₦airaland Forum

Congratulations again to the Super Eagles for making it to their 16 semi-final. Should be an AFCON record if I'm correct. Kudos to the boys.

My Player ratings:

Nwabali - 8.5 God bless whoever recommended Stanley to JP. We finally have a goalkeeper. About yesterday's game he was at his solid and calming best. Defense did well to shield him most of the time but he still made crucial saves when called upon. His reflex save to deny Mabululu in the early minutes the highlight for me.

Ola Aina - 7.5 Started like a house on fire but dropped a bit in intensity as the game wore on. Was guilty of giving the ball away a few times towards the end of the 1st half but was solid in general. Didn't have as much influence in attack in the 2nd half.

Ajayi - 7.8 Solid performance from the West Brom man. Looked shaky on occasion but helped to keep the shape of our impregnable backline.

Ekong - 8.0 King Kong as solid as ever. Always in the right spot clearing dangerous balls. Marshaled the defense expertly. Real minister of defense.

Bassey - 8.0 Strong, unyeilding brick wall of muscle. Couldn't venture forward as much due to him having to cover for Zaidu ( more on him later). Out muscled every Angolan forward who came his way. Future great.

Zaidu - 6.5 The game exhibited the best and worst of his game. Full of energy and speed but lacked the final pass and intelligent ball. He was obviously the weak link in the defense that almost conceded in the early minutes due to not marking his man on the corner. Won't be too harsh on him since it was his pass to Simon that led to our goal.

Iwobi - 8.0 In my opinion his best match for the Super Eagles at this AFCON. Provided midfield control and was full of energy before he tired out. His clever chip to Sanusi that started off the sequence leading to our goal highlighted just how crucial he was to our overall game yesterday.

Onyeka - 7.5 Frank the tank! full of energy as usual. At a time seemed to be single handedly battling the Angolan midfielders especially when Iwobi came off. Warriors performance.

Lookman - 8.5 Ademola you legend! I guess he's filling the 'Victor Moses role' for Nigeria in this tournament. Took his goal damn well. Full of running, skill and heart.

Osimhen - 7.5 Somewhat subdued performance from our talisman but he was still a threat. Troubled the Angolan defense best as he could after the foot stamp. Was unlucky to have his goal cancelled by a marginal offside call and should probably have scored later in the game. Overall his tireless running and never say die attitude continues to inspire his teammates.

M.Simon - 8.5 Man of the match performance from the Nantes winger full of guile, skill and pace. His intelligence and movement for his assist to Lookman can't be praised enough. Was a constant threat to the Angolan backline with his dribbling and speed. Worked admirably for the team.

Substitutes:

Yusuf - 7.0 Took a while to get into the rhythm of the game. Gave away a few careless early passes but became solid once he settled fully into the game. Helped maintain our structure and organization.

Aribo - 6.5 Didn't impact the game as much as I would have wanted. Remember a counter attacking foray he messed up. Overall contributed to seeing us home.

Onuachu - N/A Didn't get enough minutes for me to adequately judge his game but did well to help run down the clock.

Omeruo - N/A Didn't feature much in the final minutes to get a rating


Overall solid performance mixed with some good fortune.

Yeah they give great analysis and in-depth views on tactical plays.

If na our people na so so arrogant takes without any analytical depth.

Mujtahida:
You sabi them. They are good. None of our people match their analytical acumen. Their accent makes it sweeter

Me I just want win even if na 1/4 goal.

charlesemeka85:
hmmmmm, my hand no dey ooo

I’m predicting 3-0 and Osimhen to score

KC after Osimhen is our most potent forward FACT!

I don't expect him to start going by our formation but I expect him to feature at some point during the match.

komekn:
Why would your bring in KC a player out of form for the past three seasons, has not played a competitive game of football since 2nd December 2023, left the injury treatment table straight to the SE, is not match fit even the manager has confirmed my earlier thoughts 💭.

What's he going to do, sing praises 🤔

It's a crucial game you need all the players who are capable and fit on their best 100% ➕ to win it .

It makes no scientific sense but I've seen this kind of scenario happen too many times to outrightly dismiss it.

Blueelf:
I just feel that the universe works in mysterious ways

Notice that when people are overly confident and borderline arrogant about a certain outcome, the opposite happens

Iheanacho.

RawSex:
who's KC?

I agree they should leave all these phone calls until final na!

Send a goodluck message and keep it moving.

Barryseal:
So Tinubu will be speaking to the players before the match today.
A bad decision if you ask me.

I was the one he had the issue with and till today I still don't understand what the fuss was about considering that we don't know each others ages to be claiming 'seniority'

Icons4 and Kog45 are the elders on this forum but they don't use it to lord it over anybody else.

This is a platform meant to share opinions and catch fun. It's not that deep that we will now demand whether you should refer to anyone as bro, guy etc.

The only thing I agree on is to keep our interactions respectful and curse free.

Emmy450:
This is exactly the reason I was indifferent when "majoribanks" had that outburst sometimes ago, when he was called "guy" , "bro" by someone far younger than him. I didn't fault him at all cuz he was trying to kill the disrespect early.

Game Day!

Expecting a tough match but very optimistic of a positive result. Praying everything goes well.

Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi and KC bring the fire today.

LET'S GO SUPER EAGLES!

The solution to our midfield problems is in the horizon with the likes of Ebenezer, Eletu, Fisayo Bashiru and maybe a rejuvenated Nwakali still to come.

Icon4s:
I am not a fan of Mourinho and all along I have been indifferent about JP until this AFCON.
If you really objectively watch those games we drew against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, not that the boys didn't play just that they couldn't easily unlock the defence of those teams. What the team lacked was creativity and they still lack it. However, in this AFCON they have been able to make up for it with power, long balls and speed, which are mostly what you need to play against African oppositions. This style of play will take you no where in a major tournament like the world cup. Going forward we still need to do something about that our midfield.

Happy Birthday blessings.

soetanoreoluwa:
Thank you sir. Appreciated

And this was after EG missed a penalty and had a man sent off.

The SE have been in battles in this AFCON. Praying and hoping we win more to claim the ultimate prize.

Goke7:
That’s why I laugh when someone here say we have not played stronger opponents, we all thought Equitorial Guinea was soft until they walloped both Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. It has taken Guinea a team who beat us just before Afcon to send a stubborn Equitorial Guinea out.

Exactly all the 'smaller teams' on the continent have lost respect for the bigger teams on the African continent.

If you don't bring on match day you will be disgrace. CIV, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco can testify.

This is truly a no gree for anybody tournament.

Pray good fortune hopefully follows with our best form on Friday.

BankyGee:
“Anyone who thinks next match will not be as difficult as this one, won't play” 🤣
- Alhaji Jamiu Feseiro (When asked how he and the players see the Angolan team)

Now that's the spirit 😤

Abeg continue your negativity it's your (un)patriotic duty

Blueelf:
This one I am low-key supporti g SE.

However, I notice that they don't do well when I support them. So if that will make them fail. Let me upport them in my closet



Cc charlesemeka85

Bassey is not built long term to be a LB. Rangers and Europa level dey different small o.

Marjoribanks:
lol! Bassey is a natural LB! Go and watch him at Rangers, specifically the Europa!!

Lungs that can't do basic things!
Where did you get this Lungs bohaha from? Ridiculous!

If CIV play an absolute tactical game they could nick it but the team I saw against us and EG look too disorganized to pull it off.

Joebie:
Welcome bro.

Senegal is the better team absolutely. However some factors could tilt it the other way.

I would rather want us to meet Senegal if we get there.

Exactly. Zaidu might be lacking quality in his final ball delivery but his tireless running on the left flank has been crucial to helping the team keep their defensive structure. Calvin's size and general pace makes it unwise to start him as a LB or LWB.

comodo:
Pls. Bassey lungs and Sanusi lungs no be the same. Running that channel upandan no be come chop oh. It get why Sanusi dey there. He will come good. Bassey will still be doing his 10mins as usual.

Drogba for George Weah.

Asamoah should getat.

Kuffour, Kuolibaly, Taribo or prime Radebe over Song

nihilistjnr:
Debate.

The only Nigerian player I can make a case for to hold shirt in this team is Enyeama, and that's a damn shame.

raumdeuter:
E remain make e get one eye patch and become Baba Fryo

Men e still dey burst my brain how our defense restricted Cameroon to ZERO shots on target.

Was reading how N'Koudou who had a tournament high 10-chances created from open play and set-pieces was completely nullified by Aina yesterday.

Spot on assessment. Alex's link to Jayjay makes everyone judge him based on his Uncle's outrageous skills and talent instead of appreciating Iwobi for his own qualities.

Amedino99:
his connection with okocha has affected his rating in the eagles. His performance since his first day has always been measured against okocha's. most people don't even want to know if he is playing deep, they just want to see him play like okocha. The funny thing is that iwobi is just 5 goals behind his uncle in the nt and has 2 two more assist than okocha. He would have been viewed differently if he didn't have any connection with Jay Jay.

Iwobi has sacrificed alot of his traditional game for the team. The pre-assist for our second goal yesterday shows what he's capable of when played nearer the forwards but I think his tactical discipline and willingness to play for the team is making everyone unfairly target him for criticism.

Mujtahida:
I like this comment. Some daft people are attacking Iwobi. The thing pain me

Osimhen what a player, leader and legend!

I'm not a violent person but e reach to stone pesin for head wey dey misyarn say Victor dey over rated.

Mujtahida:
I'm just in awe of Osimhen. All I can say is thank God he is a Nigerian

My brother as I see the way Francis kick those goalkicks I redoubled my prayers for Nwabali to be fit by Friday.

The strongest agbo and best bone setters should be sent asap by dhl to Abidjan.

mostob:
Elder Kog, we will try herbs and concoction.
Aboniki balm and hot water is another option too. He must play against Angola.

The law good afternoon you make compelling arguments but I'm with egbon Kog45 on this Kanu matter.

Papilo in SE considering his status and standing in the game didn't do enough for me. In 2000 that was undoubtedly his best tournament for the SE who showed up when we were on the brink of getting knocked out by Senegal? Aghahowa and Oliseh to the rescue. I struggle to pick clutch moments Kanu outside of the Olympics had for the national team. Is my take controversial maybe but it's not without some facts to back it up.

Mujtahida:
Haaa don't say this ooo. Kanu was good. The fact he didn't score Afcon goal does not diminish his impact. I remember then Kanu comes in and the dynamics of a game changes.

He's arguably the most intelligent attacker Nigeria has ever had. And to have battled that heart issue and play with such sleekness and power, Kanu had steel.

We don kukuma dey used to their antics. Sure they have a folder load of drafts

I'm hopeful the boys will get the job done tonight.

charlesemeka85:
Super eagles abeg Mk una no allow “shebi I tell una” group crawl out from their holes tonight


They shall remain there till the end of this competition ijn 🤣🤣🤣🤣🥱🥱

Honestly it's infuriating? Even Stevie Wonder can see was infront of his man but was pushed off like a small child.

comodo:
He will never go near those pictures to yarn his dust as usual. See acres of space in front. How was Aina the speedster beaten to that ball. Shoved aside that he even entered corner.

I think the bottom line of JPs statement is we want to win in style but if we end up with a drab 1-0 win we will take it.

Algeria and Ghana that scored loads of goals with 'sexy penetrating passes' copy Amokachi have gone home we on the other hand are still around with our ISIS style football.

Joebie:
I mean he is not saying anything unless he is suggesting he is going to adopt a conservative approach

At what point was Yusuf struggling physically against the EG players.

Infact I won't waste my time again suit yourself.

komekn:
Are you trying to take the Mickey❓❓, to say you don't know, exactly what is meant by physicality.

Running and effort are about stamina.

When we talk about the physicality of Cameroon it's not stamina we are talking about.

I am sure 95% of people here can explain it to you , if you don't know.

Are you for real?

A poster just should of screenshot of the exact moment Kenneth was beaten and you're still claiming he was floored?

SMH

komekn:
Your contradict yourself, Omeruo gets floored and wasted from a long telegraphed simple ball and it's Aina's fault.

I was being generous to Omeruo, Yaya sent from about 95 yards a long ball from just outside his 18 box , you can see it coming from a mile away.

Omeruo's anticipation was poor and he missed a simple clearing header in addition he could not hold of the stronger Cameroon forward.

It's very poor defending you can't blame Aina for the mistakes of his CB.

Isn't running and effort part of physicality?

Honestly your takes have me wary of you as a football scout.

komekn:
First of all IMO he was not the best player against EQG.

He huffed and puffed but he couldn't blow the house 🏠 down for me. Limited technical ability, invention and creativity. But a lot of running and effort, he ran out of steam and has no physicality .

Against a very physical and robust Cameroon he will get wasted. He doesn't have the technical dexterity or speed to evade and wade through much bigger taller physically stronger 💪🏿 players with skill and technique.

In addition he has no aerial dominance against the much taller Cameroon midfielders.

That's how l came to my deduction, do you disagree ❓

Class CAPtain Aina was caught napping end of.

Omeruo getting beaten in the air happens to every decent defender on any given day.

Kenneth responsible for the second goal True true na CAPrisone full your blood stream.

komekn:
Aina was ahead of Omeruo and to his left and spread out in 4 -3 -3 formation as would be expected.

Omeruo who was the CB could see a long telegraphed routine long ball coming from 40 yards, completely missed the header got bullied and out muscled by the Cameroon forward.

Aina was moving forward in anticipation expecting Omeruo to intercept this routine simple long ball and head into his pathway so he can receive it and start an offensive move forward.

But Omeruo messed up big time , Aina was forced to sprint back to clear his mess but it was in vain the damage had already been by done.


Even the second cross was very poor defending and anticipation by Omeruo.

Omeruo was directly responsible for both goals.