thestreetjournal.org

revealed-why-eguavoen-prefers-ejuke-as-super-eagles-number-10-ahead-of-nwakali

Kelechi Nwakali was supposedly included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in order to solve the lack of creativity issue the team has been battling to overcome the past few years.

However it appears that decision taken by interim coach Austine Eguavoen has hit the rock as CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke is now prime to play in that role for Nigeria at the tournament.

Eguavoen have also in training played the duo of Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo in same position just like is predecessor Gernot Rohr. In all Nwakali hasn’t been considered in training especially with the players who are supposed to be regulars.

OwnGoalNigeria.com spoke with a member of the technical crew and he lifted the lid on why they don’t see Nwakali as a solution to the lack of creativity in the team. ” It has to do with style. At the moment we playing a high press with movements on and off the ball. So you need someone who can move faster and also bring about an injection of pace. Nwakali isn’t that type.

The other three (Ejuke, Aribo, Iwobi) are ahead because they understand it better”, he explained. ” Ejuke in particular is very good at making the transition from one half to another because he carries the ball and can dribble. So he open up spaces far easily than Nwakali who need others to run for him. Maybe he can function as a deep lying playmaker but we not thinking of playing that way at the moment”, he concluded.

TheSuperNerd:
The Super Eagles' Goal minders: The Safe Hands

Okoye, Uzoho, Akpeyi, Noble.

Dem don use yabs finish these guys for Twitter.

Some called them kupe boys. Person say see as Maduka focus on camera, na the only thing wey he sabi, another person say na only Maduka be goalkeeper for the picture, another person say make Noble start because na only am dey like who dey chop eba out of four of them, another person say Noble no go see cap.

That Twitter ehn

Na today Na. E dun set. Make we see which surprises wan spring from inadequate prep time and late call ups..

Egypt
soccernet.ng

In the standout fixture of Group D, Nigeria and Egypt clash today at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, in their opening match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

With a change to the coaching crew just weeks before the competition, injuries to leading strikers, and withdrawals by their first-choice replacements, the Super Eagles have had a less than ideal preparation for the Afcon.

But the three-time continental champions remain bullish of their chances to enjoy a deep run at the tournament, starting with the game against the Pharaohs.

Other than his effort to introduce a possession-based philosophy, not much has been gleaned about the tactical input of interim boss Augustine Eguavoen to the national team.


Against Carlos Queiroz’s men, however, Eguavoen will want the Eagles to stay compact, keep more than an eye on Mohamed Salah, remain robust in midfield, avoid conceding first and be unpredictable and direct in attack.

Below is the first team that can help him achieve that.

Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye
Unlike Maduka Okoye, both Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho have tournament experience playing at the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Afcon.


But it is hard to look past the Sparta Rotterdam shot-stopper, who has been the Eagles’ number one goalie for the best part of the past couple of years. The 22-year-old should get the nos ahead of his colleagues.

Defenders: Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi
At Eguavoen’s first outing in charge of the Eagles at Afcon 2006, he had the rock-solid Joseph Yobo to help stitch the defence up for him. But alas, he has inherited none like the ex-Everton man this time around.

Watford’s Troost-Ekong has been unimpressive recently. Leon Balogun is unavailable. Kevin Akpoguma has been left at home. Olisa Ndah is an international football rookie. Omeruo is a shadow of his 2013 best. And Awaziem plays better in a three-man centreback setup.

Against Egypt, a team that the Eagles have a rich history facing at the Afcon, Eguavoen must decide which system and personnel to deploy.

He would be wary of copying the 3-5-2 that a desperate Rohr embraced in his latter days and which ultimately got him sacked.

There, however, seems to be just enough experience, guts, and grits in the Ekong-Omeruo pairing, and it would not surprise many to see Eguavoen unleash the same.

There are not many worries at fullback, though, with the late arrivals of Tyronne Ebuehi and Jamilu Collins seemingly handing starting births to Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi at right-back and left-back, respectively.

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo
The centre of the park is where the Super Eagles look incredibly lightweight, with the team boasting only three specialist midfielders in Aribo, Ndidi, and Onyeka.

Injured Watford midfield dynamo, Oghenekaro Etebo, is already looking like a mighty big miss for the team.

Everton’s Alex Iwobi is a viable option in the creative midfield role.



West Brom’s Semi Ajayi and Huesca’s Kelechi Nwakali can come in from the bench and do a decent job, but it would be unwise to start them against seven-time Afcon champions Egypt.

Onyeka and Ndidi would be needed to provide energy and dynamism in midfield and help the defence tame a rampant Mohamed Salah.

Attackers: Chidera Ejuke, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho
Taiwo Awoniyi and Umar Sadiq have proven in Germany and Turkey that they can score goals.

Still, sadly, they are not Victor Osimhen, and it would not shock many if they did not make the first eleven against the Pharaohs.

They will get their chances against Sudan and Guinea-Bissau later, but Iheanacho looks the best bet to start on Tuesday.

He has done it time and again for Leicester City against the best teams in England. And he should relish the opportunity to pit his wits against the best defenders that the Egyptian league has to offer.


Jet-heeled and tricky wingers could be the key to unlocking the Egyptians’ rear-guard, and it could prove to be a masterstroke setting up Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and CSKA Moscow’s Chidera Ejuke on either side of Iheanacho.

A few exciting options – Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Peter Olayinka, Henry Onyekuru – remain on the bench to act as game-changers.

Despite being depleted almost beyond recognition, the Super Eagles still possess enough firepower to cause problems for Mohamed Salah and co.

It promises to be a pulsating encounter on Tuesday, and a Nigerian win could send a powerful message to the other competitors across the Afcon that the Eagles mean business.

Game day upon us..
Nigeria vs Egypt

Today is the D-day.
We are all out for the maximum point.

#SoarSuperEagles.

minfelix:

Bros nobody is saying there are no upset in football, but ours in Africa is now looking like a normal thing, and I will argue it with u, Gabon is a a force to be reckoned with in African soccer/Afcon, remember I'm basing my argument as against the comoros they played....even if they have not won anything, they also Afcon regulars for the past and have at some point progress beyond group stage...so comoros is not their mate.
Whether Germany lost or not, that doesn't remove the fact that Germany will come and start defending against them in a tournament proper towards the end of game..
I'm even going too far to call Germany self....make Serbia,Sweden,Austria catch that your leitchestein u are calling, whether no be beating

Gabon is a force in which African football ?

Bia ,respect yourself there

Tolulopefinest:


Una too dey complain.

What if it had all ended in 0-0 ?

You don’t even know when someone is complaining

Smh

Maduka Okoye can't wait for Egypt but does he start?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwqucRz41To

andrewbaba44:

Gabon is a force in which African football ?
Bia ,respect yourself there

I just weak...
Is it because they have Aubameyang or what? Aubameyang isn't even as good as he used to be...

Yah nah make we line up the player's wen go play for super eagle today

For those who may be wondering why attendance has been poor at the AFCON, it's because CAF are allowing only 60% fans attendance for every game except Cameroon's (80%) .
Also a vaccine certificate or negative covid-19 result is required to enter the stadium .
So we might be seeing fewer Nigerian fans today...

Danielnino00:
For those who may be wondering why attendance has been poor at the AFCON, it's because CAF are allowing only 60% fans attendance for every game except Cameroon's (80%) .
Also a vaccine certificate or negative covid-19 result is required to enter the stadium .
So we might be seeing fewer Nigerian fans today...

the European has more covid cases than Africa, but during the euro2021 or the national league tournament the stadium was filled up , na caf come carry the matter for head this year Afcon it as if they are playing a friendly matches.

Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

Head to Head we beat them
my confidence have been boost

gustav25:
Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

now that we have the full house let's the game begin

gustav25:
Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

early morning comedy the Egyptian we see today we shall see them no more and the Moses in our team will lead them to garoua river and drown Dem there

gustav25:
Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

gustav25:
Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

Even phase 2 heaven you no go see. Mumu man

Naija for the win. 3-nil

BascoVanVeli:
Maduka Okoye can't wait for Egypt but does he start?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwqucRz41To

Surely he should start. Or do you think because it's Eguavoen, then Uzoho will start?

At this point we should be aim for a keeper that will be an upgrade to Maduka, and not lusting after Uzoho that cannot hold down the ball once.

Please how many countries in Africa have better head to head to Nigeria

cc thesupernerd, joebie, Philosopher1979 , soetanoreoluwa , humility33, TheGoodJoe, JohnBullMySon

maidaboi:
Please how many countries in Africa have better head to head to Nigeria


cc thesupernerd, joebie, Philosopher1979 , soetanoreoluwa
, humility33, TheGoodJoe, JohnBullMySon

Ghana definitely has better head to head. But eh for don tey.

Englandboy:
the European has more covid than Africa, but during the euro2021 tournament the stadium was filled up na caf come carry the matter for head,this year Afcon it as if they are playing friendly matches

CAF are following the laid down procedures by FIFA..
Even in Europe, a vaccination certificate is required to attend games in thr stadium..

gustav25:
Salah , Oh Salah!!! Mohamed Salah, a gift from Allah.

He came from Roma to Liverpool.

He’s always scoring, it’s certain he will roast some super Chickens today.

So please, Open your wings and Allow Salah to have a field day.

Oh Salah , the ray of hope of all Pharaohs, bring a huge gnashing of teeth upon Nigerians today.

We go flog you and your Salah enter red Sea, Infact collect..

I predict 1-1 draw. Goals by Mostafa and Nacho.

What time is the Nigerian match you all?

JohnBullMySon:
Surely he should start. Or do you think because it's Eguavoen, then Uzoho will start?

At this point we should be aim for a keeper that will be an upgrade to Maduka, and not lusting after Uzoho that cannot hold down the ball once.

Oga how ur blood hot like this it was just a question tbh. If I was thinking like that it would be Akpeyi I would believe would start. He has played in the 2 leagues Eguavoen has coached.

ChrisKels:
What time is the Nigerian match you all?

5pm

ChrisKels:
What time is the Nigerian match you all?

5pm...
That means by 3pm you should tune in with your link from the future

The team’s walk through of the Garoua stadium



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iDz1NWNcXg