Olawale Ajimotokan
23 June 2009
Lagos — The chief coach of Carthage Eagles, Tunisia's national team, Umberto Coelho, is now like a criminal in his country of employment as he continues to get the flaks over his tactics in the match against the Super Eagles.
Everyone in the country seems to be united on one fact: the Portuguese guru got his tactics all wrong against his Nigerian opponents.
Coelho was accused by the Tunisian public and media of adopting negative methods against the Super Eagles in Rades, in a goalless ending that gave his opposite, Shaibu Amodu, a lifeline.
The Eagles coach said he was so happy because the outcome of the match justified his game plan of avoiding a loss to the North Africans in the crucial Group B match.
Tunisians in accusing Coelho wondered why the team generally lacked the sparks and initiative around the 35-metre point.
In the eye of La Presse, one of the country's most widely circulated daily, though Nigeria conceded several corner kicks to the Tunisians, their attack lacked bite as key players such as Osama Darrigi and Ali Zitouni were left unsupported up front.
Colho was also faulted for leaving Ben Khalfallah of Caen of France on the bench.
"Zitouni was constantly forced to drop out of the attack while Sami Allagui was swallowed by the imposing Nigerian defenders. Khalid Korbi was obsessed with covering up while Anis Boussaïd was lost in a non-role. We were simply absent in the opposition's 35-metre area; this left us with lack of choices most of the time. Only Darrigi tried to create something against the talented but equally lackadaisical Nigerians," says the newspaper.
It is believed that Coelho had hoped to rip Nigeria apart from the right side by asking his players to launch their attack through the left side manned by Taye Taiwo. But the Marseille defender was up to the task and for added measure was well covered by the midfielders.
Nigeria will try to overtake the Tunisians and finally make a stake for the World Cup ticket in Abuja on September 5 after trailing their opponents since the start of the final phase of the continental qualifiers.
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