldozing movements will do the trick.
The Falconets attacking initiatives were exactly what Ghana prepared for which made it easier for them to thwart dismantle effectively.
As the match wore on, Nigeria never looked like seriously hurting Ghana unless Ghana made the same sort of mistake that gifted Nigeria a goal in the Wafu Zone B U-20 final last year and in this final too.
Danjuma ought to be disappointed in himself that his attacking routines could not yield a single clearcut clean-cut goal against Ghana across 210 minutes of football. Even in penalty Shootouts, Ghana took him to the cleaners last year.
Danjuma is fast becoming Ghana’s Damsel in distress with these back to back final losses.