₦airaland Forum

You're right. However, the fact that the game is at night might be a benefit to Nigeria.
Also, there is the option of training in Jos 4000ft above sea level (compared to JoBurgh (5700ft) might help.

The trick with playing at high altitude is to play the game within 48 hrs of your arrival there., which somewhat mitigates the challenges of breathing at high altitude.

BTW, the SF played very well in Addis, which is at 7700ft.

naptu2:
It's not the weather, it's the altitude. The height/elevation means that there is less oxygen (some of those stadiums are on mountains and Desiree Ellis said [in the interview that Deltamani posted] that she specifically chose this stadium because of the altitude).

It's very hard to breathe when there's very little oxygen (imagine having to run in that condition) and she said she plans to capitalise on this in the early stages of the match.

The weather in SA shouldn't be too bad, I think. April is Autumn weather in JoBurg, with moderate temps. The advantage for us is that our ladies play overseas and are very used to the cooling weather, especially at night.
The challenge will be playing in the heat in Abuja.

naptu2:
That's one of my fears, the altitude. The NFF has never really prepared well for that. Stephen Keshi said that he was scared when the Eagles played in Johannesburg in 1993. He could barely breathe and it reminded him of Samuel Okwaraji's death.

The BBC interviewed Danny Shittu in 2010 and he also complained about the altitude in South Africa. England prepared their players by giving them sessions in a hyperbaric chamber and the BBC reporter asked why Nigeria did not do the same and Danny Shittu replied, "I don't know".

Ko Pari O!

Will take out Halimatu and bring in Abiodun.
More energy, best ball winner in our MF and better link up play with Echegini and was massive in her last 4 starts.
No way would I bench her for Halimatu at this point in time.

mostob:
Nnadozie

Nicole

Tony

Ohale

Ashleigh

Ucheibe

Ayinde

Onyi

Esther

Rinsola

Ajibade


O pari

Wouldn't start with Kanu - she is better coming in as a sub.

I would start with Babajide (on the left) - Okoronkwo - Ajibade (on the right)

Esther is very physical and she can soften up the SA CB's for Oshoala to reek havoc coming in as a sub.

We need to be extremely efficient and take our chances early. Okoronkwo has been able to do that successfully over several SF matches now.

Deltamani:
Picking the trio upfront that day, Maybe Ajibade, Oshoala and Kanu to start… With Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo and Monday Gift coming in to Change things up..

Onyi Echegini and Esther Okoronkwo have a great Chemistry and i would love them to go hand in hand.

Based on the videos of her playing in Japan, not particularly impressed with her speed (which has been a concern in the past).
She seems a tad heavier and slower now. Demehin is a huge loss for Nigeria, but what do you do? I lieu of Demehin, I would prefer a back 4 of Alozie - Ohale - Plumptre - N.Payne for the games against SA.

They have pacy wingers and we need FBs that can match them stride for stride. S.A.'s strength is in their wing play and if you can contain that with pacy FBs, that helps. And we also need quick and sharp CBs to handle the pace of Kgatlana.

We need a very active midfield, with CMs that are tireless workhorses. Between Ucheibe, Abiodun, Halimatu, T. Payne and Echegini, hopefully we can overwhelm them.

I fancy Nigeria's chances IF we are smart about the way we play them. Randy has been burnt and embarrassed twice by Desire Ellis, so this is very personal for him.

PDPGuy:
She will slot in perfectly in a 3-woman defense alongside Ohale and Demehin.
But for the SA matches, she will definitely partner Ohale in central defense

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMMlbUd8Xng&t=114s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJfPPv7Epmk


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

Deltamani:
Chidinma Okeke 23yrs (Fullback/Center Back)

A good time to be Back in the SuperFalcons, She very quick, Strength/Physicality, Aerial Presence and a very good balance defensively and Attacking wise..!

I’m very much aware of how the Knee injury at Madrid CFF affected her game.! Having Played in Israel and currently in Japan since her return from the injury it looks like she’s has gotten back to her top form!.

🤔
Waiting on Basco and DaveP to complete the process of chewing me out next
😄😄😉

Deltamani:
Looking at you with my 3D Camera 📷

Eiee!!
Na me talk am o!
Going off precedence and I believe I said I hoped I was wrong.
Nothing spoil - good luck to the young lass!

Deltamani:
Which one be you People, You nor know who and who talk am..!

Anyways Linda is one of my favorite Young goalie.

Darn! Hope she has a speedy recovery.
That means Nicole will need to step up for the SA match.
Let's pray our ladies are injury free.

Deltamani:
Michelle Alozie OUT is listed on the injury report with a knee issue… 😢

What station are yall watching this match on?

BascoVanVeli:
So close for Oshoala. Oh she's in the mood today

Sulola vs. Imade (both in the second half).
Sulola with assist for Valencia 4th goal, Imade with penalty win for Granada.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae-2dPwbDOU

After watching the match finally, I think yall are being harsh.
Both Ghanaian goals were superb strikes, which would have been difficult for ANY U20 keeper to have stopped.
I cannot blame either Omilana nor Anderline for conceding those goals.

Give those young ladies a break. Omilana kept 3 clean sheets before the Ghana goal. I thought she did very well throughout the tournament. Obviously, both young ladies (Omilana and Anderline) have some ways to go before becoming World Class.
Yall need to cut them some slack!

Hope Nicole was invited, considering Tosin will likely be scratched due to injury

Deltamani:
Invitation have been sent across….💯

Oshoala's goal wins it for Bay FC.
She played a good game against a really good Angel City FC team.
Great start for her.

lovewins:
And Oshoala scores her first NWSL goal

Bay FC leads 1-0

Its amazing that Nigeria now has 5 ladies playing in the NWSL - Oshoala, Kanu, Onumonu, Alozie and Payne. Great!

On Payne, the highlights showed that she is still work in progress and hopefully, would only get better. She is still very young and has some upward mobility in terms of talent. Wishing her the best.
Hopefully, Kanu can build on her start and become a regular. She need that to stay relevant.

You had mentioned in another thread that Demehin will likely be out of the SA matches. That will be a big blow to us. Nonetheless, hopefully Randy can start looking actively at the lady at Nantes - Maureen Umeugochukwu. I'm sorry, but Akudo Ogbona has failed to impress. Far too many unforced errors at this level. For the SA game, Ucheibe may be asked to play the role she did when Demehin left the game against Cameroon. At least, that seems to be the role she plays at Benfica, so she has recency of experience in that position.

The less said about the Chawinga fellow, the better.

Deltamani:
Maybe Surprisingly as you have said…!
With what i saw her play last night, she’s really working hard. Her playing style have always been similar to that of Lucy Bronze. The NWSL definitely fits her style of play a lot considering how quick she’s. Recovery was top notch as she wasn’t beaten on any 1-v-1 and won all her foot race for the ball but still needs to get better going forward and delivering balls into the box.. Work in Progress! Hopefully she gets to start the next game.

But this Tenwa Chawinga is another ridiculously quick and physical forward, she came into the game for Kansas City and was involved(assisted) in their last two games. Her physique tells that she isn’t a Woman though!

Stade Reims vs LOSC - Rofiat in action today, Tosin out injured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6psamMH1Y

Anyway, to each his or her own.
But, why is she a topic of discussion, considering for all intents and purposes, she is no longer relevant to the SF?
Please, lets move forward.

Deltamani:
Thank Goodness you said that’s you… So I will end it here. But for your info Okobi had a did well for the various Clubs she played for in Sweden cause almost all her pro career was in Sweden.. Not winning any major trophy with her club doesn’t mean she didn’t have any impact. She scored number of goals and gave a lot of assists too.

A lot of people, sports casters and the likes, were critical of old players like Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, two players that were clearly over the hill. Even with that being said, you cannot mention Okobi in the same breath as those two, considering their contributions to the development of women's football in the US.
Okobi always felt a sense of entitlement - for her, it wasn't about supporting the 'team', but instead it was more about 'her'. A very selfish approach. Clearly, she lacks the self discipline, the maturity and even the intellect to be a coach. And truth be told, she really had little or no impact in her club career, which tells me she really wasn't all that as a player. But again, that's me.

Deltamani:
Lol 😂
Loudmouth aside, she knows the koko that’s the main point..

But again if it was the USWNT I guess we won’t be calling it Loud mouth. As a Coach Ommiting a player name like Megan Rapinoe from your Squad, you will have to give reasons that she’s injured or chose to be excluded but not in our case here in Africa especially Nigeria..!

Yes. You are right - I'm getting old...
Jane Rafiloe was one of the key threats, as well as Ramalepe.
When writing my comments, I had listed the top 5 players who I felt had been our most problematic players on the SA team over the years and tried to whittle them down to 3. Criteria was speed (of thought and physical pace), but mostly intelligent play.
Where they (SA) had hurt us the most was in the midfield area - offensive and defensive. That is their engine room, and they use very quick ball movements and passing to get behind our defense.
The new midfielders we have seem very well up to the task (unlike before, when we had the likes of Unc. Rita and Halimat running the show).
I honestly fancy our chances better, this time around.

Deltamani:
Firstly you typed Ramalepe… now you’re saying Jane?
Is it same Rafiloe Jane (31+) who’s their Skipper and Plays Central Defensive Midfield? Or another one.

She’s an intelligent Midfielder with a good passing ability but she’s not very fast if that is what you mean as age is also catching up with her.

She really needs to be playing consistently to be in SF reckoning.
Unfortunately, she's up against formidable teammates.
Wish her all the very best.

Deltamani:
Happy birthday Onyi🎂

Onyi Zogg celebrates her 2️⃣7️⃣th birthday today 🎉

Point of correction...
I meant Jane, not Ramalepe.

Also, that was why I feel, as a matter of urgency, we need Nicole back in the squad. Was unimpressed with Imuran, the way that Cameroonian #6 took her to school and she kept beating her with pace.

For me, the key to overcoming the South Africans is centered around neutralizing the triad of Kgatlana, Seoposenwa and Motlhalo.
Those three are the engine room of the team.
Truth is we never had a solid enough midfield capable of bottling them up, especially Seopo (AM) and Motlhalo (CM). However, now having the likes of CM's Ayinde, Ucheibe, Abiodun and Echegini, I think the midfield now tilts in our favor and we should be able to overcome them.

Also think Randy needs to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting with Rasheedat - her very poor decision making and wanting to take unnecessary touches and dribbles is detrimental to the team.
We really need to move the ball faster when playing SA, as they are very well organized and are disciplined in their recovery.
Rash, for me, is THE cog in the wheel.

Deltamani:
Ramalepe their fullback isn’t quicker than Alozie either.

Magaia is just like Rash and Babajide

Nicole Michael is arguably their quickest player and forward right now.. Yeah her pace will be a threat but not for someone like Nicole Payne..

Not true.

Watched some of their recent games and they have some dangerous speed threats:
Kgatlana, Ramalepe, Magaia and this new kid called Nicole Michael (who is a speed burner on the right flank, even though she is still a bit raw).

That's why I stated we need Nicole Payne back in the squad cause that MIchael girl will take cause problems for us on the right flank.

Deltamani:
SA doesn’t have Pacy players than Nigeria but can keep possession.By the way If they do how many can you name. By the way they’re pretty compact in Midfield especially the trio of Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo and Kholosa Biyana.. But defensively they can be punished a lot even though they have an attacking trio that can Finnish too but can be wasteful ours too.

It’s a 2 game window, as mandated by FIFA, so you can’t play 3 games.

What can be done is to schedule the first game so that you maximize training days before the first match - so schedule the games on the 4th and 9th.

The girls get enough rest time between games as well as before the 1st leg.

Unfortunately, the NFF is run by morons who have no clue regarding this.

PDPGuy:
FIFA’s window for both legs is April 1-9, so it’s possible

A smooth level field will allow the South Africans play their passing game.
They should play in Abuja, where the SuperFalcons know how to play on the field and could be to our advantage

PDPGuy:
Abeg, the NFF should take the first leg to either the Onikan or Uyo stadia

It’s an assessment discussion to encourage the player and not to deflate their confidence - a gentle way of letting them know that even though he has long term plans for them but they are not at that level just yet.

He had similar conversations with Mbadi (can’t find the video where he and Lauren Gregg spoke with Mbadi) and he also had such conversations with Roosa Ariyo, Onyinye Zoog, Macleans and several others.

mostob:
Isn't that supposed to be reverse? I mean why would the coach have a lengthy conversation with whom he doesn't have plans for?

Doesn’t mean much…
It’s how she was brought up by her parents.
For example, my kids speak and understand pidgin well enough and were all born and raised overseas.

mostob:
Ok. Her pidgin is sound for someone who didn't spend much time in naija.

The fact that Randy had an extended talk with her after the game does not bode well for her continuing to be a member of the squad.
She obviously is not good enough at this level and still has a long ways to go.

Don’t expect her to continue being a member of the team and especially a squad member against SA.

Deltamani:
Paris 2024 :

Linda Jiwuaku look so young …
I so much Love her Physique, Always giving the Nadine Angerer vibe. Hope she attains the level and far beyond we want to see oo. She’s Blessed just need to work hard and Smart.

I saw Randy talking to her after the game.. More like a discussion sef.

There is nothing to see with Macleans…
She simply ain’t good enough.

Deltamani:
It’s going to be a Difficult task for Randy to make especially this no.9 issue.. The typical No.9 on ground right now is still Macleans Chinonyerem who’s based in Russia 🇷🇺

She was having a great season last year not until injury came in and kept her out till the end of last season.. She lead the Russian top scorer chat with 9goals before she even got injured.. She’s very Strong, quick, hold up very okay, good in the Air, Uses both feet’s effectively, good penalty taker and can bully her way through defense but right now the level of the Russian League will be called into question considering those playing the no.9 right now are playing in tougher leagues (NWSL with Esther in China) Maybe Randy will have to take a look at her again..

Oh men.
Debra's take on the voodoo hoodoo by Cameroon during the pre-conference (at the end of the video).
You cannot help but love her. Enjoy...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUb4NkJopdI

Wasn’t too impressed with Ucheibe - good ball winner but makes far too many mistakes with the ball. Her passing is certainly suspect, especially when she tries to be creative.
Would play Abiodun, Echegini and Halimatu to start against SA.
On the right wing, I think Onumonu might also be a credible option.
We also need Nicole Payne back. Rofiat was constantly being molested by the Cameroonians as she was too lightweight for that position.

Deltamani:
I can’t really tell, Let’s Randy Decide on which two starts between Ayinde, Ucheibe and Abiodun..

Against SA Tony Payne can retain the right wing, while Echegini gets more minutes in AM position..

Nice assessment However…
2. Esther is deceptively pacy, as she does have a set of wheels on her. The 1v1 she missed in the first half was because she outpaced the Cameroonian backline who were no slouches themselves, considering how they shut Oshoala down.
7. Ajibade needs to do LESS, not more. She is a ball hog and always trying to do extra, when a simple pass would suffice. For me, one of the worst players on the pitch over both legs. Always trying to dribble and losing the ball in the process.

The games against Cameroon were always going to be difficult, as they had a lot to prove, hence their over the top physical play. They also match up well with us.

My take is South Africa would be an easier match for our ladies and yes, I have watched their recent matches. They play a lot of 1 touch passing which is something we do quite well now, perhaps even better than the South Africans. We are bigger and have a fast crop of players, so we match up well with them.

It might be time to bring in Edna Imade, Evelyn Ijeh and Elisha Sulola into the squad as backups.

lovewins:
My take on today's Game.

1. Deborah Abiodun was my WOTM. If I were a football club I'm going all in for her. What a player.

2. Esther Okoronkwo should in my opinion he priority no 9 for the falcons till someone else makes a case. She had a good game sage for the miss. Oh and to the argument on her pace, today again proves that Esther isn't very pacy like Deltamani likes to claim.

3. JOE? What can I say? Created many chances one of which led to the goal. Even though she's not known for the physicality she still put in a good display winning a few balls for us.

4. Toni Payne was below average in my opinion, but her replacement was worse. Not sure what's going on with Kanu but she needs to get it together. Again, the signs have been there but today was just frustrating.

5. Ashleigh Plumptre put up a great display on both sides of the pitch. Her offensive runs are impressive for someone who isn't known for pace and playing out of her preferred position. She also links up well with the midfield and did quite a few 1-2 and made impressive forward passes.

6. Blessing and Ohale were sold at the back. Christy covered up well in Blessing's absence.

7. Ajibade just needs to do more. I just expect better from her cause I believe she's playing below her potentials.

8. As usual Nnadozie didn't disappoint. Was even very discerning with the "juju scare". She no gree for anybody ( I'm seriously joking).

9. Didn't see much of Rinsola today. Asisat wasn't bad as she held up okay well.

Why was Aboudi on her tippy toes in this pic (next to Onome)?
Trying to be taller than she really was?