Ikhana warns Nigeria’s defensive record could hurt Group L hopes

Former Nigeria defender Kadiri Ikhana has praised the Super Eagles’ character in their 3-1 victory over Tanzania, but warned that their failure to keep clean sheets could prove costly in the Group L race.

Nigeria face the Taifa Stars again at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, three days after their win in Uyo. Kick-off is at 14:00 WAT.

Ikhana, who is 74, believes the Super Eagles showed valuable resilience after Tanzania equalised in Friday’s match.

The former African Coach of the Year, who led Enyimba to the 2003 CAF Champions League title, said Nigeria’s players “dug deep into their vault of experience and refused to be demoralised” when the score became level.

Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria an early lead after only two minutes, but Alphonce Msanga brought Tanzania level in the 32nd minute. Tolu Arokodare restored Nigeria’s advantage seven minutes into the second half before adding a second goal in the 60th minute.

Soccernet examined Eric Chelle’s view of his striker on Sunday morning after Arokodare’s decisive contribution.

Concern over goals conceded

Ikhana’s main concern is Nigeria’s defensive record. He noted that the Super Eagles have scored five goals and conceded five in their three Group L matches.

That compares unfavourably with the current leaders, Guinea-Bissau, who have scored six times and conceded only once.

“You know, goal difference counts in all of this,” Ikhana continued in an exclusive interview with Completesports.com.

The figures leave Nigeria with a goal difference of zero, while Guinea-Bissau are five goals better off. If the group remains close, that difference could become significant, meaning a victory in Zanzibar may not be enough on its own to settle the contest.

A clean sheet would therefore improve Nigeria’s position as well as any additional goals they score.

The defensive issue has also been part of a longer sequence rather than an isolated performance. Before the current international window, Soccernet recorded that the Super Eagles had gone five matches without keeping a clean sheet.

The 3-1 result in Uyo extended that run, although Nigeria again demonstrated their ability to score enough goals to recover from defensive setbacks. Ikhana’s comparison with Guinea-Bissau highlights that the group leaders have been able to avoid relying on that approach.

Tuesday’s fixture provides Chelle’s defence with an immediate opportunity to respond to the former Nigeria international’s warning. Uruguay? no. Need exact. Wait “Former Nigeria defender and 2003 African Coach of the Year Kadiri Ikhana” okay. Word count ~370 maybe requirement aim 400-500. Add meaningful detail no filler. Could detail chronology and arithmetic. Current 366. Need 400 maybe 420. Add paragraph meaning conceding first? Source says once level. no unsupported. We can elaborate factual. Maybe “Nigeria’s three Group L games…” already. Need preserve “three days before…” yes. Count likely 380. Let’s calculate rough. Headline 10. body 365. Requirement aim, not strict. Add quote context and lead. Could reporter says gave verdict Friday’s win in Uyo. Include. Already. Let’s add “He gave his assessment…” and “The result…” But no repetition. Need not force. Also “five in five out” perhaps mention phrase. Could say arithmetic is five scored, five conceded. Fine. Need avoid “current leaders” source says leaders. Good.

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Could part “Africa coach” exact official? Keep 2003 African Coach of the Year. The quote is direct, retained exact. We have transformed surrounding.

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Let’s ensure no errors: Tolu goals on 52 and 60, I said seven minutes into second half (52) and 60. yes. “restored after equalizer” yes.

Maybe word count 394 including headline. Body 382. Fine. Need only article. No markdown? headline can markdown. “first paragraph” headline likely okay. Double newline. Let’s produce perhaps add source attribution “Speaking exclusively…” already.

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