Lessons from the Super Four

The Super Four Invitational Tournament served up the best of Nigerian domestic football as fans were entertained with nine days of exciting match-ups between the four teams that will represent Nigerian in the African club competitions.

Andrew Randa revisits.

Thrown into the mix was the under-20 team known as the Flying Eagles and the national under-23 team aptly named the ‘Dream Team’, suffice to say, the was a master stroke by the League Management Company (LMC).

At the end of the tourney, coach Garba Manu and his Flying Eagles team had ‘served’ the other teams at the competition that witnessed a low turn out of spectators at the National Stadium Abuja venue of the Super Four.

Dolphins of Port-Harcourt were a massive disappointment as they could only muster two goals in five matches while their disciplinary record at the tournament was way above hill.

Kano Pillars, Enyimba of Aba, Warri Wolves and the national under-23 team gave fans a lot to cheer about and ponder at the same time. It will be hoped that the four club-sides will step up their game and get into gears when the Caf competitions kick off.

Supersport’s Andrew Randa was at the tournament and he had a lot to say about what we learnt from the Super Four Invitational Tournament.

Our clubs aren’t ready

Yes, I know, you probably would think same by now, but let me spread it to ears-Our clubs are not ready yet.

The LMC have been magnanimous enough to arrange a pre-season tourney for the teams, but they ought to have tarted preparation much earlier.

There was a glaring lack of match fitness in all the teams. Probably the festivities have taken it’s toll on the players. We didn't get to see the best of the teams till match day 3 when the general play and fitness of the players became better.

Our domestic calendar doesn’t do us any favours but the club’s ought to have known better. Yes, some might bandy the excuse of trying to integrate new players into the team, but starting early is the key to performing in Africa. It’s a not rocket science.

Flying Eagles deserved winners

The future is now

The Flying Eagles were impressive in all their games at the tournament and they showed a glimpse of what Nigerians should expect in the future.

Twelve goals in five matches showed their attacking prowess and only the Dream Team were able to breach their defence more than once despite missing.

It’s scary to imagine how good this team can be in the future if well nurtured (which I believe will happen) as Coach Manu told me he has about five regulars who were not at the Super Four tournament.

I guess he was talking about the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Success Isaac, Chidiebere Nwakali and Moses Simon whom has been sounded out despite being part of the Flying Eagles team to Turkey 2013.

Watching skipper Musa Muhammed run the right flank and deliver crosses was a spectacle. Taiwo Awoniyi was voted the tournament’s most valuable player while Musa Yahaya, Bernard Bulbwa and Izu Omego should glimpses of what to expect in the future.

Nigerian coaches need to do more:

Something struck me when I saw some unheralded players taking league regulars to the cleaners with consummate ease and panache.

Who are these boys and where did the pop up from?

That question led me to the camp of the under-23 team where I was managed to track down some of the players whom were sourced out from non league sides or academies around the country.

The story I got didn’t sit well with me. All the players told me the same sad tale.

“They said we are too young or inexperienced and cannot cope with the stress of the Nigerian league. We were not even given the chance to show what we can do.”

Same players were picked up by Samson Siasia during the open screening exercise and are now in the under-23 team who dished out the dirty on the league sides at the tourney.

Lessons learnt? I hope so.

Pillars will be the team to beat-again

The reigning Glo Premier League champions weren’t at their very best at the tournament and were woeful against Warri Wolves who hit them for four on match day 4.

Still, there were glimpses of what they could do coupled with the fact that once again they have been active in the transfer market.

Christian Obiozor, who got four goals at the Super Four was a major coup from Enugu Rangers and will readily supply the goals when the league resumes. The ‘Masu Gida’ boys also got exciting attacker Tony Edjomarigwe from Nasarawa United and former El-Kanemi skipper Reuben Ogbonnaya to shore up their defence. Cletus Itodo will bring his experience to bear in the team as Niyi Fabiyi and John Lawrence, both experienced goalkeepers will give first choice Theophilus Afelokhai a push and more competition in that department.

The new players will surely be in wonderland as the core of the squad is still intact. Who wouldn’t want to play alongside Rabiu Ali, Gambo Mohammed, Eneji Otekpa, Isaac Loute, Azeez Shobowale and last season’s top scorer fro Pillars Adamu Hassan.

Snippets

The electronic pitch panel created some buzz among fans and journalists at the tournament. A lot told me it added to the ambiance of the arena and hoped the teams will emulate the LMC and fix such gadgets in their stadiums.

Discovery of the Super 4:

Even though Neman Doumbra impressed me with his energy and tireless running for the Dream Team, I would go with Warri Wolves attacker Sikiru Adewale.

The newbie was farmed out by the Warri side last season, but as coach Paul Aigbogun told Supersport: “He will be an integral part of our team this season. The lanky forward’s deceptive frame can fool anyone, but his footwork and close control was a joy to behold. He score three goals in the tournament to crank up his already blossoming career.

Goal of the tournament:

This is a tough cookie because a lot of good goals were scored during the Super Four, but Musa Yahaya’s goal against Enyimba has stuck to my head since it was scored.

The Tottenham Hotspurs youth teamer was teed up by Taiwo Awoniyi in added time of their game against Enyimba. He had Emmanuel Anyanwu to contend with as it looked as if he had lost the chance to shoot at goal, but he majestically cut the ball back and sent Anyanwu sprawling on the turf twice before slotting Ejiogu as the Flying Eagles won the game 2-0.

Really, it was a beauty.

Player of the Super Four

The organisers gave Flying Eagles attacker Taiwo Awoniyi the player of the tournament, but I’ll have to go with Kano Pillars new signing Christian Obiozor.

He was a joy to watch for the Pillars and he didn’t show any signs of being a rookie in the team . Obiozor also notched up four goals in five matches to become the highest goal scorer of the tournament.

Goalkeeper:

Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

Defenders:

RB Musa Muhammed (Flying Eagles):CB Prince Izu Omego (Flying Eagles):CB Ifeanyi Anaemena (Enyimba):LB Madaki Christopher (Dream Team)

Midfielders:

CM Ibenegbu Ikechukwu (Warri Wolves):CM. Obinna Nwobodo (Flying Eagles):CM. Michael Okoro (Dream Team)

Attackers:

Sikiru Adewale (Warri Wolves):ST. Christian Obiozor (Kano Pillars):ST. Taiwo Awoniyi (Flying Eagles):Reserves: Joshua Enaholo, Zaharadeen Bello, Etor Daniel, Michael Egbeta, Etebo Oghenekaro, Joel Djondang, Neman Doumbra

Coach: Garba Manu

Flying Eagles