₦airaland Forum

Looking forward to this Penalty shootout.

Chelle really gave good vibes listening to his response on building the team post AFCON. He knows we have a strong first 11 but his focus now is on building the team's depth so that injuries/suspensions wouldn't disrupt the performance/rhythm of the team.

NFF please do that needful and give him a contract extension. The man loves the job.

Goke7:
Make Kenya and Tanzania strategise how to win as hosts o, if one of them no win dem be suegbe

Black Africans aren't sore losers like these Arab folks. See how CIV won fairly two years ago.

Don't know if it is inferiority complex but sub-sharan Africans treat these Arabs a lot fairer than they treat us.

NFF/NSC should try to be act sensibly though it seems the most difficult for them

1. Retain Chelle and give him a long-term contract. He is young and has shown that a great of adaptability so far unlike Rohr.

2. Prioritize the cadet teams U-13s, U-17s etc and ensure MERITOCRACY in selection of coaches and players

3. Invest in infrastructure in conjunction with the private sector to ensure we have more standard pitches across the country.

Chelle may not win an AFCON but this will most definitely lay the foundation for future success. Erstwhile dark horses and minnows are becoming powerhouses on the continent. We either sit up or become a laughing stock.

Chuks gave a glimpse to why he didn't shine consistently at Milan but is now flourishing at mid table Fulham.
Dude lacks elite mentality despite his obvious talent.

Chelle should give all the players without game time a chance in the loser's final. Akinsanmiro, Nnadi,Fago, Muhammed etc

Nigerians have become accustomed to the team failing at the big stage. This loss wasn't as hurtful as the DRC loss. Just had that deja Vu feeling once it got penalties.

I have tagged this generation "Nearlymen" until the win something . Always at the cusp but falling slightly short.

The mentality of this group is weak. The big players go missing when it matters most.

This AFCON is officially over for the SE. We have too many bronze medals already. I think Egypt can take this one. lol.

If these guys don't win the next AFCON, then it is game over for the core of this generation. The team will go another rebuilding phase and AFCONs will be quadrennial.

Chelle needs to get the team better prepared for PKs. Klopp did that in conjunction with a Neur11 and Liverpool won all their spot kick matches during that period. He can't be leaving it to chance.

Backing Morocco for the title.

Chukwueze's attitude was more nauseating than the actual kick. Very carefree attitude. To imagine he was even brought on for penalties.

The final will be a very tough game but Morocco could edge Senegal. The officiating may not be as fair as it was in the semis

Kudos Chelle

Congratulations Morocco!!!

Fair game

This game is fitting for the final. Wouldn't be surprised if the actual final isn't as tough as this.

Good luck SE

Whatever happens, the NFF should retain Chelle.

Tougher than expected.

Tactically both sides have cancelled each other but Morocco has the advantage.

Deep waters of extra time. Physical and mental fitness will decide.

Hope it ends within 120. Can't imagine watching penalties.

The "Final Whistle" team did a good tactical preview of this match. Morocco is actually trying to create overloads on the flanks during offensive transactions and then the adopt a compact shape in the middle once the loose possession.

Onyedika is more press resistant than Ndidi.

I think the nerves are at play here. Good the match is still nil-nil.

The guys need a mental lift to get the result

This game is going to test the mentality of this team.

After notable near misses, they have a chance at redemption.

Chelle and the boys..best of luck.

3:1 Naija wins.

Let's have a West African derby in the final.

Very cagey match between familiar opponents. ( EGY vs SEN)

Naija and Morocco have by twist of fate, evaded each other for a long time . Very little familiarity could give us a more open game later this evening.

Prediction

Maroc - 1
Nigeria - 3

Morocco to score either via a free kick/ dubious penalty.

Expecting a goal from Lookman today.

Morroco's best AFCON performance in recent history was in 2004 that when they played against Nigeria at the group stage and reached the finals but lost to Tunisia(host). They were my team of that AFCON.

Morroco tends to perform poorly at AFCON even in the year when they had a good WC run in 2022.

It will take something in form of diabolical officiating and/or missteps from our boys for Morroco to reach another AFCON final this time around.

Morocco's game plan will almost certainly involve pressing Iwobi with probably 3 players to force him into releasing the ball quicker. .. Isolating Osayi to create 1v1 situations with Diaz. Morroco also have a wide variety of approaches to set piece execution which could be a problem.

Morocco's defensive transitions aren't that quick. The SE have scored some goals from quick breaks and quickly turn defense to attack. Can't see Morocco doing the high press like they did with CMR. They might focus more on set pieces.

I trust Akinsanmiro is learning from the Iwobi masterclass at this AFCON. Brains over brawn.

The midfield has finally found a rhythm and balance which has clearly rubbed off on our attack

Morroco has an excellent counter press. The close down the opposition once the lose the ball. Onyedika is quite comfortable receiving balls under pressure. Iwobi and Onyedika will be key to our build up play.

Barca - MSN
SE - OLA

I think the argument even made the team stronger. The players showed a lot of selflessness today.

Gusau should start expressing reservations about dodgy refereeing decisions favouring the host. These Morrocans are too desperate.

This is the kind of spectacle Motsepe and his cohorts want Africans to experience every 4 years.

Interesting match up in the semis.

This SE team have made good teams look ordinary at this AFCON, not a fluke.

If the officiating isn't diabolical, Morroco will be beaten. The SE attack is underrated by Naija fans though. Other African teams have smelt the coffee.

This SE side has clicked.

If the officiating is fair. Naija beats Morroco.

The most potent attack on the continent is Nigeria. Sad they hadn't reached this level during the playoff.

The silent strength of this of this Algerian side is their coach. Petkovic is a tactically savvy coach. He reads the game well and makes adjustments to nullify the opposition. Hopefully the SE will put them to the sword before things get dicey.

These Mahgreb guys are sore losers. Their FA do everything possible to put match officials under pressure like they did at the WAFCON finals this year. The level of officiating at this AFCON is clearly below par especially when these guys play.

No penalty awarded to the SE yet at AFCON which is a good sign.

My issue with these Mahgreb nations hosting AFCON is the obvious biased officiating. VAR and the general officiating level at the last AFCON was a lot better.

Folks tipping Algeria and Morroco to advance.

Some Algerians are wary of this SE team. Frankly no side in Africa can match the SE's attack. The issue is if the other depts will come to the party and the team clicks as a whole.

Cameroon are a boogey team on the continent. They have a way of overachieving with average players. Morroco could be in for a rude awakening.

Akinsanmiro is yet to be get minutes at the AFCON but I am glad he is part of the setup.

Glad all the noise about Salim Fago and Musa Muhammed has simmered.

Algeria trolled the SE after that Mahrez free kick during AFCON 2019. Patiently waiting to see how this goes this time around.

Now AFCON begins.

Games will be very very close. I expect teams to nullify each other tactically in most cases. Individual brilliance and physical conditioning could be difference from this point onwards to the final.

Algeria provides the sternest test for the SE at this AFCON. The result and performance will tell a lot about the true state of this team.

DRC has superb defensive transitions. They come into their defensive shape quickly after losing possession..also a very physical well drilled team. Any team playing against DRC needs to really mixup their buildup play to create clear cut chances.

The "drama" has vindicated Edafe who has always opined that these guys have subtle dislike for each other from his personal interactions with the players. Osimhen's behavior was totally unacceptable towards a teammate but I want to believe there was an undercurrent to his action..probably unresolved issues now escalating in that manner in the public. I hope Chelle and his backroom staff manage this properly to keep this team focused on their goals/objectives.

This SE team is going to be a nightmare for any team in this tournament. It will take a lot to edge them. The QF against DRC/Algeria is going to be spicy.

This team is currently in it's peak...the team needs to win something after the WC failures.