THE coach of Algeria national team Georges Leek- ens says the key to neutralising the threat of Nigeria going forward is to stop the duo of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho from getting on the ball.
Leekens who spoke yesterday in Uyo said from the past games of the Super Eagles, the players are usually in a hurry to release the ball to the duo of Iheanacho and Iwobi, who are by far the most creative among the Nigerian forwards.
The games he was referring were the 1-0 win over Tanzania and the 2-1 win away over Zambia in Ndola, games where the duo bailed Nigeria out with crucial goals.
Arsenal forward Iwobi opened scoring in Zambia before Manchester City’s Iheanacho doubled the Eagles lead, adding to his goal which condemned Tanzania to defeat in Uyo.
“We have found out the two most important players in the Nigerian team, Iwobi and Iheanacho. In tight spaces their teammates are always looking for them. They are also good at running behind unnoticed,” he told the media in Algeria.
“The key is to deny them access to the ball, as whichever formation Nigeria play, they are key not even their captain Mikel. Stopping Iheanacho and Iwobi will neutralise Nigeria’s complex formation.”
