Icon4s:


See my brother, I have said it here before and will continue to say it. Odion Ighalo is average.

Nigeria has not solved the problem that made us not qualify for the 2015 & 2017 AFCON. That problem is scoring.

Odion Ighalo is just like Emenike. A flash in the pan. This is typical of players hu just pick up form midway in their career. They usually have about 2-3 good season run and that is all.
Do u remember at a point towards d end of Keshi's reign Gbolahan Salami even became more lethal and more of a goal's threat than Ighalo. Against Chad Salami even broke d dead luck before Ighalo made it 2 from d penalty spot.

Ighalo is not the solution to our lack of striking power.

We have seen the solution yet continue to play him out of position.
Kelechi Iheanacho is the man for the CF job.
Ighalo can b his Substitute.

Another player that we either relegate him to d bench or find another role for him is Ahmed Muss. To me it is either we convert him to a Supporting striker, just like what he does at CSKA and some times at Leicester or we drop him to d bench. We have up and coming wingers that are very well capable of tearing apart defendes while also are goals threats: Simon Moses, Imoh Ezekiel, Oghenekaro Etebo & Alex Iwobi (who I would personally like to be played as a number 10 behind Iheanacho).

Victor Moses wasted many chances but if u have been following his Super Eagles career that is how he has always been playing. The positives from his play is he has pace and can destabilise defenses. He has also caused several penalties in d past and he is also a good penalty taker.

It was a good game regardless of the scoreline. I know the entire Zambia football nation watched that match yesterday. I can tell u dey would be scared by now.

terzurum5:
Leon Balogun Pleased After Showing Off His Impressive Ball-Playing Skills

Mainz 05 stopper Leon Balogun has spoken of his happiness after the Super Eagles defeated Tanzania in their final African Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo to earn their first three points of the qualifying campaign, bearing in mind that the victory over Chad was later nullified.


The central defender showed off his impressive ball-playing skills, put in an almost flawless display so much so that the yellow card he picked up in the closing minutes did not take the shine off his contribution during the game.


“Great way to say farewell to #AFCON2017 & start our preparation for the WC qualifiers! Uyo, u’ve been amazing, thx for ur support 2nite commented on Twitter.


Balogun and his new partner in central defense William Troost-Ekong helped Wolves goalie Carl Ikeme post his second shutout of the AFCON qualifiers.


Nigeria finished second in their group with five points in the kitty after four matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel
www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=20324

terzurum5:
Nigeria 1-0 Tanzania, Top Marks For Mikel & Iheanacho: Super Eagles Players Rating

[img]http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/09/03/nigeria-1-0-tanzania-top-marks-for-mikel-iheanacho-super-eagles-players-rating/[/img]
The new coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr won his first competitive game as coach of the Nigeria national team courtesy of a slim 1-0 win over Tanzania.


Owngoalnigeria.com in it’s traditional style rates the Eagles players on parade in the dead rubber AFCON 2017 qualifiers
tie, which took place at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.


Carl Ikeme: Didn’t have much to do like the reverse tie in Tanzania.


Got lucky in the first half though, could easily have given away a penalty otherwise had little or nothing to do all through the game….7/10


Musa Mohammed: Full of energy, never tired of running, strong in tackles and very much adept in turning defence into attack, had a game to be proud off….7/10
Elderson Echiejile: Clearly targeted by the Tanzanians and struggled to cope with the pace and tricks of his man, no thanks to the little coverage he got from Victor Moses. Had a better second half….6.5/10


Leon Balogun: Very much at home as a central defender, made one tackle that got the crowd cheering, very calm in possession and oozed class all through. Top man….8.5/10


William Troost Ekong: Didn’t start the game very well but recovered in the second half, held his own alongside Balogun in central defence but need to work on his reading of the game….7.5/10


Ogenyi Onazi: Was surprisingly very discipline in his role in front of the back four, sat deep and allowed the men ahead of him do the runnings, wasn’t trying to do the extraordinary like before, kept it simple and deserve a very good rating….7.5/10


Mikel Obi: The captain did just what is expected of him, threatened to open the scoring for Nigeria but was stopped by some brilliant goalkeeping. Yanked off by Gernot Rohr as he isn’t fully fit yet after the exhaustion of the Olympics….8/10


Victor Moses: Lively, daring and full of energy. Wasted the best of chances to give Nigeria the lead in the first half had a subdued second half. Expectedly replaced after the break, need to add goals to his game….6/10


Ahmed Musa: Didn’t quite get the chance to run behind the defence of the Tanzanians until the second half. Looked threatening with lightening pace but didn’t effect the game that much….6.5/10


Kelechi Iheanacho: Man of the Match, cracking effort for the lone goal of the game, lively all through, willing to get involved and not scared of shooting and got duly rewarded with the lone goal of the game. A star in the team even though he is just 19….9/10


Odion Ighalo: Had a game to forget, once again failed to deliver in the green white green shirt, time is running out on the Watford man, didn’t play to his potential….5.5/10


Substitutes:
Wilfred Ndidi: Replaced the captain and brought about an injection of pace with Onazi moving upfront, he was quick in releasing the ball to the front men, a substitute par excellence….6.5/10


Brown Ideye: Had lots of touched despite his introduction after the half hour mark, made his presence felt with great hold up play and flicks, was full of confidence, should have started the game, he clearly showed it….6.5/10


Moses Simon: Never shy to take on defenders, did his trademark runs at defenders but had little time to command a better rating than….5.5/10.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/09/03/nigeria-1-0-tanzania-top-marks-for-mikel-iheanacho-super-eagles-players-rating/

BascoVanVeli:
A lot of credit should go to the coach, we kept with the 2 man corner kicks which i'm sure was worked on in the training pitch. Musa could either cross or let Iheanacho look for his shot. The coach was smart enough to know that Iheanacho has a wonder left and he wanted to give him as many opportunities as possible to fire. We just pray that the NFF will give him the room to succeed.
The scariest part about that match is the players that didn't play. Our back 4 could end up being the best in Africa if they keep working and stay healthy. Onazi got tired with his passes but i am sure nobody had any issues with his work rate. If Mikel continues at this rate i will be expecting him to score every match, this is a man breeming with confidence, Rio must have been good for him.
The referee was bad and at time i swear he was helping Tanzania waste time all the penalty shouts were legitimate. The boys did a good job of maintaining their composure.

TheGoodJoe:


I think ruthless decisions will make us perform better. We need to increase the competitions in different roles. Accepting mediocre performances should be in our past.

The coach plays an old school 4-4-2 set up with a modern twist to it. Similar to the Pellegrini/Arsene Wenger(Invincibles) style.

Now we know his style, we can see the best players in each role.

I say the coach Calls up Isaac Success. Try pairing him with Iheanacho. Musa and Iheanacho would also work. Musa is better attacking the post than Winging.

Mikel - Ndidi in midfield.

.................................Success(CF)........Iheanacho(CF).........
.........V.Moses(LMF)............................................Iwobi(RMF)
....................................................Mikel(CMF).........................
.................................................Ndidi(DMF).............................
......Oshaniwa(LB)..............................................Mohammed
.........................Balogun(CB)....................Ekong(CB).............
...................................................Ikeme(GK)............................

I hope the coach gives Oshaniwa a chance. I still feel he is a better option to Amuzie and Echiejile.

It was nice watching Balogun have a go at Echiejile. Nice having someone who can organize the back line. We missed that since Enyeama left.

goldfish80:

I think you're spot on. The coach definitely had an effect in the way we approached the game.
It's early days but Rohr's philosophy is definitely the new hybrid German tactics of fast transitions, ambitious possession, forward-looking, goal-focused play. Cool, clean, clinical(although wee didn't get this part right) .

I also loved the way we found solutions in small spaces,i definitely enjoyed the way we used the pitch, space and time.

Indivually, I think Musa Mohammed and Leon Balogun impressed me the most with their all action style.

Without a doubt if we continue this way, it's only a matter of time before we really embarrass someone by hitting 5 or 6 past them.

Icon4s:


I also agree Success should be invited. Looking at the fixtures we have ahead in d qualifiers particularly the away games a 4-4-2 May just be too risky. U would often need a robust midfield to Keep the pressure a little away from ur defense. For the game in Lusaka a 4-5-1 May just b a good option for us. In Africa when u play away u should expect fire and brim stone from the home team. Worst still dat we are playing in Ndola, Youande and Algiers. Difficult places to win matches. A crowded midfield usually helps in such situations. When we come back home we can try 4-4-2 if necessary.

Brown Ideye should be kept for now away from the Team. Success should take his place. And Success must not necessarily be a starter for now. The '94 team had super stars on the bench . Nothing wrong in Ighalo and Success being substitutes for Iheanacho.Nothing wrong also with Ahmed Musa going to the bench. We respect some of these mediocre players too much.

I would like a frontline that looks like this:

...............Iheanacho

Moses......Iwobi........Simon/Ezekiel

By the way, have you seen Oshaniwa play of late? What makes you feel he is a better LB option than Echiejile, Madu, Amuzie.

One thing of note is for the first time in a long time team selection was done without sentiments. He selected d best from the available choices.

Icon4s:


I also agree Success should be invited. Looking at the fixtures we have ahead in d qualifiers particularly the away games a 4-4-2 May just be too risky. U would often need a robust midfield to Keep the pressure a little away from ur defense. For the game in Lusaka a 4-5-1 May just b a good option for us. In Africa when u play away u should expect fire and brim stone from the home team. Worst still dat we are playing in Ndola, Youande and Algiers. Difficult places to win matches. A crowded midfield usually helps in such situations. When we come back home we can try 4-4-2 if necessary.

Brown Ideye should be kept for now away from the Team. Success should take his place. And Success must not necessarily be a starter for now. The '94 team had super stars on the bench . Nothing wrong in Ighalo and Success being substitutes for Iheanacho.Nothing wrong also with Ahmed Musa going to the bench. We respect some of these mediocre players too much.

I would like a frontline that looks like this:

...............Iheanacho

Moses......Iwobi........Simon/Ezekiel

By the way, have you seen Oshaniwa play of late? What makes you feel he is a better LB option than Echiejile, Madu, Amuzie.

One thing of note is for the first time in a long time team selection was done without sentiments. He selected d best from the available choices.

jobsat34:
TheGoodJoe

Where is Oshayinwa plying his trade now..
Its been long i heard of him..

TheGoodJoe:


I have not seen Oshaniwa play of late but it baffles me that a guy who proved a better option does not get a chance. Onazi have been the culprit on a number of occasions but he gets repeated call ups. Echiejile was one of the reasons why we did not go to the AFCON under Keshi but he keeps getting call. While the guy who replaced Echiejile and did well does not get a call. That beats my imagination.

From Oliseh, to Siasia, to Yusuf and now Rohr. It is wrong. Something is definitely wrong here.

As for the formation, I would prefer a 4-5-1 formation when away and a 4-2-3-1 formation when at home. But, it seems our coach is like Pellegrini and Simeone, sticking to an attacking 4-4-2, just like Samson Siasia.

TheGoodJoe:


He is at Hearts F.C Scotland.

BascoVanVeli:


What did Echiejile do wrong?

icon4ss:


He is Echiejile

TheGoodJoe:


I have not seen Oshaniwa play of late but it baffles me that a guy who proved a better option does not get a chance. Onazi have been the culprit on a number of occasions but he gets repeated call ups. Echiejile was one of the reasons why we did not go to the AFCON under Keshi but he keeps getting call. While the guy who replaced Echiejile and did well does not get a call. That beats my imagination.

From Oliseh, to Siasia, to Yusuf and now Rohr. It is wrong. Something is definitely wrong here.

As for the formation, I would prefer a 4-5-1 formation when away and a 4-2-3-1 formation when at home. But, it seems our coach is like Pellegrini and Simeone, sticking to an attacking 4-4-2, just like Samson Siasia.

icon4ss:


Fact that he adopted a 4-4-2 formation against Tanzania in a home game and for a game that was more of preparatory game doesn't mean he typically plays 4-4-2. Siasia more often plays a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. All through Rio he played 4-5-1.He ususlly played 4-4-2 when we needed to win against a relatively weak opposition at home. Even d Egypt double header he played 4-5-1.

Too early to also liken him(Rohr) to Pellegrini and Someone. Team formations at national team level are typically different from club level.

zoboizee:
if our leftback is to be left in care of Amusie & co then it is definitely going to remain our weak point for a very long time. it is better we convert Omeruo or Awaziem than those two technically & tactical deficient fellows. Most goals we concede comes from that leftback.

tbaba1234:


A player is only as good as his current form. Oshaniwa can not be said to be the best option because of the 2014 WC. What is he doing now?

Echiejiele, in my opinion is still the best. Amuzie and Madu look the ones to take over from him.