₦airaland Forum

Awoniyi in form and with a decent run of games is a good forward. Pray he gets his consistency back.

Goke7:
You guys should stop saying stuff like this. Ndidi has been written off even before Afcon as having nothing to offer anymore but today it’s a different story. For as long as a player hasn’t retired he can still be useful to any team on a lucky day.

Imagine Nottingham saying Awoniyi has nothing more to offer before yesterday’s game. Let’s stop all these our arrogant takes please!

Spain at the 2022 WC was in transition plus they had had two poor back-to-back WC tournaments before 2022. 2014 (Knocked out in first round), 2018 (Unimpressive showing before getting knocked out in second round). Plus in 2022 it was the lottery of penalties after parking the bus that Morocco used to beat Spain.

Belgium was a team in decline so as good value Morocco's victory was it still wasn't prime opposition they beat.

Sorry I can't seriously rate a Morocco who haven't done anything of note since 2022. Losing to SA in the 2023 AFCON in the second round and failing to win a tournament on home soil despite all the attendant ojoro is not the hallmark of a team that can get to the semifinals again of a WC.

minfelix:
we just like to downplay teams and their record here….especially on Nairaland…baba if Super eagles beat Belgium,Spain,Portugual at the world cup, the type of hype will get here will be blown over the roof and out of proportion….now spain is a weakened team, Belgium is a weakened team because no b Nigeria beat them abi🤣🤣….baba Morocco can still bank on their tactical astuteness and still shock the world….dont come and make the opponents they defeated at the last world cup as if they are Botswana and Tanzania….the freaking defeated Spain,Portugal and Belgium…thats a huge one

They are not getting to the final in 2030. I can confidently put money on it if I was a betting man.

Morocco doesn't have the midfield or attacking profile to carry them that deep into the tournament plus I think in terms of the best African youth talent diaspora or local they still lag behind Senegal, CIV, and Nigeria.

I think their run at the last WC in 2022 was down to a mixture of luck, tactical astuteness, weakened opposition (Belgim and Spain not at their prime).

Amedino99:
quite a bold claim just because they want to employ someone with no coaching experience or certificate.

This! One criteria I always use to rate coaches apart from success in winning trophies is much have players improved under you.

I'm flexible on the playing identity part as long as you're winning but your value as a coach should reflect on how much your players have improved under your tutelage.

Under Eric I've seen Bruno, Ajayi, and Osayi upgrade their game massively. Iwobi finally manifest what his game is about and how that will improve the team. Ndidi evolve from a tackle and side way pass merchant to a fairly decent CDM who helps initiate attack and retain possession.

Because of Eric I've not totally given up on Chukwueze. Chelle plays Samuel often so maybe he sees something I don't.

semid4lyfe:
There is no formation without weaknesses. There is no system that cannot be countered. Relying on wing forwards also means weakening the midfield and progressing the ball mostly through the wings which concedes the middle game to the opponents.

Also, this thing you've been going on about bringing in wing-forwards like it's one big bright tactical adjustment, Eric Chelle did it. He brought in Moses Simon on the left wing to shore it up and support Bruno due to the way Hakimi and Diaz were double-teaming on him.

In all your criticism of Eric Chelle for the Morocco game, you have never acknowledged the biased officiating. The Moroccans foul-baited the referee for the entire 120 mins duration of our game, and he fell for it every time. He gave them soft fouls but turned a blind eye to the blatant fouls they committed against us, and even refused to card them, and this impeded us from playing our game.

By the way, do you know what winning the Bronze medal in the AFCON means for Eric Chelle, the coach you're not convinced with? The implicit implication of that finish is that Eric Chelle was the third best coach out of the 24 that participated in the competition, and on the African continent.

Also, given a choice between Walid Regragui and Eric Chelle, I will pick Chelle from a tactical standpoint. The former's team huffed and puffed throughout the competition and were never convincing even in victory despite the officiating-help and home support, and that's the reason many Moroccans are calling for his sack.

Eric Chelle on the other hand gave the Super Eagles a playing identity. A press from front playing style that chokes the opponents, does not allow them time on the ball and results in lots of turnovers and dominant possession In addition, he brought new nicks to our game by moving the ball through the middle, and not the wings like we're used to playing.

The Super Eagles played with fluidity and almost psychic understanding. Another often underappreciated but important mark of good coach which Eric Chelle exhibited in this AFCON but does not get enough credit for is the personal improvement he brought on the players. Bruno, Osayi, Bassey, Ajayi, Ndidi, Iwobi and Onyeka raised their games and were all unplayable this AFCON. That's what Eric Chelle has brought to the team. Is that the coach who has not convinced you?

It's almost like you're on a paid "agenda" to discredit the coach and the team because your stance fails by every objective metric. Lest I forget, I asked you to suggest a good and convincing 50k/month coach for the Super Eagles but since then na radio silence. I still dey wait.....

j

100% facts Not a lie was told.

Inefficient striker using achievement of Oruma, Musa Mohammed, Rabiu Ibrahim and co to flex muscle.

airmark:
When you are hungry, ponmo will be the best thing. Cameroon demystify the hype of the gold medal in an underaged competition, with Wome and co winning it. Kanu later confirmed that he could only score in age-grade tournaments with no goal in 9 tournaments for the senior national team.

kanu will not make the bench of Super Eagles best 11 ever. No shakushaku striker must be tolerated.

I'm happy you finally admit carry along's polling booth awards were scams.

Just like no cares about underage competition medals.

raumdeuter:
CAF that did not recognize Olieh who gave 5 assists from DM position in the same tournament, no one cares about polling booth recognition

What did Okocha do in the tournament or na just team member?

CAF recognized Okocha's role in winning the 1994 AFCON which is why he was named in the team of the tournament.

Is it not shameful that carry along is the only CAF polling booth awardee not to score a single goal at any senior national tournament?

Correction apparently carry along shares that disgraceful record with a goalkeeper Thomas Nkono.

raumdeuter:
Did Iwobis uncle lead us to win any tournament? Let us see it

Probably should have rephrased to "asking why". My bad.

Odunayaw:
And the why is?

Just read this article by Solace regarding Nigeria's nearly there syndrome.

Made some good points why we get to so many semis and fail to convert to trophies.

https://solacechukwu.substack.com/p/big-game-blues

Slight correction 3 World Cup Tournaments.

Carry along dragging national relevance with the likes of Rabiu Ibrahim, Musa Mohammed, and Kelechi Nwakali.

airmark:
The great Kanu with no goal in 6 AFCON and 2 World cup tournaments. Shakushaku striker.

Plus subscription is free.

MorataFC:
Chrisooblog vs raumdeuter, Season 1 episode 1.
This season go lonnnng oooo.😅😂😂

His national team won a senior trophy thanks to his contribution. What senior national team trophy did carry along win for Nigeria?

raumdeuter:
What did this lesson do for the teacher, what did he lead his team to win. Club and country?

The outburst happened in the round of 16, but Oliseh skipped quarterfinals went straight to the Moroccan match because of agenda settings.

As for the penalties Osimhen came off injured he had been limping towards the end of extra time. Plus this is not the first semifinal that Osimhen is coming off for another to play penalties. Happened in the 2023 AFCON against South Africa.

I also criticized Osimhen for his behavior on the main Super Eagles thread which Semid4lyfe also moderates so we didn't give Victor a free pass but using that to say another player didn't do well because of outburst that happens in every team is diabolic to say the least.

Bruno that was even the main target Osimhen's tirade got better after the Mozambique game but because of agenda Oliseh didn't see that one.

Oliseh is one sneaky fellow honestly no matter how great of a footballer he was.

raumdeuter:
Do you think an outburst like that can affect the attacked payers morale an his decision making at key points. This happened to one of our best player Lookman. Oliseh's claim was that after that outburst, Lookmans performance reduced

He also pointed out that Osimhen left the field 3mins before a penalty shootout. Nuff said

The same bronze Oliseh won in 2002 and was arrogant about o.

Goke7:
What’s Mediocre about the eagles in this Afcon or is it another eagles I watched?

Even when we won in 2013 some said it was a mediocre performance. This our attitude of downplaying our performance because we don’t like some players or the coach is witchcraft. All because Nigerians criticised oliseh for his performance as a commentator then we should be mocked for celebrating bronze, Issorite

I think he was referring to good to outstanding talents. Shehu was just there.

ChrisKels:
Wrong.

Shehu Abdullahi

Ronaldinho WC winner and not any nonsense Olympics. Shows Okocha's lessons rubbed off on the mercurial Brazilian legend.

raumdeuter:
Players who delivered on the field like Oliseh who gave an assist for the winning goal of the AFCON not Egbon shakiti bobo wey teach Ronaldinho how to dribble

Sorry but I call BS on this Oliseh take.

Why didn't this team "chemistry" disruption happen in the Algeria match that took place right after the said outburst?

Did it occur to Oliseh that Lookman struggled (like other players) against Morocco because they were superior opposition?

Na this is too low of Sunday. I get it that he needs people to view his podcast which can only happen when you give controversial opinions but that doesn't make it any less BS.

raumdeuter:
Oliseh is saying the Osimhen outburst affected the team. The last 5 seconds of this clip had me agreeing with him 100%. I now have to find the whole clip

Sunday Oliseh with an unpopular opinion on Lookman & Osimhen saga at AFCON in Morocco 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/yOuwdh0sqz

— MR OLAWALE QUADRI 🇳🇬 (@QualityQuadry) January 21, 2026

Yes players who delivered and scored at senior national team football tournaments not agbayas using underage competitions to claim greatness.

raumdeuter:
Na better players wey dey deliver for their team not doing shakiti Bobo on field

The fact that so many people including present and former footballers dislike him is a bit of a pointer to his character.

NasirIbnLaAhad:
Oliseh is a bit of narcissist. He tries to hide it well, but you can sometimes see his true character when the penny drops and his mask slips. Even when he gives complements, you can notice sometimes it borders on condescending and/or patronizing - as if implying you punched above your weight. He was a football legend though, and I still believe a good coach and tactician. He is also clearly very intelligent, just not good with emotional intelligence.

Garba Lawal, Tijani Babangida?

FiveFootNinja:
Hmmm. Have we ever had a decent Fulani football player? I'm not saying this to drag or insult anyone. I'm just genuinely curious.

Vahid Hashemian

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3505318.stm

darkelf:
Who was the team mate he headbutted?

One of the CHAN Eagles Leonard Ngenge signs for EPL side Leeds United.

Goes straight to Academy team first.

"18-year-old" hmmm

https://www.thecable.ng/18-year-old-leonard-ngenge-joins-leeds-united-from-remo-stars/

Toor! Pesin wey headbutt fellow teammate.

Let's not forget during the AFCON 2000 finals he punched a Cameroonian player who tackled him roughly. Had VAR existed then would definitely have been sent off yet he goes around pontificating.

opes:
Don't mind him. Was Vahid Hashemian not his teammate at Bochum that year?

My guy e be things.

Spirit was also on vacation when Lookman hit a shot against Zidane in the first half during the Algeria game.

Thank God the spirit resurrected to score the winning penalty against Egypt in the 3rd place match.

Odunayaw:
Be like Lookman's spirit forgot it has broken when he sent that shot at Bono

Oliseh should go home to his wife abeg

You're right Oliseh was awesome in that AFCON DM ahead of his time.

Ibime:
Okocha only contribution in that tournament was an assist in the semifinal against CIV for Iroha, but it was a lovely contribution.

The fact Oliseh with 5 assists in 6 matches from DM didn't make the TOTT shows it's a polling booth.

Okocha's name won't be mentioned because he doesn't do underage tournaments.

raumdeuter:
Nigerias biggest footballing moment will always have King Kanu and no one will mention Iwobis uncle

Wetin be AFCON before if not Nigeria's trophy?

Again for the record we don't rate polling booth awards abi?

raumdeuter:
What did Iwobis uncle contribute, Mention am na

Mane was not hauled off in a AFCON final, Iwobi uncle was
Mane won African footballer of the year, Iwobis uncle never won
Mane won his nation their biggest trophy Iwobis uncle did not

That's where you're wrong Okocha is not a freeloader like your carry along.

Jayjay did his part by scoring one of the goals that helped beat Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Olympics. Of course carry along didn't do much in the match.

Finals gan in which we won the actual gold carry along no contribute as usual but we should not rest because of a flukish performance in semifinals.

raumdeuter:
And which medal did this goals give us as a country?
Kanu's goals gave us Olympic medal our biggest moment in football

Iwobis uncle sef gumbody claim Olympics gold because Kanu did the hard work even when Obocha was sabotage us

JayJay contributed to win us AFCON the same thing that Mane won that has made him a living African legend of football.

Sadio didn't win any rubbish underage tournament to justify his greatness.

Okocha and Mane have 3 things in common AFCON winners, named in AFCON team's of the tournament, plus they both did something your carry along couldn't achieve in his career across 6 AFCONs. Can you guess what the third is?

raumdeuter:
If Polling booth awards do not matter then why are you pointing to Okochas naming ceremony as evidence of anything

Show us the medal Okocha gave Nigeria, Not naming ceremony

I've shown you countless goals Okocha scored at senior national team level whether it's moonwalk, galala, or etighe.

The one time we needed carry along to come good and win a senior national team trophy for his country he turned to sprinkler system wetting National Stadium pitch.

Shame no catch you that carry along no fit near table of below average players like Ideye, Efe Ambrose, Agbim and co because he no get AFCON title?

Even if you can't win it them forbid you to score contribute?

raumdeuter:
If my grandma had a penis she would have been my grandfather
If Okocha stopped dancing and actually delivered on the field

Kanu doesnt wait for IF IF like Davido, he went on the field and scored to win vs Brazil and deliver our Olympic medal

How can he participate when he's a serial underperformer at senior national team level.

Polling booth awards don't matter so why are you using that as example for carry along? Anyway Okocha has a senior national team's medal to show for his effort. Not using underage medals won by children still staying with their parents to chase clout.

raumdeuter:
Kanu is not a participant in naming ceremony, he does his own on the field which is why he was lifted by his peers are the one who delivered Nigeria's biggest football medal

If its by award, Kanu will point to his African POTY but he doesnt even need to so it won't be like he is bullying Iwobis uncl on and off the field

Team of the tournament is an acknowledgement of your outstanding performances in a competition.

Which senior national team competition was carry along ever outstanding in?

raumdeuter:
Football is not a naming ceremony its doing on the field and delivering for your team like Kanu did when he delivered our biggest medal as a nation