Nigeria vs South Africa (1-1) Ekong, Mokoena 4-2 PK

[txj]

At the water break, Brooz changed his tactics. Moved Tau to the space between Ajayi and Osayi. And they are dropping over head passes in that space, with their number 9 hanging around for second balls.

He did change the press/shape also

I think we need Omeruo so he can move Aina to right

[metalalloy]

Great recovery by Victor to prevent that long range shot

[Bigpokey24]

The defense is not the same like before

Zaidu’s absence and Aina playing on the left.

Are you saying SE is missing Zaidu?

yes we are. big time

[ojafranpa]

How can you as a team give all the initiate to your opponent and we said we have the superior players.

[Tobi17]

Osayi lacks positional awareness

[balo]

WHAT A SAVE BY NWABALLIIIII!!!!!!!

How did he save that!!!

As e dey vex you, e dey sweet us.

[Odas]

Where is the goal? Eagles, please give us a goal before half time

[Field Marshall Ogolo]

Rubibish formation, considering how we've played previously in the tournament.

We have superior players

But an inferior coach.

I agree! How old is Ahmed Musa?

[Tobi17]

Lol we will beat South Africa

[metalalloy]

How can you as a team give all the initiate to your opponent and we said we have the superior players.

They are not "giving" anything. This is a semi final match for crying out loud. Did yall expect SA to come here and bend over?

[azuka]

Is Saidou injured? We are missing him badly. He give the team balance.

[Enugu II]

Osayi lacks positional awareness

He surely did not cover himself in glory in the opening half. Missing a header from almost halfway line that nearly let RSA in was awful.

[airwolex]

Can't get much worse. We were pretty much embarrassed. I think Bruno needs to come in and Osayi out. Omeruo in and Bassey to the left.

Then Ajayi and Ekong need to win that first ball.

[Bigpokey24]

Osayi is the major problem

[Babalawo]

What a terrible 1st half. We seem confused on how curtail the fast movements of the South Africans

[txj]

Tactically, Osayi's been a problem.

Without Zaidu the balance of the team is not there.

I would bring in Omeruo for Osayi and return Aina to the right, with Bassey as LWB..

[ojafranpa]

Osayi lacks positional awareness

He should not come out his game is not matured at all. Aina too dwells too much on the ball for my liking.

[danfo driver]

At the water break, Brooz changed his tactics. Moved Tau to the space between Ajayi and Osayi. And they are dropping over head passes in that space, with their number 9 hanging around for second balls.

He did change the press/shape also

I think we need Omeruo so he can move Aina to right

What is Bruno doing on the team? Is there something we dont know about?

Personally, I think its less so about the players. Our coach is below average. I watched SA's last two games and this is how they play. They are very good with moving the ball around. A smart coach would have sat back and hit them on counter in the first half. Then in the second half (they always get tired after the 70th minute, thats how Morocco and CV got those 1v1 chances), I will change strategy and hit them ferociously.

But our coach who has coached only 2 great games in 1 year (and the natives were twerking for him), looks clueless

[Tbite]

This is what I meant by drilled sequences. South Africa'song balls are not speculative. That is pure tactics. The way they deliver their long balls is dangerous. They loft it rather than direct it. Over the defense and the striker times the point of interception.

A Nigerian long ball would be hit more direct and easily cut out.

This South Africans are playing with a lot of intelligence.

[Bigpokey24]

the way tension dey hold me , i just dey shake. I am going for a quick walk ..

[Tobi17]

How can you as a team give all the initiate to your opponent and we said we have the superior players.

They are not "giving" anything. This is a semi final match for crying out loud. Did yall expect SA to come here and bend over?

I tire...the arrogance and entitlement of Nigerians is a case study of its own.

[green4life]

Easily our worst performance so far in this tournament. South Africa is playing as I expected but our levels have dropped from previous games. Osimhen is playing like he's saving his energy unless the stomach cramps early in the game is slowing him down. The effort is there from the players but they aren't playing well as a team compared to the prior 2 or 3 games which has allowed SA to string some passes together. Also, we need to keep an eye out on their long passes from the back.

[airwolex]

They all played poorly. I think SAs quality surprised them. This is a dogfight