U20 World Cup : Five Things We Learned From Flying Eagles Loss To United States

The Flying Eagles had a game to forget as the USA ran them ragged with their tireless movements at the Bielsko-Biala stadium.

The Nigerian defenders had a poor game and left their goalkeeper Olawale Oremade vulnerable to the many onslaught from the Yankees.

There were good moments for the Nigerians but overall the defending on Monday and it needs to be ironed out before the win or bust clash against Ukraine on Thursday.

2. Dele-Bashiru's Substitution Hurt Flying Eagles

With about half an hour played in the game, Manchester City starlet Tom Dele-Bashiru was replaced by Aniekeme Okon for supposedly fitness reasons.

Albeit Okon gave a good account of himself, it was telling that the player who most of the invention and creativity from the Africans was expected from had to be substituted off early in the match.

Perhaps had the playmaker stayed on the pitch much longer the two time finalists would have fared better.

3. Offia Went Missing In Second Half

Henry Okechukwu Offia was one of the best players in Nigeria's first game against Qatar but after a decent early first half contributions when he had to track back against USA and had  a slew of 'shooting  practices' the forward was poor and anonymous in the second half.

His pace, power and hunger to test the keeper are commendable but it was not what Nigerians wanted to see.

4. Effiom Should Be Eagles' Marksman

The duo of Tijani Muhammad and Jerome Adams were good in harrying the USA defenders with their physicality but from the evidence of the two matches played so far, none is better at facing a goalkeeper than Maxwell Effiom.

The two forwards never tested USA keeper Brady Scott unlike Effiom who had about two attempts at goal including that 40th minute pile drive which came off the crossbar to the disappointment of the team.

Effiom was on target against Qatar with an assured finish continuing from his CAF U-20 Africa Nations Cup performances in Niger where he was one of Nigeria's few bright spots.

5. Nigerian Fans Not In Their Elements

There were few Nigerians in Poland to cheer the Flying Eagles.

The Nigeria football supporters club ought to be at the tournament but perhaps the latest infighting and breakout groups in the body is reason why the Nigeria football supporters club were not seen in Poland.

Izuchukwu Okosi