₦airaland Forum

Still don't know why Roosa was subbed out in the 42nd minute. She was playing well at the time.
Also, liked the Central defense partnership between Zogg and Demehin.

AkinDS:
Bootleg version of Jamaica vs Nigeria - Summer Series.

Bootleg version of Jamaica vs Nigeria - Summer Series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-F966ZiLvg

As of today when I checked, the IOC still has Zambia Womens team listed.
They are in Group F: China PR, Brazil, Zambia, Netherlands.

JohnBullMySon:
What's your source please?

This is the only thing i could pull up from the web, friendlies cancellation.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/team-gb-zambia-friendly-cancelled-b1870691.html

You have a point regarding the intel.
However, considering the fact that they have yet to kick a ball since their friendly with Morocco in 2020, why would you give them an opportunity to knock off the rust by letting them play multiple games in the 6-Nation Invitational?
It would make sense not to give them an opportunity to get themselves organized and let them remain rusty, wouldn't it?

JohnBullMySon:
Don't you think we need the Intel on them as well?

In as long as she is still in Waldrum's plans, that's fine.
Speaking of the 6-Nation Invitational, there was talk about expanding it to include Argentina and Romania. Is that still in the works?
Not sure of the intelligence of inviting Ghana to participate, considering we will be playing them in October and that will pretty much give them all the intel they need.

Schemerkhiz:
Zogg and Roosa were not supposed to be in this squad for the Summer Series, we were supposed to have them in Camp by September for the 6 Nations Tournament in Lagos but due to the withdrawal of some of the team regular player's, Coach had no choice than to bring them in earlier than expected..

We're hoping that Ashleigh Plumptre get cleared by FIFA, ASAP before the September Camp..

Agree. No discountenancing the fact that she is an imposing player, with pace. The additional camping environment will be helpful for her.
BTW, what happened with Roosa? Was surprised she didn't get more game time. She seemed like she integrated well and was accepted by the team.

Schemerkhiz:
She would definitely adapt sooner than later..

One game or two?

Schemerkhiz:
Can't tell yet, but Coach already confirmed that we're Camping in Europe...

who are we playing?

Schemerkhiz:
Confirmed

Superfalcon to Camp in Europe this Coming July, List will be out soon...

She is naturally shy and I think she felt a bit out of place, not in a bad way though, as she mentioned in an article I read yesterday...

Ifeoma Onumonu’s first games with Nigeria were a cultural education
https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/06/25131409/GettyImages-1233543030.jpg

By Steph Yang Jun 25, 2021 10
Ifeoma Onumonu’s first national-level cap came as a substitute, coming on for Nigeria in the 55th minute against Jamaica in U.S. Soccer’s Summer Series. Then came a start against Portugal, and then 25 minutes against the U.S. It was another step in Onumonu’s steady ascension after the California native was approached by Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum late last year.

But while Onumonu seemed to fit right in on the field, off the field it was a more complex situation.

“I’m an introvert. I’m not very good at being the one to talk first,” Onumonu said in a phone call after returning to Gotham FC after the Summer Series.

There were familiar faces. One-time U.S. youth soccer teammate Toni Payne, whom Onumonu said she considered a good friend, was also on the Nigeria roster. Former NWSL favorite Franny Ordega also helped her acclimate to the group.

“She was definitely one of those people that was like, hey, come here, sit here. Tell us more about yourself,” Onumonu said.

Still, Onumonu said she felt a disconnect in the locker room as someone who has gone through life as a Black American while being taught her parents’ Nigerian culture.

One of the most obvious divides between Onumonu and her teammates was the language. “There are three main languages in Nigeria. So there’s Hausa, there’s Yoruba, and there’s Igbo. I am Igbo. I do not speak it at all,” Onumonu said. She was raised in Southern California where her parents would speak Igbo to each other, but not to her.

“I think they kind of had that approach like, we’re in American now. And we really have to integrate ourselves into American culture, if you want to survive,” she said. “It’s just like, you’re an American. We’re here. We worked so hard to be here. And we worked so hard to make you an American. So that’s what you’re going to be.”

Onumonu qualifies to represent Nigeria through her parents, both of them dual citizens who were born in Nigeria, and it was that duality that Onumonu pointed to as part of her biggest adjustment in joining the team, more than any on-field tactics. “Soccer is soccer,” she said. The essentials of the game are the same wherever you go. But learning who your teammates are and the dynamics of a locker room — that can take a different kind of adaptation, especially when you come from different countries and cultures.

“I was raised in America and have kind of, like, an American mindset-style,” she said. “I am Nigerian, but obviously haven’t been there since I was very young. So, I think for me, that was the biggest adjustment I had to make. Trying to fit into the team, fit into the culture, integrate myself into the culture again. So, yeah, I think that’s really the biggest learning I have to do. But the women there were amazing, very welcoming, and it is such a bright and warm culture at the same time.”

“It’s like, sometimes I didn’t feel fully Nigerian,” she said. “But obviously, that’s not my fault. I think when (my teammates) see me, I’m supposed to be Nigerian. But at the same time, I’m like, okay, yes, but there’s also this part of my experiences and how I was raised, where I was raised, that shaped my thinking, shaped who I am that is different from you.”

Her teammates reacted with disbelief when she couldn’t speak any Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, or pidgin, and would mention that she should learn. “And I’m like, I understand that. But you act like I had a choice in all this,” Onumonu said with a gentle laugh. That was often her tone as she thoughtfully considered her place among a squad that made her feel welcome, but sometimes could also make her feel isolated due to their differences.

“I’m looking forward to just learning more about my heritage and knowing more about the Nigerian side of my culture,” She said. “Because I feel like there has been, because I was raised in the US, there has been lacking on that side. So being with the team has opened my eyes to, you know, that there’s so much more.”

It’s a common experience among American immigrants, seeing their U.S.-born children grow up completely immersed in a culture different to their own, only to become adults without strong ties to their parents’ home. It’s not universal of course; immigration stories run an enormous spectrum of experiences and emotions. Some immigrants do their best to keep to the traditions and beliefs of their mother culture; others leave their histories behind and attempt to assimilate into local culture. There’s no one authentic story of immigration. But many first-generation children find themselves searching for connections and histories, trying to reconcile experience and identity into one coherent life instead of two distinct lives that straddle an invisible line – a line that can shift depending on where you are and who is perceiving you.

Among any culture or ethnic group there’s a range of identity and experience, but often these groups tend to get flattened into homogeneity in the United States

“Because I am Black in America – I consider myself Nigerian – but in America, when people see me, I’m Black,” said Onumonu. And in a room where everyone saw her as Nigerian, just as everyone else in the room was Nigerian, Onumonu felt something she didn’t even realize was missing until she had it.

“You don’t really realize that there’s that lack there until you find out that there’s so much more,” she said. “I didn’t realize like, wow, this is what it feels like to have, and be surrounded by other people that are not necessarily Black but Nigerian, in being there and experiencing that and the way they think and how they feel. And I’m like, wow, I didn’t really know that I was missing all of this and that there is so much more that I can add to my experience.”

(Photo: Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Schemerkhiz:
Who noticed Ifeoma Onomonwu wasn't at her top Performance at the Summer Series in USA??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvX5lm95HoE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRnp421YPIY
Super Falcons Training session in Houston

isan:
Payne scored a beauty for sevilla today , she need to move to a big club next season

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JdCUzUt6A8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUfNCELcVo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7XwCWBn6I&t=71s

Please, kindly make the highlights as I will be very much interested in seeing them.

BascoVanVeli:
So u didn't see Zogg losing the ball numerous times because she was dwelling on the ball? I will make highlights ooo let us try to tell the truth.

Gentleman, please re-read what I wrote - it answers the questions you've repeatedly asked over and over again.
I also used the words 'mediocre' and 'poor' to describe her performance, meaning she was and has been substandard.
My comments have been validated also by someone close to the team with insider intel (who you've also chosen to cross swords with).
We are both entitled to our respective opinions, and I chose to stick with my observations of her, based on her performance over the games in Turkey and Houston. Also, not sure why you seem fixated on Zogg - she is not the subject of debate here.
If you believe you get a better perspective of an overall player or team performance by watching it on TV, then good for you. Others, like myself, would beg to differ.
Lastly, you don't have to be 'old' to be called a veteran. It has everything to do with 'experience' more than 'age' and as stated, she clearly has more experience playing for Nigeria than Zogg, hence the greater scrutiny. If you chose to hang your hat on her performance at a WAFU competition (with the likes of Niger, et.al.), then good for you. My lens (as well as that of most Nigerians) would rather be focused on our SF performance on the World stage with teams that matter and importantly, advocating for the right players that will enable us compete successfully at that level.

TheSuperNerd:
Mister, the total summary of your reports on Ogbonna reeked of bias. Simple. You just don't like her. You didn't even name one good thing Ogbonna did but just labelled her as entirely rubbish.
And as expected you have FAILED to point out one single major error she committed yesterday. All I see is just manufactured talking down of a player. Nothing more. Sometimes you folks forget she is still a young lass. You talk as if she is some veteran.

Now here you are making excuses for Zogg but she was atrocious at times with her passing from the two games. You never mentioned that until I did. For a player based in Europe and exposed to better football facilities and training than what a player like Ogbonna gets back home in Nigeria, I expected her to at least be assured in her passing. Passing is one of the basic skills of football and Zogg sucked a couple of times at it, truth be told.


And Okeke have had games for Madrid CFF in recent times. She played (and started) the last two games for her side beforw the Copa De La Reina final. She was red carded in her last appearance.
And the fact that terming Okeke a sound performer surprises you shows you are either being ignorant of her displays in the GWG or you just haven't watched enough of Okeke in the GWG. So keep being surprised.


And abeg save me that weak excuse. You are talking to someone who also has Live Stadium experience. You cannot get a really close view of everything happening on the field depending on where you are sitting in the stadium. Someone watching via gadgets is even more likely to capture more angles to a game and a scenario than you who is restricted to just one view- Yours based on where you sit in the mainbowl. So your talk of being live holds no water. Thank you.

Thanks for your feedback.
The fact of the matter is that Ogbonna has been in the SF setup for a long time. You expect people like that to have learnt a thing or two about intelligent play. She is slow on the ball and makes comical errors that are not acceptable from 'veterans' of the team - and that is why she is ripped into. Just like I did with Ordega, Chikwelu and Okeke. The fact that she didn't concede a penalty yesterday does not negate her poor judgement and unnecessary dilly-dallying on the ball. Her decision making skills are mediocre and frankly, she is not good enough at this level. And my comments are predicated on not just these summer series, but go back to the Antalya games she played earlier this year.
On Zoog, yes, she made a mistake BUT you could see she was trying to make a pass over the oncoming player and badly misplayed the ball. Bummer. If she had pulled off the pass, it would have been an intelligent play. I will excuse her error because this was only her second game with the team. The same cannot be said about Ogbonna.
On Okeke, sound performer? I guess that's why she is a benchwarmer at CFF Madrid, right?
Yes, we saw the same game but from different perspectives. I was fortunate to see the general movements of all players on the field, on and off the ball - something that is next to impossible if I had watched it on TV.

TheSuperNerd:
Please point out one big mistake Glory Ogbonna made in the Portugal game. I would love to hear them.
It is okay not to rate a player but rubbishing her as entirely rubbish doesn't cut it for me. Compared to Okeke, she made no mistakes leading to goal or a turnover yet you want us to believe she was 100% terrible. I won't have that, sorry.

As for Chidinma Okeke, she made huge mistakes and was jittery at CB but that should not suddenly induce amnesia in all of us. She is still a sound performer at fullback and on her day, good enough to start for us.

Lastly, watching the game at the stadium live or watching live from my gadgets doesn't make one looks more legit. It is the same game we saw and you are just being plainly unfair in your assessment of Ogbonna and Okeke. I wonder why you didn't rip into Zogg in same manner. Please be unbiased. Thanks.

From someone who watched the game at the stadium, will agree with some of your comments, but will state the following:
1. Rash and Alozie put in a great shift at work yesterday. Alozie for me should be a starter at right back. Yes, she was nutmegged twice and was lucky not to have been penalized with the sliding tackle in the box. But she also pressured the Portuguese left flank and her positioning was spot on for the first goal.
2. Esther Okoronkwo. I think her performance against Jamaica got into her head a bit, because I felt she had a poor game against Portugal. She seemed to be trying to do too much (more of individuality vs. playing for the team). She is a kid and will learn that the team takes precedence - pass the ball to the open player and not be selfish.
3. Ordega and Chikwelu. Those two were pretty much minuses on the pitch. Ordega was a complete and total disappointment yesterday. She was extremely selfish on the ball and seemed bereft of ideas, unnecessarily holding onto the ball and then getting dispossessed. Her age is catching up on her and we need to look elsewhere quick. This tournament has also greatly exposed Chikwelu's limitations. Age has most certainly caught up with her as well. As far as I am concerned, its time to start transitioning away from them.
4. Ogbonna and Okeke. Both were mediocre. Bereft of ideas and intelligence. Always on the ball for too long, when a quick pass would suffice. Absolutely unimpressed with both players. Ogbonna in particular should be excused from the team immediately - she is NOT SF material. at all! Okeke should be a bench warmer, at best.
5. Toni Payne vs. Okobi. As I have said repeatedly here, no contest. Payne is eons ahead of her in every aspect - pace, on the ball skill, decision making, field generalship and footballing intelligence. There is a reason why Okobi is a bench warmer for Eskilstuna United in Sweden, while Payne is a consistent starter for Seville Femenino in Spain. Nuff said!
6. Nicole Payne. I mentioned earlier that Nicole Payne can play as left back. As fate would have it, she came on and did play as left back, effectively shutting down the Portuguese #10 - Jessica Silva. This 20 yr old college player impressed me the most. Her pace is was devastating (she actually ran track in high school for the state and runs in college, excelling in the 100, 200 and 400). Solid performance and the person that impressed me the most amongst the ladies, considering this was her first exposure to senior international football (if you exclude her cameo against Jamaica).
In all, a very good performance by our girls. I like the fact that we are refreshing the team and bringing in competition - the likes of Ordega, Chikwelu, Okobi and others have been far too comfortable for far too long.

TheSuperNerd:
My Summary takes: Super Falcons at the US Summer Series


Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie (despite her defensive struggles at times) were clearly our best performers yesterday vs Portugal.

Ajibade's vision were really on show yesterday. She got defence splitting killer passes in her legs mehn! Her talent has never been in doubt from my end. She just needs to step up more in decision-making because she has the talents to become a really consistent game changer and decided. A good ball carrier, has good technical ability, eye for the killer pass, etc. She can be a bigger star than she is now.

Alozie is a fighter and that is what I want all our girls to always show. That fighting never-say-die-even-if-I-am-playing-out-of-position attitude. Girl is a warrior. A real workhorse and her ability on the ball is really tops.


And hey, Schemerkhiz, Good job keeping this thread going even before this summer series began.

Biko no one seem to give a performance mention to the Lass that replaced Oshoala. Ikechukwu Vivian. Mehn, I actually liked her contribution when she came on. The Rivers Angels babe got some nice moves on the ball and is a real presser. She kept the Portuguese defence busy with her powerful surges into danger areas and ability on the ball.

Onyinyechi Salome Zogg AKA Finest Babe in the Super Falcons or New Beauty Queen of the Team (We still got Patricia George Del Carmen too) is a fine defensive talent and was really good vs Jamaica. She caused the third goal vs Portugal having just come on but she didn't put a foot wrong from that point on. Another fine addition.
Can't wait for Ashley Plumptre of Leicester City Ladies to join in and give us really good CB cover where we have Ebi and Ohale as first choice CB pairing.

Chidinma Okeke.... I love this girl especially after her U-20 displays and WC displays in 2019 from RB but seeing her at CB is an Eye sore. Abeg tell Randy to never ever play Okeke at CB again!!!! Abeg!!!! There was too much to complain about from the Portugal game as regards Okeke aside the own goal. Lord in heaven! Never again at CB pleaseeeeeee

Esther Ijeoma Okoronkwo.... This girl is a baller. A real baller. She just didn't get on the ball enough when she came in but we all saw her excellent work against the Reggae Girlz. Damn! Fast, skillful, powerful, good dangerous crosser... Just how I love my wingers. Another fine addition.
Honestly, Schemerkhiz, you guys in the crew are doing some very fine Scouting work with Naija Dual-nat college girls in the US. Keep it up.



Francesca Ordega.... One of my favorite all time Super Falcons wingers but I got this to say. Apart from the brilliant move, body feint and pass to release Ajibade for our second goal moment, Ordega was really a liability on the pitch. VERY UNLIKE HER!!! She needs to get her form and fitness back up as soon as possible because the Ordega at this summer series is a real shadow of herself. But it's not hard to tell why. She hasn't been playing in recent times. Just joined Levante and have only come off the bench a few times for cameos. I hope that changes with time. We need the Tournament-deciding Version of Ordega back.


Meanwhile, we need midfielders abeg. I cannot believe we are having the same issues with the Super Falcons like we do with the Super Eagles. I speak of The problem of Midfield Depth.

Looks like when we don't have Halimatu Ayinde we look thin and lightweight in the middle. I understand she is injured now and honestly, having Rita Chikwelu play DM has its merits and demerits even though I know this is where she plays for Madrid CFF in the Primeira Iberdrola.

We need more midfield talents. I trust the crew is working on that.


Toni Oyedupe Payne..... From the Alanya Cup Tourney where she made her debut for us, she has really shown she belongs in the First XI of our team. Honestly, I would be really keen to see how Randy handles the situation of having both Okobi and Payne in the team as AMs. Two highly gifted Attacking midfield ballers. Mehn... This depth sweet me. But if we are to play one, who would start? #Selah



Asisat Oshoala and Onome Ebi... If both had not picked up knocks and had stayed on the pitch to the end, we would have won. I am 100% sure of this. But as you know, flying in and arriving so close to a game was always gonna take its toll. They are humans first before being Professional ballers. I like the obvious influence on our game that just the two of them brought to the side. Jamaica were lucky not to have faced an Oshoala-Ebi-Inspired team. Godspeed to them both as they recover.



Tochukwu Oluehi.... A good shot stopper but a somewhat poor game reader. She gets off her lines far too much and too easily. Sometimes it pays off, other times it doesn't. Like one instance, in the first half, there was no need for her to come for the ball when she saw Ebi had it covered and was sure to deal with it. That almost resulted in another Goal for Portugal.

Her organization of her defence was also not so good. Chiamaka Nnadozie trumps her in this area as Chiamaka has great command of her area. Unafraid to organize those in front of her. I miss Chiamaka at this series.

Oluehi did pull off some saves though but like I already, that's because she is naturally a good shot stopper since her U-20 days back in 2006.


Glory Ogbonna.... Decent performance. Good left foot. Decent stand in for Ebere Ngozi. I believe Ebere Ngozi remains our best Left back.


Ifeoma Onumonu... Another US Based lass. Plays pro football for Gotham City in the NWSL. Played uptop alongside Oshoala and did get into a few good positions especially on the right side of the box. I think she was decent but she didn't get enough chances to have a crack at goal. She's 27 though. No kid.




Others:

Would have loved to see more of Monday Gift but her cameo vs Portugal played a part in the last minute Equalising goal. She pressed and quickly intercepted the ball off a poor Portuguese player's pass and fed Toni Payne who delivered the perfect low cross into Ajibade's path for the goal.

Toni Payne's younger sister, Nicole S. Payne is a defender and I think she did just about enough when she came on to keep our Defensive shape in the last few moments. Wanna see more of her too with time.

Ogbonna is slow on the ball and in pace. Her decision making is poor.
She is most certainly NOT one for the future and other options need to be sought.

Schemerkhiz:
Asheigh na sure banker for 9ja na small time e go take,...

I for say make I burst ona bubbles with wetin Ashleigh Papa tell me, but this place na Public mk I jxt chill hahaha...

If you have only Ikidi and Ogbonna available, I bet you would play Ikidi ahead of her because she knows the in and out of the whole Defence, Her only odd is being Slow and age as also come to play...

Thx. Rooting for her.

Schemerkhiz:
Media Officer hasn't responded yet, but I guess she's fine now

But other factors come into play - finishing, ball control/first touch, ability to take on defenders successfully.
She is a bit lacking in those areas.

Schemerkhiz:
Going With Speed Asisat Oshoala is among the top3 fastest Strikers in the World...

I honestly believe that IF Oshoala goes back to playing as a defensive midfielder (which she started as while playing in the U20), she will most definitely be one of the best (if not the very best) women DMs in the world.

Schemerkhiz:
She will definitely make the bench as a regular substitute and will also have sometimes to start 50/50...

Asisat Oshoala bring in a different dimension as a Striker, her pace and strength upfront is one of a kind in the world, if she could work on her first touches and become more Clinical she would definitely be among the top 5 strikers in the World..


She also needs more confidence taking on her Defenders/markers one-on-one..

No issues with that.

BTW, how is Demehin and her ankle? Any word?

Schemerkhiz:
As it stands both are going to start..

Perhaps.
She is faster than Alex Morgan and she seems to have a higher profile.
Regarding Carli Lloyd, don't think so. She is a much more accomplished player.

JohnBullMySon:
Ok. I'd like to ask you a question.

Do you think Oshoala would make the USWNT starting lineup?

Actually, it makes sense that they start.
Once they start to experience 'burnout' (cramps, fatigue, exhaustion, injury), coach can sub them out.
Better than bringing them in as subs and then having to sub them out because of the aforementioned.

Schemerkhiz:
Very risky though
They went through a recovering training, I believe as the professionals that they are, they can find their way through...

As I had stated earlier, this is not a 'league'. Jamaica are not scheduled to play Portugal. Nigeria and US are the only teams playing three games, Jamaica and Portugal are scheduled to play only two games.
These are tune-up friendly games for all 4 teams involved.

JohnBullMySon:
They should start if they participated in a session at least. Nevertheless, they can come in as substitutes, if they can't start.

Losing to Jamaica has put us in danger of finishing last.

Jamaica and Portugal are NOT scheduled to meet.

JohnBullMySon:
Hopefully.

There seems be a misconception here that these friendlies are a 'league' with each team playing each other and points will be awarded based on performance (W-D-L). That is simply NOT the case.
Both Jamaica and Portugal are playing two matches (Jamaica play Nigeria and US, not Portugal, while Portugal play the US and Nigeria only).
Both the US and Nigeria will play 3 games, while the other two teams play 2 games each.
Again, these games are just tune up friendlies for the four teams involved and not much should be made of it. It is NOT a competition.

JohnBullMySon:
Hopefully.

Yes.
Toni is the eldest and Nicole is the baby of the family. They have a brother in between named Stephen.

mostob:
So there are two Paynes. Are they siblings?

Zogg or Ariyo?
I thought it was Ariyo that showed her passport and tix?

PDPGuy:
I saw her flashing the Naija passport on her IG ‘stories’

Honestly, I would choose neither...they are both poor. (That's why Okeke has spent a lot of time on the bench for CFF Madrid).
Also, I have seen Nicole Payne play as a left back for WVU in some of their games this season. She is able to play on both sides of the pitch.

Schemerkhiz:
Okeke is better, if you're to chose between her and Ogbonna
Nicole Payne plays Right back for WVU not Left....

Don't trust Okeke either - her decision making was rather poor against the Jamaicans and she no get speed.
I would rather have Nicole Payne there. She get pace and often plays as a left back for WVU.
May be a baptism of fire for her, but she seems confident when she came in as rightback on Thursday.

BTW, any word on Tosin Demehin?
Her ankle twist looked bad when it happened during the game. Hope she is better and still able to play.

Schemerkhiz:
Glory Ogbonna is average, No Ebere Ngozi, No Patricia George still yet she can't hold on to that position... Since 2017 till date she hasn't..

I think Okeke would be moved down to the left, now I wished more that Patricia George wasn't injured..
Then Mitchelle Alozie to play from the right back Position...