Onochie Anibeze
8 September 2008
Irvin Khoza called Idah Peterside yesterday and said "we have just lost to a better tactical side, a side that planned their game and it worked out for them."
The chairperson of 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee was speaking about South Africa's defeat by Nigeria's Super Eagles in Saturday's World Cup/Nations Cup qualifier.
Uche Ike scored the lone goal that secured victory for Nigeria in Port Elizabeth, thus ensuring that Nigeria, under coach Amodu Shuaibu, have set a record of five straight victories in the World Cup qualifiers without even conceding a goal.
"It was a tough game but at the end we won and winning in South Africa made it so special to the players and myself because I live here in South Africa," Super Eagles spokesman Idah Peterside said yesterday. He is a known face on Supersport where he consistently indulges in exciting debates with other analysts like Thomas Mlambom, Teekay, Mamud Gaye and Ponga Liwewe.
They always disagree on issues especially those on national football teams.
Knowing that Nigeria's victory would be an issue when they meet on television, Idah said "I'm the happiest man in South Africa. While the game was still on, at the time they were bombarding us with attacks, one of them called me and said 'no hiding place for your team today, you people are in trouble.' But at the end, we are now celebrating and they have trouble."
Idah was excited as he spoke.
"You know, I spoke with Irvin Khoza this morning and he said 'Idah, we just lost to a better tactical side, simple - a side that planned their game and it worked out for them.'
"That's just the truth. During the tactical talk, Amodu said, gentlemen, these people need this match more than us. They need it so badly that they would mount so much pressure on us, attacking and attacking. A good team plays well under pressure. That's what I expect from you. And since they need the match so badly, they will also be under pressure. A good team capitalizes on that because they are bound to make mistakes when the goals are not coming. So, it should be a good match for you."
Idah revealed that thereafter the coaches then spoke on the tactical things to do which they had rehearsed in training.
"We knew that they would be very fast and would want to get everybody going forward. If we tried to open up the game, to attack in like manner, that would have been counter-productive. We decided to knock the ball anytime we had possession. That was to slow the game down and go on counter attacks. So it meant that we would be soaking pressure but also looking for opening to attack. It worked that way. After Uche Ike missed a close one-on-one with their keeper, he made up for it and scored a brilliant goal which you would say was against the run of play. The South Africans played well. They attacked well but we were a better tactical side and that gave us the result. Five victories in five matches without conceding a goal is worth celebrating. I'm the happiest man in South Africa thanks to our victory on Saturday."
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