Fisayo Dele-Bashiru can’t hide his excitement after scoring the decisive goal in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.
The Lazio midfielder took to the field 14 minutes from time.
Dele-Bashiru fired home the crucial goal on 86 minutes after he was teed up by Moses Simon.
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The 23-year-old has now scored two goals and registered one assist in five appearances for the three-time African champions.
The former Hatayaspor star took to the social media to celebrate the team’s victory.
“Solid team performance, Important 3 points, happy to score the winning goal,” he wrote on Instagram.
The Super Eagles will do battle with Libya again in Benina next week Tuesday.
By Adeboye Amosu
6 Comments
Personally, I think it’s about the 3 Ts, Timing, Technique and Touch.
Dele-bashiru’s timing in attacking the space was impeccable.
The technique employed for the manuovre was quality.
And his contact with the ball was pristine.
Other attacking midfielders were in near-similar positions earlier in the match but misplaced one or all of the 3 variables.
Having an attacking midfielder with such a keen eye for goals is a plus.
Well captured!
The 3Ts capture his well taken goal for Lazio in the Uefa cup three week ago.
What he seem to lack in flair and passing range as a midfield player, he more than make up for with power, position and precision in front of goal. In some respect, he draws comparison with Daniel Amokachi.
What a guy!
He should be our undisputed number 10 going forward. Obviously, not the most flamboyant, but he’s got keen eyes for goals. I like the camaraderie between him and Onyedika in the midfield. I don’t think Ndidi and Onyeka can play well together. Iwobi can move to the wings where his crosses and passes can come in handy. A midfielder trio of Ndidi Onyedika and Bashiru or Onyeka Onyedika and Bashiru. Bashiru and Onyedika should always be starting going forward.
Well spoken @Ayphillydegreat,however from the look of things we’re yet to unearth our best combinations in the midfield.
I fathom out in the last 20 mins of the Libyan game,at that point we have made 4 changes and all three starters in the midfield have been substituted and new introductions the likes of Fikayo and Onyedika have come on,the intensity changed from that moment.We were quicker and the ball was moved forward briskly.
Onyedika’s flair was visible,his intelligence and use of the ball bests that of Ndidi,in fact he got one over Ndidi in that department.If I were the gaffer I will start Onyedika ahead of Ndidi and also look for ways to include Fikayo and Iwobi in the starting eleven.
Sincerely it’s my belief that,Iwobi for now until we find someone better must be a starter in our team because of his industry incisive passes and great movements,as a matter of fact we have not got the capacity right now to bench an Iwobi,we’re not Argentina,England or Germany.At our level Iwobi is untouchable..
Absolutely, Iwobi for me still remains one of our key players in the team in spite of his struggle in the middle. I still believe with the right blend of players in the midfield,0p0 he’ll thrive, not necessarily in the attacking midfield, where I believe Fikayo Dele Bashiru he’s holding sway. Iwobi passing range and ball holding skills in the Super Eagles are unrivalled for now and I believe will benefit the team tremendously, if well explored. I have been a keen observer of Raphael Onyedika since his debut with SE. The young lad is a reminiscent of Sunday Oliseh in many ways: his grit, his hard tackles and passing range. That guy is truly hungry for more games, safe for Ndidi and his experience with the Super Eagles over the years, Raphael Onyedika should be handed a shirt ahead of him. I daresay this is about the first time in many years when the SE has experienced a glut in supply quality personnel in the defensive midfield area with the likes of Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf. And recently, we’ve started noticing the trend in the attacking midfield with the addition of Fikayo Dele Bashiru and Alex Iwobi. 0
Ahead of the return leg in Libya this Tuesday, I’ll like to see a midfield combination of trio of Dele Bashiru in the offensive midfield area with Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi dovetailing nicely behind him.
I believe Fikayo Dele Bashiru has joined the team at the right time when we need players with strong midfield presence and an eye for goals. Against South Africa, I watched with admiration his well taken goal from Iwobi’s assist. His bullish run and his power play which made him a turn in the flesh of the Bafana Bafana before he hauled off following his injury and sadly he was not available for selection against Benin in the away fixture. I bet he was sorely missed by coach Finidi George, who knows he might have saved the team blushes as he did against the Bafana Bafana.
Hopefully, he’s able to keep his head down and remain open to continuous learning and get more playing time with Lazio.
@Ayphillydegreat, I beg to differ a tiny bit. Whilst I agree Fisayo I a very good player but his skillset does not really suit a Regista. He does not have the long passing range that can switch play and bring our dangerous attackers into play. He does have goal threat though which is quality of a good playmaker. In the absence of better, I also will stick with him.
However, I think Orban will be more suited for the 10 role. I know we haven’t seen him play in that position for club and country but if you look at his skillset, I think he will flourish in that role. He has a high passing range and can pick a pass in the final third. He is quick , skilful with a low center of gravity, making it difficult for opponents to dispossess and he can finish. There is a list of players who struggled in their previous that ended up being absolute gems in their new roles. Thierry Henry is an example , he was an mediocre winger but when switched centrally became a beast. I cannot understand why NFF keep persisting with iwobi in a 10 position when his skillset is better suited elsewhere .
People wonder why we struggle with small teams ? It is because the midfield is not right. The day we get that part right is the day we see the eagles flying again. By iwobi’s admission , we were overrun in midfield during the afcon final and His own Uncle was quoted saying Iwobi is not a 10 but we keep persisting with him.I just can not understand. Uche Chrisantus and orban should be injected into the squad then yusuf must also be there because of federal character, so I doubt if we will see these guys anytime soon. That is just how we roll in Nigeria. Sentiments always overrides merit.