Obi Mikel Unable To Explain Why Set-Pieces Keep Haunting Super Eagles

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel was unable to explain why the national team have been conceding goals from set-pieces in their recent matches, the latest being the two goals they let in in their World Cup opener against Croatia on Saturday.

Against England on June 2, Chelsea's Gary Cahill opened the scoring for the Three Lions after seven minutes with a thumping header from a corner, and four days later against Czech Republic, another Chelsea player Tomas Kalas finished off a goalmouth scramble after the Nigeria defense failed to deal with a corner-kick.

''It's difficult to explain, we knew our weakness, two goals, two set-pieces, difficult,'' Mikel told reporters at the mixed zone after the game.

''We have  to keep going, try to improve on our set-pieces and try to keep improving our defense, this is four goals now we have conceded from set-pieces.

''We try everyday in training to correct it, it is difficult o explain.''

Asked if inexperience has contributed to the Super Eagles set-piece troubles, the former Chelsea star replied : ''When you concede set-pieces and try to get back into the game and you concede another one from set-piece, it is difficult.

''I think the young guys did well, we did well together as a team, gave everything we have. We would try to improve, it is a young team and we keep going.''

After the first round of games in Group D, Croatia lead the way with three points, Iceland and Argentina are joint-second with one point while Nigeria are bottom of the table.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : thenff.com