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Sani Kaita key man for Nigeria

Kaita key man for Eagles

Posted: 2010-06-12 10:31

He may be neither the most flamboyant, nor rank close to even the middle of any such list, but Sani Kaita will be the key man for the Super Eagles when they open their World Cup campaign against Argentina on Saturday.

The Albiceleste's attacking trident of Messi, Tevez and Higuain will rely on service from a midfield with the ageing legs of Veron complemented by the more younger and energetic ones of Angel di Maria.

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback has made it clear he would not be paying any special attention to the dangerous Lionel Messi. As well he shouldnt, with the likes of Tevez and Higuain also available to roam the forward lines with intent.

But, in two friendlies, against Colombia and North Korea, the Swede shocked Nigerians by deploying Kaita, his one specialist man marker, at right midfield.

The tactic led to much head scratching among Nigerians, but as Kaita excelled in both games, the intent became obvious. Maradona usually sticks di Maria down that left side, and his ability to trick his way past a fullback lacking support from a right midfielder opens up holes that that front trident exploit to devastating effect.

In moving Kaita higher up and wide, Lagerback's strategy appears to be to nullify that threat by closing the little pockets of space that di Maria thrives on with a midfielder who excels at being a wrecking ball.

Naturally, there is a downside to this, as Kaita offers little in attack. Against Colombia, he hoofed so hopelessly over twice from close range it might have been argued rugby was his true calling.

But what he lacks in attacking ability is made up for by fullback Chidi Odiah.

The CSKA man started out as a right midfielder with two good feet, and when on his game, is one of the best marauding fullbacks on the continent.

His return to form could not have come at a better time as he cracked home a blistering volley for CSKA just before the end of the season. And with his left foot.

Bounding up and down that right side, with a tactically disciplined Kaita ahead of him (behind on occasion), should allow the Super Eagles to snuff out the threat from that left channel, while providing danger on the counter.

Additionally, Kaita can pinch slightly inside when Messi or Tevez drift in his direction and close them down early, allowing time for the likes of Etuhu and the centre backs to mop up.

Lagerback's first eleven looks fairly simple. The defence picks itself. Haruna Lukman has imposed himself on the midfield and Yakubu and Odemwingie start upfront as the two strikers.

So, barring any major change of mind, or (God forbid) injury, Nigeria's starting line-up should see no surprises.

Likely Nigeria Starting XI:
Enyeama, Odiah, Taiwo, Yobo, Shittu; Etuhu, Lukman, Kaita, Nsofor; Yakubu, Odemwingie

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oscar : 2010-06-12 10:33

Could this be the new "Garba Lawal"?

oscar : 2010-06-12 10:39

This is the line-up as presented by a Swedish newspaper: NA

Nigeria: 4-4-2
Enyeama

Odia - Afolabi - Yobo - Taiwo

Odenwinge - Etuhu - Lukman - Kaita

Yakubu - Martins

Argentina: 3-4-3

Romero

Demichelis - Samuel - Heinze

Gutierrez - Mascherano - Veron - Di Maria

Messi - Tevez - Higuain

How the newspaper got the list, I do not know.

oscar : 2010-06-12 10:43

From ESPN

Nigeria hit back at Maradona's claims

Nigeria captain N****wo Kanu has responded to Argentina coach Diego Maradona's calls for a foul play crackdown ahead of their Group B opener by stating: "We are here to play football."

In a move belying his perceived inexperience as a high-level coach, Maradona took on the strategy of publicly demanding protection for his players before his side has even kicked a Jabulani ball at the World Cup.

The media tactic can be used to put extra pressure on referees come matchday and Kanu was clearly riled by Maradona's attempts to influence proceedings. The veteran said Nigeria was "tough, not rough" and denied his side would adopt an overly-physical approach to stifle Argentina's galaxy of stars in Saturday's match.

"We are here to play football," Kanu said. "Maradona can say whatever but they cannot change our team pattern or style. It won't be a different match from the others. We are battlers but we will play football. We have to do whatever we have to do to make sure we win. It is not going to be an easy game, we are not going to make it easy for them."

Kanu insisted the pressure was on Argentina, who are seeking to prove an army of critics wrong in South Africa by rectifying an unconvincing qualifying campaign under Maradona's erratic coaching methods.

"I think the pressure is on them. We only have to enjoy our football. They have to be aware of our strikers. We have good strikers, as they do, and we will see that. The Argentines should be afraid of us because we have no respect for big names."

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback backed up his skipper in deflecting Maradona's media strategy, but he admitted he was less certain how to deal with the legendary player's tactics on the pitch.

Lagerback said: "I only know him as a player and he is entitled to his opinion on whatever issue. All we have done is to prepare well and I can say we are 100% ready for not just the match but the competition. The players have worked so hard.

"Argentina has a great team but we have to counter that. I can tell you we are ready for the team no matter what Maradona says. His views will not change the outcome of the match in any way."

Maradona had said Nigeria or any other team looking to stop Lionel Messi and his other stars via unfair means shouldn't bother taking the field.

He said: "Those looking for fair play shouldn't stand alone, let's really look for fair play and referees should understand what fair play is. We've been through that but we want to see good football, we want to have fair play in matches, we want to enjoy this World Cup."

zinzon: 2010-06-12 10:50

SE keep it tight, do not leave spaces that may be exploited by the Argies, do not be afraid to express yourselves becos'we know you have it in you - hold your heads high and be proud, you are afterall Nigerians. Up Nigeria, it shall be well.

Dieter: 2010-06-12 10:58

@Oscar:
I hope you are right with your startin 11!!

Dieter: 2010-06-12 10:59

I am sure Kaita can make it. But only if we back him! Dont you people see how S. Africa played??

oscar : 2010-06-12 11:06

@ Dieter, I do not know from what source the Swedish newspaper got this list from. But you know they could be close to the coach or any of the assistants. Anyway, I wouldnt want to see Yobo and ****tu pair each other, better to have one of them than both. As for Kaita, I am thinking he can help defensively and he seems to be very strong.

zinzon: 2010-06-12 11:19

Whatever the selection, we need players who have demonstrated an ability to be flexibile, and the mentality to fight for each other particulrly when the ball is lost/given away. I think we would do well.

Billion: 2010-06-12 11:19

We all knew Mikel was injured and unfit yet allowed him to come to SA until his hidden injuries found him out…but fit Brown Ideye had already being dropped for the unfit Mikel; tired, slow and old Kanu was picked ahead of strong, hungry and aggressive younger players for the reason he should be allowed to play in his last WC.

zinzon: 2010-06-12 11:30

@Billion...I think for today at least, it is good to bury the hatchet...we are conversant with ur views on the matter, u have aired it to death...abeg for today at least make we leave am and try dey positive. U do well.

zinzon: 2010-06-12 11:33

@Billion...I think for today at least, it is good to bury the hatchet...we are conversant with ur views on the matter, u have aired it to death...abeg for today at least make we leave am and try dey positive. U do well.

Tomiwa: 2010-06-12 12:01

I don't know why Journalists always try to push this guy called Keita at any slightest opportunity to do so. His shortcomings actually outweighs what he can do. I watched in him in Nations Cup. He was one of our weakest link especially when we were behind and looking for goals. I hope i am proven wrong at the end of the day.

ken gadaffi: 2010-06-12 14:22

This selection is quite suitable for the tactical approach Lars may have in mind. It looks defensive minded with the intent to hit the argies on the counter. It is a good plan as long as the players can make it work. Its more like a 4-5-1 formation which will transform to 4-3-3 when we attack with Kaita coming into the midfield, Obasi will join Nsofor and Yak in the attack.

Osaze unfortunately has talked himself into warming the bench, his form seems to have dwindled lately but can still be the joker along with Martins when they come in hopefully, YAK would have worked the socks out of the Argies defense.

Many may have questioned Lars decision to field the pair of ****tu and YOBO however i think their experience may have swayed lars decision. Lets hope our defense remains focused and concentrate for the duration of the match.

My fear is only on our defending set pieces, this is where the Argentinians, like most south Americans are very good at. This is another area YOBO and ****TU's height will be valuable considering that the argies are not actually tall.

All in all, Lets BELIEVE that the eagles can do it. South Korea is one goal ahead at half time, with what I have seen of them so far, I still dont see why we cant get out of this group. With a good start against Argies, the confidence surely will be high and we can go all the way.


THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

BULLY: 2010-06-12 14:55

When Kaita was optimistic about going to the WC some people here (you know yourselves) called him names that he was only ‘promoting” himself.
Imagine, the same Kaita will be starting for Nigeria today. They said he was not good, but look: who’s smiling now. Please Nigerians, always uplift and support your own. If Kaita had listened to the negative comments, he would not have been “key”. Hope someone will learn from this not to rush into judgment of another person.
Good Luck SE. Go Shut Maradona up today.