₦airaland Forum

We sha still qualified out of that group so the draw no matter how bad didn't end up damaging our campaign.

minfelix:
Baba no try defend that irritating draw ooo…With That draw, It was better we lost 1-0 to Sierra….which kind yeye thing b that 🤣🤣🤣from 4-0 to 4-4 draw with African Minnow🤣🤣

Even CHAN Eagles with Ladan Bosso as coach would never bottle a 2-0 with 4 minutes plus extra time to go.

minfelix:
omo most of them raging aggressively in that interview just dey mention Nigerie!! Nigerie!! Nigerie!!
im like wetin we do again🤣🤣🤣….They all really were confident in their annoyance super eagles wont bottle that lead

Yeye team snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I stand to be corrected but Nigeria has never bottled a significant lead to end up losing. And before anyone trys to use the Sierra Leone game in Benin as a gotcha moment that one sef na draw wedraw in the end.

Mujtahida:
Thiaw Thiaw 😀😀

I talk am

chrisooblog:
If you see the way I hiss when I see the final scores this morning

Anyway they go surely chop am in the next round. Delay is not denial

Yeah I did concede that we were hanging on for dear life in the second half.

I'm just saying had we gotten that second goal added to Osimhen not getting injured maybe we would now be arguing and debating about our team's performances at the WC.

Subzero047:
You forgot that Nwabali saved our asses in the second half, they had multiple chances to score

You've said it all.

To add a little point our failure to train a full day because of the bonus row added to our lack of fitness going against the Congolese.

What I do agree with is that the Dr Congo coach has absolutely figured out their strength and has/is squeezing every drop of tactical advantage from it.

FiveFootNinja:
Strong disagree @bold. Eric Chelle basically solved DR Congo and quite easily too. What failed us against DRC was fitness + Osimhen injury. Watch the first 15-20 mins of that game against DRC. We wan kee them. We scored in the first 3 minutes. 3 minutes!! Remember, prior to our game that day, DRC had not conceded any goal that early. In fact, DRC usually scored first against their opponents in the qualifiers. Even the game that Senegal beat them 3-2, it was DRC that was winning 2-0 before the game turned on its head. So we were basically the first team to put DRC one goal behind at that point in time.

And like someone else here said, that Ndidi + Chukwueze miscommunication was going to be our second goal, clean. If that second goal had entered, we would have ran away with that game just like we did with Benin and Gabon.

When we lost footing was towards the end of the second half. The 120 mins we played against Gabon prior started working against us and we started making elementary school mistakes that we don't usually make. Mistimed passes, poor positioning etc. Then Osimhen's injury happened and we completely lost the plot. Confidence plummeted to zero and DRC smelt blood, so they pounced. The only players who bothered to put up a fight that day were Benjamin, Bassey and Nwabali. Every one else was checked out mentally and physically.

Let me not even get started on Arokodare and how he flopped that header that would have effectively changed the game if he had buried it.

Or the penalties that Nwabali basically won for us with two abi even three saves (can't remember how many) but we failed to capitalize.

Woh- we threw the game away at every turn. We had so many chances to finish that game off but we couldn't. Because physically and mentally, the boys weren't there.

Till this day, I don't say DRC won. I say we lost. We had that game in our hands and threw it away.

D'Law had we scored that crucial second the Congolese would have been shaken to their core and we would have played with more confidence.

We slightly dominated the first half but the loss of Osimhen completely demoralized the team before the 2nd half. Unfortunately many of our forwards were also off colour.

Mujtahida:
I disagree that they tactically defeated us. It was sheer physicality.

Yes we were outsmarted by the coach but a little bit of badluck on our end aided them on the day. Ndidi and Chukwueze getting into each others way for what should have been a second goal plus the loss of Osimhen which emboldened the Congolese to come at us.

EElopa:
The Dr. Congo coach is an elite-level coach, and I will be shocked if he stays with that team after this World Cup. Some of these Middle Eastern countries will throw the kind of money at him that Dr. Congo cannot just match. They still have some top attacking talents coming to them after the World Cup, like Senny Mayulu of PSG.

I don't know if he will choose to stay and chase the AFCON title and perhaps a real run in the 2030 World Cup with some big attacking talents that are on their way. The Democratic Republic of Congo will be a problem in Africa for the next foreseeable future.

AFCON, to me, has now established itself as the second most competitive continental tournament, only behind the Euros. He is milking out every ounce of ability in that Dr. Congo team. I love Eric Chelle, but he tactically outmaneuvered him in that playoff finals. England struggled with Ghana's and Panama's low block and physicality, and they can give England problems.

They are now playing with house money. They have nothing to loose anymore. They have outperformed expectations, and all the pressure in the world will be on England on that day. The world will expect England just like they expected Portugal to tame them, but it is now up to Dr. Congo to shock the world like they did against Portugal.

Winners Chapel. If no be Panama wey dey do Father Christmas for June.

charlesemeka85:
Ghana will win Croatia 1nil. Bookmark this

Lamba goal strikes again no be only AFCON na UFC.

mostob:
Lol

African teams that I think have the most realistic chance of advancing to the round of 16 are Morocco, Senegal, and CIV based on their level of talent. Egypt too could probably sneak through. If the others make it through it means their opponents were really poor and didn't play up to their capabilities.

TheSuperNerd:
Even more than our mod with 6, you have 7 African teams going through.

Alright. Time will tell.

In addition every qualifying campaign whether WC or AFCON should be tackled with the seriousness it deserves. No more inviting players out of the blue with no noticeable trace of their abilities whether diaspora or local.

That should be reserved strictly for friendlies.

Plus they should ensure we have a pool of 40-50 players we stick to strictly except for one or two rare exceptions.

elyte89:
We’re probably just 20% away from putting ourselves in a strong position to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup after renewing Eric Chelle’s contract. Now, two key areas must be addressed:

1. Upgrade our home advantage

The NFF and relevant authorities should renovate at least two stadiums preferably the Abuja National Stadium and one other to meet the standard we witnessed in Morocco. Our World Cup qualifying home matches should also kick off no earlier than 6:00 p.m. under floodlights, allowing the players to perform in more comfortable weather conditions.

Our poor home results during the 2022 and 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns showed that we have not maximized our home advantage. Every point matters, and any nation serious about qualifying must treat every game like a final. The competition is becoming even tougher, with more African countries gaining World Cup experience and confidence. Imagine being drawn against teams like DR Congo, Cape Verde, or Gabon in the next qualifiers there will be no easy games.

2. Establish a dedicated Super Eagles management team

The NSC and NFF should create a professional management unit responsible for the Super Eagles’ off-field operations, focusing on planning, logistics, player welfare, and administrative coordination throughout the qualification campaign.

This would help prevent avoidable issues such as delayed payments, poor travel arrangements, and player protests over unpaid bonuses. A well-organized team off the pitch gives the players the best chance to succeed on it.

Going forward, we must be deliberate, proactive, and professional in every aspect of our World Cup qualification campaign. Success is achieved not only through talent but also through proper planning and execution.

This number 2 suggestion is the koko.

Establish a special committee, board, agency call it whatever outside of direct NFF control to oversee all things preparation like you said. Apart from logistics everything around payment of bonuses will be monitored and carried out by them.

The management team will be made up of reps from Govt, NFF, Journalists, ex-players, local league reps but should strictly be run as a private sector project.

The Falcons too should have a similar arrangement.

elyte89:
We’re probably just 20% away from putting ourselves in a strong position to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup after renewing Eric Chelle’s contract. Now, two key areas must be addressed:

1. Upgrade our home advantage

The NFF and relevant authorities should renovate at least two stadiums preferably the Abuja National Stadium and one other to meet the standard we witnessed in Morocco. Our World Cup qualifying home matches should also kick off no earlier than 6:00 p.m. under floodlights, allowing the players to perform in more comfortable weather conditions.

Our poor home results during the 2022 and 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns showed that we have not maximized our home advantage. Every point matters, and any nation serious about qualifying must treat every game like a final. The competition is becoming even tougher, with more African countries gaining World Cup experience and confidence. Imagine being drawn against teams like DR Congo, Cape Verde, or Gabon in the next qualifiers there will be no easy games.

2. Establish a dedicated Super Eagles management team

The NSC and NFF should create a professional management unit responsible for the Super Eagles’ off-field operations, focusing on planning, logistics, player welfare, and administrative coordination throughout the qualification campaign.

This would help prevent avoidable issues such as delayed payments, poor travel arrangements, and player protests over unpaid bonuses. A well-organized team off the pitch gives the players the best chance to succeed on it.

Going forward, we must be deliberate, proactive, and professional in every aspect of our World Cup qualification campaign. Success is achieved not only through talent but also through proper planning and execution.

Hopefully if Zadok develops his game and lives up to potential we won't have to worry about Chukwueze's subpar performances.

Mujtahida:
I watched Dembele yesterday curling balls into the back of the net and it made me think: why can't Chukwueze play like this?

If he attempts to drift across the final third, the ball gets taken from him. If he attempts to dribble, the ball becomes tangled in his legs or gets taken away.

He rarely crosses the ball.

We need a more effective player on that right. I prefer Azeez to Zadok. To me Azeez has that kind of Lookman's intelligence.

Dribble to the touch line like Ikedia irritates me. And that's how I see Zadok. I might be wrong sha

I think it's time we start moving on from our failure to qualify from the WC debacle.

Winging, crying, and wailing will not hoist our flag at the WC.

What we should dedicate our energy to now as supporters of the national team is finding solutions and making sure this never happens again.

Giving Chelle a new contract is a step in the right direction however it's just a step more crucial strides need to be made to set the SE up for sustainable success.

NFF leadership should be voted out in September. The Technical Department needs to be completely retooled and infused with fresh ideas. Eguavoen great guy but I think we have seen the limits of his ability.

I'm hopeful for the future based on the quality and quantity of talent however we have to do better at discovering and convincing diaspora talent. Morocco, Senegal, CIV, and even Cape Verde have the drop on us on that area. Hopefully the new Diaspora team can make head way in that approach.

True but US is like a second home.

Theben:
Canada won't play at home.

I see it as a 50/50 game however the Moroccans should watch it the Dutch have so far proven to be very sharp in front of goal.

The Moroccans will try to dominate possession but the Dutch have shown (example Japan game) they don't need to monopolize the ball to hurt you.

Goke7:
The Moroccans can match the Dutch man for man and skill for skill and if they are not wasteful with their opportunities like they did against Scotland who says they can’t beat the Dutch

Whether the biggest or fattest it's not a senior men's trophy.

Messi is not rated the greatest because he won an underage tournament. Rather he's judged on trophies he won against men in Copa America and World Cups.

raumdeuter:
The biggest trophy Nigeria ever won in football was won by Kanu. The olympics of 1996 beating R9, Carlos, Rivaldo Bebeto etc

All this shalaye still doesn't translate to a senior men's trophy or tournament goal.

Leave kindergarten successes talk for the likes of Nduka Ugbade, Rabiu Ibrahim, Kelechi Iheanacho and co.

raumdeuter:
Kanu as a teenager won an U17 tournament
Okocha never won it anything in underage

Beyond teenager years, Kanu won Nigeria the biggest trophy in our countrys history
Okocha was a carry along who did nothing

Kanu club career at his peak played for tier 1 clubs Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal at his peak
Okocha club career at his peak played for tier 2-3 clubs like Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, PSG, Bolton

If anyone would even be called generational talents between the two, it would be Kanu who did stuffs at U17, as a teen won Nigerian league, won the Dutch league, won the CL for Ajax
Beyond teenage won Nigeria the biggest title, at club level EPL titles. Tell us about Okocha again

He won a senior national team title unlike someone else who couldn't score a single goal in 9 tournaments let alone winning one.

[quote author=raumdeuter post=139836678]OKOCHA as in which one? See as he slide the useless player into conversation

What did Okocha do as a teenager and what did he do as a fully grown player[/quote]

Even a massive win like 7-0 still doesn't guarantee they will advance.

mostob:
Not looking good

Fair point but Kane was already banging in 30 plus goals per season by age 21-22 so I think he deserves to be in the conversation.

I think you can be a slight late boomer and be a generational talent.

It's not beans to be England's highest ever goal scorer surpassing greats like Rooney, Bobby Charlton and co.

afrodoc:
Kane no enter.

A true generational talent will show extreme ability from a very young age. Basically from teenage years we will know that this player is special.

Kane is an all time great in terms of his performance and overall ability but he worked and developed it more than being a pure talent.

I can see why you have misgivings about Vini's generational status but then it's hard to ignore what he has achieved with Real Madrid.

I would say let this WC be the litmus test. If Brazil wins it with Vini being front and center then your debate ends if not then it continues.

andrewbaba44:
Na vini I Dey argue with person

i said he is very good but not a generational talent 😂

outside the obvious ones Messi and CR7 I would say Yamal, Vini Jnr (debatable admittedly), Kane, Mbappe, and Haaland.

andrewbaba44:
Abeg make una give me like 5 current players wey una think say he generational talent 🙏

I Dey argue with person

Almost all the group sef I back SE to advance. It's only the Tunisian group with Japan Netherlands and Sweden that is touch and go.

andrewbaba44:
There see many group Naija will qualify ,like many ,but if I talk now dem go say we no come World Cup ,so I won’t blame them

World Cup now don easy pass before ,make fifa end am here sha ,I hope they don’t change it to every 2 years

El Fenomeno for a reason

Ibime:
If you did not watch football in the 1990s, you cannot know Ronaldo Nazario

Indomie generation can only make assumptions based on catching the second part of his career as fat Ronaldo in the 2000s

Ronaldo before his 1999 injury was a GOAT

Ronaldo after his comeback in 2002 was a Henry level player

He sat down from 1999 to 2002 with an exploded kneecap. Returned in 2002 after 3 years out and scored 8 World Cup goals to win the golden boot.

As in, he returned from 3 years sickbed straight to the World Cup and smashed it.

He trained by himself in Brazil to get in physical shape for that World Cup and having climbed that mental and physical mountain and conquered it, he immediately relaxed and let himself go physically, turning up to Real Madrid that summer as fat Ronaldo and that second half of his career is what clouds his legacy

Yeah that move to Inter came out of nowhere but to be fair he probably wanted to test himself in the best league in the world which was Serie A at the time.

Joezinho:
I still wish R9 left Barca for RM… Serie A was hellhole back then. Dude played in the era when tackling from behind was allowed and the brutal physicality of Serie A cost him a lot .

His peak is the highest in football probably tied with Pele & Maradona’s peaks. After injury, he was still above the rest. That is what makes R9 so special. That’s my 🐐

Agenda activated

To be fair your query has substance. Messi has faced only three (France, Germany, Netherlands) big opposition in 7 times WCs. Winning 3 (all penalties) losing 4.

9JAMac10:
How has Messi never faced Brazil, Spain, England, and Italy even once in 6 World Cups? FIFA favorite 😆

If you see the way I hiss when I see the final scores this morning

Anyway they go surely chop am in the next round. Delay is not denial

Nomyth:
This South Africa win, I'm in sifia pains.

Stacked squad. Should be able to snag enough medals at the Commonwealth Games.

TheSuperNerd:
Not football related, but this is Nigeria's squad invited ahead of the Commonwealth games.

Some world beater names on the list.

Cc PDPGuy, Chrisooblog

Get thee behind me rage bait exponent.

Good step in the right direction if true.

Chelle has shown ambition and passion for the Nigerian project.

TheSuperNerd:
More details...

🔵Agreement reached on Eric Chelle's Super Eagles contract renewal as well.

🟤Eric Chelle will also take charge of the Nigeria U-23 team, with his assistants to be announced by the NFF.

🟣Chelle is expected to earn 100,000 (currency subject to official confirmation) under the new contract.

🟠The NFF will prioritize qualification for the next AFCON.

⚫️Long-term focus has now shifted toward securing qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Key decisions from the meeting between the National Sports Commission (NSC), tNFF and NPFL :

Agreement reached on the renewal of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle's contract.

The NFF will be responsible for the remuneration of Chelle's assistant coaches. pic.twitter.com/9AGpAkEr0T

— Tolu Oguntimehin (@Tolu_TOTSPORTS) June 23, 2026