Hapoel Be’er Sheva midfielder John Ogu was among the substitutes who helped Nigeria turned the tide in their favour in the second half in their 1-2 friendly loss to England yesterday at Wembley.
Ogu who is primarily a midfielder was deployed as part of a back three that also has Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong as Eagles switched to a 3-5-2 formation in the second half.
Trailing England 0-2 in the first half, the switch to a formation similar to how England were lined up helped Nigeria claw their way back into the game but England hanged on to claim victory.
The formation which had England struggling to cope with Nigeria in the second half is something that Ogu says isn’t entirely new to him as he has played in same role at his Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
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” It’s not my first time of playing in central defence. I have played there for my club. I won’t say it’s my preferred position but I can play in various roles on the pitch and it’s one of the position I have played in recent time”, Ogu told Owngoalnigeria.com in a chat after the game.
” Playing in central defence has a lot to do with your movements and timing of tackles. Something I have mastered over the years in my role as a defensive midfielder even though I’m not the quickest”.
Speaking on if he will love to play in similar role at the World Cup, the power playing left footed midfielder said it’s up to coach Gernot Rohr to decide but he won’t mind if it is for the good of the team.
” In training before the England game I played as one of the three at the back and I guess the coach liked how I performed. It’s up to the coach to decide but I am ready to play anywhere for the good of the team”, he remarked.
Osas Mahawi
