₦airaland Forum

Bro sometimes necessity is the mother of invention. Look at how coaches in Europe shuffle their defensive options when the right combination isn't working.

Efe Ambrose is/was a CB but Keshi used him as a RB to fulfill a role when quality options were unavailable.

charlesemeka85:
trying aina at cb? Nawaooo 😳

We still need to see Alhassan to see what he brings to the table in terms of quality.

ChrisKels:
Aribo shouldn't be getting an invite ahead of Nwakali and Alhassan.

Semi for whatever reason just doesn't bring that ruthlessness and determination as a defender. Anytime I've seen him come up against quality control opposition attackers he struggles whether in club or national team football. Ekong too is like that sometimes. Omeruo is now too slow what do we do.

Can't we even try Aina in the CB role at least he's more composed defensively.

Kog45:
Semi dey forget himself?pls how many times Semi/Bassey paired in GWG.

Semi at at today is Peseiro number one CB unless he messes it up.When Akpogunma and Basset messed up it was Semi and Omeruo to the rescued.

Nigeria Afcon starting eleven without Semi or Omeruo would be difficult

To be fair to Aribo have we utilized him where he's most effective eg. B2B midfielder or the kind of roving role we currently see with Ndidi at Leicester?

The Brazil and Ukraine friendly we saw how he performed. Aribo needs to be nearer the attacking third to get the best out of him.

ChrisKels:
Aribo shouldn't be getting an invite ahead of Nwakali and Alhassan.

Wow Moffi come knack PSG two akpako

God has really blessed Nigeria with strikers now sotey it's looking like favoritism

Even though Boni didn't score from the highlights I watched he was a real thorn in the Bayern defense. Loved his close control and chuckled at the way he deleted Upamenco a couple of times. His audacious attempt from the half way line is all I need to confirm he has an extremely sharp football IQ. Overall he should have gotten a goal against Bayern but he will improve. Could he be a potential future AFOTY nominee? Watch this space.

Does anyone have info on 25 year old midfield prospect Ibrahim Olawoyin? Was watching highlights of his performances in the Turkish league. Looks decent

Facts! Nzeogwu was a Che Guevara type of romantic revolutionary unfortunately he naively trusted Ifeajuna who hijacked the coup especially in the SW. Unfortunately the suspicious behaviour of SE elites like Azikiwe who was conveniently not in the country and failure to eliminate key Igbo leaders and officers gave the coup its ethnic colouration.

seunmsg:
I've tried severally to educate a lot of people about the the role played by Ifeajuna in the coup but the false lie that Nzeogwu led the coup is so entrenched. Ifeajuna actually led the coup and he was also responsible for the failure of the coup. Nzeogwu and Ademoyega were brilliant guys who simply wanted a revolution similar to the Cuban revolution and an end to the corruption of the political class. Ifeajuna on the other hand was an egoistic beast and tribal bigot who pretended to want a similar revolution but secretly had a different plan to entrench an Igbo political ruling class on the country. His bigotry led to the ethnicization of the killings and the eventual failure of the coup.

Wale Ademoyega was so mad at him that when he met him in Calabar prison, he gave him the beating of his life.

Balogun my G quality football brain if he had the physic and talent of guys like Ekong and Ajayi to go with his high football IQ he would have been one of our best defenders in a decade.

elyte89:
Dt akpoguma na scam ….he doesn’t play like a German breed…we knew when balogun was introduced…we could c d difference,it was an instant hit

Akpos is a no no for me.

Kog45:
So Semi don messed up in eagles before…..Balogun is not really playing right now but I think Omeruo is playing…Bassey,Akpogunma are suspects as CBs.

I would have preferred Balogun but injuries haven't been kind to him plus he hasn't featured in any JPes invitation doubt he'll get one now.

elyte89:
I can’t talk about musa cos obviously we av better options, however in dt defense ,omeruo and balogun is needed ,I never trust dt bassey guy and semilogo Ajayi sometimes mess up his games..

Hmmm Egbon it's really pathetic. To be fair in an ideal situation Uzoho won't have been half bad as a backup or third choice at worst.

Kog45:
Sir,pls go and watch Ghana vs Nigeria first leg and tell me who is better between Uzoho and Okoye though I don’t rate both.

Sir Chris,on what ground would anyone be telling me Okoye is better than Uzoho in eagles

You beat me to it. E choke!

Let's see what Magic CAF will perform to deny Osimhen the African Footballer of The Year Award.

TheSuperNerd:
Breaking: Victor Osimhen is only African nominated for the FIFA THE BEST Awards 2023

Even that is debatable however the harsh reality is as at today both of them are not at the level to be SE number 1.

charlesemeka85:
no one said he is good but better than uzoho

You make a good point since Bassey is left footed and Aina can also play that role we might not need to waste that spot.

Yeah I have an annoying sneaky feeling too Musa is going if he's not injured. Whatever happens JPes had better make sure we go with at least 5 midfielders.

Our attack men! we could easily donate some of our strikers to other countries. No wonder one German football analyst was lamenting that five Nigerian strikers can start for Germany currently.

AndSunGorilla:
I doubt Awaziem is in JP's plans, as per Omeruo, if Toru has really impressed JP e fit take am and most likely even take 8 defenders which I hope he doesn't. For Bruno and Zaidu, Bassey and Aina can easily cover that position. For all we know, the man might eventually take a 4 man midfield hopefully not to accommodate Musa. We shall see, the October list would reveal a lot too. I feel for Moffi though, attack wise we are stacked!!!!!! Also factoring injuries, anything can still happen.

I feel we have seen the best of Omeruo his lack of pace is too glaring these days. Think we need younger faster guys.

Kog45:
Omeruo is making the list and in fact likely to start with Semi Ajayi unless other CBs prove they are betters

Bro make we call a spade a spade Okoye get at least 70% blame for that goal but I didn't condemn him because of that one mistake. He had been dropping errors here and there for us SE fans to be worried.

That said everyone makes mistakes won't object if he's recalled to the national team as long as he has improved.

BankyGee:
Nigerians don give that guy PTSD wey he no go ever forget. Our R16 elimination in the 2021 AFCON dealt a blow on him due to the way Nigerians put the whole blame on him, and the funniest thing is that, the goal wasn't even his fault. He made world-class saves in that tournament that Uzoho can only fantasize about. The poor defence let him down that day and he tried to save the ball, did his best, but that kinda ball woulda beaten some of the best goalkeepers.

I concur with your list however I would swap Omerue with Jordan (if he's impressive) or Awaziem. Last attacking spot would probably go to who impresses the most between Orban, Sadiq Umar, Moffi and Akor Adams.

If the list is 26 I would add one more winger Ejuke or Olayinka, another midfielder (anyone of Nwakali, Alhassan, Ebenezer, Eletu etc) and Bruno as cover for Zaidu.

AndSunGorilla:
I think Nwobodo hasn't been given any chance whatsoever and it's possible he might be a positive addition to the team. Anyways I think he more or less knows his team now. How many players deyngo AFCON sef, 23 or 26? If na 23, I hope he does 3 GKs, 7DFs, 5MFs,7Fws that makes 22, the one spot remaining he can do whatsoever he likes with that . Maybe that 1 spot might be for Musa (I hope not). Breaking it down for me, I would go with
Uzoho
Adeleye
Aniagboso/Olorunleke/Okoye etc
Aina
Ajayi
Bassey
Zaidu
Osayi
Omeruo
Ekong
Ndidi
Onyeka
Iwobi
Aribo
Onyedika
Kelechi
Osimhen
Awoniyi
Luku
Chuks
Boniface
Simon Moses
Musa/Orban
Na my own prediction be that for a 23 man list

Excellent submission! It's like you plugged a USB drive into my brain and downloaded everything in my mind about our chances and the state of the opposition we will face.

I might also add the goalkeeping department good or bad is another area that might determine our fate.

JPes might still tweak the midfield before the start of the AFCON but one of our many options like Nwakali, Eletu, Nwobodo will really have to force his hand by posting superb performances for their clubs.

TheSuperNerd:
Only thing that playing Nacho and Lookman showed is that JPes loves to attack. He wanted Goals rain.

But the man still shows ineptness in balancing our midfield dynamics. The way out? I am afraid we are stuck with JPes till Afcon.

I hope he can just manage to find a good enough balance in the middle (not perfect but something not far from it by a few hundred miles) that can enable our attack really wreck havoc on the continent or he should find a way to make our attacking wingers function as extra playmakers VS the TOP Sides, both invertedly and on the outside in sync with their corresponding Fullbacks.

These ways, our attack won't be shackled but free of most limitations to destroy Africa and bring home the Title.

This is Nigeria's chance. Senegal for me is on a decline although they remain strong by reputation and class (which is permanent than form). Egypt is "Play and die for Salah" and Inshallah. CIV is a bunch of above average players with more grit and power than brains. Algeria is also strong but nothing like their 2019 squad. Morocco is possibly the strongest team in Africa now based on Team Chemistry ONLY but Cameroun is not to be taken lightly as they are always a traditionally clutch tournament team. Ghana? They blow hot and cold... and always hot against the GWG.


Look, Nigeria has the best and most dreaded attack in Africa. Best CFs, some of the best Wing forwards/creative attacking wingers. Nigeria also boast decent midfielders albeit functioning unbalanced due to JPes' picks. Our defence is not the strongest but it is decent enough with quality fullback depth and hopefully Torunarigha joining the CB options strengthens that department.

We have what it takes to make it number 4 but it rests on JPes' tactical and technical selections and decisions. But trust me, the tools are all there. It is more about whether he will recognise he needs a hammer when faced with the problem of nails.

Welcome back doc! yeah Boniface is an exciting talent. Glad he's working with an accomplished football brain like Xavi Alonso who will further refine his rough edges.

I wasn't sure if he could be a consistent outlet for goals but the little I have seen of him this season has impressed me.

Thank God for the array of strikers we have at the moment. Can't explain how they emerged all of a sudden but I'm thankful.

It's crazy that Osimhen, Awoniyi, Iheanacho, Boniface, Orban, Moffi among others are all products of youths with no connections to any NPFL side.

TheSuperNerd:
Victor Okoh Boniface has catapulted himself above the likes of Moffi, Onuachu and Sadiq in the Hierarchy of Super Eagles Strikers now.

A complete central forward beast also adept at playing through the channels and falling into the "pockets" between the lines to link plays.

A Big Mobile Hitman.

He truly is dangerous. I am beyond excited at how much better he can still become.

Chai make una free Rohr na goal limit bi bawo

Amedino99:
I'm not sure it really matters that much. Ghana once laboured to beat Sao tome 1-0 and 3-1 but we know the story when we landed on them. And besides under rohr whose goal limit was 4, we beat them 4-2 and 3-0. Now imagine what a Jpes team will do to them.

I think you're disrespecting Yekini too much.

Yekini finished as AFCON scorer back to back 1992 and 1994.

Correction he did score in the semifinals against Ivory Coast.

Yes he was a bit poor in USA 1994 but remember there was gist of players for whatever reason not feeding him with killer passes.

We can celebrate Osimhen but please let's not downgrade the contributions of a legend like Yekini.

Marjoribanks:
Yekini won just one AFCON and failed to score in both Semi finals and finals of that AFCON win.
Yekini statpaded teams like Ethiopia, Gabon etc.
Yekini has just one tap in World cup goal. Missed a sitter against ten men Italy. Abeg rest!
Many watched Yekini live here ooo.

Oshimen is just 24 years old and has not even been to any AFCON as a starter yet.
Please rest all this talk! He was the highest goal scorer at the World cup qualification.
Unfortunate to lose out on away goal rule against Ghana without most of our top midfielders available for that game.
Please rest all this full potential crap.
He still has 3 to 4 AFCONs to go.

Honestly I just don't understand why Musa still wants to continue with the national team when diminishing returns don set in.

I wouldn't even mind if he was still playing at an appreciable level or is the team's talisman that constantly bails the team out in difficult situations but he's just not at that top level again.

Alhaji even use him own mouth talk say the last AFCON na him final one. He has been to two world cups, won an AFCON and achieved 100 plus caps what else does he want? Even when invited na bench he dey chop straight.

This is the issue I have with our legends they don't know when to leave when the ovation is loudest.

charlesemeka85:
Musa to get invites after the afcon will only be engineered by the big heads in the nff if not jpes won’t call him up

Left for jpes making the afcon team will be difficult for Musa

Yeah if/when Osimhen wins the APOTY he automatically enters top 10 Nigerian players ever in my books.

charlesemeka85:
a Nigerian winning the apoty will be massive because it was last achieved 99 by legendary Kanu

It’s not an easy feat to achieve sir

Ivory Coast and Algeria that won AFCON in the early 1990s were not minnows o. The only major African team I remember Yekini not scoring against was Ghana something Osimhen funnily enough also shares in common with him.

I don't fault Osimhen too much because you can only score against the opposition that is in front of him. I'm only encouraging him to also do it against the big teams.

At club level he has shown he can breach the defenses of big clubs like Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea so I'm optimistic he will be a thorn in the flesh whenever we tackle the likes of Senegal, Morocco or Cameroon.

charlesemeka85:
also u hv to look at it this way that then they were a lot of minnows especially in African football

As of then super powers in African football were Cameroon,Ghana,Egypt and Nigeria. Others were mostly below average teams n minnows

I'm looking at it from the quality of opposition Yekini faced. I already said earlier that it took time before he found his scoring boots

charlesemeka85:
yes he banged a lot from 1984-1998 🥱

Yes you're right Yekini was banging in goals against top African opposition like Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria and Ivory Coast.

If Osimhen wants to attain legendary status as far as the national team is concerned then scoring against the likes of Lesotho and Sao Tome won't cut it.

Icon4s:
Yes, I quite agree. Osimhen is hardly yet to achieve anything with the national team.
Osimhen is just one goal short of Yakabu, three short of Odegbami and 17 short of Yekini. Barring any dip in form or long term injuries, he is looking on course to overtake Yekini.
...........but, just like many others, I still feel he is yet to attain his full potential for the national team. The Principe and Sao Tome games really helped his career. I don't know how many of such teams he will face for the rest of his career. Yekini was scoring braces against highly rated teams like Ivory Coast and Algeria back then. Osimhen is yet to taste any world cup action and yet to play in any AFCON final let alone to win it.

I still believe if Yekini was playing in today's football he will be ahead of Osimhen in the national team pecking order.

Osimhen has to win something with the SE before we can do a comprehensive comparison with baba Yekini but we can evaluate their playing styles.

Yekini and Osimhen have similar big stature although Victor looks slimmer and slicker. Both are very single minded in wanting to score goals. Both are good in the air but Osimhen is better. Both have powerful shots but Rashidi's are like rocket launchers. Both have great hold up play but are not the most technical of players.

Osimhen is faster and his goal scoring prowess in the national team started quite early in his career whereas it took awhile before baba Yekini became prolific. The scary thing about Victor is that I don't think he's reached his peak yet.

I'm optimistic by God's grace if Osimhen stays injury free he will break Yekini's national team record in no time.

Icon4s:
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thanks for keeping up with the good work here.

With Victor Osimhen, hitting the 20goals mark for the Super Eagles, is it right to start a comparison between Osimhen and the Legendary Yekini?

If Federer had Djoko's stamina he would have been unplayable. Made Tennis look like a work of art.

Bluelines69:
Nadal’s game is too power intensive, no way he was avoiding those injuries, someone who seemed to have Novak’s number was Wawrinka but he too couldn’t stay fit

Congrats to Osimhen for hitting the 20 goals milestone.

It's okay for him to stat pad against the more humble sides but would love him to also do it against the top sides of world football.

Yekini's record definitely looks surmountable God willing a healthy Osimhen is poised to the break the record.

Can't explain why he was so poor.

Looks like some of the players downed tools. Saw a video of Rudiger hesitantly running back to stop a Japanese counter for the third goal.

andrewbaba44:
Like I said the earlier they sack flick the better for them ,and Bayern tax has been keeping him at the job

Just now hansi flick have been sacked

I watched excepts of the interview. Looks like someone who spent 70% of his time in Togo and Benin because his spoken english seems forced.

All the same a positive addition to the same team.

charlesemeka85:
I been think say Orban na yoruba boy self

Lol He had beef for him due to the kind of midfielders Chelsea signed around that it period.

BlueRayDick:
I think Ibime used to not like Emenalo that year