The starting line up of the Super Eagles of Nigeria against Argentina will for the first time see the team play a new formation with three central defenders in what is usually called the 3-5-2 formation.
It changes into 5-3-2 when they are defending, and for a game like that of today where the opponent are blessed with lot of pace in attack, and full backs who love to join the attack, the system is perfect.
The duo of Ola Aina and Shehu Abdullahi will help the team start the act of defending high up the pitch, hence stopping Argentina from building any form of momentum from the rare.
They are also going to be crucial for Nigeria going forward as their pace will enable them exploit the gaps that the full backs of Argentina will leave behind when they join the attack.
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Chidozie Awaziem was picked ahead of Kenneth Omeruo who is way more experienced than the Nantes of France defender, but his quick turn of pace gave him an edge over the on loan Chelsea defender.
Omeruo who is out on loan to Kasimpasa of Turkey from Chelsea is not particularly slow but Awaziem is way quicker and also good with the ball at his feet, thanks to his education as a midfielder before he was converted to a central defender.
Awaziem is also not new to the system of playing with three at the back, because his team Nantes play with the same formation in the French Ligue 1 where their performance has been one of the surprise stories of the league.
Osas Mahawi
