Tactics behind Nigeria's masterminded triumph over Algeria

"Victor Moses celebrates his goal against Algeria

The Eagles passed the first acid test towards qualification for Russia 2018 with the win over the Fennecs, but how did their German coach engineer the triumph?

Nigeria took a giant step towards the 2018 World Cup by seeing off fellow Group of Death heavyweights Algeria in Uyo on Saturday.

It was a win that showcased the best of the Super Eagles’ attacking talent as they eclipsed one of the continent’s most fearsome outfits, and further helped to re-establish Nigeria as one of the Africa’s bona fide giants.

However, what were the secrets behind the triumph, and how much credit must coach Gernot Rohr take for consolidating Nigeria’s spot at the pinnacle of Group B?

Rohr confessed after the match that he deployed some of his players with specific instructions to silence Desert Foxes duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani.

Even though Mahrez made occasional incursions into Nigeria’s box, the cutting of the supply line to the Leicester City man largely neutralised his impact.

Slimani was also kept under wraps, even if he did give Kenneth Omeruo a scary moment or two.

There’s little doubt that, in setting up his side to silence Algeria’s two key talents, Rohr provided his team with a platform upon which to achieve success.

Eagles utilized the fast breaks to great effect on Saturday and it’s little wonder that they got all three goals on the counter attack against the Fennecs, who opened up in Uyo as they searched goals themselves, and were made to pay.

Moses was superb against the Algerians, and after the ineffective Alex Iwobi was replaced by Ahmed Musa, the Eagles had the pace and incisiveness in attack to terrorise their visitors’ backline.

Rohr got his starting lineup spot on with the inclusion of Oghenekaro Etebo in the first XI. The Olympic hero complemented Ogenyi Onazi and John Mikel Obi in the heart of the park, and his addition allowed the latter to have freedom to roam.

It was a direct result of this decision that Chelsea’s out-of-favour star managed to find the net with such aplomb.

Etebo will surely have endeared himself to the Eagles coaches after his disciplined performance, when he was detailed to stifle the attacking onslaught of the Algerians from the midfield.

He and Onazi worked well together, and there’s a genuine hope that Etebo might finally have found their ‘Third Man’.

Rohr has admitted that he still had issues with finding a solution to the problematic right-back position, with four different players occupying the post in recent matches.

However, the team are generally making up for this defensive weakness with their work rate, togetherness and cohesive defending.

Omeruo didn’t have the best of games against the Desert Foxes before he left the pitch with injury, but his limitations were largely covered up by the intelligence and determination of his teammates.

Onazi, William Troost-Ekong, Moses and others were seen tracking back to retrieve the ball from the Algerians, and this bodes well for the future.