Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored a solo goal in Lazio's Serie A win at Juventus last weekend, and with Nigeria needing maximum points from two games against Tanzania, his form is a live question for coach Eric Chelle.
Pulse Sports Nigeria's weekend round-up on 19 October described the goal as a solo effort in which he skipped past two defenders. It was his first of the season.
Lazio have kept winning since. They beat Parma 2-1 on Saturday and lead Serie A with 22 points from eight games, with seven wins and a draw. They visit Sassuolo on Tuesday.
Why the Tanzania games decide Nigeria's AFCON 2027 chances
Nigeria sit second in Group L on three points, three behind Guinea-Bissau, who beat them 3-0. Tanzania have already qualified as co-hosts, so only one automatic place is left for the rest of the group, as Soccernet explained earlier this week.
That makes the two November games against Tanzania close to must-win for Nigeria.
Analysis: what a scoring midfielder could add
A midfielder arriving from a league leader with a goal against Juventus is the kind of option a coach in a must-win spot will look at. One goal is not a trend, though, so his case would rest on how he fits Chelle's system as much as on the highlight.
Competition for the squad is also moving. Chelle's options are also changing, with Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene reported to be joining the group. Tuesday's trip to Sassuolo gives Dele-Bashiru another match to make his case before the squad is named.
Post a Comment