Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 6y

Kenneth Omeruo makes his mark against Iceland

Ahmed Musa was the headline-hogger after his two goals propelled Nigeria to a decisive win over Iceland on Friday night in Volgograd, but another player who deserved as much credit is Kenneth Omeruo.

Restored to the starting lineup as the third man in a back three, Omeruo's excellence shone through. His aerial strength nullified Iceland's biggest threat, especially form set pieces, and his long, precise clearances helped ease pressure on the defence.

In fact, one such clearance fell to Musa, who sprinted past Kári Arnason to score that calm beauty of a second goal.

"I only realized it later," Omeruo remarked of the inadvertent assist when speaking to KweséESPN after the match.

It may have been unintended, but in truth, he was due a favourable break.

Just his name on the lineup elicited groans from fans.

Not only was this discourteous, it was disrespectful of both the player's talent, and the work he had put in to win back his spot in the squad after months in the wilderness.

He was already detailed to start against Croatia if Leon Balogun did not pass a late fitness test.

But Omeruo has always been ready. His desire for playing time was not just borne of wanting to get himself into the national team, but to prove that he is good enough to play for even his parent club Chelsea.

"I just want to play football. I think I am as good as anybody else, but if I am not playing, it is hard to see that. So I just want to keep on playing and enjoying my game," Omeruo added.

And enjoy he did.

Even the first Musa goal had an Omeruo imprint on it when he contested and helped win a header from a throw-in. The subsequently counter-attack, with Victor Moses in full flow, ended with Musa's spectacular half volley.

It has been a long road back for Omeruo. And there is some way to go for him. But the genesis of his troubles, especially with Nigeria, date back to that infamous draw against South Africa in Uyo in a Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Recovering from a bout of malaria, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was short of options at the back with Godfrey Oboabona injured and holding midfielder Hope Akpan also having broken his shoulder in a game two days earlier.

Omeruo, not at hundred percent and still struggling, even in training was thrown in. The result was not pleasant, and it is not a day he likes to recall.

Things went downhill from there, so much so that even at club level, Chelsea continued to farm him out on loan. The fact that he has fought all the way back up is both a testament to his ability and a credit to his strength of character.

With Balogun and William Troost-Ekong now firmly established as the first choice centre-back duo, Omeruo's Job now is not so much to dislodge the partnership, but to convince Rohr that his team is better served with a back three that includes Omeruo's pace, aerial strength, and now more intelligent tackling to the Oyinbo Wall.

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