₦airaland Forum

Sometimes I feel for the coaches though... they are always under a lot of pressure to deliver.

Punditry is easier ..just like Mourinho said,"the pundit wins every game"�.

It takes quite some time to implement a system with a group of players that's why even the very best in the industry, training daily with players need time to engrain their philosophy into their players hearts to get the results.

Rohr started brightly and then regressed after about 2 years but was left in charge when it was best to let him go. Eguavoen is barely 3 months into his tenure...we may need to manage our expectations for now.. ..coaching is a hands-on job which isn't about eloquent speaking and "paper analysis"...but fans will be fans..so we must talk.�

charlesemeka85:
over hyped 94 team. When eguavoen Dey talk tactics for one video wey dem post here making reference to how they played during westahof’s era na wey I knw say he is outdated as a coach

No serious minded team plus 442 anymore when in this current time and age teams are even playing false nines just to shook the midfield

I bet you guys that if aribo played as a 10 with Onyeka as b2b midfielder while etebo or bonke screens the back 4 we would have gotten a goal against Ghana in Kumasi

What happened bro?�
I thought you were thoroughly satisfied with the performance and result.

Let the NFF organize a friendly between a South American or European powerhouse and this Eguavoen team after the qualification. Na that time the real breeze go blow.

What I have found quite amusing is the audacity and confidence of the local fans in Ghana. They expected their team to drub us...they are actually more dissappointed with the result than I expected.

JohnBullMySon:
Also remember that his team almost always plays much better on the second fixture of an international break. You guys seem to forget that part.

I expect our team to be better in Abuja...but listening to Otto Addo's post match press conference I can almost tell they will adopt a low block putting many men behind the ball just hoping for a fluke goal since a scoring draw will be just fine for them. We were unable to string 5 to 6 passes in our buildup play without losing possession.. .it will be interesting to see how we get the breakthrough.
If we were facing any of these Mahgreb teams...it would have been a lot more difficult.

Arizoner:
The SE has to be wary of away goal as a score draw would ensure the black stars go through

Said it earlier but I am seeing a lot of chest beating here.

These knockout games can be cruel. This team struggles against sides playing defensively. In Abuja, expect Ghana to defend with 10 men and look to hit us on the counter. If Ghana manages to get a fluke goal in Abuja then eye go clear.

The set pieces from both sides was comical for world cup hopefuls.
Very amateurish particularly from Ghana.

A flashback occurred when we kept conceding those corners to Ghana.
Korea/Japan 2002, Argentina made us pay from one their corners, same in South Africa 2010. African teams really need to improve.

2026 will be an expanded world cup with more teams from Africa but we must also show we aren't going to the mundial to make up the numbers.

semid4lyfe:
I am. disappointed.

The 0 - 0 scoreline feels like a loss to me and it's advantage Ghana on Tuesday in Abuja.

Observations / random thoughts

1. Eguavoen as a coach is below par.

2. Eguavoen's formation, tactical set up and reading of matches is poor.

3. Eguaveon doesn't know his best players and the roles best suited for them

4. Despite the good performance of Leon Balogun today, he's lost some inches of pace, has poor balance, is leggy and uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.

Seriously, he shouldn't be starting our games. Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem & Olisah Ndah (both not in the squad) are better ball playing defenders.

5. Innocent Bonke is a carpenter. He may play regularly for Lorient but in no planet is he a good defensive midfielder.

6. Iheanacho brings only clinical finishing to the table but he'll only score if he gets the chance. His clinicality is not enough for midfield solidity, work rate, mobility upfront & channel runnings to be sacrificed in our game. Aribo should be playing the advanced midfield/support striker role behind Osimhen.

7. Chukwueze is not it. He's too predictable, is easily shoved off the ball, misplaces passes and losses possession a lot. Furthermore, playing him puts a huge burden on his wing back. Dennis or Lookman should be starting ahead of him.

8. Frank Onyeka is a baller. He and Etebo's inclusion brought some steel & solidity, better ball rotation and retention to the team. He also appears to be comfortable with ball at feet and driving forward.

He won the free kick taken by Iheanacho and also sold that dummy that took out two ghanaian players towards the end of the game. For me, Frank has cemented a starting shirt with his performance.

Eguavoen thinks he is some Arigo Sacchi or Pep Guardiola when in reality he is just another Christian Chukwu sticking to some outdated "philosophy".

I don't see either team doing anything tangible at the World Cup proper. A well drilled European, South American or even Asian team will make light work of both teams.

Nigeria should just win for bragging rights over Ghana. Nothing more

Sainty92:
Are u sure there is still away goal rule?

FIFA's Article 20. The away goals rule will be used as the first tie breaker if the teams draw on aggregate after extra time in the second leg of any two -legged WCQ.

UEFA suspended it for this year's Champions league.

With away goals rule, Nigeria can't be comfortable until the team opens up a two goal lead in Abuja.

Any score draw will see our bredas fly their wack players to Qatar to make up the numbers.

Would have felt a lot better if we had at least an away goal.

Hope Eguavoen isn't a one trick pony when it comes to tactics.

Using same formation and personnel from AFCON made the job easy for Ghana.

It will be really dissapointing if this shitty Ghana team edges us.

jihday:
just read that they did

That's great then.

It's best to let the football do the talking on the pitch.

andrewbaba44:
My preferred starting 11

GK : Akpeyi

RB: Shehu CB: Balogun CB:Omeruo CB:Ajayi LB:Zaidu


LM: Aina CM:Bonke CM: Onyeka RM: Simon


CF: Osimhen

It’s 5-4-1 or nothing mehn

The formation is very defensive.

Osimhen will be isolated up front.

This formation shows too much respect to Ghana. A 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 will do. We need a shape that gives the team the right balance to attack and defend effectively. Na Ghana I even expect to play 5-4-1

semid4lyfe:
Punch is reporting that Ghana plans to destabilize our team with off-field tactics especially Covid-19.

According to the report they plan to reject the Covid-19 certificates of some of our key players, insist on running their own tests which will return positive results and rule out the players.

Question:

How possible is this? I thought CAF has an independent healthcare company from Europe conducting the covid tests because of this kind of shenanigans from host countries?

There were reports that such underhand dealings happened during some crucial fixtures of the last AFCON qualifiers.

I expect the NFF to take precautionary measures...maybe travel with our food, water and probably an advance party of hotel staff to disinfect the premises before the arrival of the team. Don't want to give in to conspiracy theories though.

I will prefer all the games at this stage to be fair and clean so Africa can send her best reps to Qatar

Meanwhile expect fireworks from Senegal vs Egypt.
Keeping an close eye on that one.

Beyond the tactics, I hope we have a team psychologist...derbies are emotionally charged games...we need proper game management, no need for rash tackles or brash decisions. Let's not risk getting a red card.

Truidstar:
Too predictable.

My preferred formation is actually a 3-5-2 with Aina and Zaidu as wingbacks...this will take the Ghanaians by surprise but it means our wide forwards will be on the bench which might not appeal to a coach that emphasizes wing play. The 4-2-3-1 is more conservative than Eguavoen's 4-4-2 but I think it gives the team more balance especially in the midfield.

13large:
To bench an experienced player like Etebo?

Etebo's match fitness is a concern.

Uzoho

Ekong Omeruo

Aina. Zaidu

Bonke Frank

Chukwueze. Aribo Simon

Osimhen

BOOOMNAIJA:
Ghana had their first training session in camp this evening with Thomas partey and their first choice goal keeper involved in the training....

Meanwhile, our dear Super Eagles are nothing close to a first training session. Infact, Iheanacho the idiot just strolled into camp this night after securing an olosho he would bed till weekend....and our own first choice goalkeeper is somewhere in Netherlands putting finishing touches to shopping for makeup kits he would use to impress Nigerian ladies throughout his stay in Africa for d double-header with ghana.

The ones in camp already are the likes of ighalo, Musa and akpeyi who are already spent forces and grandpas.

I weep!

Wow!

The insult to the players was unnecessary even if your points are true.

Frankly, this Ghana team is the worst quality wise we have faced in a very long while.

Always expect a tough game against Ghana because of the age long rivalry but I can see us getting the job done.

nelszx:
A serious coach will know the Ghanaian team list is 90% of those who participated at the afcon. Apart from Kudus and few others, you can prepare with their afcon squad. There won't be any major changes
Even their starting 11 will have 2 or 3 changes of the team that played against Comoros

I also think their team wouldn't change much from AFCON. This is about the weakest Ghana team we have faced in a long while.

The Tunisia game has given them a lot of optimism.

We need a positive result away to make the home game more comfortable for us.

Ghana's FA are delaying the release of the list of invitees to face Nigeria for "strategic" reasons citing cyber attack on players.....they most likely have prepared their dossier on our players for the tie but want to make it difficult for Eguavoen & co to do same.

It is high time our team gets a right balance in the different departments.

Our midfield is pretty thin. Don't understand why we invite so many forwards knowing full well that 1 or 2 of them might never get to play at all.
Our squad looks eye catching but is imbalanced. ..then we waste valuable slots to players like Shehu and Onazi.

JohnBullMySon:
Amuneke confirms Maduka is still first choice

https://www.brila.net/we-cant-drop-maduka-okoye-because-of-one-mistake-amuneke/

Maduka is just like De Gea. Mistake prone but still very talented.

Comparing De Gea to Maduka is quite a stretch. Akpeyi and Maduka may actually share more similar attributes.

semid4lyfe:
That's exactly how they'll play.

Playing an open all out attacking formation against us will be suicidal for them cos of our fast & skillful forward players.

...... and I am not sure Eguavoen knows how to counter that formation.

It will be a nervy game. I hope Eguavoen and his crew have learned from AFCON.

Aside Eguavoen talking about his team, tactics and so on .....he needs to show some level of innovation and flexibility in his tactical approach.

The Ghanaians are most likely going to adopt the Tunisian template at AFCON against us because it suits them perfectly as the underdog. Wouldn't be surprised if Ghana lines up in a 4-5-1 formation, defending deep and relying on counters.

It's not really hypocrisy per say but a mental way of reinforcing their beliefs in my opinion.

Most adherents of absolutist religions believe everyone outside their faith is on a wrong path destined for damnation. This is a control tool perfected to keep them loyal.Seeing someone doing just fine without sharing their beliefs exposes the latent doubts in their minds since no Q.E.D proof exists for their underlying beliefs.

A non-adherent to an absolutist religion represents the physical manifestation of the doubts in their hearts of it's adherents. The negative reaction is only a way of "preserving" their beliefs..

Reminds me of when I didn't join the lodge prayers with a group of colleagues. They began attributing random events in my life like accidentally dropping a spoon while eating or tripping on a staircase to "lack of prayer". lol
The typical religious Nigerian is a brainwashed Clown. I am happy you saw the hilarious side of their actions.

Stormtrooper11:
Exactly what was on my mind

This reflects the mindset of most of these Anglo-Nigerian players.

Their first love would always be England.

Don't be surprised to hear him sing "God save the queen" when he is with the Eagles.

On a serious note, I think he adds depth to our flanks.

I am not expecting any more switches from these Anglo-Nigerian players until the world cup is over.

Most of them are nursing childhood dreams of repping England at a world cup. When some are approaching 30yrs with zero or few caps then they will begin to develop fond memories of Nigeria to actualize their world cup dream.

andrewbaba44:
Shehu should be converted to a number 10 as he will surely do well there

Gernot Rohr's favorite son.

When Rohr was there the narrative was Federal Character..but when Keshi made controversial call-ups it was bribery.

Skin color really does a lot to our perception.

Stormtrooper11:
Dede Ayew won't play the game tho. Red carded just like our Iwobi

Ayew is a bigger miss in my opinion which is good news for us.

Iwobi's form at AFCON wasn't encouraging. But who is Iwobi's likely replacement? It means Nwakali could play a part in the first leg.

Kog45:
Okoye is not assuming.I said it here Okoye will cost us Afcon and am repeating it Okoye in goal against Ghana will likely costs us WC qualifications...yes our best keeper based on his club performance but damn too average in super eagles.

The Ghanaians would be happy to see Okoye in goal. Dede Ayew that shoots pretty well may just need some speculative shots to score against us.lol

Okoye's confidence must have been battered to an extent after the Tunisia game. He doesn't need the pressure of the WCQ at the moment.
Some players may be average for their clubs but beastly in the national team and viceversa...that's why relying on club performances alone can be misleading atimes.

komekn:
If you get to meet Chris Houghton ,his integrity is UNQUESTIONABLE his wisdom as a Father figure unmatched. His honesty and players compassion will make you as a player want to adopt him as your Father. He will give Ghana so much self belief and motivation but based in sound planning and strategy.

In all honesty in terms of Football technical understanding and knowledge our technical crew are not ahead of him in any way or shape.

We will win this game based on the best team selection and a very hard working Midfield.

A lot of mention has been made about his humility. The fact the has coached youth teams in the past could mean he is likely to be patient in rebuilding this Ghana team which has a number of young players coming through.

Hughton's usually sets his team up in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 which mirrors Eguavoen's preferred setup though he has also used the 4-3-3 recently.

I also believe the midfield battle would be key. Our 4-4-2 setup in the last AFCON left us lean in central areas making us susceptible to swift counter attacks. I am expecting a tactical tweak for the tie.