₦airaland Forum

Foreign coach or no, we are (and have always been) a possession team. The pace of the African game is traditionally slower (go watch games through 2016, like you rightly mentioned.
However, when you play quicker teams like the US, Canada, France, etc., they can make you look like you are not a possession team and get you to turn over the ball.
Waldrum has been working on our transition play - getting to move the ball up front quicker. Our ladies will get there soon - not worried at all about this.

GeneralDae:
Surprising, because until 2016 final against Cameroon in African football for as far as I can remember, we were mainly a possession team. Under these foreign coaches, our tactics have been so different.

The fact that they are older does not mean they possess the leadership skills, as well as the acumen, to help lead and nurture team mates. The greatest football captains I have know have always been iconic figures to their teams, team mates, and their nations: Stephen Keshi, Abedi Pele, Lionel Messi, Abby Wambach, Christine Sinclair, Wendy Renard, Alexandra Popp..., the list goes on and on.

Oshoala IS an iconic figure, not only to Nigerian female footballers, but around the world. The fact that she is going through a rough patch (which ALL players go through) does not take away from the fact that they are icons. She has had several injuries over the past years and it makes sense that she will be tentative, which might have affected her play. So, she didn't have the best of games during the Aisha Buhari Cup, like that is the WAFCON or the WWC - I mean, who gives a rats behind about the Aisha Buhari Cup?

Do those old farts in the NFF know the off the field work she does for the team, as well as being an ambassador for other charities? I mean, who are these imbeciles who keep making all these unintelligent decisions and why do Nigerians always give them the platform to make these ill-informed decisions that continuously hurt us as a nation?

GeneralDae:
She is fit to be captain but it doesn't mean she should be made captain. Best players are not always captains of their side. For me I prefer older members of a team who are still in form preferably in defense or midfield positions as captains.

How anyone in their right mind can say she is not fit to be captain of the Super Falcons is not only ridiculous, but incredibly stupid.

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/series/2oRX5Dw4vZfJqHWFMdfVtX/2QITv3IcTSFcIdZ2wToTa5/3fcx03LcgJy2W6nOuX3cbM

Interesting discussion, even though I am a bit late to the party...

The problem with Demehin and to some degree Debbie Abiodun is they have plateaued with regards what they can learn at the local level. I recall the same thing happening to Ajibade years ago, prior to her going overseas. As a footballer, there comes a point in time, especially for younger players, where you need a different environment to continue (actually, improve and maximize) your growth and development, primarily because you are not learning anything new or challenging in your current environment.

Ajibade, for me, is a perfect case study. I saw her performances at the 2018 WAFCON (before she went overseas) and comparing to now - the difference is like night and day. The timing of her move overseas, first to Avadnes (NOR) then Athletico Madrid (ESP) was absolutely perfect for her growth and development. Now we are seeing how she continues to evolve into becoming one of the very best players on the continent, without a doubt. Had she remained in the local leagues, she would never have evolved the way she has now.

Summary:
A lot of folks here just want to throw these youngsters into the deep end and expect they will swim (like they are in the youth teams). Often times, its premature, as most of them are simply not ready for it and they fail. That's why its very important that you carefully manage their growth and development, else the results might be catastrophic. Based on the few matches I have watched so far, there about six (6) players in the U20 team that could become really good enough for the Falcons IF their development is very well managed, namely Esther Onyenezide, Flourish Sabastine, Debbie Abiodun, Tosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola and Taiwo Lawal. I am sure there may be others who could shine in the U20 WC and beyond.

GeneralDae:
I lost a little faith in Demehin from the poor outing against the Moroccan clubside for Rivers Angels. She is solid but needs to learn more especially against skillful attackers. Most likely one for the future.

Nice, quick response by Naija

2-1 Naija
Ajibade

That's the key component that's missing in the Naija game.
If we can get that, then we can become a top ten team in the world.
Work in progress.

yinkeys:
Canada are so good at linking up 5 to 10 passes straight.
They’re technically better.
We should just go for the counter at this point.
The girls find it hard to string 5 to 10 passes without losing the ball

Agree. Hanging on too long on the ball and her reaction time is way too slow.
Ajibade might be doing too much on the ball also. She needs to keep it simple.

Schemerkhiz:
Rita Chikwelu is the Weakest link in the Midfield right now... Coach Randy Waldrum should note that down and sort it out....

Look at it as an opportunity. Very happy we have both players
Ucheibe needs to work on her passing, though.
Echegini looked the part in her cameo.

Schemerkhiz:
Problem Problem Problem

How do we resolve this....

Christy Ucheibe VS Regina Otu

77 min: Kanu also just pulled up - Muscle related. These injuries seem to be fatigue related

75 min: we are a little disjointed now. Lots of turnovers. perhaps, fatigue.

Min 73: Canada brought in some real tall players up front and that has caused a lot of problems for us

70 min: turn over from Ucheibe leads to a cross and volley by Canada.
Brilliant turn around the post by Oluehi.
Corner leads to header by Canada. 2-0

67 min: ooohhhh. brilliant save off a curling shot by Toni Payne. What a save by the Canadian keeper! That should have been a goal.

69 min: Oluehi coming on for Nnadozie

Looks like Oluehi is coming in for Nnadozie, due to injury picked up during the goal mouth scramble

Its difficult to tell. Canada made three subs at the beginning of the 2nd half and they were young, good players - one is Heitama of PSG.
The attack leading to the goal was from the left.

Min 61: Abadi just made a complete mess of a pass (trying to dribble through 2 Canadians and turned the ball over), leading the Canadians to almost score - brilliant save by Nnadozie and a goal line clearance by Nicole Payne (replay shows ball never crossed the line).
Nnadozie injured in the process.

carbonado:
... Will you say this change was impactful... Whats your view.

Onome came back in but she is down again.
Definitely needs to be subbed out.
Abadi coming in

Abadi, Echegini and a new girl from I don't know warming up

Injury to Onome. Not looking good.
She went down without contact. Looks like a reinjury.
She is up now and hopefully, can continue

min 50. Canada scores - Jessy Fleming. Nice pull back and shot that beats Nnadozie

2nd half about to begin.
Alozie in for Chikwelu

Half time.
Naija started to get into the rhythm after the 20th min. Playing very well and putting the Canadians under pressure.
I believe the SF have had more corners that the Canadians so far.
Players:
Ajibade has been superb in the midfield.
Ucheibe has really surprised me - she has been very good with her overall play and has looked very comfortable in her role as DM. I would pick her over Otu by just what I have seen so far.
Nicole Payne has been very good in her first start for the SF. Playing as left wing back, she has used her pace defensively and offensively. Very impressive.
Plumpter has kept things very simple.
Reassuring to have Nnadozie as goalie. Been rock solid so far.

Considering the poor prep, I must say I am proud of our performance so far against a powerhouse as Canada. We've kept it simple and have been very disciplined.
Let's see how the 2nd half goes.

37 min: Ucheibe in collision with Ebi, both going for a header in the middle of the park.
She is up now, thankfully.

girls holding their own and seemingly getting into the game.

30 min. 0-0
Naija with another corner

27 min: thunderous long range shot from Ajibade and brilliant save from Stephanie Labbe. Almost.
Corner for Naija

24th min: misplaced shot by Scott
Lucky escape by Naija

18 min Brilliant save off a Sinclair header.

15mins in 0-0
All the ladies playing well.
The balk of the Canadian attack so far has been on the right side, thru Akudo.
Ajibade has been very productive in the middle of the park.

Its live on a subscription online channel called OneSoccer.
They just did the award ceremony for the olimpians - gave the Canadian players watches.

National anthem of Nigeria being played now

joelsteron:
Any link to stream

There is justifiable precedent for the blame. They have played a big hand in messing up things for both the MNT and WNT, all within a space of 5 months and all of which were self inflicted.
Now, if that is not the epitome of incompetence or uselessness, then I don't know what is.

JohnBullMySon:
Any small thing you people rush and blame NFF. What she's doing is also very embarrassing to the NFF and the squad.

Yes, its called common decency and common courtesy! You don't treat people like garbage, especially someone who is the cynosure of the Nigerian women's national team and who plays an important role for the greatest women's club-side on the planet and as FIFA ambassador, is a very role model for aspiring young girls across the world.

JohnBullMySon:
Is there any rule that states that the coach must discuss with a player before giving the armband to another player?

Even though she is not bigger than the team, she CLEARLY has the biggest profile of any SF player, past or present. So yes, she deserves some effing respect! And please, where did she throw jabs at the team?

JohnBullMySon:
[/b]So if she wasn't told on time she now has the right to throw jabs at the entire squad and team. [b]Is she bigger than the team? What's the rationale behind all these Twitter rants?

Lucky for you, you're NOT the coach. Phew! Else, the fury that would have been meted upon you would have known no bounds!

JohnBullMySon:
If I were the coach I would excuse her for a while. These have just confirmed what the coach said about her, the armband entered her head.

Its about the very poor and childish manner the decision was made.
The stupid NFF didn't even have the common decency or intelligence to discuss it with Oshoala first, before broadcasting it in the media.
Do you know how embarrasing that is, not only to Oshoala and her family, but to her Falcon team mates and Barcelona team mates and all her fans.
This NFF under Amaju Pinnick is beyond incompetent.

mostob:
Maybe we should excuse this girl from the team for some time...
The way she is throwing jibe around can scatter the team.
Forget talent,if you don't have character, you're a big problem.

Typical Nigerian leadership - they will take whats working well and Bleep it up!

Oshoala and Onome were very good friends but because some bastard in the NFF wanted to feel important, that person said Oshoala was being overwhelmed by the weight of the captaincy. Now this has caused bad blood in the team. I mean, don't people grow into leadership positions like the captaincy of a team? Oshoala is as professional as they come and knows how to balance both responsibilities, as team captain and player.

I am quite disappointed in Onome - she could have declined, especially since her friend was being stripped of the captainship. That was very immature of her.
Let's hope this doesn't have bad repercussions for the team during the AWFCON later this year.

Deltamani:
This isn’t good for the Superfalcons though!