adegwurulez:
keshi's team that played the confederations cup wasnt the same team in the qualifying series. Our attack in the world cup was blunt, emenike had little support from the wing and could be seen drifting wide, our midfield couldnt link with attack and collapsed after onazi's injury, our defence wasnt tested much but was left exposed the few times it was. After onazils injury, keshi wasnt sure who to bring on and we were told mikel had to make that decision for him. I cant believe you mentioned the south african match, that was the only match in a very long time that made me truly ashamed of associating with eagles. It was as if we were playing bayern. I think the best term to describe a team that has been in it's rebuilding stage for almost 3years is dysfunctional.

adegwurulez:
good, we are converging. At least you agree with me that even great tacticians may decide to look for set pieces to crack stubborn defences, we are making progress. Now prior to oliseh's reign, we were finding it difficult to convert set pieces, i remember when Nsofor scored a freekick and fans started clamouring for more of him. I'm sure keshi(a very good coach by the way) understood this fact but couldnt fix it. When oliseh came on board, he started working to fix this(as confimed by pinnick when he watched their trainin sessions). This tells you of a coach who already has his tactics lined up and is probably looking for a plan b. I'm not trying to blow oliseh's horn, i'm just sayingwhat a good tactician he is by trying to fix that raging loopholei'm sure even you agree he's a great tactician as according to you, he only lacks experience.

adegwurulez:
a tactically brilliant coach is one who knows what best tactics to use at a particular point to prosecute a match that would guarantee to a large extent his 3points. For instance, a tactically brilliant coach sees that his free flowing pattern isnt working and quickly changes it to what would bring home the 3points. Defending for full 90 minutes is boring, i hope you're not thinking thats what i'm clamouring for. Improving your setpieces isnt the same thing as switching to a defensive pattern.

Orkpekyandega:
Kelechi Iheanacho the Super Dreamer is at it again!!!



[b][size=14pt]
Iheanacho revels in Eagles chance
by Sammy Wejinya
[/size]

Kelechi Iheanacho © Getty Images

Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho says getting a chance to play for Nigeria’s national team is “a dream” and wants to become a Super Eagles legend in future.

Iheanacho was handed a call up by Nigeria head coach, Sunday Oliseh for the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying double header against Swaziland.

The 19-year-old was a second half substitute against Shilangu Semnikati in Lobamba but was only an unused substitute in the return fixture in Port Harcourt.

“It is a dream come true to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. I was happy get the call and I want to use this opportunity to thank the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity,”
Iheanacho told supersport.com.

Iheanacho has already scored twice for Manchester City in all competitions this season and he hopes to bring his experience playing with some of the best footballers in world to bear on the national team.

“I am learning everyday at City playing and training with great players everyday.

“This will help me in the national team and I hope to play for the Super Eagles for many, many years,” he said.
[/b]
www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/151120/Iheanacho_revels_in_Eagles_chance

Orkpekyandega:
[size=14pt]
Nigeria: Peterside Backs Oliseh On Mikel's Sub Role
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By Mansur Abubakar
Former Super Eagles shot stopper Idah Peterside says manager Sunday Oliseh was right to drop midfielder John Obi Mikel in Tuesday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying second leg match against Swaziland, saying the Chelsea player lacks the needed desire to appear for Nigeria.

In a twitter post on Wednesday, Peterside added it's important that Mikel looks himself in the mirror and tell himself the truth as it relates to his commitment to the national team.

"So Mikel sat on the bench? He already has money, the problem is he needs to have that hunger again, I love the boy but he needs to tell himself the truth, because there's something clearly wrong.

By the way Congratulations to Sunday Oliseh and the boys, we are proud of you" the former Maroka Swallows goalkeeper wrote on twitter.

allafrica.com/stories/201511201156.html

TheGoodJoe:


See jonsing. I was too young then, barely watching football. I thought the game, Westerhof almost cried when we lost in 1990 was the Semi Final.

I am sorry.

***Picks Up Slippers and runs out of the thread***

TheGoodJoe:


To get the best from Mikel, we need another defensive midfielder who will sit behind and shield the defence. As long as Mikel is too concerned with the defence, he will hardly express himself and take risk. Just as when he had Ogude or Hope Akpan behind him.

I hope Coach Oliseh thinks of this.

Orkpekyandega:
Pulls off my Slippers and runs after him. Lol

TheSuperNerd:
**still running after theGoodjoe with my rod**

**takes a quick look behind and sights who?**

Orkpekyandega??!!!!! You too?? Slippers??

*smiles*

TheGoodJoe is in trouble.

BascoVanVeli:
I personally feel Mikel should be excluded unless he moves in January. I agree that he is a great talent with something to offer and he could very well make this team great but as long as he only plays once in a while for his club I will have a problem with his selection. Mikel has been a fringe player for a couple years now we can't expect him to give us his best out of nowhere. Inviting him to me will keep him at Chealsea but if we drop him it will be an extra incentive for him to leave.

BascoVanVeli:


He didn't criticise he basically said we won't qualify with Oliseh. If it were any other ex coach saying that we would have all unanimously called it hate but now all of a sudden it is constructive. Big countries in Europe struggle all the time with so called smaller countries, Holland will not be at the Euro's (maybe westerhof can go give them advice). I don't read into too much of what people say but when it is in turn bashing Nigeria i take an exception, why won't we be at the world cup? Oliseh is our man hired and paid and so we should surport him as long as he holds the job. btw Oliseh was not an amateur player when he made his debut.

BascoVanVeli:


Big deal, we had the golden generation. He owes us just as much even more than we owe him. He has no right to call a man a failure before he even starts. I will always surport my country even if i don't like the entire starting 11.

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
​Ighalo: My Eagles Goals Will Come, Watford’ll Give United A Good Fight
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Nigeria and Watford striker Odion Ighalo in this interview with Completesportsnigeria.com's JOHNNY EDWARD reveals reasons why Super Eagles struggled to beat Swaziland and promises to give Manchester United a tough time on Saturday…

Two games no goals for you but the Super Eagles qualified for the third round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. How does this feat make you feel?

Firstly, I give thanks to God that we qualified against a tough team like Swaziland. It was not an easy round because we played against a side that deployed more bodies in defence.

They gave us a good fight. The first leg was on an artificial turf which affected the way we played and also the flood lights were not bright enough for us to play with.

There were other unpleasant conditions but I’m happy we have qualified and I’m looking forward to the draws.

As regards the goals, I wasn’t too happy because I didn’t get to score but the fact that the team won is great. I worked hard for the team but the goals didn’t come but I was glad that the coach was pleased with my performances in the two games.

I helped my team keep the ball and gave everything to score. I know many expect me to score just like I do for my team in England but most times it doesn’t work that way.

I know the goals will still come because I am working hard to maintain that form of scoring in every game. To my fans, I’m sorry I didn’t score.

Now that Nigeria have qualified and might not be seeded in the group stage draw, are you scared of they may be drawn against the likes of Cote d’Ivoire Cameroun, Ghana and South Africa in the group phase of the 2018 World Cup?

We are not scared of any team and won’t underrate any team as well. In Africa there are no minnows anymore; we saw what Swaziland did to us away and how Ghana were held at Comoros so the tide is changing and we will be better going ahead.

We just have to work harder and keep to the tactics of our coach.
With Sunday Oliseh’s tactical acumen we can face any team. I don’t prefer any team I just pray for a favourable draw because the aim is to qualify for the World Cup.

This weekend, your team Watford, 11th in the English Premier League table, host Manchester United at Vicarage Road. United may likely be without some of the top players like Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling and the rest. What are your chances?

Manchester United are a big team in England and one of the biggest sides in world club football. Against them it won’t be easy and that’s why Watford have been pushing hard to stay in the league.

Going into the game we are the underdogs and they will be difficult to beat but we will give it our very best to win and stay up on the log as long as we can.
Nobody can predict the outcome but they will get a good fight on Saturday.

Lastly, what do you make of coach Sunday Oliseh?

He is a strict coach and one that knows what he wants from his team. Since my first encounter with him he has never changed.

He doesn’t want to know where you play for so long as you give him what he wants on the pitch and he’s not scared to throw you out when you’re not performing.

I think that those were few of the reasons he was appointed. In a nutshell, he’s a strict professional and a disciplinarian.
[/b]
www.completesportsnigeria.com/%e2%80%8bighalo-eagles-goals-come-watfordll-give-united-good-fight/

joseph1013:


Can you get us matches where Westerhoff's Eagles won by 7-0 against lowly African oppositions?

Orkpekyandega:

I can tell you confidently say that, this man (Westerhof) seems to be eying a come back with the national team. That was how he of criticizing Stephen Keshi, during his second contract.

I don't really know if we wants to paint our local Coaches bad before their employers. I strongly feel Westerhof should call Coach Sunday Oliseh aside and tell him what and what he needs to put in place, in his own opinion, than resorting to criticisms of our national Coaches in the media. Better still he can be more diplomatic and constructive enough so that his position on our national team will not be misunderstood

TheGoodJoe:




As for Chelsea, that is a tight game. Unfortunately, Barca had the game but a Puyol wrong decision caused Barca

When we talk of tactically brilliant coaches, a park bus set piece coach can never be among the list.

That is why the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona continue ruling.

TheGoodJoe:


I agree with you when it concerns leaving the Stamford Bridge but I disagree with you when it comes to Mikel's importance to the Super Eagles. For the past years, despite the negative bashing, Mikel has clearly been the best Super Eagles player. He brought class and creativity.

I am not against Coach Oliseh dropping him. I am against inviting him to sit on the bench. Coach Westerhof dropped some Super Stars from the Super Eagles team like Friday Ekpo and Etim Esin. It did not stop Super Eagles from progressing.