₦airaland Forum

Your take and mine on the relationship between Pinnick and Akinwunmi differ.

And why should Pinnick continue to intervene, regarding the affairs of the NFF? Afterall, like you aptly stated, he has done the introductions of Gusau to the sponsors and he has stepped down. The handoff has been completed. Besides, its none of Pinnick's business anymore, since Nigerians made it clear they have had enough of him!
Its now SOLELY on Gusau's head to move the ball forward but instead, he seems to fumbling and doesn't have a clue as to what to do.

lovewins:
Not true though.

Persons familiar with the matter reported that pinnick and Akinwunmi were at loggerheads. They almost always didn't see eye to eye. He also had affirmed in different public fora that he'll rather support the north to take over of he were to step down.

You'll notice also that just a few weeks ago, Pinnick and Gasau both went round Nigeria visiting corporations in lieu of preparation and sponsorship for the next world cup.

That is not even relevant right now. If truly he was principal to the numerous friendlies we had prior, then he should pitch in to ensure the girls success. Gasau wouldn't object.

Please!
That was all politics - based on the fact that Pinnick got a lot of flack from the north because of his prolonged fight with Chris Giwa.
The person he wanted to support was Seyi Akinwunmi (a southern candidate) would have been a no-no with northerners and that was why he supported Gusau.

lovewins:
Gasau is Pinnick's man though. He was his choice candidate and he ensured he did everything to make him president. So we can't as it were blame Nigerians for something Amaju orchestrated.

And that is the problem with Nigerians... we always feel comfortable with incompetent and inept leaders.
How and why someone like this became president of our FA is beyond me.
Pinnick understood that football is all about controversy, which drives fan base intrigue and growth, which in turn drives sponsorship. From jersey designs to coach selection to sponsorship from industries. Pinnick understood how it works and leveraged that knowledge.

This guy lacks the charisma, know-how and intelligence to make a positive impact in our football, or at a minimum, build off what Pinnick left behind.
Brace yourselves for a very dull and unproductive next 4 years!!

Deltamani:
Gusau na Big time low budget Amaju, I just hope things turn better for the Falcons or better still he does half of what Amaju did for the Falcons in terms of Friendly games..

By now the Falcons would have known their Friendly Game Opponents for the February FIFA Window

But most Nigerians wanted Pinnick gone, accusing him of all sorts of things.
Now you have Gusau, who has been sitting on his rear end doing absolutely nothing!

It looks like Nigerian football is in for a very rough ride these coming 4 years!!

isan:
this are all true, NFF should start the team preparation now and waldrum should work on his player selection and stop playing players out of position....if pinnick is still the president he would have line up a lot of friendlies by now but here we are now

Tosin Demehin has the preferred stature and the right attributes for a center-back.
Those with 'intimidating physique' are usually slow and immobile.

Deltamani:
Young Stade de Reim of France Center Back Blessing Demehin…


I like my CB with intimidating physique… Maybe Demehin should add up a little flesssssssh?

Not a single Naija college player on the upcoming 2023 NWSL draft list.
Yet, we have a Ghanaian, Moroccan and South African on the list.
Na wah!

https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/2023-nwsl-draft-live-registration-list

Looks like you grossly underestimate Rofiat Imuran's pace.
She will match up against all the candidates you listed (and she is the only natural left footed LB we have).
Agree with you on Ogbonna.

Deltamani:
I had to take something’s into consideration concerning the full back positions..(Left/Right)

The three players picked Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne and Patricia George are possibly the best we can talk of for now.. Rofiat Imuran is the other Option i can add to that list as possible option again..

I had to remove Ashleigh Plumptre and Tony Payne from this..

Again Glory Ogbonna is a Capital NO NO for me.


••• Pass: long and short pass; Could possibly be a draw between. Alozie and Patri, N Payne comes in at 3rd

••• Aggressive; Aggressiveness is needed to defend. One strong Clinical tackle can strike fear to opposition attackers…. Patricia, Alozie and N Payne.

••• Dribble; If a fullback make an interception; its dribbling ability can be shown when they initiate counter. Together with passing and pace, full back can turn defense into attack effectively creating an opportunity for the team.
Patricia is ahead here, Alozie follows then N Payne.

••• Tactical Awareness- They should always be aware of any movements which happen behind the center backs. Often we get to see a diagonal pass and the center back is not aware of the run behind her, It is then the responsibility of the fullback to close that run down and support her center back. Patri, Alozie and N Payne..

Stamina and Speed - The fullbacks should always have the stamina and speed to maraud up and down their flanks to provide that extra support to their wingers in attack and at the same time fall back to defend in case of a counter attack. Patri is the quickest, Nicole Payne at 2nd and Alozie 3rd.

••• Physicality - They should be brave and physical enough to go for those crunching sliding tackles. Patri is such a bully and a physical player, she wins this, Alozie 2nd and N Payne for the last spot.

••• Good Crossing ability - This is one of the major skillset a good fullback should have. With the ball a good fullback should be able to make a good cross every single time as they are always on the run and that allows them to deliver better. It also reduces the burden from the winger to put the ball into the penalty box all the time when she can rely on her wing partner to share the responsibility.
Patri and Alozie are good ball crossers from the various games have watched them play, I don’t think the likes of N Payne and Imuran can beat them to this..

Rofiat Imuran finally made her debut during Stade de Reims 4-0 win away to Dijon on Dec 10, 2022, which was the last game of the year.
She came in for regular left back Notel in the 90th min.
Wish her many more opportunities in 2023 that should hopefully prepare her for the World Cup.

lovewins:
...Imuran is a better fit, she is a balance of what a coach could use defensively and offensively, her crosses however can be suspect sometimes. Also, she's yet to prove of she can replicate her u20 exploits at the big level.

Why is the Netherlands out of it for her?
A player can play in any country willing to grant her employment. Afterall, Toni Payne played for Ajax Amsterdam, did she not?

do4luv14:
Then Netherlands is out of it for her, And if She move there will be doing so as an Euro citizen

That's incorrect.
Case in point - Tyrone Ebuehi and Troost-Ekong, both of whom have Dutch and Nigerian passports.

Kingsley's case was rather complex, as he had applied to the Netherlands and was granted a refugee status, while he later on was granted German citizenship (on the basis of his refugee status).
His applying for a Nigerian passport would have jeopardized both his Dutch and German citizenships, something he wasn't willing to do.

do4luv14:
I thought Netherlands does not allow duel citizens,

An example is KINSLEY Ehizibu of the SE

Plumptre is the best CB the SF currently have.
Imuran's case is a bit strange - hopefully its not visa issues like Gift Monday had.

justicechichex:
Going forward, i think Ohale and Demehin should be the SF's CB pairing. And what about Imuran, is she injured or what? She hardly makes the bench talkless of starting 11.. Abi no be Reims she dey again?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BKiy2PBxfo

Like for like? Not sure....
Otu seems much slower on the ball compared to Ucheibe.
Likewise, Ucheibe has a higher ball turnover ratio, as her passing accuracy is highly suspect.

Nonetheless, its nice we have both ladies in our squad. Hopefully Debbie Abiodun can step up into the fold...firstly, she needs to be picked up by a good team in Europe to finesse her skills.

Deltamani:
Seee ehhh Christy Ucheibe and Regina Otu both are typically same kind of player (like for like), They go hard on the ball and very energetic… But with Ucheibe recent performance i will have to pick her ahead of Otu…

Sharing a 100% between them right now it wound be Christy Ucheibe 55% and Regina Otu 45%

Not sure her valuation should be that high, having watched her play. Anyhow, congrats to her.

Watch as the NWSL starts to attract some of the top players in the world over the next couple of months. This may be a way of elevating the quality of the US players after the noticed decline.

Schemerkhiz:
19years old Melchie Dumornay, also known as Corventina, is a Haitian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Stade de Reims and the Haiti women's national team could become the most expensive player in the history of the NWSL in the United States with a juicy $1.5 million contract for 4 years! The biggest contract offered by a team in the league.

If the Haitian signs, she will earn $375,000 thousand per year. Record.

With all due respect, she was hardly consistent against quality opposition.
Against Nigeria in the WAFCON match, she wasn't spectacular and when one considers Nigeria was playing with 2 women down, that's somewhat telling.
In the finals against S. Africa, she was pretty ordinary in the game, if I recall.
In the CAFWCL match against Bayelsa, she was pretty much MIA, as she was under lockdown by Glory Edet. In the finals, the SA team was also 2 women down and she shone.

Like I stated earlier, will really see if she justifies the hype in the WWC when she comes up against quality opposition. She does have the POTENTIAL to be an influential player but for now, I chose to adopt a more cautious approach.

daveP:
she's been consistent though. Thus the hype.

Don’t know what these fellas here are talking about.
Fatima Taugaunut is good, but she is not that special - at least not on the level as our SF ladies.
No need to overhype her

daveP:
Tigernut was hot in wafcon too na. But game of endurance and experience vs Falcons proved she has a long way to go. We'll see. Small space wey Tiger get, prey don give up.

Mamelodi Sundowns just got whopped 4-0 by the ASFAR team, right in front of Mosepe who owns Mamelodi Sundowns.
Nigeria needs to get their sh!t together if they really want to make an impact on the continent.

Get a properly funded league in play or else, Nigeria will be left behind. Morocco's investment and 4 year roadmap just paid off.

I would refer you to a similar conversation we had about Debbie Abiodun. We all saw how she somewhat struggled to assert her dominance in some games at the U20 WWC - even though you would recall you stated she was 'ready' for the SF team at the time (I do recall stating a contrarian argument with you about this).

My philosophy has always been to not get carried away with good/great performances against 'less quality' teams/players, but rather, assess our players performances against top quality teams (or players) to determine their 'readiness'. That is what really matters, with regards the SF.

I'm not sure where Randy ever stated that Christy Ucheibe was not 'good enough', ditto that with Okobi (even though I stated my belief that she is no longer relevant to the Super Falcons).

Regarding Demehin, Tosin posted measured performances against top class teams at the U20WWC, as well as during both friendlies against World Champs USA, PRIOR to her being signed by Stade Reims. On the basis of such performances, her walking into the team was not an altogether shock or surprise.

BascoVanVeli:
Why is she not there yet? U are yet to give a quality answer.

Please don't even go there about previous invites. Christy Ucheibe was also deemed not good enough and we all know how that ended up. The same coach told Ngozi Okobi she wasn't good enough but now he won't drop her even after she called him out publicly.

Well last I checked Africa is part of the world. But if u are talking Europe and co, why not? Every player I mentioned will make it in any league in the world. Same reason why Tosin Demehin can league Rivers and walk into a French side.

U called out the whole team, I am not a mind reader. How I'm I to know u only meant the Nigerian players?

Glory Edet is NOT there yet. She has shown she has the POTENTIAL to be a starter, but she is definitely not there yet.
For the record, Glory Edet, has been previously invited to the SF camp (within the last 18 months) and deemed not good enough then. Has she improved since? Possibly. Did she play well in this edition of the CAFWCL? Yes. Is she good enough to START RIGHT AWAY for the Super Falcons? Absolutely not!

BascoVanVeli:
Yes Glory Edet and you forgot to add that she was involved in almost all our attacks. IMO she is good enough to start right away.

By 'International standard', that meant playing at the WORLD level. The fact that a player excels in a Continental competition (Continental Standard) does NOT, by any means, imply that player is of 'International standard'. HUGE difference!

BascoVanVeli:
International standard? The whole Bayelsa attack are international standard but it just happens that the Super Falcons have a lot of quality players. They could start for 90% of the continent.

Not sure about the relevance or indeed, your reference to Cameroonian players as it pertains to the SF, as they will NEVER be in line to play for Nigeria (which is the primary focus here). I stand by my previous assertion.

BascoVanVeli:
Precious Emmanuel is also a quality midfielder even Ornela Touta who is Cameroonian. Can't forget Gabrielle Bawuo who is easily a top 5 goalkeeper in the continent.
Saying none of them are international standard is just crazy. Maybe their defense was suspect but the team is really good.

As usual, blame the white man.
So, out of curiousity, didn't Pinnick appoint Edwin Okon as the Chief Scout for the Super Falcons? Isn't it HIS job to scout and make recommendations to Randy, especially the HB players?
So, WTF has he done so far, except to recommend that 'whale of a goal keeper', you know, the one that kept for Rivers Angels last year in this same competition, who was quickly dismissed from the SF camp by Randy (and rightly so). Yet, its all about Randy being the one to blame, but all the hanger-ons (you know, the so called 'supporting staff', who do absolutely nothing but sit their fat behinds on the bench and chase estacode) get a free pass?
Na wah!

justicechichex:
True.. That number 9 gave everything she had and she's good as well.. Randy no fit take note coz em dey e country dey teach university students...

I believe you're referring to the #9 (Glory Edet - RB) not Etim.
Even though she did a good job marking out the Morroccan player Taugnut, don't believe she is ready to start for the Super Falcons just yet.
For me, she was by far the only player on the Bayelsa team worth recognizing. The others were simply not up to international standard.

BascoVanVeli:
Glory Etim the best player in the tournament. She is good enough to start for the Super Falcons today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVguGxG-L_s
Game is on CAFTV ((YouTube channel)

daveP:
Any link for this game pls?

Game is on CAFTV YouTube

Any link for this game pls?[/quote]

So, what (or should I say how) did the exposure she got at the last CAFWCL with Rivers Angels help her potentials?
What about all the other (and higher profile) exposures she got, including the WAFCON, matches with some of the top 10 teams in the world, etc do to enhance her help expose her as a precocious talent, which y’all continue to say she is ?
Y’all really need to stop overhyping this girl - she really is an average player at this point in time.
Let’s leave it at that.

Danielnino00:
I said the same thing right after the WAFCON... The CAFWCL would have been a good exposure for her....
Let's hope we see her on the pitch soon again.. the girl has a lot of potentials.....

Google or YouTube could be helpful…

carbonado:
....never seen a clip of her, do not know what she is like in goal, would be nice to see something...

Not all African countries have a viable Women's football program.
Perhaps, in the near future?

Deltamani:
AFC Women’s Under 20 ,AFC Women’s Under 17 Qualifying draws


Why can’t CAF adopt this method? Is it that all CAF Nations are not financially capable??

Never heard of her…

Going forward, videos clips give a better opportunity to assess her skills, as opposed to ‘stills’ (pictures), which don’t tell you anything.

Deltamani:
Danish Elitedivisionenen|Nigerian Forward Joy Omewa Can't Stop Scoring Spearheads Team Of The Week After Netting Brace.

Nigerian Forward Joy Omewa scored her fourth goal of the season as her Danish Clubside Fortuna Hjoring beat Kolding IF by 3-1 on Sunday.

The Former Osun Babes Forward opened scoring in the 33rd minute, before Maiken Rasmussen leveled up for the away side seven minutes after.

Sofie Lundgaard fired Fortuna up in the 53rd, before the young Nigerian forward completed her brace in the 60th minute, through an assist from Sia Olar.

Omewa also scored two goals against FC Thy-Thisted in the week 9 fixture.

The Lagos Born Forward deservedly made the team of the week in the week 10 of the Danish Elitedivisionenen.

Fortuna Hjorring are presently placed third in the standings of the Danish Elitedivisionenen after ten matches played.

Let me get this straight...
In spite of all the amount of talent coming out of Canada now, a 15 yr old girl of Nigerian descent is deemed good enough to be invited to the Canadian Snr women's team, yet you are talking about Flamingos?
I mean, seriously

PDPGuy:
Could be useful to the 2024 Flamingos.

��
29 my behind. �
Person wey finish poly before playing U17…
I beg, make we leave Matta, joor.

Deltamani:
Hooor

The Desire Oparanozie I know will be 29 by 17 December this year, there are players that are older than her in the Superfalcons..

Old mama in retirement league.
Boring.

Deltamani:
Big no.9

Skills:
She is the kind of striker that will rely on her pace and shooting, as opposed to her dribbling skills. She has a lot in common with Oshoala, who is a poor 1v1 dribbler but could be lethal with her pace and scoring.

Finishing:
She is certainly NOT a below average scorer. She has been largely unlucky, with some of her shots either being saved or clanging off the woodwork. Had that not been the case, she certainly would have been amongst the top scorers in this competition. Wouldn't be surprised if she ended up having the most shots on goal, which is a very good thing. Her finishing can always be worked on by a good club coach and she can actualize her potential as a lethal striker.

lovewins:
Player Review

Ajakaye is crude and raw. Full of potential, but needs refining.

My desire for her is that she gets signed to a club that will groom her, instill in her the basics and prepare her for the great future ahead of her.

Ajakaye is fast, pact and every defender's nightmare. She however gets in her own way most times. You'll notice she rarely takes on defender's, she'll rather shoot the ball (on or off target) than attempt to dribble past a player or get herself in a better position to shoot.

She's also needs to learn how to finish, for a striker her finishing is far below average. She triumphed during the qualifiers largely because if the quality of teams we played.

Priority for her now is attaching herself to a club that will help her development. I'll even suggest she seeks college scholarship in the US, particularly with Universities with amazing programs. Really hope to see her grow into the amazing player she's designed to be

The World Cup is not a stage for unrefined, crude players, when you have forged, refined proven players with finesse.
Ajakaye, in her current state is certainly NOT ready for the 2023 WWC!

oloriooko:
U17 fast-paced Ajakaye should be included in coming WC cuz that gal is a raw material that can be formed into a super star