₦airaland Forum

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...

There needs to be, especially on the left defense.
The two Ogbonna girls were awful against Jamaica. Just piss poor!
That Jessica Silva girl would take Glory Ogbonna to school, big time.
She'll eat her breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, easy!
That's how bad it will be, unless Waldrum fields someone more intelligent and quicker at left back.

Schemerkhiz:
Jessica Silva #10
She's Portugal best player, gave the US a tough time in that game. This is where the Swedish style of play comes in been (very Compact) as a team.. being well organized matters a lot..

There would be few changes in our Line up tomorrow for the game..

The flights from Europe get here in Houston from 4:00pm local time. As I write this reply its 2 pm local time.
They are not in Houston yet, unless they came in last night.

PDPGuy:
As Oshoala and Ebi only arrived Houston today, they definitely won’t feature in tomorrow’s game vs Portugal. It’s best to let them recover from jet lag and field them on Wednesday

Stayed and watched the game.
Portugal has 2 outfield players to be mindful of:
Their #10 who plays on the right wing and their #8 who plays as a CM/AM (chubby lady, but brilliant midfielder). Their goalkeeper is also very good.
They are a solid team and Nigeria will definitely have their hands full tomorrow.

enomakos:
that means the Portugal girls are good,I was hoping for a massacre

I have seen her play a few times in for Benfica and I think she is okay (not spectacular). The issue I have with her is her limited speed. I think she will be ready in the next 2 years or so.
Frankly, Nigeria needs to scout the US for players. I was pleasantly surprised by how well Esther Okoronkwo and Michelle Alozie fit in like a glove in the team. That shows we have a massive lake of talent here in the US - we just need to find and convince them to play for Nigeria.

Schemerkhiz:
Hahaha... The Battle between Okobi and Payne is a complex one,
We already have Christy Ucheibe 20yrs old Benfica SL, Portugal as the next DM of the team but haven't been able to turn up the few times she has been called up..

In the course of time, I think Demehin MIGHT be one to watch also. I know you had mentioned her previously (and that's why I focused on her during the game). I was particularly impressed with her awareness and overall field generalship.
For someone that young making her debut on an intimidating stage like the BBVA stadium, she held her own and acquainted herself well. She did make mistakes, but that was to be expected.

Schemerkhiz:
Going with Randy Waldrum picks at the Central Back.....

Onyinyechi Zogg for Osinachi Ohale
Ashleigh Plumptre for Onome Ebi

I don't think Okobi can hold a candle to Payne...She is not in Payne's class.
The problem I see is trying to replace an aging Chikwelu (slow and getting old) and Halimat (torn ACL, as you stated). We need to start looking for credible replacements for both players. Chikwelu kept getting dominated in the midfield by the white Jamaican girl. She really made Rita look old and outdated on Thursday.

Schemerkhiz:
The most interesting part is having two Superb Players in one particular Spot..

That Attacking Midfield...

Ngozi Okobi vs Tony Payne...


What we lack right now is a Central Midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde is injured, out till next year..

She ruptured her ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament)

Hi, everyone.
Was in the stadium on Thursday and the only two HB players worth mentioning were Vivian Ikechukwu and Tosin Demehin. The others were terrible.
Okeke is not good enough. She made far too many mistakes and simply is not smart enough to play on the back line.
For a 19 yr old playing her first ever international match, I think Demehin played very well - I actually focused on her in particular, as well as Zogg.

BTW, thanks for your intel, Schemerkhiz. How is Demehin doing? Looks like she twisted her ankle in the second half and had to leave. And is Oshoala and Ebi in camp now?

Schemerkhiz:
Not Possible we still have Ohale till date and Ebi might play till the next World Cup but the Possible pair at the back would be
Onyinyechi Zogg 24yrs of Zurich FC Switzerland and Ashleigh Plumptre 23yrs of Leicester City, England...

Okeke should be talking of how to keep her spot at the right side...