₦airaland Forum

Honestly I've been thinking how to express my thoughts towards the team since yesterday after the news of them boycotting training broke.

First the present NFF board has to go no matter the outcome of the qualifiers or AFCON. The FG in one way or the other has to get involved in how the new set of people will be elected into the glass house without incurring the wrath of FIFA. How that will be accomplished I don't know but where there's a will there's a way.

As for the players I don't know who advised them to take this line of action now. You can fight for the right cause but at the wrong time. They haven't qualified for the WC which would have given them better bargaining power but have allowed this distraction to very potentially torpedo their WC participation ambitions. If they don't make it they are the ultimate losers. Administrators come and go but ultimately players make their own legacy.

Atlanta 1996 was a sh**show in terms of preparation and renumeration but their determination to succeed cemented their place in the history of Nigerian sports and global forums.

The players could have made their point at the AFCON or even next year before the final stage of the WC qualifiers where to all intents and purposes they are 70% sure of going through.

If the players had this intent they should have just rejected the invitation for the upcoming games instead of wasting everybody's time.

A lot of us who invest our time and emotions in this team without getting a dime deserve better from the administrators and players. Truth be told I'm really contemplating whether I should bother watching tomorrow's game (If the players even show up).

I'm of the firm belief that this shall pass and Nigeria will achieve it's potential of becoming a truly great footballing nation.

Osayi should only come in when God willing the game has been more or less done and dusted to shore things up at the back.

Osimhen and the coach should be careful that the Gabonese don't pull a Rwandan stunt of eliminating him from the game through injury.

But men we really have to get out of this mental block of being unable to win a high-pressure match without Osimhen.

QueenJazz:
Eric Chelle should not even think of starting Osayi-Samuel o.

Osayi-Samuel vs Bouanga or Auba is a mismatch. I suspect (based on the recent call up list and his interview with Odegbami) that Chelle likes to play things safe (almost a little too safe), and stick to players he's familiar with. Awaziem is a much better right back than Osayi-Samuel.

If Osayi-Samuel or Troost-Ekong start against Gabon... 😂💔

I agree with the spirit of your post that the NFF needs to be professional and responsible in carrying out their duties of logistics planning and organization.

That said I really have to question the mentality of Iwobi that he's more concerned about creature comforts than about grabbing the sole WC ticket. What is my business about the view from my hotel window when a do or die WC qualifying match is around the corner?

There's time for everything and now is the time to focus on beating Gabon not whether hotel is 1 or 5 star.

The players are being owed arrears of bonuses but they have decided to focus on what is most important to avoid unnecessary distractions which should also be for this hotel issue IMHO.

[quote author=lovewins post=137422705]It's no news that the NFF is a useless organisation, but you sometimes expect that they will pretend to care when it matters, but it appears that's expecting too much of them.

We have a critical playoff to prosecute and their only job is to ensure that players are as catered for as possible so all their concentration is to ensure victory this week. Why did they then lodge players in this dump? Iwobi reportedly posted where they are lodged and I am short of words. How do you even lodge your players here?

Alex Iwobi showing off Super Eagles hotel in Morocco 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/8CUXVU2MDi

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 10, 2025

]

As they say on the street gbo gbo eleyi o necessatri!

Show working on the pitch no be by cho cho.

Our players should just put their heads down and focus on the tactics and not engage in **** measuring contest about who get 'Passun' pass.

mekabuachi:
https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/you-said-that-before-gabon-coach-responds-to-osimhen-comments-ahead-of-showdown-2025110720022320954

Osimhen said he would do everything to take Nigeria to the World Cup," Mouyouma said at Thursday's press conference.

"I think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already answered this question and demonstrated by scoring four goals against The Gambia.

"Against Burundi, he did not return to his club to prepare for the next fixtures. He stayed with his teammates to show that he really wants to lead the national team to the World Cup. So, I have almost nothing to say about Osimhen's words."
It's motivation, a call to unite his team behind him. But he also said in the last Afcon that he would do everything to bring the cup to Nigeria.

"Unfortunately, Ivory Coast won. Well, these are motivational words that everyone uses without conviction. It’s his opinion alone."

We're coming

minfelix:
Good morning from Gabon…see you all on Thursday

Decent lineup.

For Benjamin and Awaziem to swap places. Feel more at peace when Fredrick in the CB position. Chidozie should just do a job for us at RB.

Frank and Ndidi just don't compliment each other so it would probably be Alex to partner with either of the two in the middle.

Lookman wouldn't be a starter for me. Best coming off the bench till he's mentally settled. Moses Simon and Chukwueze to man both wings.

Akor to partner Victor in attack.

CapitalCee:
Eric Chelle must use this lineup agaisnt Gabon for Solidity. When Ajayi returns he replaces Awaziem.

Second half bring in Moses Simon and Frank Onyeka to shore up the team. And may be Akor for Lookman in the dying minutes

If you check their posts carefully it's always stated at the bottom the source of their data albeit in small print but it's there.

izzou:
E don reach time wey Senate suppose summon Statisense

Where are they drawing all these data from?

Ibitoye also confirms refs will be changed.

https://x.com/Toyin_Ibitoye/status/1986811865884991575

Reports say Chelle is in Morocco and will most probably speak to the list today.

MetalJigsaw:
I read that the list has been submitted but Chelle isn't making it public yet.

Make them just jam themselves for second round and V9 scores the winning goal to knock them out

Imagination got me in a chock hold

BankyGee:
Victor Osimhen has scored more goals than Napoli 💀☠️😂

Pour me water guy 😂

Na normal normal.

Weren't Morocco crowned AFCON winners because they got to WC semifinal bla bla bla.

I like it like that let them deal with the pressure of high expectation so teams like Nigeria can strategize in peace.

ChrisKels:
Nna eh! Senegalese and Moroccans don't rate other African teams. These people see the December AFCON as nothing but a contest between Senegal and Morocco.


I'm very angry right now. 😡😡

But seriously why did Lookman's coach put his hands on him? What kind of disrespect is that? Ademola definitely has to move in January.

Former coach publicly shames you after scoring a penalty now this?! SMH.

Immovable object vs irresistible force

larride:
Bayern has been unplayable this new season. A huge kudos to Kompany.

Their game against Arsenal will be fun.

Always appreciate your informed tactical analysis of player profiles.

TheSuperNerd:
Uche fits it yes, but in a differemt way. He is a Power playing, Technically adept, ball carrying hunk of a player. When I see Uche play, I see another Yaya (Mancity's version). Funnily like Uche, Yaya could also play all midfield roles from DM, CM to CAM. The all round Box to Box Monster. Showed it across the clubs he featured for before City. At City, we saw Yaya used in the best way, Box to Box with freedom to get forward and link up with the final third.


So like Yaya, Uche will be most effective when given the freedom to operate as our own complete, barnstorming box-to-box midfielder. He operates either centrally as the CAM (in some cases) or He plays (more often) as part of a double pivot in a midfield trio but with licence/freedom to get forward and make those strong powerful ball carrying runs as we saw him do time and again at Getafe in La Liga.


In Akinsanmiro, we have something slightly different in a creative sense. A Mezzala Creative profile. A midfielder with the ability to drift into the half spaces and try make things happen. While he is also expected to be comfortable centrally, he also moves into the channels between the opposition's central defenders and fullbacks (i.e. the halfspaces).
Examples of such profiles are Barella and Pogba. Akinsanmiro is in this light per his talent profile.

You're right he could easily have been on 4-5 goals from the group stage games.

That said I think he was unlucky in the knockout stages where VAR or offside goals check off some good goals against Angola and SA.

Bossoflife25:
You need to watch the AFCON again. I can mention 4 against Guinea Bissau and 2 against the Ivorians off hand!

For me personally I've not been overly critical of Lookman because of the transfer issue that said we can't wait for him to get his mojo back at the expense of the SE success.

He will come good I'm sure but how long that will take I can't say so for now pending when he gets back to form the coach shouldn't allow paper reputations or bias to cloud his judgment on the best group of players to deliver this qualification ticket.

Kog45:
Do we say same things applied to Lookman cuz am seeing some folks criticizing him, forgetting this is a player that went through transfer brouhaha

Added to why Napoli was having strained relationships with him. They probably thought he would skip AFCON to be fully fit for them and by the time he got back from CIV he was almost completely drained physically and mentally.

Bossoflife25:
Osimhen that was missing chances like water at AFON. However, I understood that Osimhen was not that fit before AFCON. If I could remember, he didn't touch the ball for like a month before AFCON. The reason I did not blame him much. Also, he put in a lot of running and was largely responsible for our progress despite the missed chances!

I don say sorry na

Sugarboyy:
That was how they were mentioning and praising Daga to high heaven until he went to the U20 World Cup and disgraced himself. They have now shifted to Eletu 😂

Mike Mayaki! Very insightful and eloquent chap.

Always liked hearing his takes mostly logical and devoid of agenda.

Mujtahida:
If you watch Supersport Soccer Africa, you will see him.

I was actually rooting for Efe Ambrose. His "experience" and guile on the ball will be useful

elyte89:
I am suggesting Joseph enakhaire too ..😎

SE to face Egypt in December before AFCON. Game to be played in Cairo

Lol still remember Alex Ferguson yapping him that he was born in the offside position

PDPGuy:
Yeah 😂😂

If it were during Inzaghi’s time, he would also have scored 500 career goals and be in the GOAT conversation 🤣

The pesin that drew up this Italian XI is biased in some areas cos what are Materazzi and Totti doing there?

No Nesta or Baresi in Defense?

Vialli and Del Peiro nko?

Squilacci and Christian Veiri

TheSuperNerd:
Flashback Friday Talk

Now talking tactically in the RW debate... To be honest, Prime Segun Odegbami will be my pick to take on Prime Paolo Maldini in a Nigeria All time XI vs Italy All time XI. Make dem kill themselves for that wing.

But if na Brazil or Spain be the opponent, Finidi straight! Lol

Andrew I see you fighting the good fight

In addition Osimhen that isn't EPL level half his European goals were against EPL opposition.

andrewbaba44:
Na you first jump egbon

Egusi for egusi

You go low and I go lower so we all dig the crude oil

Football back in the day was played with a code of honour that no quota would be asked or given on the field of play.

Afterwards what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch no grudges.

Same way Roy Keane and Patrick Viera who were guaranteed to fight during Arsenal/Man U matches back in the day are cordial now.

Goke7:
If these players are still friends till today dem try, na men dem be 😂

Your picks are solid however these are my few reservations.

I think Celestine was the more complete LB than Ben Iroha whose injury record like you noted wasn't great.

Keshi in starting Xl? For me it depends on the formation because in a flat four at the back defensive formation he would struggle. A prototype of the VVD type defenders of today, silky on the ball but not as defensively astute. Chairman Chukwu had that perfect blend of solidity and grace on the ball.

I prefer my defenders tough, rough and unyielding like Taribo West who I would prefer over Okechukwu.

Cocony:
My Super eagles all time XI
1 Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama

2.Right back- Efe Ambrose: Defensively and offensively astute with a minimum to zero rate of gifting the opponents dangerous freekicks or penalties.

3.Left back- Ben Iroha: Injury prone but top notch in his performances barring France 98.

4.Center Back- Stephen Keshi

5.Center Back- Uche Okechukwu

6.Defensive Midfielder- Sunday Oliseh

7.Central Midfielder- John Mikel Obi

8.Attacking Midfielder- Austin Okocha

9.Right Wing Forward- Finidi George It's rare to see someone move from Sharks(or was it Iwuanyanwu Nationale)in Nigeria to Ajax and displacing a known Marc Overmars. All these on the basis of National team contribution/significance.

10.Center Forward- Victor Osimhen: Despite not winning AFCON yet but emerging from Serie A as your teams goleador. And replicating it a season later with another in Turkey yet consistent in European main competitions and effect in the National team makes me drop YEKINI for OSIMHEN.

11.Left Wing Forward- Emmanuel Amunike.

If I didn't explain on certain people, to me they were and are still simply astounding to be compared

Yobo at RB between 2001-2002 was pretty decent. Remember that beautiful cross he gave Aghahowa for his goal against Sweden @ the 2002 WC?

You're right that he was more makeshift but even a lot of the full shift ones we had didn't perform as good as Big Joe in that position.

Ambrose sef na makeshift na lol. Efe was more of a CB but his decent ball handling skills were good enough for Keshi to deploy him in that position.

I think Aina has the potential to be considered the best RB we ever had but he has to achieve something great with the team.

daveP:
Hehehe. Na that backline dey cause wahala. Esp that RB part. Yobo ke? 😂
That is makeshift na. Musa Muhammad had potential to do exploits in that role but he fell off. He had the top talent to be the right side Marcelo with a better defending side. But....
Not suggesting him o. He didn't cook well on fire so..

So I'll put Ambrose cos of that Consistency over those years.

JJ i admire him but if I was the coach when he did that nonsense around the 3 minute mark in that video I for shoot am double barrel.

TheGoodJoe:
Contrary to your take, Jay Jay Okocha was up there in talent and understanding with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta. Just that he did not play in the right system to bring the best out of him.

This clip below, will give you an idea. As much as I prefer Mikel Obi's approach to the game, no denying Okocha is the greatest footballing talent to play for the Super Eagles.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jGC9lQPHsA

Great list. Would probably exchange Yobo with Chidi Odiah and Okechukwu with Christian Chukwu.

I think Stephen Keshi would be my choice based on managerial and tactical ability to manage this team.

semid4lyfe:
Assuming players were at their prime, my Super Eagles All-Time Best Starting 11 would be:

🔸Goal Keeper - Vincent Enyeama (1)
🔸Right Back - Joseph Yobo (2)
🔸Left Back - Celestine Babayaro (3)
🔸Centre Back - Uche Okechukwu (5)
🔸Centre Back - Taribo West (6)
🔸Defensive Midfield - Sunday Oliseh (4)
🔸Box to Box Midfield - Mikel Obi (8.)
🔸Attacking Midfield - JayJay Okocha (10)
🔸Right Wing Forward - Finidi George (7)
🔸Left Wing Forward - Emmanuel Ammuneke (11)
🔸Centre Forward - Victor Osimhen (9)

You're mixing up two separate issues.

He was talking about Oliseh the footballer not the coach or individual.

Whatever misgivings we might have about the 1994 set's behavior we can't take anything away from them when it comes to their outstanding football ability.

Jieta2:
The way you oldies praise this 1994 set is tiring, I've been on Nairaland going for fifteen years now every time I come online before I read ten comments I must read something related to the 1994 set you guys have besieged these sports sections just like they have besieged the glass house that any coach the NFF hires if he doesn't play like the 1994 set or handle issues like they time they criticism him.

Apart from Stephen Keshi and to a long extent Samson sia sia what has the 1994 set contributed to our football is it Okocha that almost ruin delta state football or Sunday oliseh that almost destroy the super Eagles, or let's talk about ikpeba that is destroying Nigerian youth with his bet9ja nonsense, I don't even want to mention that one that almost ruin our world cup hope.

What did they achieve which have not been done, they won the Nations Cup and reached the knockout stage didn't the 2013 set equal the record what is so special about them that we will not hear a word?

Racism to the rescue

Ragingthunder:
Atalanta youngster, Honest Ahanor,the 17-year-old left-back, who only joined Atalanta this summer from Genoa, is now valued at €20 million, a career-high mark.
However, despite his Italian upbringing, he remains eligible to play only for Nigeria, as Italian law no longer grant automatic citizenship to children born in Italy to foreign parents. He can only apply for citizenship after turning 18 and proving continuous residence. For now, Ahanor’s international future lies firmly in Nigerian hands.

Basco Nwabali never had a bust up with Ekong at the AFCON o. It was Serge Aurier Stanley was threatening to fight while Ekong was telling him to cut that s**t out and calm down.

Just thought to correct that notion. Not joining your argument with D'Law.

Bascovanveli2:
You are the one who brought up AFCON. I said he had a bust up with Ekong at the AFCON.
Did u raise this complaint during the AFCON? No. What was the difference between now and the AFCON? Okoye. It doesn't take a rocket scientist. U were willing to accept the mistake but now u feel there is a suitable back up u don't want to. I had made a previous comment out of anger but now I think about it I didn't mean it that way sha. So my apologies.