₦airaland Forum

Polish golazo to tie the game at 2-2.

Good work out.

Invited too much pressure towards the end though.

Nigeria just played into their hands.

Had Ndidi and Chukwueze not gotten in each others way maybe we would be discussing and arguing on SE World Cup squad selections by now.

I know a lot of people mocked him but maybe Chelle was on to something when he said juju was involved.

Papi85:
gidigbo football at its finest 😁🤣

The yeye Marseille coach was leaving him out of match squads for the flimsiest of reasons.

Hope he continues working hard and stays humble. Lad has ability.

forgiveness:
I think I am seeing him for the first time. Marseille nosabi better thing be dat. This boy can blow with more games.

Zadok was playing amateur football in Kaduna just last year.

Really hope he leaves up to his potential.

https://x.com/OkpeJohnFavour1/status/2061992710018355241?s=20

Mujtahida:
Ohh yes. We seriously need an upgrade on Chukwueze

Great analysis especially regarding Azeez.

Yes his ambidexterity caught my eye and is a great weapon against our opponents who wouldn't be sure how to mark him.

Why I suggested Zadok should drop to the youth teams is because

1. Realistically he's not displacing any of Chukwueze, Lookman, Simon, and now Azeez in the SE set up in the nearest future. Plus Otele and Sani Suleiman are in the wings.

2. He's a talent no doubt but their still a lot of kinks in his game that need smoothing out. Like you hinted moving to a better club with a more professional and high class setup will help him improve.

3. There's nothing I've seen currently in his skill set that people in the present squad don't already do. I've not seen that X-factor that would warrant him being fast tracked into the national team squad.

4. I feel the youth teams especially the u23s would provide a less pressurized environment to grow and show case since the Olympic qualifiers will most likely commence soon.

semid4lyfe:
You are right on Femi Azeez. He may not be as skillful and flashy as Zadok but he brings more to the team and is more productive, judging by the eye test.

🔸Azeez delivers better quality passes and crosses.

🔸He is also positionally more versatile and a better fit for multiple tactical formations. He can play on the right, the left or the Lookman role through the middle,

🔸He is ambipedal. You gats watch am closely to know he is naturally left footed cos he uses his right almost as well, kinda like Dembele, unlike Zadok who is too left footed and "elese kan".

🔸It seems he also has better workrate, marks more and covers more ground on the pitch. In modern football, there are no primadonnas. Everyone must mark, press, run, close space, defend corners etc. Shebi we all see how Diego Simeone dey criticize Lookman say hin gats up him workrate? Na so modern football be and Eric Chelle also demands the same workrate from the Super Eagles players.

🔸Lastly, we can argue that Azeez has more professional football under his belt, has had long term exposure to better training, better conditioning, better coaching, and has proven himself in a better, tougher and more competitive league.

Still, I disagree with you on Zadok passing through the U21 and U23. In football if you:re good enough, you're old enough. The coaches of the U_21/U-23 will populate the squads with carpenters who will only pull Zadok down to their level and make him appear like am otu.

Also, there's nothing developmental about our U21 and U23 teams because they only meet occasionally. His development should continue at his European club and he should be invited to the Super Eagles directly based off his performances in AIK. Make hin come play with the big boys to learn one or two.

In the short term I think Femi Azeez could be a potential upgrade. His performances against Zimbabwe and Jamaica, albeit weaker opposition give me hope.

Zadok has promise but I would like to see how he does with the u21 and u23s first.

Mujtahida:
I checked the profile of Zadok and I read that he's from Bauchi. Got his football education in Kaduna. Is he going to be another Tijani? Another Ahmed Musa?

Never heard of him until yesterday when I read rave reviews on X. I was excited but semid4lyfe's post dampened my joy a bit.

[b]We desperately need an effective winger from the right. Chukwueze has really not owned that position. [/b]So, I really want Zadok to even be better than the hot reviews I've been reading.

Same point I made about MURIC like adherents in SW who could be potential future terrorists.

raumdeuter:
That is why agenda is dangerous. I am Yoruba and I know we have criminal and religious zealots among us.

Recently there was a training ground for zealots discovered in Osun

There are British American European born and raised people going to join ISIS.

Not all terrorists are Fulani or Arab . Indoctrination knows no boundary

The Omeiza name sounds like Kogi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXtDH2IXKY8

Interesting answers

How far with the Ogonis?

Yes they don't have the population but haven't they produced enough political aware and brilliant individuals over the years to stake a claim for the Governorship of Rivers?

Ibime:
You are incorrect on Rivers State

Odili is an Ndoni man. Ikwerre have to move with Etche, Ahoada, Ndoki etc to produce Governor

So far in the 4 Governors since 1999, there have been 2 Ikwerres, one Ndoni and one Ijaw

Contrary to what you are saying, it was an Ijaw man (Jonathan) that succeeded Amaechi with Wike, Amaechi had chosen Dakuku (Ijaw) as his successor, so there's nothing like Ikwerre rotating among themselves. They are not that dominant. Wike then passed it to an Ijaw man (Fubara) but Fubara went against the gang, if not he will be doing second term. The Igboid tribes combined have majority but not that outsized, and Ikwerre is just one of them.

Urhobos are doing the right thing cos their dominance is not absolute, there are checks and balances if they try to run roughshod

The ones that wear turban abi?

I think a lot of their people travel outside of India hence why they are the more popularly known group of Indians.

Ibime:
Omo it's today I'm learning that Sikhs are less than 2% minority in India

We see so many Sikhs in UK, I almost thought they had a sizeable percentage. Even my best padi is Sikh

The counter argument is why pay so much for an "untested" and "uncapped" foreigner African for that matter just to loan him out for experience?

Amedino99:
This transaction is looking like a case of brighton buying him and loaning him out to "get experience". I highly doubt that this bro will play premier league football this next season

Very sad that many of our players have over the years had poor attitude towards national team representation or have entitlement mentality.

Look at Brazil as a contrast. Players and their families doing vigils to see if they will be called up. Celebrating call ups and invitations as if they have even won the WC itself.

The Nigerian national team needs reorientation. Especially for the men. Thank God the women get it.

minfelix:
Those white guys have natural love for the game…Thats why you see Ronaldo still wanna play till 2070 worldcup, Thats why you see Lewandowski 38yrs no gree hang boot but turning up for inconsequential friendly, thats why we saw Messi sometimes ago announced his retirement from Argentina national team in 2016 but rescinded his decision to come back (if na black man make that announcement, sope otilor(e.g Victor Moses).

Africans(Especially Nigeria) with mentality of senior manism….
forming humility from days of (u17/u20/u23/awaiting first national team call up), once they become established them no send una papa again…some will use language of “Super eagles no b my papa get am, if dem no wan call me up again no wahala, i go simply F off”
was that the energy in your formative/debut days? NO!

Pity about Kudus. Would have given them a fighting chance.

TheSuperNerd:
Senegal's Final 26 Man WC Squad 2026...

18 y/o Bara Sapoko Ndiaye makes it!

His first game in Senegal colors was all that was needed to change Thiaw's mind.




Also below is Ghana's final WC Squad 2026.

Yugoslavia sef it was 4-5 major ethnic groups.

How do you start to divide a country where 10-20 ethnic groups share one state before we talk about the whole nation?

raumdeuter:
The solution is also more difficult when the country is too big and diverse. Its easier to handle smaller entities than giant ones with no common interest. See Yugoslavia for example, they found their level later

The whole of West Africa is a mess

Tinubu being voted out like you said isn't the issue but who takes over.

Bad as PBAT has been for some critical areas, at least the economic reforms has laid a foundation that a reasonable person should build on.

TemporaryHansel:
Only issue is someone else coming in when he leaves and reversing all his policies. We saw it happen when yaradua reversed major policies made during the obj administration, which assuming those policies were left in place, Nigeria's trajectory might have been different compared to now.

That is the problem we have at the federal level and in most states, lack of continuity. That is why Lagos has an edge over every other state because almost every gov has to follow the same blueprint. If we had that at the federal level, shit might've been different.

At the very least Kogi citizens will sha benefit a bit before economic migrants move in.

People moving to prosperous areas will always happen. Whether international and local.

raumdeuter:
When the governor of Sokoto refuses to develop his state, what stops the citizen from relocating to say a Kogi that is managed well developed and causing problems for Kogi who is well managed?

Remember its still one country and freedom of movement menene menene

It's not perfect but the Nigerian State with its many tribes can still serve as a neutral party between warring ethnic groups.

If terrorists hook up with MURIC like adherents that create SW ISWAP division what will you do?

Bomb forests with what jets? when you're still battling to provide basics like pipeborne water and electricity?

BlueRayDick:
Does this current artificial union stop Urhobo and Ijaw from being at each others' throat?

This country in the current state is obviously not working and it is only a matter time for things to get worse if we don't have that hard talk about breaking it into smaller units that work things out for themselves however they deem fit.

You think if the south west is country on its own and some murderous Fulani militia are lurking around it's forest , the country would be hesitating to bomb them to smithscreens ? You think anybody will be putting him with all those nonsense repentant boko haram rehabilitation program?

Some of these problems we see in this country is due to the so called unity in diversity we are trying to portray. That unity in diversity has led to tolerance for some BS and looking away from crimes that should've been properly punished.

The behavior of some players is parallel to how some of our citizens behave in relation to government.

We rightly make demands but don't want to play our part.

Pressure NFF to do the right thing but don't want to play our part as footballers.

Goke7:
Imagine this was the same thing the likes of okocha were doing back in the day selecting World Cup qualify matches to play until we lost out in the 2006 World Cup. No way I will ever support our senior players skipping matches for flimsy excuses.

In fact with this rubbish we have given nff not to bother much about organising grade a friendlies in the future let’s just stick to playing Iran, Jordan and unity cup going forward na that one suit us especially for this current squad

I was watching an interview this morning on Channels TV ordinary delineation of constituency wards by INEC Urhobo and Itshekiri ethnic champions are at each others throats. People that were also killing and burning each others properties 20 something years ago. And that is just South South.

You are spot about fiscal economy. Let the Governor of Sokoto use his state's revenue to sponsor his people to Hajj while other serious states use there's to develop and cater for their citizens.

GloriousGbola:
Nigeria is a share share economy. Sharing proceeds from oil. Therefore whatever people may say the only region that may truly want out is the south south. And that is a may because some may realise that a South south on its own may now descend into even more balkanization

The first thing I think we need is fiscal autonomy of different regions. Which may be achievable if the leaders are not playing their own games

Even that is not the silver bullet we might not think.

Ok we disintegrate today what happens to North Central with Indigent tribes and Fulani settlers wahala?

South South nko like Delta where Urhobo, Ijaw, and Itshekiri were at each others throat not too long ago.

It's only SW and SE with its homogeneity that might be able to go solo as a country even that isn't a guarantee?

Individual countries today isn't a guarantee murderous terrorists will not come to your door.

The whole of West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria) is under serious attack from ISWAP. I'll rather that existential threat is eliminated first before talk of balkanization is brought up.

BlueRayDick:
On this we agree.

I think the president that takes the bold step towards Nigeria's disintegration will be the best president Nigeria ever had.

D'Law long time! How chambers?

The move to move really halted his career.

If he can get a fresh start I believe he has the ability to become a good forward even if not world class.

Mujtahida:
The way Tolu fell by the wayside. Too bad

If we were going to the WC would the two players be saying they want time off?

Like we say in this part of the world the morning indicates what the day will be like.

Teams that win tournaments make sacrifices at the beginning because of the ultimate objective.

Hope the senior players understand this and adjust.

Ironically our SF who are the most successful team we have and can afford to be arrogant are the ones begging for friendlies which the NFF doesn't organize.

Goke7:
No mind athletico make we manage Lookman for them but make dem no manage Lookman for us.

The players don’t play for both clubs and country for free they get paid even if it’s a friendly match na who allow them gaslight na im dem go gaslight

The funny part is Osimhen comport himself this time release professional statement.

If na before he for don go live streaming with Carter Efe dey abuse coach.

UncleHaba22:
But why would Chelle come out and just cast Osihmens transfer

How did he think his club or fans would take that

That was really unprofessional from Chelle not like Osihmen is actively working on a transfer on the table

I like him and regard him as one of our best ever players but skipping games when it suits you almost all the time is a no no for me.

I'm all for understanding a players situation when circumstances demand it but such players should also play their part.

The NFF too that should be ensuring standards are met when it comes to how players handle invitations sef owe player bonuses so with what authority will they even speak?

In a way I think this should even be a blessing in disguise to build a team that is not overly dependent on Osimhen. So in future if Victor decides to throw one of his tantrums the team won't be blackmailed to overlook any BS.

Don't know why all our best players over the years always get one trait of unprofessionalism or the other.

SymphonyRad:
Are we going to finally address the elephant on the room? why does Osimhen get away with picking grade A friendly games to play? there's always a litany of excuses that crop up for this guy to justify his endless streak of absenteeism from international friendly duties...even better players and legends like Messi, CR7, Drogba etc never had this sort of record.

No wahala sha, I blame the unfortunate Nigerian situation for building an arc of hopeless dependency on Osimhen.

Femi Azeez is looking like a coup. Glad we stumbled upon. Let me still see what he does against Poland and Portugal before coming to a final assessment.

I think our search for a starting number 7 has ended.

Below is my assessment of our current starting XI.

GK: Okoye/Nwabali - Both are good and have the ability to be number 1 but both have short comings. Okoye great club career but still looks unsure of himself in SE. Stanley wears the SE jersey with confidence and aura but club career is at a standstill.

RB: Aina is still the main man though injuries and age might soon be a factor. A potential successor is needed ASAP.

LB: Bruno with Zaidu deputizing for now is fine but other options should be tested.

CB: Most settled department in the team with a good mixture of youth and experience. Benji and Bassey are the obvious starters but wouldn't be having sleepless nights with Ajayi, Fernandez, or Igoh as options of the bench.

DM/CM: I think we have the tools but Chelle still needs to do more than cooking. Ndidi, Onyeka, Onyedika, Nnadi, and now Yusuf all look to have profiles that should make our midfield a well oiled machine but still has some inherent weaknesses which superior opposition midfields exploit again and again. Ebenezer and Tijani (?) on the periphery.

AM: Iwobi long time servant but he desperately needs competition/potential successor. FDB is a different profile kind of AM that brings energy and attacking instinct. We're crying out for a Jayjay or Oruma kind of creative player. Otele should be monitored closely.

RW: Azeez looks the part with Chukwueze to compete with for the starting berth. Zadok to be watched closely.

LW: Lookman is the undisputed starter. Simon looks to be waning but still effective in small bursts. Sani Suleiman a potential candidate to bring competition but needs to start playing.

ST: Of course Osimhen is the guy with Akor serving as the perfect foil. Moffi is still the best alternative forward who can function in the SE. Onuachu's club numbers can't be ignored so he's still a short term addition to our list of attackers until our other attackers playing in higher profile leagues (Awoniyi, Umar) start posting numbers that will be hard to ignore.

All told we have a good mix to traverse the qualifiers and realistically aim for the AFCON title next year.

Little by little they are getting irrelevant.

Nobody bothers trolling or hate watching them any more.

There Russian sugar daddy has left with all their ill gotten glory.

BlueRayDick:
If EPL champion dey cry, wetin person wey carry 10th posituon go come do now whiz? 🤷‍♂️

Trophyless people using our defeat for copium?

Thank you Arteta. This EPL you won really pained some opposition fans to their marrow

Good game boys tough luck. Held a very solid team who could only win on penalties.

We're getting closer and closer.

Keep the hating and trolling flowing guys.

It's our rocket fuel

COYG!

Haa sub 43s? that's world record level o.

Let's see what he can do sha. Definitely has it in him to be one of if not be our greatest ever sprinter.

do4luv14:
The guy had it in him to break the sub 43 into 42 Sub, he needs to push himself more and try to maintain consistency

Like your starting XI however would put Trossard/Gyokeres in place of Eze/Havertz.

Spy360:
My pick for starting line up today


Eze................... Havertz............. Saka
............. Merino........... Odegaard......
........................... Rice....,......................
Hincapie.. Gabriel.. Saliba... Timber
,.......................... Raya .........................

Subs/options
Trossard for Eze, Calafiori for Hincapie, Gyokeres for Havertz, Zubimendi for Merino

Singing it'll all work outttt

Excited about today's game.

Expect the lads to play tension free. The pressure of winning the league is finally off their shoulders.

COYG!

BlueRayDick:
Yes o! History beckons on the players and the management team to do the unthinkable and write their names in gold for life.

I'm glad Timber is fit and will most likely start the match with Merino also available to get that clutch goal when called upon.

I have a feeling Arteta will most likely start Hincapie ahead of Calafiori to give us that solidity at the backline.

I hope it all works out 🙏

Ogazi thanks for the correction.

do4luv14:
Ogazi or what you mean sah,
Haven't heard of otazi

Otazi too. Lowered his PB and national record to 43.82s

The men are cooking!

PDPGuy:
Off-topic:

Kanyinsola Ajayi has just set a new Nigerian national record of 9.84s (0.4m/s) to win his 100m race at the ongoing NCAA East Regional Meet!

The win also means that he is currently the (world lead) fastest man in the world for this year.