Playmakers now extinct
PAUL MBUGA<br><br>THIS was no wearisome human habit of deflecting blame. After a laughably impotent performance against Egypt, Yakubu Aiyegbeni responded to queries over whether he deserves his place on the Super Eagles team by blaming Nigeria’s insipid midfield for his failure to register a mea
PAUL MBUGA
THIS was no wearisome human habit of deflecting blame. After a laughably impotent performance against Egypt, Yakubu Aiyegbeni responded to queries over whether he deserves his place on the Super Eagles team by blaming Nigeria’s insipid midfield for his failure to register a meaningful attacking impact.
“When you have four, five defensive midfielders in the team who can’t get the ball over to the strikers, what can you do? We do not have a (Austin) ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.â€
He could have not been more right. Creative central midfielders have systematically disappeared from the planet and the world, let alone Africa, mourns over it. It is quite convenient to lay the blame for this on contemporary football’s much-derided obsession with athleticism and endurance as opposed to the cut-throat intellectual qualities that were required in years past.
But me thinks there is a critical difference. This tactical shift has mostly occurred in Europe where, unluckily, every creative midfielder worth his collar desires to be. South America continues to cherish the cerebral playmaker as the continuing relevance of Juan Riquelme and Juan Sebastian Veron shows.
- No chance for African creators
Europe has long abandoned such romanticism. What’s more, African players who migrate there with creative ambitions have been terribly disappointed; precious few are entrusted with central creative responsibilities in big-time European leagues.
Is it a mere tactical innovation? I don’t think so. Yakubu himself might have been referring to the blunted prowess of teammate John Obi Mikel when he despaired about the Super Eagles midfield.
In the 2005 World Youth Championships, Mikel strung Nigeria to the final with some imperious midfield performances. He joined Chelsea in 2006 and was swiftly transformed into the team’s first line of defence. Malian Seydou Keita, in possession of a creative mind of some repute and a left foot blessed by gods, is a defensive midfielder only permitted the occasional foray forward at Barcelona.
- Liberated in France
Perhaps it is no coincidence that one of Africa’s most cerebral playmakers earns his keep in the league where African players have been able to express themselves without any tactical inhibitions, the French Ligue 1. The delightful Beninois Stephane Sessegnon is employed by Paris St Germain.
Such African playmaking luminaries like Abedi Pele, Joel Tiehi, Jay Jay Okocha, Rabah Madjer and even the feisty Guinean Pascal Feindouno also played in the Ligue 1. Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika has thrived in that position because he has ignored lusty overtures from Europe and chosen to stay with Al Ahly.
The lack of midfield creativity at the Nations Cup has been galling. Cameroon has lined up with Alexander Song, Jean Makoun and Achilles Emana. The Ivory Coast employ the limited passing abilities of Yaya Toure in that position.
Never has a lack of inspiration spoken for itself so eloquently.
THIS was no wearisome human habit of deflecting blame. After a laughably impotent performance against Egypt, Yakubu Aiyegbeni responded to queries over whether he deserves his place on the Super Eagles team by blaming Nigeria’s insipid midfield for his failure to register a meaningful attacking impact.
“When you have four, five defensive midfielders in the team who can’t get the ball over to the strikers, what can you do? We do not have a (Austin) ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.â€
He could have not been more right. Creative central midfielders have systematically disappeared from the planet and the world, let alone Africa, mourns over it. It is quite convenient to lay the blame for this on contemporary football’s much-derided obsession with athleticism and endurance as opposed to the cut-throat intellectual qualities that were required in years past.
But me thinks there is a critical difference. This tactical shift has mostly occurred in Europe where, unluckily, every creative midfielder worth his collar desires to be. South America continues to cherish the cerebral playmaker as the continuing relevance of Juan Riquelme and Juan Sebastian Veron shows.
- No chance for African creators
Europe has long abandoned such romanticism. What’s more, African players who migrate there with creative ambitions have been terribly disappointed; precious few are entrusted with central creative responsibilities in big-time European leagues.
Is it a mere tactical innovation? I don’t think so. Yakubu himself might have been referring to the blunted prowess of teammate John Obi Mikel when he despaired about the Super Eagles midfield.
In the 2005 World Youth Championships, Mikel strung Nigeria to the final with some imperious midfield performances. He joined Chelsea in 2006 and was swiftly transformed into the team’s first line of defence. Malian Seydou Keita, in possession of a creative mind of some repute and a left foot blessed by gods, is a defensive midfielder only permitted the occasional foray forward at Barcelona.
- Liberated in France
Perhaps it is no coincidence that one of Africa’s most cerebral playmakers earns his keep in the league where African players have been able to express themselves without any tactical inhibitions, the French Ligue 1. The delightful Beninois Stephane Sessegnon is employed by Paris St Germain.
Such African playmaking luminaries like Abedi Pele, Joel Tiehi, Jay Jay Okocha, Rabah Madjer and even the feisty Guinean Pascal Feindouno also played in the Ligue 1. Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika has thrived in that position because he has ignored lusty overtures from Europe and chosen to stay with Al Ahly.
The lack of midfield creativity at the Nations Cup has been galling. Cameroon has lined up with Alexander Song, Jean Makoun and Achilles Emana. The Ivory Coast employ the limited passing abilities of Yaya Toure in that position.
Never has a lack of inspiration spoken for itself so eloquently.