Swaziland coach Harries Bulunga is a happy man and says he is satisfied with the output of his players against Nigeria on Friday.
The Sihlangu drew 0-0 with Nigeria in a 2018 Fifa World Cup second round, first leg tie against the Super Eagles at the Somholo National Stadium in Lobamba, a result which left him brimming with confidence going into the second leg.
“We played well but didn’t have good combination in the second half especially following Felix Badenrhorst’s injury, which affected us as he combined well with Sabelo Ndzinisa,”Bulunga told the Swaziland Observer.
“This killed the momentum as Sikhali could not click well with Sandile Hlatshwayo.”
Despite their injury worries, Bulunga is hopeful of his team can surprise Nigeria in the second leg in Port-Harcourt on November 18th.
It’s unclear if Badenrhorst will be fit and there are concerns over Lukhele as well as Swaziland prepare to fly down to Nigeria.
“I am crossing my fingers that Felix and Mxolisi Lukhele recover in time for the return match,”he said.
“I believe we can do well in Nigeria considering our good away record. We are not going there as tourists but we are going to fight.”he added.
The first leg qualifier of the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was the first meeting between the two sides at full international level but despite securing a draw in the first leg, it left a lot to be desired of the team.
Granted the Eagles created a couple of chances-Moses Simon free kick which hit the post and Godfrey Oboabona’s effort, the output gave nothing to show the team is on a upward trajectory.
The play was disjointed for many a time and it seemed the palpitation prior to the game was justified as the Eagles didn’t look like soaring at any point.
Carl Ikeme, once again was decent on the day and Moses Simon despite his injury did quite well but that can’t be said of a lot of the player which might tinkle Oliseh to start weighing his options once again.
Maybe the victory in the recent friendly against Cameroun camouflaged some flaws with the team but it’s now discernible a trip to the surgery room is required.
Ahmed Musa as captain wasn’t exemplary in leading his convocation of Eagles on game day. He was lost for majority of the game and did little to inspire the team against a side 71 places below Nigeria on the Fifa ranking.
Rabiu Ibrahim’s case was quite curious to say the least. The AS Trecin midfielder came in to provide the creative spark in the middle for Nigeria after Sylvester Igbonu’s lethargic performance in the first half.
Ibrahim only lasted 20 minutes before he was hauled off for Kelechi Iheanacho on 66 minutes in what was reminiscent of Lukman Haruna being pulled out in the 20117 Afcon qualifier against Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam.
The Eagles failed to fly in yet another away test in a competitive game characterised by prosaic flaps and an insipid exhibition of uninspiring football in Lobamba.
If the Super Eagles get past Swaziland, there is the small matter of getting into the final qualifying grouped with the big guns on the continent.
Again, the double header against Egypt is on the horizon and Oliseh needs to get his arithmetic right with player call-ups and selections. No drawing boards here, it’s either you get stuck in or take the highway.
Oliseh has not been shy about laying down ‘his’ law since taking over the Eagles
The Eagles looked disjointed for majority of the game. Oliseh needs to look at his playing personnel and fashion a way out for his team to play as he wants them to-the way he vocally asserted in his first press conference as the Eagles coach.
A reported bust-up between Oliseh and Rabiu Ibrahim emanating from the substitution of the midfielder who also entered the fray as a substitute in the game did little to inspire confidence on any level.
Oliseh’s reign has been characterized by player mutiny and the latest episode surely calls into question the gaffers man-management skills if anything is to go by.
He needs to get the team in one space, create a bond and get the football going once again. The second leg against Swaziland in Port-Harcourt will be a Joust-Fest, the daggers will be drawn, hopefully this time the hit will be on the Sihlangu.
