NPFL All-Stars began the La Liga Tour losing 2-1 to Valencia in Alzira, near Valencia.
Alvaro Medran opened scoring for Valencia in the 10th minute before Joseph Osadiaye nodded in NPFL’s equaliser in the 32nd minute.
Rodrigo Moreno then rounded goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa to score the match winner in the 83rd minute. Here are five things we learnt from the game…
1.ONE IS A TEAM, THE OTHER, AN ASSEMBLAGE OF STARS
Most times when an All-Stars team plays against a football team, the latter is usually more cohesive.
Hence a far below strength Arsenal team defeated the MLS All Stars 2-1 this pre-season.
Not much of a surprise that Valencia had more feel of the ball and dictated the pace of the game from start to finish. This is a team that is approaching the end of pre-season and getting ready for the new La Liga Season, up against a selection of players from 20 NPFL clubs.
2.APPARENT GULF IN BOTH LEAGUES
The gulf between both leagues was apparent in the game. La Liga has produced the last two UEFA Champions League winners while NPFL clubs struggle in the CAF Champions League. La Liga features Ballon d’or winners for almost a decade now.
So, a team who file out against the best two players in the world is far better than an assemblage of players from NPFL. But if you want to be the best, hang out with the best. The La Liga/NPFL romance should improve the latter. Such games will also improve the quality of the players and by extension their clubs.
3.MUCH BETTER THAN ENYIMBA’S 2003 MASSACRE IN MILAN
During the golden era of Enyimba prior to winning the Champions League in 2003, ‘The People’s Elephant’ were thrashed 7-0 by Inter Milan in a friendly. This was a much respectable scoreline. It shows the extent of work that has gone into improving the NPFL.
For all their dominance in possession, Valencia didn’t create many clear-cut chances. Some measure of defensive discipline displayed by the Nigerians. The visitors did well to keep their shape in defensive situations averting what earlier pointed towards a goals spree.
4.REDUCE THE RESPECT, REDUCE THE ‘BUS-PARKING’
Agreed, a team should play to their strength as one cannot give what he doesn’t have. But when a team features strikers, there is an intention to score. Against Valencia, it seemed the only tactic the coaches had was to defend.
They spent the greater part of the game soaking up the pressure and offered little or nothing going forward.
When teams ‘park the bus’, there is always an intention to strike on the counter. But whenever the Nigerians won the ball, they gave it away almost immediately.
For subsequent games, Salisu Yusuf and co should deploy a way to peg the opposition back by launching attacks of their own.
Imama Amapakabo is on that bench. What has happened to his all-offensive disposition at Rangers? What of Abdul Maikaba’s possession-based football at Wikki?
For the team to get a result on this tour, it has to offer some offensive threat. They should reduce the respect for these La Liga teams. By the way, none of them will parade either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
5.THE BOYS ARE CAPABLE OF MUCH BETTER
I cover the league and I know players in that NPFL All-Stars who can do much better than they offered in the game. I didn’t see Rabiu Ali’s bursts and passes. I didn’t see Ifeanyi Ifeanyi’s composure in possession.
Take away the goal, what of Joseph Osadiaye’s characteristic acceleration and quick feet reminiscent of Arjen Robben? I also missed Dare Ojo’s long range canons. Where was Chisom Egbuchulam’s hyper-offensive game that usually put opposing defenders on their toes? What happened to Godwin Obaje’s marauding presence in the opposition’s box and those well-timed off-the-ball runs?
When Ifeanyi Nweke came on, I craved for the flying wing back I usually see in Nasarawa United’s colours but saw none.
All we saw was Chinedu Udoji’s huffing and puffing and Jamiu Alimi’s stretches in defence. The boys should come out of their shell and express themselves; they are capable of much better.
Credit: africanfootball.com