₦airaland Forum

@ Sir Mikron. Let's go there. The match against Zambia is on the 7th and not 6th. I for see us schooling this young chipolopolos on how the beautiful round leather game is played.

TRULY THE LAND IS GREEN*winks*

We now have a new lady in the house...

Welcome @ Miss/Mrs Libero808. Hope to see more of you here. Madam Safarigirl you don get companion ooo

Calls on TheSuperNerd to take her round the building. But pls don't show her Sirs Joebie and Do4luv14 apartments.

I knew it. Whether Mikel plays or not. They will still argue.

What else do you still want John Obi Mikel to do? Must he change his name to Obidinho before you guys accept the fact that he is no average/ordinary player?

Abeg free this man!

Na because of people like Mikael2 e de pain me say we couldn't assemble our best u-23s for the last Olympics. All this talk of Germany, Brazil wouldn't have surface. Baba take ya time. Na because of people like Mikael2 e de pain me say we couldn't assemble our best u-23s for the last Olympics. All this talk of Germany, Brazil wouldn't have surface. Baba take ya time.

daveP:
they didnt outplay us.

even Maradona attested to this. We gave them a run for their money.

A team which had the likes of Tevez, Messi, Aguero, Milito, Samuel, Heinze, etc.

Mickael2:
I am quite glad you mentioned that they couldn't get past our keeper. So our hope is our keeper? They totally outplayed us and could have been out of sight as early as the 10th minute but for our GK, is that the way forward? And against Spain we collected a serious thrashing

the team late keshi took to the confed weren't even close to the team that won afcon'13 which wasn't even made of the best crop of players we had then. Yet they could only get three past us.

Here you are making SEs look like a team from some faraway Faroe Island or Seychelles wey Spain go turn to training materials.

Mickael2:
i just did and I think that what I said was an understatement. If we play like that against Spain they'd have us for breakfast everyday of the week and twice on sundays, not to mention Germany and Brazil.

The defeciencies in that game were quite open, and I will be using instances too.
From defence: if Isco drifts into Echejile's wing(even if Echejile is there he will still beat him silly, no brainer really) and has enough space to operate that will draw Balogun out of his wings like he did a lot of times(this should actually be Onazi's role but Balogun was doing it, nice against Cameroon but deadly against top teams) that creates a Spanish over-load in the middle and we all know Isco's decision making is top-notch, a quick pass into the middle(if he doesn't fancy his chances against Balogun one-on-one anyways,just ask the Italians) and they will surely create a chance, Enyeama can only do so much. This is the defence first of all.


Midfield: the spaces left by Onazi continously was an eyesore. Against Spain, we can count that as two assists for Iniesta wrapped in a gift bag and delivered promptly. Just drift in, receive a pass and do the damage, the worse part is that Onazi when he sees that he is out of position will come driving in, at the end there will be two players marking one player(Iniesta) and what does that mean? Another guy is free, creating more space and you can believe that Iniesta will pick that pass with perfection. This is how the midfield battle is won. With Mikel as our Amf and Busquets(probably the best DMF in the world or top 2 at least) holding him off trust me Mikel's impact will be reduced markedly, of course Mikel's brilliance may shine through once in a while but Busq gets the upper hand 90% of the time, now what happens when Mikel actually gets the upper hand? Read on

do you fancy Ideye's chances against Spain? I do not. Iheanacho stands a better chance. But then you are talking about two of the best CBs in the game against a young lad who is yet to cut it at club level, now that is not a great sight to behold. Now all they need to do is isolate Iheanacho from Moses and Moses will start trying to beat all the four defenders plus GK, result? No shot close to goal and when Moses is having a bad day our attack is too.

The defeciencies in our game like I said were clear, claiming that we stand a chance against Spain(Spain are vastly inferior to Germany or Brazil) is pure fantasy. Trust me the performance that Siaone's team gave against Argentina was actually better than this performance by far, that too against vastly superior opponent. Our best bet is to pray we follow Ghana's path, I fancy our chances against Uruguay and other mid-level teams but top teams? We don't have the players, the technical ability, the coach or even the facilities to attempt it

Chai! See how you make it look like we go chop 8 goals against Spain, Brazil, Germany etc.

Baba calm down. The worst that that performance can fetch us is conceding 3 goals. Due to:
1. Lack of experienced goalie
2. Echejile's lackluster performance.



I was making similar claim back in 2010 going into our first match against Argentina. I can remember how I was telling my dad then about how a star studded Argentina team which boast of a more lethal attack and defence than any of the above teams you are talking about will maul us. Telling him how Leo will single handedly crush the Eagles.



He told me that as much as Argentines are world football powers, Nigeria too are no minnows. He added that non of these countries will ever underrate us. Cos they know the kind of surprises Nigeria can pull. Then he capped it by saying 90mins will be the judge.



Lo, the match was played and to my surprised the much overhyped Argentina couldn't get past our goalkeeper more than once.



So bin this your claim. It is this type of believe/thought pattern the Zambians are seeing that is giving them unnecessary hope of pulling a South Africa against us.

nelszx:
Zambians trolling us everywhere even on Super Eagles official Facebook page they are spitting and promising us hell in Uyo . One can't read news without seeing their boasting.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1309124809196542&id=587631111345919

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1309350385840651&id=587631111345919

October 7 please come fast and our team should remain injury free particularly to key players so we can chase these guys and quash that illusion they are in.

these pages look like a zambian fan pages. Well I no blame them. It's good to have hope. Cos Hope keeps the spirit alive and gives it strength to push on.
Though me no fancy any online arguements on supremacy with other african countries.

pyrex23:
The dream i had yesterday.....
We qualified buh we were drawn in another group of death
Belgium
Brazil
Germany
Nigeria...


Na dream sha...but e fit happen

*laughing*

though it's a dream and the probability of it happening in reality is slim considering how the draw is been made. Top teams which the above countries you list falls into will be seeded in PotA-So nothing like that.

But let's say we have such group, we won't only need Enyeama alone we'll need to recall Jay Jay, Nwakwo, Finidi and resurrect the likes of Late Keshi, Yeking to have a chance.

Joebie:
Your Ronaldo example even supports my position. Ronaldo can play as an 11. Seen him cut in from there to score.. Seen him make crosses also during match time.

Ndidi started out and excelled as a CB. Was converted to an LB at first at Genk before he was moved to DM.. And this has increased his value..

Victor Moses probably will be on loan today if not that he showed that he could be an al round player. Conte did not just experiment but he saw it Moses. Today that decision has not only made him indispensable player at Chelsea, but has made him a better player for SE. Something many of us fail to realize is that regular game time and the overload of roles Moses has at Chelsea has made playing as a winger a piece of cake -- reason for his ever flowing energy.

As regards changing player positions, club coaches make those decisions for several reasons, some of which are:

1. The player deminstrating dynamism in the field of play.

2. The competition they face from their teammates for a specific position or several positions

3. The several positions thier teammates can play.

4. The ineffective of a certain player who had a dedicated role.

5. The dynamism in modern football as seen during match time, players hardly play one role these days.



Applying this to the case of Mikel, Mou may have seen his other strengths. At that point in time it could be he faced stiff competition in the AM role, or it could be other midfielders could not adapt to the makalele role like Mikel could, leaving Mou to that option, else Mikel would have been forced to sit it out in bench until he had his chance to outwit his contenders at the AM. Or who knows may have sought greener pastures at another club. Mou may have helped his career after all. We can never tell what could have happened. Mikel is what he is today because of his versatility. And we can use that to our advantage sometimes.

Modified
Consider Balogun's darting runs yesterday against Cameroon. Situations like that will make u realize there is more to a player than a specific position. Believe I had seen that potential in Moses long before he was converted to a full back.

good points. But it doesn't change the fact that players have 'natural' positions. Most especially players from Africa. We don't teach football in africa as you'll have in europe we play and grow into it.

Most players who have played two or more positions will tell you that they prefer one to the other simply because they feel at home playing in such a position...

Nigerdeltaboi:
what of the Germany friendly I was hearing last year ?

no development on that. Though it was earlier slated for Nov. But I doubt it feasibility. Don't forget we'll be playing our last WCQ match in November here in africa and FIFA rules debars a team from playing two matches on diff continents in that span of time.

Mujtahida:
Weren't that theatrics?

whatever thing that was, sent shiver through my spine while watching. But the preceding tackle to that horrendous scene was no joke at all.

Any update on Ezenwa's injury?

Icon4s:
Burkina 1-0 Senegal.
Today na today

Meanwhile RSA Vs CPV still 0-0 50mins

hands crossed. I for see that a new africa representative will emerge.

solonnachi:
I second your motion. We need grade A friendlies

I am also in support of this. Starting from next international break, the nff can organize a top friendly match each against top african opponents to complement our worldcup qualifiers.

solonnachi:
THE SURE WORLD CUP BOUND PLAYERS
1. John Obi Mikel (Untouchable- Midfield maestro)
2. Victor Moses (Untouchable- Nigeria's hottest attacker and Dribbler)
3. Leon Balogun (Untouchable- Solid rock Oyibo wall general)
4. William Troost Ekong (Untouchable- Oyibo wall deputy)
5. Vincent Enyeama (Whether you like it or not, we BADLY need him; reliable, tested and trusted)
6. Alex Iwobi (New generation star and rocky)
7. Odion Ighalo (Has cemented that No 9 position)
8. Ogenyi Onazi (The devil you know is better than the angel you dont know)
9. Ola Aina (Rohr knows this guy's use and sooner or later, Nigerians will know him)
10. Wilfred Ndidi (The premier league most sought after holding midfielder after Kante)
11. Shehu Abdullahi (Politics will put him on the world cup train and besides that, he is showing a deadly form right now in RB)
12. Kelechi Iheanacho (New generation rocky)
13. Ahmed Musa ( Politics will put this guy on the world cup train. Don't say I didnt tell you)
14. Moses Simon (Rohr still believes so much in this guy. He will make it if his form does not drop)
YOU WOULD SAY I TOLD YOU

SPOT ON. Barring any unforseen circumstances, 80-90% of the above listed names will make the cut.

We now have a strong starting 11 minus Echiejile.

Joebie:
That's the beauty of dynamism.

I hope rohr can fully recognise, understand, and possibly perfect the use of the weapons he has in his arsenal. Play to these guys strength and see wonders.

Joebie:
Exactly.. And never do we have to sub Mikel out in other to hold on to our lead. Just switch him to a DMF. Our players can be that dynamic

chai you don fut icing on top am.

All what Mikel needs is regular football and more game time in his club to regain match fitness.

I'm loving it with the way the team is having abundant wingers and fullbacks who can play on both sides.

Did anyone notice that our only goal came when Simon and Victor swap sides? The cameroonians became so confused that they were caught unexpected and out of position.

Icon4s:
So also has Shehu Abdulahi.

exactly. with shehu's stellar performance in both legs he has cemented his place at the right back. It's either aina embrace the LB position which is up for grab or he seats on the bench with ebuehi as back up.

Icon4s:
If Iwobi plays from the wings.

Sir, he is been under used there. I say deploy him to the middle.

Joebie:
Very good point. I see Mikel more as a versatile midfielder, than a stand out AM. For AM we have very good options also . I remember Siasia stressing we should rather use Iwobi there. In my estimation, Iwobi will become a legend

beautiful suggestion. This will afford us to create more chances and cut open defences with a two edge sword with Mikel thumping the long balls for counter attacks why Iwobi brings in those sleeky decisive defence splitting passes. This will be pure football!

Finally, Mikel has shut the mouth of his doubters. - no more arguement on his 'abilities'.

The national team has benefit from the type of player he has become-an hybrid Mid-fielder who can conveniently play the DMF CMF and AMF positions without itches.

With the availability of other CMFs and AMFs in Joel Obi, Iwobi, Aluko, Nacho etc. I'll love mikel to be our permanent Central Midfielder-the anchor man. Having him play the CM alongside either Joel or Iwobi will bring in more creativity going forward which will create more chances for our clinical forwards without sacrificing the team's stability and midfield cohesion...

Joebie:
Exactly what I was saying. Replace Exhiejile with Aina. Choke up the midfield. I saw Aina in bench. He was the first from left before the start of the match

thank you Sir. Was just unable to spot him.

One more thing that needs to be done is scouting for top central backs who can easily fill in if any or both of the oyinbo wall is/are missing.

daveP:
My hapiness is our key figures, save Balogun, are now safe. zambia style of play is wing and aerial. they dont do well central or in counter. so knowing this, im safe to assume a good match, barring injuries. Glad talks about Mikel's replacement have resurfaced. enough of the Agu subbing. Mikel is diff from Mikel ah. Ramon Azeez & Aluko are needed.

Another option is Sone Aluko. But for Azeez, we don't need him. We've seen him play. We don't need him going forward. This three will make our Midfield strong and thick going forward.
-Azubuike
-Joel Obi
-Sone Aluko.

daveP:
chop knuckle. Rohr seems not to be able to do subs based m live play. i expected choking up of d wings, thereby forcing cmr to play central; their weak game.

another beautiful one over there. Cameroon ain't that strong in the middle. I think I pointed this out during the confed cup. But I was so amazed they won the central midfield battle.

Switching to a 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 formation would have balance things up. But after the goal he chose 4-3-3 with tiring wide men(the two moses). It came to a time I didn't even see S.Moses on the pitch-I even taught he had been sub.

Eh wait was Aina on the bench? Cos me no see am.

Taliban:
Kingsley Sokari too could be given a chance. He was on the verge of getting into the main super eagles team and should have gone to the Olympics where he would have done well till he offended Siasia by going for an Enyimba game when Siasia said no. Just because someone is playing in Egypt or tunisia doesn't mean he doesn't have it, right now where does Shehu play, infact was he not part of Keshi's CHAN team to South Africa before he moved to Cyprus and he's still a lot better than Brother Kenneth of Chelsea and various Turkey teams. While I like etebo, I believe he's more suited to a winger or SS not a holding midfielder, he's an all action player with speed and strength, he's not a Midfield marshall and therefore won't be able to fit in for Mikel, if we had another Midfield Marshal, he could potentially be part of the midfield set-up like he did against Algeria but if you stop him from running and taking on players he won't be efficient, my own two cents.


In summary, perhaps we could try to explore the possibility of having these guys, forget where they currently play
Abdul Ajagun
Joel Obi
kelechi Nwakali
Kingsley sokari
Azubuike
Usman Muhammed

out of the players you made mention of up there the only ones that merit a call up are Joel Obi and Azubuike others have no business in the team.

It seems Rohr doesn't know the strength of each player in his team. It was too obvious from the substitutions he made today...

. Etebo had no business coming in after Iheanacho has been brought on earlier- we all know that Etebo is too attack minded and not really a good passer of the ball. He was just busy running up and down. Ogu would have been a good replacement for Onazi. Or rather still bring Nwakeme on for Moses Simon and allow Onazi to see out the game which will make Iheanacho drop deep to make those decisive passes while Agu keep doing the dirty job.

I'm not happy with the performances of two people and they are:
coach Rohr and Elderson Echiejile.
Reason been that...

1. Echiejile was our weakest link in both matches. He does not merit a starting shirt. The saddest part is that he can't improve any longer so we need a replacement asap. He made Moses and Onazi over worked and capped it all by unbalancing the defence. Practically all players came to his rescue.

2. I made a call on our coach's substitution techniques. He seem to be efficient in substitution. Why for God's sake will u sub like for like while leading. If the players on bench ain't good enough then don't invite them again. Rather than just putting them through emotional stress.

I have never supported Ndidi-Onazi combo. Both players are not good passers. They both lack vision. It cost us a win today cos the battle was lost at the midfield. Kudos to Shehu, Ekong and Balogun. This three salvaged the draw for us.

Good game all the way. Kudos to the guys. 4 points against CMR in 4days is not easy.

TheSuperNerd:
I saw a clip on twitter on Enyeama's progress with his right knee... he seems to be working hard to get back into shape... I reckon that by Year end or January he will be back... Enyeama will return but Only if he can get himself a club by January according to Gernot Rohr.

Ikeme is also still in the picture if he can return early enough from his health setback.

So for now... Ezenwa it is. Followed by Alampasu is who making progress in Portugal. And ofcos Ajiboye is there and The not-so-reliable Akpeyi.

Outside these we have David Nwokolor at Rijeka too. The situation is what it is... but Ezenwa seems better than Akpeyi confidence-wise and handles-wise.

AKPEYI? Oh no not again.