Alergia national team coach, Georges Leekens, believes the secret to stopping Nigeria scoring during their clash is to stop Alex Iwobi and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho.

Both starlets are only 20 but have been enjoying strong seasons with their respective clubs.

Iwobi has made 14 appearances in all competitions, bagging three assists, while Kelechi Iheanacho has scored four in 12 and assisted three.

Similarly, they’re both Nigeria’s main attacking threats with the Manchester City lad scoring four goals in six international appearances and Iwobi scoring one in seven.

Arsenal's Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 21, 2016. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 21, 2016. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

Therefore, is stands to reason that Leekens reckons that if his team can prevent the two from getting on the ball, they should be in with a chance of getting a result.

“We have found out the two most important players in the Nigeria team Iwobi and Iheanacho, in tight spaces their teammates are always looking for them,” the Algeria coach said.

“They are also good at running behind unnoticed. The key is to deny them access to the ball, as whichever formation Nigeria play, they are key not even their captain Mikel. Stopping Iheanacho and Iwobi will neutralise Nigeria’s complex formation.”

It’s good to see Iwobi being revered and praised in such a manner. If he’s being targeted as a player who mustn’t get on the ball, it shows how effective he is with it.