Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 5y

Nigeria vs. Uganda: What did we learn?

With qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations secured, Nigeria began their preparations for the tournament with a friendly against Uganda on Tuesday in Asaba.

It finished 0-0 as Gernot Rohr took the opportunity to give some of his rookies and fringe players a run out at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

What will the German coach have learned from the stalemate as he keeps one eye on next year's showpiece in Cameroon?

Chukwueze brings excitement

He played just the first 45 minutes, but it was more than enough time for Samuel Chukwueze to show exactly why Rohr is so enamoured by him.

The Villarreal youngster was fearless, ran at defenders, kept the ball, turned people inside out, and attempted efforts at goal.

Such was his influence, that that there was always an air of expectancy among the crowd whenever he had the ball at his feet.

There is no doubt that if he continues on the same trajectory, the future of Nigeria's left side is secure.

Set pieces still need work

With Victor Moses retired, Nigeria's set-piece responsibilities appear to have fallen to Oghenekaro Etebo.

His deliveries are improving, and one early in the first half almost sneaked behind the goalkeeper and in off the far corner of the post.

However, another went hopelessly wide, as his inconsistency was evident.

Samuel Kalu took over the mantle in the second half, and again, there was some schizophrenia about his deliveries.

Both players look like they can make something out of set pieces, but there is a tonne of work they need to do to get to the required level.

Ogu/Semi partnership?

From the things that worked to the one that did not.

John Ogu is now presenting a worrying conundrum for Rohr; seen as a reliable stop-gap in midfield and defence, he looked somewhat out of sorts in defensive midfield against South Africa.

As a centre-back against Uganda, he looked tentative, and it was something of a relief that the coach pushed him forward in the second half and introduced William Troost-Ekong.

Ogu can be a solid backup, but he will need to up his game between now and next June.

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