Bissau players to look out for
May 29, 2011
WHEN Cranes and Guinea Bissau players made their way out at the Stade du 24 Septembre pitch for their pre-match warm-up sessions ahead of the qualifier Cranes eventually won 1-0, I mistook Nene Emmanuel for a kits man.
Goalkeeper: Nene Emmanuel
WHEN Cranes and Guinea Bissau players made their way out at the Stade du 24 Septembre pitch for their pre-match warm-up sessions ahead of the qualifier Cranes eventually won 1-0, I mistook Nene Emmanuel for a kits man.
The grey-haired figure looked tired to be suspected the hosts’ first choice goalkeeper.
But there he was, starting behind a solid Bissau back-four with the locals counting on his immeasurable experience gathered from playing for Portuguese second division clubs Sintrense, Lisbone, Oriental, Pinhalnovense, Olivais and currently Fatima.
Although Nene was rarely tested, the few times he was, the 37-year-old proved extremely suspect and I must say, if Cranes are ever going to fancy their chances of clinching victory this Saturday, then Nene will have to be put to the sword.
The main qualities you need in a good goalkeeper are reliability and consistency and yet Nene lacked both.
In Bissau, there were moments when Nene couldn’t hold onto the simplest of shots. There were moments when all he could do was spill the ball and hope for a clearance from a team member.
His reflexes were suspect and he always left his lines early.
Cranes strikers David Obua and Geoffrey Massa must have noted that and surely know what to do.
WHEN Cranes and Guinea Bissau players made their way out at the Stade du 24 Septembre pitch for their pre-match warm-up sessions ahead of the qualifier Cranes eventually won 1-0, I mistook Nene Emmanuel for a kits man.
The grey-haired figure looked tired to be suspected the hosts’ first choice goalkeeper.
But there he was, starting behind a solid Bissau back-four with the locals counting on his immeasurable experience gathered from playing for Portuguese second division clubs Sintrense, Lisbone, Oriental, Pinhalnovense, Olivais and currently Fatima.
Although Nene was rarely tested, the few times he was, the 37-year-old proved extremely suspect and I must say, if Cranes are ever going to fancy their chances of clinching victory this Saturday, then Nene will have to be put to the sword.
The main qualities you need in a good goalkeeper are reliability and consistency and yet Nene lacked both.
In Bissau, there were moments when Nene couldn’t hold onto the simplest of shots. There were moments when all he could do was spill the ball and hope for a clearance from a team member.
His reflexes were suspect and he always left his lines early.
Cranes strikers David Obua and Geoffrey Massa must have noted that and surely know what to do.