Analysis: Match Statistics show Coach Aliyu Zubairu-led Flying Eagles dominate game against Morroco

Analysis: Match Statistics show Coach Aliyu Zubairu-led Flying Eagles dominate game against Morroco 

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria might not have won their second group stage game against Morroco on Sunday in the ongoing U20 AFCON in Egypt, but there are positives to take out of the game.

The post-match statistics clearly show that the Coach Aliyu Zubairu led boys dominated the proceedings against the Young Atlas, showing depth and purpose in every part of the game.

Coach Zubairu, during his post-match briefings, stated that the game required a tactical approach, with major focus on wading off the pressure from the Young Atlas in the flanks, even as he said his boys were not able to create enough goal chances , he maintained that they implemented perfect approach to keeping the opponent at bay- this ultimately resulted to captain of the side , Daniel Bameyi claiming the man of the match award.

The compactness of the Nigerian defence ensured that the opponent had no shots on target throughout the game, while the Nigerian team claimed three shots on target. Much of this speaks to the tactical approach from Coach Aliyu Zubairu.

The passing accuracy of the Nigerian team(74%) also ranks higher than that of their opponents(69%)- claiming the largest chunk of the dominance from the middle of the park- in numbers, Nigeria made 293 accurate passes whilst Morroco had 213.

Nigeria also won more tackles (11) than their opponents(5) while they also had more clearances (18) than the magrebs who had 13. In the whole analysis, Flying Eagles possessed the game (56%) than Morroco (44%) in the game that was tightly contested.

Whilst the Flying Eagles left positive impression and impact in the game, a bit of more clinical approach in the cutting edge would have handed them something more significant in the game as their total shots (8) hinted their intentionality at goal than their opponent who had only (4).

One thing stands out, Aliyu Zubairu's tactical approach continues to inspire excellence, tactical discipline in the Flying Eagles team as they keep improving from game to game.

As they shift focus to the game against Kenya, the Flying Eagles team have the tactical leverage, history and performance edge which is capable of inspiring yet another dominant performance in the game, and perhaps ultimately pushing them closer to their target of the World Cup ticket.