₦airaland Forum

Nigeria Players I'm looking forward to this coming season are
*Already capped*
Success
Iwobi
Henry
Musa
Ebuehi
Awaziem

*Not yet capped*
Noah
Lookman
Eze
Philip
Awoniyi
Sadiq
Orji

I'm expecting these guys to have an amazing season.

Bolowolowo:
This higher institutions football league looks ways more organized and modern than Npfl. Hopefully it can grow into something like the NCAA in the states and new talents can get scholarships. This is a massive game changer guys. Watch out.

This is beautiful! Just remembered something like this was discussed here 2-3yrs ago.

If well organized, I see it rivaling, masking the NPFL... All that is needed is awareness and they are already taking to social media - one of the most powerful tools.

I like the way they are starting with Federal Schools. Hopefully, it can develop into competitions with tiers that will involve the state and private schools. So that schools like Covenant Universities who can boast of good facilities too can be part of this football change.

Another thing I like about it, is the ZONING(Coastal A, B; Sahel A...). So happy with this atleast they are doing right what the Npfl is doing wrong. This is a positive move in the right direction for our football!

Kudos to the organizers.

elyte89:
Abi o,not some hold up play dt resulted into nothing and also not one overhyped mofo dt his ball movement is so poor upfront

hahaha... The Lateef of a boy even came on as a substitute o.

tbaba1234:
Under 15 won their first game today coming from 2:0 down to win 3:2 against Morocco.

A brace from Divine Nwachukwu and another goal by Chidera Ejiofor.

Two Assists by Lateef Omidiji

Good Result. This early Exposure is what is needed.

This is what a striker is known for. If you ain't scoring, then try to provide assists or better still contribute more to the team. Not some hold up play that leads to nothing

decatalyst:
Are they mad?

How can your country win the most coveted trophy in the world and you people will be fighting during celebration?

It is expected to happen.

It is the same thing that happens everywhere even at viewing centers. The winning fans always try to make mockery of the losing team through subtle jabs that can escalate into fights.

Don't forget some of these fighters are under the influence of Alcohol and so behave irrationally.

goldfish80:
I saw a couple of minutes of the Mamelodi Sundowns game against a club side in Lome, I wept for Nigeria. The quality of the playing turf was about the same standard I saw at the world cup. I can't understand how a municipal stadium in Lome can boast of a better playing surface than the Nigerian national stadium.

The playing surface I saw actually gave credence to what someone who took a team to Togo narrated. The guy said at half time, when his boys were about going to the changing room, sprinklers emerged from the middle of the pitch watering the grass. His boys were so amazed that they couldn't concentrate on his team talk, because they have never seen such a thing in their lifes.
I find it amazing up till now, we still cannot figure out how to grow ordinary grass. Smh

Abeg no kill me with laughter.

I was opportuned to watch the HL of Enyimba's match against WAC at Aba and another CCC match involving a Kenya side Gor Mahia and Young African Stars in Nairobi. If I must confess Enyimba(Nigeria's only rep still in the continental cup) is no where close to the kind of class shown by the three other teams. The pitch in Kenya is far better than the bumpy lawn we call football pitch that Enyimba played on. I was forced to change channel when I could no longer take it in.


I shake my head for my country. Our Management is Zero.

komekn:
Apart from Obagoal.

We actually don't have a proven tested top quality forward player to play that role currently.

We even had Osimhen invited to the SE that shows our lack of options.

So who do we have

sometimes I FEEL Osimhen would have performed better than both Ighalo and Iheanacho at the World Cup. How these two became passengers, I'm still finding hard to understand.

forgiveness:
Hahahahahaha! He had better behave himself. By now, I expect him to call those foreign born players. Most especially, Midhat Bajric, Keanan Bennetts and Deji Beyreuther who have all openly indicated to play for Nigeria U20 and SE. While at that, he should also consider players that won the last U17. I think only Kingsley Michael and Samuel Chukweze are eligible to play for Nigeria U20 because they were born in 1999.


I hope Shawn Adewoye and Adam Idah are considered.

We have quality u-20 players we can make use of. I hope we qualify for the world cup and Aigbogun doesn't pull a Nigerian coach on us.

Samuel Chukweze, Kingsley Michael, Orji should be notable additions from the last u-17 set. Added to them are the guys in Europe and the local lads here who are genuinely u-20s. Then we should be fine.

edi287:
To be honest, I was never really convinced by that Iheanacho - Musa pairing. I felt Ighalo would compliment either one better it was just a choice of either picking Musa's searing pace or Iheanacho's clinical finishing. What helped us at the second half against Iceland was Etebo and Musa having a stormer. Nacho wasn't that great except for his set pieces.
Only way we play Nacho is with a target man or part of a fluid front 4

I don't know what would have happened had Rohr started Musa and Iwobi together against Argentina?

Ighalo on his return got a goal for his club yesterday.

'We kill them, Messi or no Messi´ - Pogba´s pre-Argentina World Cup speech revealed
18 July 2018


Paul Pogba delivered an inspired speech before France's World Cup last-16 win over Argentina, telling his team-mates "today we kill them, Messi or no Messi".

France claimed their second world title thanks to Sunday's 4-2 victory against Croatia in Moscow and Pogba's influence on the dressing room has been telling amid the celebrations.

Pogba made a number of speeches en route to the decider and footage of his comments prior to France's thrilling 4-3 triumph at the expense of Lionel Messi's Argentina in Kazan has emerged.

"I want to see warriors on the field guys," Pogba told his team-mates in a scene from a documentary aired by TF1. "I don't want to go home!

"We will finish happy! I want to party tonight. I want to be dead on the field, all together! I want men, warriors, soldiers.

"Today we will 'kill' them. Messi or no Messi I don't care! We come to win this f****** World Cup!"

On a la Coupe du Monde @equipedefrance #fiersdetrebleus #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/JineJg8IMR

— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) July 16, 2018
Manchester United midfielder Pogba was at it again before France defeated 10-man Uruguay 2-0 in Nizhny Novgorod for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

"That's it, there is no turning back anymore," said Pogba. "That's it! We're going to continue, we're gonna go all the way! See you on July 15th - all together!

"Today Blaise [Matuidi who was banned for the quarter-final clash due to an accumulation of yellow cards] is on the bench, he's disappointed, he's annoyed! He wants to play more than anyone else on the pitch! He's bummed!

"It's for guys like him that we fight today! He's not going to be there on the pitch, but it will be as if he was there with us. Everyone needs to bring their A game!

"And now we're going to fight for our partners, like we did before! Argentina and maybe even more! Even more! Always more! We have to beat the best to be the best!"

Attitude is everything. They went and conquered with the right mindset.

olapluto:
https://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/news/y=2018/m=5/news=ajibade-setting-her-wheels-in-motion.html

​Rasheedat Ajibade is captain of the Nigeria U-20 women's team
She will appear in her fourth FIFA competition at France 2018
Capped at senior level, she could also feature at France 2019
Rasheedat Ajibade seems destined for a career at the very top. Still only 18, the FC Robo player is creating a buzz on the Nigerian football scene, having earned her first senior call-up in February after starring for her country's U-17 and U-20 sides. Named as Nigeria's young female player of the year shortly after her recent promotion, Ajibade continues to break new ground at a remarkable pace.

Fortunately, the youngster feels right at home when moving quickly. Ajibade is no stranger to 'getting her skates on', having earned success in rollerblading before switching sports. "That was my number one hobby," she explains. "I put a lot of time into it and performed at a very good level. I was even champion of the state of Lagos. Then football entered my life."

Ajibade was ten years old when she took off her skates and decided to focus on her ball skills. "I found the game fun and a way of bringing people together," she says. "I missed the whole 'team spirit' aspect when I was rollerblading." Joining FC Robo in search of that shared experience, she soon caught the eye of Emmanuel Osahon Orobosa, who convinced her to dedicate her talents to football.

Player Profile

Born: 8 December 1999 in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria
Height: 5'5
Position: Attacking midfielder/forward
Club: FC Robo
Idols: Marta and Cristiano Ronaldo​
He was soon proved right. Ajibade made a stunning impact, as she honed her abilities, breaking into Nigeria's U-17 team before stepping up to the U-20s – and contesting three FIFA Women's World Cup finals across those age categories. She also finished top scorer in the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, and promptly repeated the feat on the road to France 2018 by finding the net in all six games.

"We play a very attacking style of football, which suits me perfectly," she says, explaining away her qualifying record with admirable modesty. Ajibade's eye for goal seems to know no bounds, however, and after making her senior debut in February, she marked her second cap with a hat-trick against Senegal. "I really didn't expect to be called up by the Super Falcons," she recalls. "It was a wonderful surprise, and obviously, it was an experience I really enjoyed."

Her focus now is on shining once again for the U-20s. The 2018 edition of the U-20 Women's World Cup is looming on the horizon, and Ajibade is hungry to impress on the global stage. "Every time I take part in this event is another dream come true for me," she says. "I can't wait to test myself against the best and to show the world what I can do. There's no better opportunity."

Judging by her progress so far, the No10 can expect an even better chance next year – at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™. "I hope so. If it happens, that would be another dream come true, but one that's even bigger, more beautiful and more extraordinary."

when is this tournament kicking off?

ChrisKels:
Midhat Bajric ;


Yes, that has been my dream; I am white by skin but Nigerian inside. I am a Nigerian, I like to watch Nigeria football players, like Kelechi Iheanacho, John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and others, so many of them. I want to say that I will be very proud to play for Nigeria and make Nigerians proud. My parents support my choice, though my parents are no more together but they still support my dream of playing for Nigeria. I want to visit Abuja, Lagos one day.


Those of us who were here 2-3years ago will remember this excerpt

I just hope Aigbogun will not play the loyalty card when he selects his team. I'm not to comfortable with the group of over age players he is parading as u-20s.

ChrisKels:
Hoffenheim New Signing Declares Intention To Represent Nigeria Ahead Of Germany, Bosnia

Nigeria are currently leading the race in the battle for the international future of 17 year old new Hoffenheim signing Midhat Bajric despite Bosnia making contact with his agent.

In a chat with Owngoalnigeria.com, the left footed central defender who moved to Hoffenheim from Nuremburg three weeks ago said his immediate focus is representing Nigeria at the U20 level.

” I am eligible to play for Nigeria, Croatia and also Bosnia. For now only Bosnia have contacted my agent over a possible invitation nothing yet from Nigeria or Croatia “, Bajric told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” My dream has always been to represent Nigeria and some people have assured me that the coach of the U20s is watching me but no contact yet with my agent. I know a good performance with Hoffenheim will help my case a lot”, he remarked.

Speaking on his links to Nigeria, the defender who has a Croatian father and a German mother who has Nigerian links cleared the air on his eligibility to feature for Nigeria at international level.

” My grandfather is a full blooded Nigerian while my mother named Odion Abieba is a half Nigerian married to my Croatian father, who has links with Bosnia. The options are much but Nigeria is top priority for now”, he concluded.

Let's see him play for our u-20s first

ChrisKels:
Lol my man dun vex

the thing vex me Gan. Seeing A French team made up of close to 13 players of African decent climbing the stage as champions brought some mixed feelings.

Was just asking myself when will an African side put smiles on our faces? I come ask which of the African nation is capable of doing the impossible na so I see se my country no de top 3. I con de shake head.

forgiveness:
Ify Onourah a former coach of Ethiopia and John Salako a former Crystal_Palace_F.C first team coach are based in England. They are FB coaches.

how good are they?

ChrisKels:
Just like Ghana has Chris Hughton. The coach of Brighton in the EPL right?

Ehiogu was good before his painful death. Iffy was OK with Ethiopia though I dont know what he has been up to, lately.

Never knew the man has Ghanaian heritage.

E be like se for football we are still learner even on the continent. We are behind our fellow west African neighbors like Ghana, and Senegal not to talk of the North Africans. Na only mouth we get.

Empty barrel always making the loudest noise.

Even our local players struggle to get deals in Europe they are always invited for trials. The only outlier amist our coaches who has the prospect of going far fought with his employers and he was shown the exit.

WWe have a long way to go. I still don't know why we keep calling ourselves Giant Of Africa football or is it Pride of Africa. When we have not yet done anything very tangible in the round leather game.

3 AFCON titles compare to Egypt's 7, Cameroon's 5,; World Cup round of 16 compare to Senegal’s, Ghana's quarter final bout. The same Olympics we always talk about has been won by Cameroon. Ghana has done better in the age grade competitions winning both the U-17s and u-20s and they haven't done badly at the Senior level.

So much mouth without action. Same attitude our players carry to every tournament they go. They make the most noise and at the end of the day have nothing to show for it.


We need to be humble, look deep and stop all this gragra we are doing.

samplanner:
Oyibo are living the simple life

Putin be like if I shoot this one missile now, the world go say I'm wicked.why she de celebrate for my front. She think se I can be tempted like the man in the white house. Sha do and comot.

ChrisKels:
The bolded is almost impossible. Hard truth

that has always been their bane.

Sometimes I do wish we have Foreign Born Coaches as we have in players who did not grow up in the Nigeria society or perhaps have spent the most part of their lifes outside the shore of this country.

I think it's time NFF start beaming their search lights... We need a sound INDIGENOUS coach not necessarily local(i.e handling a local team) coach as back up for Rohr.

The coach should be drafted in as assistant coach or coach (since Rohr is the technical advisor) as the case may be. This will help ease out transition when ROHR'S current contract expires.

We need someone who will feel the pain when we loose, someone who understands our football culture and most importantly someone who will deliver results by using the right tools at his disposal.

I won't mind where the person comes from as long as he is a Nigerian and tickes those boxes he has my support!

Foreign coaches are good but some times they are not what Africans need to move forward. All World Cup winners were coached by their very own.

We just need the right person at the helms. A coach who will not allow bribery, nepotism and tribalism to becloud his judgments while carrying out his assignments.

I would have suggested Oliseh as replacement for Salisu but I don't think he ll be humble enough to be under Rohr.

Amuneke, Saskia, Garba Manu etc won't be bad choice. They will be given a blue print to work with...

Does Areola has any connection to Nigeria?

Cc: Forgiveness

Old people that didn't want to go away - Okocha 2018

Happy Modric was not rubbed today.

ChrisKels:
This French team is everything the over hyped English team wished they were

see finishing

Farzat:
This VAR is a scam indeed. I need explanation on why Nigeria was denied a penalty against Argentina

you too don see am. I don talk am teytey those guys there are just there to rub teams. They ll support their own. FIFA is not fair.

Is that really a penalty?

I'm enjoying some telepathic football served by the Croats.

GOAL!

They are back as usual.

France don score o.

Can CROATIA pull one back?

PDPGuy:
The 2022 world cup is now confirmed to be staged between November and December in Qatar.

European elite football associations will fight this. Bad market for them. English clubs will be like we won't release our players for this World Cup as it is outside Season break. Hahaha

terzurum5:
Who else is wounded like me

I was but now healed.

Beautiful football from the French and the Croats were the balm that brought healing to the wound caused by the SEs. Modric and Mbappe have been the physicians.

Can't wait to hear the commentator say- Modric Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Modric, Rebic , Modric, Mandzukic.... Those names sweet baba. It brings both the game and the commentary to the same wavelength. Beautiful football, I must confess.