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Where the Confederations Cup suffers in the idea of its conception, it makes up in its crisp format that offers virtual knockout matches so early in the competition. The group has a minnow like Tahiti that is likely to suffer miserable defeats in all its group games. For the sake of contrast, the group also has a formidable side like World Champions Spain that is likely to inflict such misery; and then, we have the match between Nigeria and Uruguay as the deciding contest in this group. Arena Fonte Nova will be the venue for the first international between these two teams. The fans will expect a spectacle close to what we saw in the game between Italy and Japan.
A lot will be on stake for both the teams given the background of mild upheaval that both are going through. Uruguay have not had a particularly good World Cup qualification campaign so far, and Oscar Tabarez’s role with the national side might be on the line in this game. On the other hand, Nigeria performance against Tahiti did not alleviate any concerns about their form. They were not convincing in attack and Nnamdi Oduamadi’s hat-trick apart, they have to improve tremendously. The internal politics of Nigerian football is always on the verge of a dirty spillover, and you cannot expect a smooth transition if Nigeria fail to turn up today. Some individual performances will also be closely monitored.
Here is a a list of five players who will matter when Nigeria take on Uruguay:
5. Diego Forlan
Oscar Tabarez has been criticized heavily for relying on the worn out legs of experienced campaigners like Diego Forlan and Diego Lugano. Forlan was substituted in the game against Spain and contributed modestly to the team’s overall lacklustre display. He is likely to get the nod ahead of the game against Nigeria as Tabarez goes for a three-pronged attack with Suarez and Cavani retaining their place in the side. It might be a make or break match for Forlan’s aspirations of 2014 World Cup.
4. Nnamdi Oduamadi
The striker put in a good performance against minnows Tahiti, whereas Anthony Ujah and Ahmed Musa both failed to score in front of a virtual open goal that was the Tahiti defense. He will keep his place in the side, whereas Dynamo Kiev striker Ideye Brown is likely to find a place in the final XI. Oduamadi was rewarded for his performance against Tahiti by parent club AC Milan. The striker spent the last season on loan at Seria B outfit Varese, but has earned a call back from Milan and might be part of the squad next season. He will be encouraged to perform at his best in the next few matches.
3. Edinson Cavani
Spain hogged all the possession in Uruguay’s first group game. Uruguay got just 6 shots in that game and that is a defining statement on the performance of the forwards in that game. They were aloof and virtually forced to stand helpless as Spain hunted for goals. Cavani is likely to have better service from his midfield on Thursday. However, he needs to improve on his positional awareness and mobility. He was tied down by Pique and Sergio Ramos against Spain, but all will be forgiven if he can put in some goals against the Super Eagles.
2. Mikel John Obi
The midfielder looked a little out of sorts against Tahiti even as he ran the show. He was tied down for a bit by Jonathan Tehau, and that must have been embarrassing. He will still be the big player for Nigeria as he initiates attacks from the back. He will need to improve his distribution, but is likely to come with the goods against an improved opposition. The Super Eagles have just kept one clean sheet in their five matches, and he will have to make his contribution to the defense so that Uruguay don’t run away with this match.
1. Luis Suarez
A late goal from Luis Suarez was little consolation against Spain; however, he did prove to be a threat from dead ball situations. That free kick was put right into the corner and Iker Casillas, at full stretch, was unable to get his fingertips on it. He has pulled out a number of those in recent times with Liverpool, and he will pose that threat once again against Nigeria. He can be a little casual in his passing at times, and it was his misplaced pass that eventually lead to a Spanish goal, but he makes up for that with his ability on the pitch. He is a real threat once inside the box as he can wriggle away from defenders and evoke a mistimed tackle. He will be running the channels and getting into goal-scoring positions for Uruguay. He is another player in this competition who has the magical ability to produce a goal out of nothing.
