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"The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup - Sports (2153) - Nairaland

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Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 1:23am On Nov 17, 2017
tbaba1234:


Lol, I started following Aluko from his Rangers days...

I started following Aluko from his first season at Aberdeen.

You see, I knew what really affected him after he forced his way to play for Nigeria.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon79(m): 1:25am On Nov 17, 2017
Don't mind them. To hear the wailing on this forum, you'd think that we've just lost a Leo Messi or Gabriel Jesus grin

I don't see either Ebuehi or Idowu dumping Nigeria at this time, but I ain't gonna lose sleep one bit if that happens.


O pari

Goke7:

imagine folks are already giving rohr the sticks for not playing ebuehi earlier, why are we so emotional like this, Nigerians are just too difficult to please abeg and what if ebuehi decides to dump Nigeria after all, he will just give shehu and another RB very easy chance to russia, na so the boy stupid reach? dumping a country that did not qualify for the world cup for a country that did not. once again ayam not understand o

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 1:32am On Nov 17, 2017
ykalhaji:


Boss, really what are Tammy and Solanke's pedigree ? Really? U-21 ? Oga I decided not to argue about us begging them to join our team because, yes they will be a great addition, but bros, Iheanacho no be them mate at all at all. They are good, but not yet tested bro. In as much as we are ranked 41st in the world, still playing for the super eagles on a consistent basis as a forward is not Moin Moin ooo boss. Oh do you think the buy-back clause Pep insisted on Iheanacho's contract is a joke or the fact that if had transferred out of the EPL he would be worth over $30 million na beans? Boss, abeg please I join put my unborn children for the sacrifice sef.


So, Chelsea and Liverpool na moi moi teams to you, abi?

Go to EPL you can learn more about their pedigree because if I tell you, you go still dey argue.

We saw how Ebuehi took his chance but prior to that day many people thought Shehu was every thing.

If Tammy and Solanke are in our team, you no go wan make Iheanacho near that team for life. grin
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 1:47am On Nov 17, 2017
Napoleon55:
don't u guys think that I.Success might start playing well again?

I almost included him on the list but I was not sure he would be ready before then.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Dedebanky85: 2:56am On Nov 17, 2017
I think it's only one game that would be missed. There'd be no congestion of fixtures. Worse case scenario, is we play 2 games in one window - move the saturday to Friday and make up tge seychelles game on Tuedsday of whatever qualifying weekend. Caf always play their qualifiers on FIFA windows. So we should be fine.



Mujtahida:

It's not looking like a good decision. Moreover like you suggested earlier playing the qualifiers in March can also double as part of WC preparations.

Let's not look at things exclusively from the WC perspective and leave the Afcon to suffer cos the real consequences of that decision will settle in after the WC is over. European, South American and other federations will go home and we be suffering congested Afcon qualifiers timetable.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Dedebanky85: 3:12am On Nov 17, 2017
The bolded shows he wasn't really valued within English ranks as you're trying to make it seem. How would a hitman move from supposed Scottish title contenders to English championship side? Not even EPL relegation fighters... Ok, after single handedly (whatever u call singlehandedly) bringing hull up, how much did he play in their epl campaign?
I am one of Aluko's admirers, but I would not attribute his omission to any upper powers. I feel it's due to coaches preferring other options.



forgiveness:


Do you mean the Scottish league was below par league as at the year Sone Aluko played there?.

Let me educate you small. Btw 2002 and 2008 two Scottish clubs played in 2 finals of UEFA cup. Does that sound like a below par league.

As at 18, Sone Aluko made headlines in UEFA cup against Bayern Munich with a sublime goal and that was the year a Scottish club got to the finals of the same competition. Does that sound like below par league?

He had won SPL young player of the months twice before he jeopardized his career with his club when he went ahead and played for us at the 2009 U20 world cup against his coach's will. That was the end of him at Aberdeen because his contract was not renewed.

However, After just 3 years, he moved to the biggest club in Scotland and could had singlehandedly won the league for Rangers if their points were not deducted from them.

Does that sound he played in a mediocre club at the age of 22?

Due to the liquidation and sanctions that saw Rangers relegated to the lowest league, he moved to Hull city and within a year he singlehandedly took them to EPL. Can you see his potential?

Wherever he went afterwards he was their Messi
.

Oga! If Sone Aluko was eligible to play for England at that age he was phenomenon then he would have been capped severally by England and that would have been enough to get him a better club in England.

Sone Aluko wasted his life and career for chosen Nigeria ahead of England.


3 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by goldfish80(m): 4:13am On Nov 17, 2017
forgiveness:


First of all, Sone Aluko dished England for Nigeria for the love he has for the country even when he was already capped by England at all level up to Under 19. He was already up the ladder to play in the 3 Lions.

He could have made the 3 Lions team with his performance at Rangers if he was not capped by us.

Sone Aluko played in Rangers before he moved to the championship just for one year because he singlehandedly helped Hull city gained promotion to EPl. He played in the Epl for two seasons before his club was relegated. Dont forget he helped dem to the FA finals before his team lost.

Despite all these runs of splendid performances all those years, he was still snubbed big time. Why?

Therefore, it is not about playing in the Championship because even when at the top nobody looked his way.

Same goes to Victor Anichebe.
My apologies for jumping into your discussion. I feel Aluko switched to Nigeria for political reasons.
Sone's dad being a senator from Ogun state, must have thought it wise for his political ambitions to have Sone play for Nigeria. He cannot afford to have his 2 kids represent England, could be a nail on his political career.
His opponents will use it heavily against him.

Secondly, we know how patriarchal the African political climate is. It won't be out of question that the Aluko political dynasty could be eyeing up Sone as a replacement for his father's seat in the future. The Nigerian constitution restricts dual nationals political office.
It could be a political chess move.
I say this because Eniola blatantly refused to play for Nigeria. Being female, she could get away with it.

For me, that is what I can make out of the situation. Not for a fact though, just my thoughts.

2 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by ykalhaji(m): 4:58am On Nov 17, 2017
forgiveness:



So, Chelsea and Liverpool na moi moi teams to you, abi?

Go to EPL you can learn more about their pedigree because if I tell you, you go still dey argue.

We saw how Ebuehi took his chance but prior to that day many people thought Shehu was every thing.

If Tammy and Solanke are in our team, you no go wan make Iheanacho near that team for life. grin

Oga leave story... Na your opinion. Numbers don't lie. Goals per minute ratio, them no reach, Market Value them no reach, so you see your opinion is just your opinion, there is no actual statistical qualifier that backs your opinion oga.

4 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 5:16am On Nov 17, 2017
MetalJigsaw:
I'm yet to see that Bazee guy play.

Good player, very pacy, would be very useful on counters.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 5:42am On Nov 17, 2017
Goke7:

imagine folks are already giving rohr the sticks for not playing ebuehi earlier, why are we so emotional like this, Nigerians are just too difficult to please abeg and what if ebuehi decides to dump Nigeria after all, he will just give shehu and another RB very easy chance to russia, na so the boy stupid reach? dumping a country that did not qualify for the world cup for a country that did not. once again ayam not understand o

With the kind of performances Shehu was giving which reasonable coach would have dropped him for an untested Ebuehi especially in our last 2 or 3 crucial WC qualifiers? Shehu even won MOTM against Zambia. Should Rohr had thrown in players at random?

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 5:48am On Nov 17, 2017
safarigirl:
I've been offline most of the time for the last two days, the power situation here is woeful, I could barely read through the over twenty pages I met here.

Icon4s, sorry I haven't been able to respond to your list, I haven't properly read it and I may not get the chance to because of my battery situation, however I trust your judgment and that of those of us on this thread. I would probably not have advised opening the discussion to all NLers though. They have proven themselves incapable of taking the national team issues seriously most of the time.


I was thinking up a final World Cup list and a thought came to me, what do you guys think of Etebo's chances of making it to the world cup considering current situations?

Aww sorry about that.

On creating of the thread, the main purpose is to make the message go viral.

I know the real Super Eagles fans are those that visit the Super Eagles thread. They have already made contributions and so I am not expecting much from the generality.

And thanks for believing in our judgments.

On Etebo, he us still a Vital member of the team though he may not be a starter. He is a utility player and as I always say such players are hardly dropped by coaches.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 6:16am On Nov 17, 2017
Brian Idowu:

For a long time I was not so shaken as before going on the field. This was for me the most important match. Debut in the team. My father was looking from the stands. Friends watched on TV. But, when I entered the game, I immediately calmed down. When I scored, i did not believe it. I had just three goals for the whole time of performances for "Amkar". But my friend before the match wrote that I will score, and he was right.

8 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by tbaba1234: 6:20am On Nov 17, 2017
Brian Idowu:

The first goal was very offensive. The goalkeeper took the ball outside the penalty area, and we were scored with a "standard". Then the second goal was missed. It was hard, because for the first time they played in a system with three defenders. We made many mistakes, did not understand who had to insure whom, there was no connection.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by maidaboi(m): 7:24am On Nov 17, 2017
forgiveness:



So, Chelsea and Liverpool na moi moi teams to you, abi?

Go to EPL you can learn more about their pedigree because if I tell you, you go still dey argue.

We saw how Ebuehi took his chance but prior to that day many people thought Shehu was every thing.

If Tammy and Solanke are in our team, you no go wan make Iheanacho near that team for life. grin
in your dreams

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Nobody: 7:39am On Nov 17, 2017
forgiveness:


Do you mean the Scottish league was below par league as at the year Sone Aluko played there?.

Let me educate you small. Btw 2002 and 2008 two Scottish clubs played in 2 finals of UEFA cup. Does that sound like a below par league.

As at 18, Sone Aluko made headlines in UEFA cup against Bayern Munich with a sublime goal and that was the year a Scottish club got to the finals of the same competition. Does that sound like below par league?

He had won SPL young player of the months twice before he jeopardized his career with his club when he went ahead and played for us at the 2009 U20 world cup against his coach's will. That was the end of him at Aberdeen because his contract was not renewed.

However, After just 3 years, he moved to the biggest club in Scotland and could had singlehandedly won the league for Rangers if their points were not deducted from them.

Does that sound he played in a mediocre club at the age of 22?

Due to the liquidation and sanctions that saw Rangers relegated to the lowest league, he moved to Hull city and within a year he singlehandedly took them to EPL. Can you see his potential?

Wherever he went afterwards he was their Messi.

Oga! If Sone Aluko was eligible to play for England at that age he was phenomenon then he would have been capped severally by England and that would have been enough to get him a better club in England.

Sone Aluko wasted his life and career for chosen Nigeria ahead of England.




Cool down. Don't be in haste to forget so easily that 2008 is not yesterday and 2002 was the year Enyeama debuted for SE. As far as football is concerned, 2 years is like 100 years not to talk about 9 or 15. It is also good to remember that Ukrainian team did not just made the final but won it in 2008. Who knows where and how you would rate them compared to Scottish.

Many 18s had been putting on good performances so I'm not a bit surprised. I'm just wondering what made Aberdeen not to renew his contract unless he turned it down but if not, it supports my earlier comments that he may not be so good.

He single handedly promoted them to EPL but he couldn't sustain himself to play for any kick and rush EPL teams. I Dare say that he lacks consistency.

Had fashamu, Agbonlahor or nedu onuoha played for us, you may be blaming SE for making them not to play dem Madrid, bayern and barca.

Irrespective of country he chose, a star is a star!

2 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 7:50am On Nov 17, 2017
safarigirl:
i actually beg to differ.

I hate it when European and South American sides blame physicality after losing to African opposition. It connotes that the black man can only win the whites when they exploit the basest of human traits. Why can't they ever acknowledge the fact that they were outplayed? They were outclassed, they didn't get the tactics? Why always blame physicality?

I watched the second half at least three times and while they held the ball more than we did, we certainly had the better game plan and that is how we won.

They were outplayed and outclassed, no need to add physicality to it....abi is it Ebuehi that is lepa like that that was physical? With what mbok?
Yes by saying we were physical it's a form of profiling of our team, tagging us as 'rough players'. That is dangerous and it must be countered if not referees would go into games with that perception in mind and punish us for every physical move we make.

But on the other hand it also refers to our energy cos That being said remember we have a young team. Even the Ebuehi was full of running. I remember that twice he shielded the ball first from Di Maria and the guy who substituted Di Maria. I remember Iwobi 'giving body' to their defenders. Sampaoli said we were full of running. In that sense it means they could not cope with our energy and pace even though truly they had most of the ball. Football is a physical game. And shey you know our Oga EPL always says that the EPL is a physically demanding league. During the hey days when the Italian leagues dominated Europe they also very physical.



But like you have said we must be able read between the lines and not let them go crying physical, physical, all over the place.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 7:56am On Nov 17, 2017
safarigirl:
I've been offline most of the time for the last two days, the power situation here is woeful, I could barely read through the over twenty pages I met here.

Icon4s, sorry I haven't been able to respond to your list, I haven't properly read it and I may not get the chance to because of my battery situation, however I trust your judgment and that of those of us on this thread. I would probably not have advised opening the discussion to all NLers though. They have proven themselves incapable of taking the national team issues seriously most of the time.


I was thinking up a final World Cup list and a thought came to me, what do you guys think of Etebo's chances of making it to the world cup considering current situations?
Yeah I noticed you've been offline and I was wondering why considering how hot and juicy the win over Argentina was.

Etebo stands the risk of losing his place - for example - to a fit and in form Joel Obi. I don't know whether it's a case of Rohr being unable to properly use him or Etebo himself underperforming. Ogu has acquitted himself and it's safe to say that if he's fit and in good form he's Russia bound. I'm happy for him cos he lost out last time to wuru wuru players like Uchebo and Ruben Gabriel.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 7:58am On Nov 17, 2017
Dedebanky85:
I think it's only one game that would be missed. There'd be no congestion of fixtures. Worse case scenario, is we play 2 games in one window - move the saturday to Friday and make up tge seychelles game on Tuedsday of whatever qualifying weekend. Caf always play their qualifiers on FIFA windows. So we should be fine.



Well I think they would have thoroughly considered the idea before approving it. Fact is this is turning out to be an African project even though it's just five teams representing us.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 8:02am On Nov 17, 2017
Icon4s:


With the kind of performances Shehu was giving which reasonable coach would have dropped him for an untested Ebuehi especially in our last 2 or 3 crucial WC qualifiers? Shehu even won MOTM against Zambia. Should Rohr had thrown in players at random?
I didn't expect Ebuehi to play against Zambia. He wasn't even invited. But in they ought to have capped him in the dead rubber against Algeria even if it's just the last five minutes.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 8:04am On Nov 17, 2017
tbaba1234:
Brian Idowu:

The first goal was very offensive. The goalkeeper took the ball outside the penalty area, and we were scored with a "standard". Then the second goal was missed. It was hard, because for the first time they played in a system with three defenders. We made many mistakes, did not understand who had to insure whom, there was no connection.
I read that he's very outspoken oo.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Loogan(m): 8:08am On Nov 17, 2017
Dedebanky85:
Pass that kush u de blaw to another person. It's making you hallucinate. Aluko was close to which three lions? The English national team or abi u mean the 3 lions that were in the zoo? Please say something else. You keep coming up with excuses to paint Naija coaches bad and paint your beloved English born players as worldies. You said Fashanu was on the bench. But I remember reading that Otto Gloria didn't like his style of play. So how many games did your talented Fashanu play for England?
That you hail from England does not guarantee you a playing shirt. Aluko was never ever close to playing for three Lions. Please name which outfield player has played for England from Rangers in the past 2 decades. I can't even see any suggestions online. Closest was Forster a goal keeper at the time with Celtic. Even though I appreciate Aluko's talent, but he's not all that else he would command a shirt like Moses and Iwobi. Or abi no be England those ones been grow up?
"Guy chill on these your okirika players e.g. Aneke and Co."

grin grin savagery
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by soetanoreoluwa(m): 8:09am On Nov 17, 2017
BascoVanVeli:


I tried....the check bounced and I almost got arrested

Wow! Thank God you tried it in Nigeria assuming you tried it in UK or USA.. It wont be funny at all..

Becareful when you take cheque from Oga forgiveness!

2 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 8:15am On Nov 17, 2017
Mujtahida:

I didn't expect Ebuehi to play against Zambia. He wasn't even invited. But in they ought to have capped him in the dead rubber against Algeria even if it's just the last five minutes.

So why have people been crying that why hasn't Rohr been playing him since?
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 8:16am On Nov 17, 2017
nelszx:


The new rule states every team will travel to the party with 25 players. 23 official players for the mundial and 2 on standby.
Read it somewhere and heard it again on Brilafm days back
Tbaba1234, Joebie, Icon4s and everyone else please help me confirm the above.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Mujtahida: 8:21am On Nov 17, 2017
Icon4s:


So why have people been crying that why hasn't Rohr been playing him since?
It's expected na. Even if Rohr plays Uche Agbo now and he performs people will say such.

But personally I didn't expect him to be played against Cameroon in the double header or against Zambia which he wasn't even invited for. Cameroun are too physical for him and the stakes too high. Mind you he made a mistake in the friendly against Corsica.

But forgiveness and I really expected him to be capped against Algeria. In any case it's good he had good 45 minutes against Argentina.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 8:26am On Nov 17, 2017
Joebie:
11 LESSONS TO DRAW FROM NIGERIA’S WIN OVER ARGENTINA
Add Comment 3 hours ago by Bryan Efe



After due consideration of various commentaries, in the aftermath of the Nigeria-Argentina friendly, I feel obliged to present my opinion. I have waited patiently for the emotions to die down, carefully considering three perspectives -- the loser's, the winner's, as well as that of those who did not have any stake on that match-day -- to make the most objective submission possible, on the lessons Nigeria can draw from that unexpected victory.

1. A friendly is what it is -- a friendly

One should expect that referees are usually less strict at this competitive level. The Super Eagles would have paid dearly for one of their player's costly mistake, notably, Daniel Akpeyi's handling the ball outside his area. In a World Cup situation, that event would have been a game changer in favor of the Argentines, as Akpeyi would have been sent off, and a forced substitution would have been made to pave way for a second choice goalkeeper. Argentina, a team that depends a lot on high possession, pressing and passing game will make any opponent with an inferior numerical strength, pay dearly. Thank goodness it was just a friendly! Hence, the Super Eagles must not rest on its oars.

2. Argentina missed Lionel Messi

Nigeria benefited immensely from the absence of Messi in the Argentina squad. Now this is no excuse for Argentina. To say Messi has been influential for the La Albiceleste will be an understatement. The five-times Ballon d'or winner carried Argentina on his shoulders on the road to their world cup qualification. This is rather a lesson to learn for Argentina, as the coach rightly insinuated in the post-match press conference, that a one-man team is a bad idea, and it played against them in the loss. Messi is the kind of player that can make a difference. Need I make this argument? With what we saw from Nigeria's performance especially in the first half, Argentina would have wrapped up the game early had an in-form Messi been on the pitch, and this would have affected the Nigerian players, psychologically. A fight back for the Super Eagles would have been difficult -- although still possible.  So what's the lesson here? In the World Cup proper, teams will be looking to punish us early, and their strategy may be to hold on to the lead by defending and relying on counter attacks. Let's keep this in mind as we have been in a similar situation in the world cup stage in the past.

3. Super Eagles showed boldness and determination

This point may sound contradictory to the second, but what I'm presenting here is an all encompassing submission. Granted, some teams will punish you early, but the Super Eagles players, showed character by starting the fight back in the first half through Kelechi Iheanacho's free-kick goal. That goal made the job easier for Gernot Rohr at the break. There is a big difference, talking to your players about getting back from two goals down versus motivating them to get back from just a goal down. The players already had the believe that they could draw level, they just needed directection. Gernot Rohr, as director-in-chief, did just that at the break, with timely instructions and substitutions.

4. With Gernot Rohr, there is time for everything

Gernot Rohr may have well been misunderstood during the World Cup qualifiers. Many commentators have been of the opinion that he is a conservative coach. Rohr's change of formation from the overused 4-2-3-1 to a never used 3-5-2 in a friendly of such magnitude shows the Franco-German tactician is open to experimentation at the right moment, considering the match was not a must win.

5. A Lesson or two as regards Aina and Shehu

A three center back formation relies heavily on pacy and dogged wing backs, who should have the capability of performing their duties for 90 minutes. Nigeria's wing backs at the first half, fell short in this regard. Olaoluwa Aina and Abdullahi Shehu did not perform to expectation, especially as they did not offer much options going forward. Nigeria must now learn never to deploy the aforementioned players as wing backs unless the players positioned at left-center-back, and right-center-back, are instructed to make up for spaces should they forward. Even in this case, Aina and Shehu must improve in their recovery if they must be considered to start in this formation, going forward. they also lacked tenacity in attack.

6. Iheanacho, on set pieces

Kelechi Iheanacho is composed enough to take Nigeria's set pieces. He should be our man for spot-kicks, free kicks and corner kicks, as long as he is on the pitch. He's never showed a lack of confidence with his left foot, in those situations. And let me also chip this in. The Leicester forward is beginning to show that he still has the instinct for brilliant key passes, considering his double assist against Argentina -- reminiscent of his Golden Eaglet days.

7. Victor Moses is replaceable at least...

Chelsea wing-back, Victor Moses, is not indispensable at least when Nigeria is playing with three men at the rear. With the formation against Argentina, Tyronne Ebuehi showed dynamism with a solid defensive display and with impressive fast movement going forward, characteristic of world class wing backs. He completely commanded his area while defending. With sweeping tackles and timely blocks he withstood everything that was thrown at him for 45 minutes with aplomb. Ebuehi, with his performance against Argentina, showed us he can replace Victor Moses, easily, as wing back. At least, this is debatable.

8. In Idowu, Nigeria may have just solved a lingering problem.

Left wing back, Bryan Idowu was simply the truth against Argentina. He had a debut every debutant would die for, scoring with his first touch, to put Nigeria ahead in the game for the first time, and doing all the necessary at the rear. For years, since the prime days of Celestine Babayaro, the Super Eagles has endured a lack of good options in the left back defense department. Although it may be too early to conclude that Bryan Idowu has knocked out super regular Elderson Echiejile from contention, a repeat performance from the Russian-Nigerian will definitely put an end to Echiejile's reign as the Super Eagles left back king.

9. Perfecting the false nines.

The most lethal sides today rely heavily on dynamism in attack, with all forwards ever-switching positions during the run of play, and all capable of scoring -- hence, false nines. Against Argentina, Nigeria showed such dynamism. Two-goal hero, Alex Iwobi, who has mostly played as a winger for Nigeria, continued to show he is more lethal drifting in, to the middle. All Iwobi's four goals for Nigeria have come from the center of the attack line. Kelechi Iheancho -- who scored a goal, and provided two assists for Nigeria against Argentina  -- likewise,  have also been deadly for Nigeria, drifting in the front. Team captain, John Obi Mikel, who is not a center forward, supplied 3 goals for Nigeria during the qualifiers. Therefore, Nigeria survived the world cup qualifiers without a true nine, except for Odion Ighalo who only managed a goal during the qualifiers. Nigeria's precise execution at the front against Argentina, shows the team may have just perfected the science of dynamism with false nines.

10. Hard tackling as strength and weakness

The Super Eagles is a physical side -- an asset that played to Nigeria's advantage in the win. However, it could also be a weakness in more serious competitions like the world cup, as some referees will not hesitate to flash yellow cards at will, especially against sides showing physical superiority -- West African countries especially. A noteworthy event was Kelechi Iheanacho elbowing Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi. That would have attracted a red card in a more competitive game. Gernot Rohr must check his boys on discipline, going forward.

11. Mikel's indispensability, a risk.

John Obi Mikel must not advance when Nigeria is not in possession. His momentary lack of positional awareness, created a gap Argentina exploited in their quick build up to the second goal. Even Wilfrend Ndidi and John Ogu could not stop the Argentines. This goes to show that Nigeria will always feel Mikel's absence. Something needs to be done about this quickly. No player should be indispensable to an extent that their absence can easily spell doom. This is a danger sign. Can Mikel ever be deputized? Please leave your comments or recommendations.

--Spotkik

@bolded suggest this writer knows nothing about Nigerian football.

So, he doesn't about Taye Taiwo who was a better player than Babayaro, huh?
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 8:26am On Nov 17, 2017
Icon4s:


With the kind of performances Shehu was giving which reasonable coach would have dropped him for an untested Ebuehi especially in our last 2 or 3 crucial WC qualifiers? Shehu even won MOTM against Zambia. Should Rohr had thrown in players at random?
Thank for this observation,no coach w dropped Shehu for an untested Ebuhei even Shehu still remain first choice at RB.

Good to see a good Ebuhei and Idowu but we need consistency which Shehu was able to give us but good the team is evolving having great guys like Shehu, Aina,Ebuhei and Idowu competing not forgetting Echiejele.

Truly Ebuhei gives us option which is good for the team but i have a question to ask why it took Rohr so long to debut Ebuhei, though he came out to say he knew what the guy can do but I disagreed.

Rohr doesn't trust the boy until Argentina match and the boy knew that was his last chance to convince Rohr and he grabbed it to the surprised of everyone.

I have watched the match repeatedly and I want to say the first half we couldn't get the rhythms of the game and i can say all the players were below par except Ndidi and Iheanacho.

On Shehu and Aina,i watched all their movement in the first half,I want to say they are not bad at all,the worst outfield player in the the first half were Balogun and Iwobi but the latter came out strongly in the second half with a bang.

We should not be carried away with our performance against Argentina sometimes it happened in that way and people believing Ebuhei or Idowu have wrestle the RB,LB,RWB,LWB,should just relax,let's see more of them but no doubt they are very good players,watching the match again Idowu didn't do much except the goal but Ebuhei was awesome.

Oga icon4s salute for your propose suggestions letter to NFF,honestly good idea and is welcome.THUMB UP.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Napoleon55(m): 8:31am On Nov 17, 2017
is it possible that FIFA can manipulate the draw and place a country in a difficult group?

@ Icon4s,Thegoodjoe,komkm
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 8:34am On Nov 17, 2017
TheGoodJoe:


Iheanacho has been injured. Finito. Judge his impact after he gets a run. Or do you think Solanke is crap with him not having a chance to break into Liverpool's starting line-up.

Iheanacho and Solanke were available during the transfer market but Iheanacho was not considered by the bigger clubs in England.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool fought nail and tooth to have Solanke.

What does that tells you?

Now, Iheanacho is a bench warmer in almost a relegated threatened team. A team that most of the first team can't smell the bench of Liverpool neither the U23.

What does that tells you?
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 8:36am On Nov 17, 2017
Napoleon55:
is it possible that FIFA can manipulate the draw and place a country in a difficult group?

@ Icon4s,Thegoodjoe,komkm
No o,nothing like manipulation.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Kog45(m): 8:38am On Nov 17, 2017
forgiveness:


@bolded suggest this writer knows nothing about Nigerian football.

So, he doesn't about Taye Taiwo who was a better player than Babayaro, huh?
Taiye Taiwo better than Celestine Babayaro?
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by forgiveness: 8:41am On Nov 17, 2017
edi287:

Iheanacho is a better finisher and has a better final ball. Solanke is more mobile, skillful and technically gifted.

Hmm! Now we are making progress.

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