₦airaland Forum

QueenJazz:
I'm also in support of Nwabali's replacement, but God forbid that the replacement will be Uzoho. Lol.

We have myriad of other options.

Maduka Okoye (this one is the obvious and easiest replacement to make now that he's available)
Arthur Okonkwo
Noah Atubolu (I hear he's eligible)
Obasogie
Harcourt
etc.

SymphonyRad:
Damn...oh well, Benjamin is more than capable of covering that RB position I guess?

QueenJazz:
Osimhen and Chukwueze are a solid pair. I hope Chelle now realizes this moving forward.

CapitalCee:
Bolivia has qualified from SouthAmerica. If we qualify with our Fifa ranking. We will not meet the South American representatives

mekabuachi:
Since we would be playing Gabon in the playoffs
Is aubameyang available for the match on November after picking up that red card?
Abeg make start early now dey plan Gabon ooh😭

Tinneh:
House please what decider would've been used had we ended up the same goal with Burkina Faso?

Mujtahida:
Nwabali was pushing Ndidi. As in pushing captain oo. Chai

safarigirl:
Where will we see goalie abeg?

I agree that there is a gap between the Number 1, and to be honest, we don’t even have a Number 2 currently. If Maduka was available, maybe we would have been working towards something, but that Onana wannabe is, for all intents and purposes, untested and inexperienced.

Quality goalkeepers go a long way in must win games, and there is no way to resolve that issue as it stands. Nwabali is all we have

Goke7:
Omo, those are beasts of players back then. Hakan Suhur and George Hagi, oh Lord, mhen. A free kick for Hagi is the same as a penalty, even Rufai can testify with that disallowed goal in our match with Bulgaria in 94

TheSuperNerd:
Fine. But the only time Yekini hit 4 in a game for the Super Eagles was against Burkina Faso in Lagos. 1991.

TheSuperNerd:
He did not score 4 or 5 vs Ethiopia. He scored 3. I have the official records of all his goals from Cap 1 to Cap 62.

BankyGee:
I love Galatasaray for not undervaluing this beast!

To hell with top 5 leagues clubs!
Galatasaray has one of the best strikers in world football on their hands and they value him immensely! 🦁👑🔥

As long as Osimhen plays there and even when he leaves, I'll always support and respect them too! Paying him €430k+ per week is not easy, but they know they've got a crazy treasure and did not subject him to the non-sense disrespect the EPL and Serie A are trying to subject him to.

This new week Europe will resonate with the name of Victor Osimhen and the respect will be loud!

TheSuperNerd:
That is a legendary note. The Great Yekini had 2 international Hattricks. Osimhen now on 3.

Yekini's 2 hattricks (4 & 3)...

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs Burkina Faso (7-1) in Lagos 1991, Afcon Qualifiers.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs Ethiopia (6-0) in Lagos 1993, Afcon Qualifiers.

PROPHETmichael:
Nigerian football fans were treated to a spirited performance by the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium today, as the national team displayed renewed energy and attacking flair reminiscent of their glory days. The convincing performance against Benin Republic has reignited conversations about the team’s ability to turn their home ground into a true fortress.

The 30,000-capacity stadium in Uyo roared to life as the Eagles dominated possession and carved out numerous scoring opportunities. With precise passing, disciplined defending, and an aggressive press, the team looked sharper and more cohesive than in recent outings.

However, for many supporters, the question remains: When will the Super Eagles consistently make Uyo a place feared by visiting teams? Despite world-class facilities and passionate fans, inconsistency has plagued the side’s home performances in recent years.

Speaking after the game, head coach Eric Chelle praised the team’s determination but emphasized the need for consistency.

“This is the kind of performance we want to see every time we play at home. Uyo should be our fortress, a place where every opponent knows they are in for a battle,” he said.


Fans shared similar sentiments. “We’ve seen what this team can do today,” said one supporter outside the stadium. “If they keep up this intensity, no team will come here and go home happy.”

With more games to come especially the playoffs, today’s performance could mark the start of a new era but only if the Super Eagles build on this momentum and make Godswill Akpabio International Stadium the impenetrable stronghold it is meant to be.

Their commanding performance today reminded fans of the passion and dominance that once defined Nigerian football. The display has revived memories of the golden days at Onikan Stadium in Lagos, when the national team ruled the continent with confidence and flair.

In the 1970s, 1980s and 90s, Onikan Stadium, famously known as the Rulers Ground, was more than just a venue. It was a fortress where the Super Eagles rarely lost and every home match felt like a national celebration. The crowd’s energy, the team’s unity, and the fear it struck in visiting sides made Onikan a symbol of Nigerian football pride.

Today, the atmosphere in Uyo gives a glimpse of that same spirit. The fans came alive, the team played with renewed confidence, and the connection between players and supporters felt genuine once again. Many believe that if the Super Eagles maintain this intensity, Godswill Akpabio Stadium could soon reclaim the intimidating aura that once surrounded Onikan.

Coach comments and fans’ reactions after the match all echoed the same hope that Uyo can become the new fortress of Nigerian football, a place where no visiting team leaves with points easily.

For now, the performance against Benin Republic is a promising reminder of what Nigerian football can be when talent, pride, and passion come together.

lexyman:
Yekini , doesnt play fancy football . he doesnt miss penalty , he can score free kick . he can kill anyone with shot power ... he was a beast to watch . Osimhen will get there and surpass his record . only if the team play for him ... he has been the only passionate player Nigeria has had in over 2 decades . i wish we have others that can give their all

TheSuperNerd:
And we both know ain't no way Gabon is climbing over 25 places to overtake DRC in the rankings by October 24 or so.

We will surely face Gabon based on the FIFA rank criterion.

Osimhen vs Lemina (Galatasaray faceoff)

Cameroun and DRC will face off in battle of the Physical Crunchers.

Odunayaw:
You guys that were around to watch Yekini, was this how he made the country feel?

Because mannn I'm so proud and grateful for Osimhen. To think he was so close scoring all the four goals by himself. Ah omoooo, that self confidence is enough for 10 men

codemaniacs:
no team is lowly...

We still have Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos baleba, Chupo-moting, Anguissa, Andre Onana to deal with..

Aubameyang and Gabon...u

Yoanne Wissa, Wan-bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe to deal with in the play-offs...

Hopefully we will cook Cameroun again if we meet. Gabon and DR Congo are trickier opponents. Especially DR Congo. Gabon did not really meet strong teams moreso over the years DR Congo have proven tougher.

SE is in trouble...

charlesemeka85:
the boy is golden. He owned the RB position as if he has been playing in that position for ages

villagereporter:
He substituted Ronaldo, Bebeto and one other prominent players thinking he had won d match.

villagereporter:
He substituted Ronaldo, Bebeto and one other prominent players thinking he had won d match.

TheLoneCitizen:
So who's first, who's fourth.

Nigeria's first, Gabon is distant fourth.

Rockyrascal:
Is Eric chelle the right man for the job?

TheLoneCitizen:
I don't understand.

What is the criteria before the fifa rankings

TheSuperNerd:
Kudos. Dear Nehruvia. Cheers to you too. Cheers to everyone who believed.

CAR321... that 3pts revelation vs SA ensured Lesotho got the boost to not finish last. A hero u remain.
BankyGee
Odunayaw
Double Cs (Cocony & CapitalCee)... your qualification maths hopes lit up and enlightened the thread. I loved it. I knew it for myself already but u both took the time to enlighten.
Mineflix and Amedino99... Your monitoring of the 2nd placed team results was beautiful. Great compliment to the double Cs
QueenJazz
Mekabuachi
DrYa
Elyte89... a coach with never give up mentality. Elyte89 is one of the few who never wavered and kept pushing with belief exploiting any chance at all we have.
Semid4lyfe... Amiable moderator of the sports section who is as invested as anyone.


I cant mention all but just know that I see everything and everyone. You all rock. This thread had a direct hand in this Playoffs qualification.

This Super Eagles Thread proves once again why we are the best and most informed assemblage of fans and analysts on all our men's National teams and Nigerian football as a whole.

I salute u all and ask that u keep the faith and the fire ahead of the playoffs. We will get to USCAMEX 2026. We started so badly but here we are. Story not finished but will end in Glory.

QueenJazz:
You're missing the point and preaching to the choir. My point was more about the irony of how those disappointing games didn't completely sink the ship for us, like we expected.

QueenJazz:
I know our chances of qualifying directly would be higher if we won that game, but don't you guys think it's funny that the two disappointing draws against Zimbabwe somehow ended up keeping our World Cup qualifying dream alive? 😂