₦airaland Forum

D'Law on Osayi's exclusion from tomorrow's game we are both aligned.

However I'm still on the fence about deploying Benji as a RB because I don't fully trust Ajayi in a flat back 4 set.

If I was sure we will dominate possession with minimum pressure on our defense line then I would be on board with Benji playing RB as he's solid defending and going forward.

Mujtahida:
Abeg ooo. Benjamin should go play RB. Seyi is needed in the CB to deal with aerial balls from the Congolese.
Has Osayi not punished you enough? You want to tempt the gods abi. Person cause PK, the gods overlook am, he deflected the ball into the net, the gods forgave him by letting us win, now you say he should play RB against a Congolese team that has a reputation for being physical and good with set pieces.

No na

I'm a bit in a dilemma as to what should be our starting XI tomorrow.

Osayi definitely shouldn't start but who replaces him? Awaziem or Benjamin vacating the CB position for Semi and dropping to RB?

Simon in place of Lookman but not sure if Chukwueze can cope with the physicality of the Congolese. Same with Ejuke.

I dey feel you Aje!

No drama please just a professional by the books 2-0 win. I barely survived the chaos of the last game.

Enoughpull:
Just watched the Congo game.. I am not underrating them but they can't match the current momentum of the super eagles.. Let's just neatly beat them by 2 goals and kill the game

Semi was already suspended whereas all our players who received 1 yellow during the qualifiers have had their record wiped clean since this is another phase of the qualifiers.

mekabuachi:
If this news is really true why then did semi ajayi not play against Gabon💀
Abeg ooh 😂

Even Joseph Yobo wasn't this fluid doc.

However I agree he was a bit comfortable on the ball.

TheSuperNerd:
Joseph Yobo?

Chief that's why I specifically said CB.

We have had fullbacks Aina included who were comfortable on the ball but can't say the same for CB unless probably Stephen Keshi.

victornoah:
Bros you can't say this nah.

Fredrick is very good.. but can you say he's more comfortable on the ball and plays more accurate pass than the injured Ola Aina?

Let's learn not to be quick to forget

If the ruling is true obviously Ndidi will continue in his role.

This also implies that Iwobi, Bassey, and Nwabali's yellows are also cancelled.

TheSuperNerd:
Osasu is a journo I take seriously on fifa rules so I hope he is right.

So if indeed the playoffs yellows are counted different from the regular WCQs yellows, then thanks goodness.

Just that the rule that is available to us is the normal 2 yellow cards rule throughout a qualifying campaign or a tournament. The confusion has always been about whether cards accumulation at one stage of qualifiers carries into a fresh stage.
If only the specifics of the WCQs playoffs suspension rule was laid out or made publicly available, there wont be this much confusion, hence the reference to the general suspension rule.

If/when Osimhen scores tomorrow the record is going down in the AFCON I'm fairly confident.

mrwilliams9:
Osimhen might break Yekini's goal record by the time AFCON is over...but let's be honest, 37 goals as the highest goal scorer for a nation like Nigeria is quite low. Eto is Cameroon's highest goal scorer with 51. Salah is on 61 goals for Egypt, Drogba had 65 by the time he retired.

I think SE has had an issue in building teams with longevity. From tournament to tournament, things are always changing.

Honestly, Osimhen can break the African goal-scoring record (79 goals) held by Godfrey Chitalu from Zambia. Between AFCONQ, AFCON, WCQ and WC, games dey.

Ejuke, Awaziem, Simon, Benjamin all Kaduna born and bred.

Kog45:
Kai so Awaziem Chidozie na Hausa boy...the boy dey blow Hausa language o....just like the way Osimhen dey speak Yoruba

It's almost a criminal offense that a DEFENDER is that comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Can't remember ever in my history of watching the SE seeing a CB that's so comfortable on the ball with accurate passes to boot. Looks like someone who can also do a job in the DM position if called upon.

Top exciting talent. Deserves to feature in the big leagues.

BascoVanVeli:
Benjamin Fredrick vs Gabon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL4yznxs-KU

Zaidu is a stop gap though I think he's a decent squad player.

I agree with you that if there's anyone we should think of pursuing then it should be Kayode. Like Sugarboy said having him will mean Chelle can play Aina on the left without worrying about the RB position.

Talking about wooing players how far with Chukwuemeka in Dortmund? Any hope?

charlesemeka85:
very likely but I think Chelle also rates Zaidu who have been immense since returning to the team

Lookman too gave Osimhen a pass to score yet there's general consensus that he could have played better.

Ejuke too could have played better in the 2nd half of the game.

I still insist his game got immensely better after he scored.

Anyway at the end of the day it's my opinion and you have disagreed and stated yours.

Shalom.

Meliforme:
This is a lie undiluted.

The pass he provided for Osimhen to score was before the goal or after the goal?

This is unbelievable

Victor abeg lock up no go get yellow oh.

Onyeka would have been free if he hadn't reacted against the player who kicked him.

TheSuperNerd:
🔴Reminder: Super Eagles Lads on a yellow and at risk of suspension (if they get a 2nd yellow) from the Intercontinental Playoff when we get past DRC

Frank Onyeka - MF
Amas Obasogie - GK
Victor Osimhen - ST
Stanley Nwabali - GK
Alex Iwobi - MF
Calvin Bassey - DF
Tolu Arokodare - ST
Bruno Onyeamaechi - DF


NB: Ndidi misses the DRC game but will automatically be back for the Intercontinental playoff when we get past DRC. Similar to how Semi Ajayi missed the Gabon game due to suspension but is now available for the DRC Game.

Ordinarily I would agree but our regular starter Chukwueze isn't consistent enough that's my worry.

lbrichman2:
We don't need him to be a starter
Just a good sub is enough
He's not good enough to start for us..

Also his defensive work can be better
He was badly positioned when Lemina scored that goal...

He should have been covering for Osayi who went to win that header
Ejuke was behind Lemina ball watching, instead of tackling or challenging for the ball

Moffi is good he's a lefty unfortunately he always croked.

There isn't much of a difference between Taiwo and Tolu. I think the awfulness of Wolves is probably making you think Tolu is a gba player

Ibime:
Was Tolu anything but Nigerian before?

Tolu is not worthy of SE shirt

Nigeria 4 strikers for any tournament should be Osinhen, Adams, Terem Moffi and Taiwo Awoniyi. We don't need any Peter Crouch

Elite strikers like Victor make it easy to get assists.

That said you're correct full kudos to Awaziem for that long ball.

Emmy450:
Awaziem deserves his flowers for that pass
That was a beauty to be hold.👌

Yeah, if Osimhen can add extra efficiency in front of goal then we will be talking of him matching Haaland like numbers.

Victor is now at the level where as an opposition defense you can't prevent him having chances to score only pray he doesn't convert.

mrwilliams9:
Thank you for saying this!

I gbadu Osimhen but there are aspects of his game he can improve.

Imagine we lost this match in ET. People for swear for him for his missed 1v1 right at the end of regular time.

True True.

n.b. but CHAN stain him white sha

BankyGee:
I'LL POST THIS AGAIN...

My Coach: Éric Sekou Chelle!

The right man for the job. This man knows his job. We all know how we use the same set of players every international window. This man came and introduced:
1. Benjamin Fredrick
2. Igoh Ogbu
3. Felix Agu
4. Tolu Arokodare
5. Akor Adams
6. Christiantus Uche

- Started benching Ekong because he's not at his best.
- Won the Unity Cup (even though it's a friendly cup) but at least we played serious teams to win it.
- Kept experimenting with different players, including debutants so as to get his best starting XI, never lost one match in the process.
- Picked Nigeria already on the brink of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Played all the matches in front of him, going UNBEATEN and eventually qualifying for the playoffs and winning the first game CONVINCINGLY!
- Kept delivering even when the entire country didn't believe in him.
- Played 10 games, won 7 and drew 3.

I know he has one or two improvements to make, but... WHAT A MANAGER! TAKE A BOW, ÉRIC CHELLE! 🫡🙇🏾‍♂️

Bro make I no lie Ejuke was poor before the goal.

His game picked up after he scored.

Still needs to do more to be a starter.

BankyGee:
He did well today... Like very well and I know he'll build on this momentum.

Dey play. Wait until you know who comes to start telling how Benjamin plays in a low level league who cannot make the bench of an EPL side.

That Tosin plays for Chelsea and has shown proven quality against bla bla bla.

solonnachi:
Make una tell Tosin Adarabioyo say vacancy no dey again for SE. Frederick Benjamin has taken that spot

Yeah we got away with one with that penalty call but like you said the guy diving put doubt in the referee's mind.

This is where African refs > EPL ones.

You can be damn sure if it was Michael Oliver na pen straight.

Joebie:
i thought it was but when u reason am that guy simulated the fall though his shirt was drawn throughout his run.

As in I surprise as baba turn to prime Rodri.

Odunayaw:
Ndidi's first good shot in years

Lookman's lack of sharpness is hard to watch.

Was watching him get into great positions in the 1st half but his poor decision making or lack of edge really dulled our attacks effectiveness in those first couple of minutes that we were untop.

Sunday will be another physical game DR Congo or Cameroon will definitely bring the pain but I'm hopeful we can do it God willing.

mrwilliams9:
Good win but our midfield will need to improve in the final.

I think we are better off dropping Lookman for Onyeka. Onyedika will need to start since Ndidi is suspended for the final.

Start off more solid and if need be, get more attacking later. My proposed formation:

Osayi
Fredrick
Bassey
Sanusi

Onyeka
Onyedika
Iwobi

Chukwueze
Osimhen
Simon

As I said that day no be by cho cho cho.

Odunayaw:
Mouyouma go don believe now

I was stunned into incoherent speech.

But trust Victor to miss the easy ones and score the difficult ones.

Odunayaw:
If you saw Osimhen's miss you'd have likely fainted o

Grateful our boy redeemed himself

Benjamin star boy all the players should contribute and give him double of his bonus.

Osimhen you warrior you but please don't give me heart palpitations again with that chance you fluffed.

Ndidi was almost dropping another mid performance before he turned to prime Declan Rice in extra time.

All round good job boys now please finish the job on Sunday.

Thank you God.

Regards

Currently? All the other LBs we have auditioned have flattered to deceive.

If Aina wasn't injured maybe he could have filled that role.

Subzerooo:
Putting Iwobi again in a midfield two when Onyedika is there is looking for trouble, I like our central defensive partnership, Is Zaidu Sanusi the best left back we have at the moment?

Yes they will. Aside from the optics I think they will officiate the game responsibly knowing all eyes will be on them.

MetalJigsaw:
Are the South African referees still going to officiate our game? If yes, na problem o

Game day!

I'm an incurable optimistic and believe the Super Eagles will soar today.

Get the job done boys!

Let's go Super Eagles!

I have read comments from people saying faulting why the players took this action on the eve of a crucial is siding with the oppressor lol When players male/female win games or win tournaments is it the oppressors that will receive cash rewards, national honours or houses?

Remove North Africa you think other African National teams don't have a story to tell?

NFF requires holistic restructuring that will test the patience of a saint.

My advice to players if the system is too chaotic for you to continue with don't honour invitations I will respect that decision 100% not to fully understand the system you're entrying to and then be pulling stunts at periods that make absolutely no sense.

NasirIbnLaAhad:
Lol. Comments like this amuse me. You've allowed our footballing exploits in the 90s to deceive you. NFA/NFF has always been like this. We just had players who were more concerned about putting their legacy before anything else. We had players with so much competitive pride, they wouldn't pass up an opportunity to assert their footballing dominance anywhere, in spite of the predatory organization called the NFF.

Then why decide to honour the invitation?

If the players had collectively before the AFCON or WC qualifiers said based on these unresolved issues we won't accept any invitations for matches I would have understood but pulling this stunt for such a crucial game? na!

Everyone in the NFF should definitely go that's a no brainer.

Mujtahida:
I just weak. This thing is one of those things one wishes it never happened cos it's hard to pass judgment. NFF has been owing them from what I hear since 2019. If it's true then, haba haba

Honestly it hurts deeply because they don't appreciate the potential joy they will bring to millions but their shortsightedness has cost them.

Mikel has his faults but he knew when to do aluta and when to focus on the bigger picture.

Just sad all round.

Goke7:
I’ve never been a defender of the players o except am being misled. This one in particular is a disgrace and for the first time I think Ekong is not a good captain. I had thought being a foreign born there would be some Behind approach to issues like this but alas e no different from the agbero generation of dem oliseh and taribo west. There are new players in this team who were not even in Afcon see the bad things they are teaching them now