OBAGADAFFI:
I am really angry June 12 ahs now being turned into a Yoruba project.

I won't be surprised if some states outside Southwest ignore June 12 observation.

To the best of my knowledge, only Southwest states have been celebrating it over the years, so that's nothing new.

Goke7:

You know how many times Germany has won the world cup? They are even defending champions so why will they loose sleep, for wetin?

In the same vein, Nigeria has never gone beyond 2nd round so why are people expecting so much and stressing themselves?

Andrez123:
I think u all are overreacting a lil bit, Nigeria is not the best team in Africa based on Fifa rankings, we used average players to qualify for the World cup from a difficult group so this raised expectations, after beating Argentina 4-2 and beating Poland 1-0, the nigerian optimism went through the roof.

Everyone should understand that, these are friendly matches, sometimes players don't give their all in these kind of matches so that they won't get injuries and miss the world cup, that being said, Nigeria doesn't have a brilliant team so shouldn't be expected to win these matches or any of their matches against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina because we are the worst team in the group. Germany the world champions haven't won any of their last 5 matches and they are not losing any sleep over it, why? Because it's friendly matches, it's meant for experimentation. I think Nigeria will play better in the world cup but still it might not be good enough to get them out of a difficult group, we should lower our expectations about this super eagles team and hope that we get lucky and get some winning shock results in the world cup in Russia.

God bless you for this post. We Nigerians have this erroneous belief that we are a global football superpower. We are not. The world isn't expecting us to qualify from our group. The most we can expect is to spring a pleasant surprise. Nigerians need to lower their expectations and just give the team full support.

oshe11:
Sure its hard but not IMPOSSIBLE....

Thats my point

Yes, not impossible but the time is short. Not short for the coach to teach it, but short for the players to learn it. For it to become naturally instinctive to them. If you're on the pitch thinking "okay, what did the coach say we should do in this scenario," you're dead already.

I wish the Eagles all the best. They always have my support no matter what.

A lot of people are writing the Eagles of not to make it out of the group. You lot obviously don't learn from history.

I said it before, I'll say it again. Never bet on the Eagles, never bet against them. They are very unpredictable.

oshe11:
I was complaining abt this squad and Rohr......

I asked Tohr to look into it.....

Wetin concern me about Super Eagles generational problem?
They can fix that one later but should that STOP Rohr from fixing this current squad' problem?

If NO, then why did you bring up the past saying the problem of THIS squad can't be FIXED?

Have you ever heard the expression "you can't teach an old dog new tricks?". After the game against England we heard that the team was working on defending in training. Did you see that reflecting much on this game?

A player who naturally lacks tactical discipline will not suddenly change overnight. And at the stage some of these players are it becomes even more difficult to change that. Which is why it must become natural to them at an early age. It should be second nature to them.

You think the coaches don't see these problems or don't try to work on it? But it is hard to teach a old dog new tricks.

oshe11:
You don't know what You arguing or u just wanna argue



Are u saying the team cannot be drilled to position better during setpiece no matter what?


If Yes.....

Then Good for you(dnt have time for baseless arguement)

You are looking at one game or one team, I'm talking about a problem that has plagued our national team for more than 20 years. Different teams, different coaches, different tournaments, SAME PROBLEM. That is a systemic problem.

Fix the problem from the foundation, not this quick fix you think the coach can do with a wave of his magic wand. If you can't get that, then indeed this discussion is over. Enjoy.

oshe11:
Funny!!!


Same Everton team nai Sam Allardyce take over this season and they went games unbeaten.....

Why do you think clubs go for him when their teams are suffering defensively?

How is this relevant to this discussion? Let me give you an assignment. Go on YouTube and check all the 25 goals that Nigeria has conceded at the World Cup and tell us how many are from set pieces. Did Gernot Rohr coach all those teams?

biggieoflife:


Teams work on their set piece play at every level of football. They have different set piece routines and once the starting eleven is announced, each player is given an opponent to mark when defending set pieces.

Some coaches (Rafael Benitez for example) are staunch adherents of zonal marking when defending set pieces. others prefer man marking. This is to show that its something that needs work at every level of the game.

Rohr and his team needs to sort it out ASAP

You can only work on routines when you already know the basics. Go and check all the goals we've conceded at the World Cup since 94. At least 70-75% are from set pieces. There is a fundamental problem we have to address before we can even talk of utilizing different routines.

It's like trying to teach someone who doesn't know arithmetic calculus.

oshe11:
Is that not why he is the coach?


To work on our weakness especially when we dont have any strength but play on LUCK?

Defending set pieces is not something you teach grown professionals. It is something they should have learnt at academy level. JJ Okocha once said that what a 15yr old in an European academy knows about technicalities of the game, many 25yr old Africans don't know.

We have to go back to our developmental football (youth teams) to teach this.

oshe11:
Team too poor for Set piece ahswear......


Is Rohr blind?


Work on Set piece oooooo

It goes beyond Rohr. We have always been poor at set pieces. I think our players are just technically deficient in this area.

okpaire:

naingolan is one of d key midfielders in Roma.look at d players DAT dy picked ahead of him. witsel (China), fellaini(not a starter)
I think Roberto Martinez was biased jo

According to Martnez:
“I have to make decisions based on the balance of the team,” he explained.

“I think I can say that in the number 10 position, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens are the best players we have at present.”

“As for Radja, he’s at his best for Roma when he plays in the number 10 role.”

“We don’t really have a similar position [available], and when we tried it, it didn’t really work.”

“Radja is one of those players who isn’t suited to a role on the bench.”

“In every country, you find players who people can’t understand why they aren’t included.”

“Why doesn’t [Cesc] Fabregas get picked for Spain, for example? The hardest thing for a Coach is finding the best balance”.

derrydinny:
benzema has been ostracized from france senior men team, he didn't even go to euro 16, you no dey read news? na payet and sane own shock me pass, after what payet did in euro 16, he would probably be in the team if he stayed in england: learn to be professional in every situation, it helps a lot

Payet missed out due to injury in the Europa League.

safarigirl:
club form and national team form are two different things.

Sane was busy tearing up the EPL, while doing zilch in Germany. In Sane's last 12 games for Germany, he has just 1 assist and 0 goals, that is not a player you take to the World Cup, irrespective of club form

No KDB to make him look good.

mancityguy:
sane off all people .. with his current form, what happened to German coach

Don't blame the coach. He would have taken Sane to the World Cup if Kevin De Bruyne were playing for Germany.

seyoops4u:
My opinion though,

I dont think this super eagles can win Croatia and Iceland in the world cup talk less of Argentina. Though, nothing is impossible but if
Play the way they did against England in their last friendly match, Im sorry they'll be back after the first round.

No fighting spirit and motivation.

What's your opinion on this ?

Football doesn't work that way. Before USA 94, we lost to Sweden and Romania but still did well at the World Cup. Before France 98, Yugoslavia beat us 3-0 if I remember correctly; and we lost 5-1 to Holland, yet we defeated Spain and Bulgaria in our first two games at the World Cup. It was the same way people said we couldn't qualify ahead of Bosnia at the last World Cup and that Dzeko and his teammates would destroy us, but we did with a bit of good fortune and only lost narrowly to Argentina.

In my experience, never bet on the Eagles; and never bet against them.

Koolking:


I will pass. We love to settle for less in a country of over 180million people. It's our thing bro

Actually, you've not been entirely objective in your assessment of Mikel. Mikel has had an impact in all of the recent positives that the national team have had. From Afcon 2013 victory to Rio Olympics bronze medal, to qualifying for this World Cup, Mikel has been pivotal and when he is absent in the team, it shows.

As for settling for less, you can't give what you don't have. Mikel has experience and exposure on his side and you need that to balance with youth at a world cup.

Krizbaby:
Am jus tired of dis ...super eagles jersey dis...jersey dat...Abeg make d world cup start...make dey lose come back home...at least I go rest..!!

So it is the national team that is causing unrest in your life ba? You better tell us the truth so we can know what prayer point to raise for you.

Augiiee:

Spain left out Fabregas, Morata, Pedro, Casillas, Mata etc.
Team selections should solely be based on current form and not on past exploits

I agree with you. However, we don't need to rubbish them just to make our point. The way we ridicule and unceremoniously get rid of players who have done well in the past leaves much to be desired. We are always so quick to use and dump.

olametrix:
Nigerians, u have forgotten so fast when u use to shout onazi must be on d list now , he is no body anymore, well am not surprise u did d same to marthins

Only Martins? I can't count the number of players they've done it to. Even the likes of Yekini, Okocha and Kanu were not spared. But when they are no longer in the team, they are the same people who will be missing them. Naija people too get bad mouth

Nigerians are the strangest people, I swear. Before Joel Obi was invited they wouldn't let us rest. Joel Obi is doing wonders in Torino, he should be invited blah blah blah. Now the same Nigerians are crucifying him and asking what he is doing in the team. Chai, I hail una o.

Personally, I don't think Joel Obi is a bad player, but he ihass not as spectacular as some people make him out to be. Plus he been out of the Eagles set-up for too long. He will be a squad player at most. Ndidi, Mikel and either of Etebo/Ogu/Onazi will probably start in midfield.

And for those crucifying Onazi too, the guy has his days. He is a grafter and can do the dirty work of breaking up play when necessary. He had a bad day at the office. Doesn't make him a useless player. And Mikel Agu is not better than him.

Ola Aina's time will come. He still has a lot of improving to do.

samplanner:
OMG, dropping Ola Aina is totally unfair, this is the guy that has England future, but he chosed to play for Nigeria, Plus he is very good attacking and can dribble. Let the coach explain to us why Echiejile and Idowu are better than him.

And you think Ola Aina would have made the England team for this World Cup? His time in the Eagles will come soon. I don't see Echiejele continuing for Nigeria after this World Cup, and the coach obviously prefers Brian Idowu over him.

In truth, Ola Aina hasn't owned the left back spot in the games his played so far. He is young, he will get better.

vicardino:
Lolz, happy Sunday o mr Ogu. It might interest you to know that not only do I have a football academy, I also run a sport management agency including football management and player management with VERIFIABLE track record of player's transfers locally and internationally. I wasn't insulting you when I gave u the charlatans title and that i'd rather not discuss football with you (not because u don't watch football or have something to say but u don't know these players to see how undisciplined and rigid they are when it comes to tactical flexibility) I'm sorry if u felt insulted, i'm truly sorry. But playing a back 3 with these flat and heavy footed nigerian players is an accident waiting to happen. Let's continue the day we play back 3 system without being punished by a decent team. Thanks for your time.

Apology accepted. It's fine if we have different opinions on an issue. You can express yours without making remarks to belittle others. We would have simply had a mature discussion about the coaches decision to try a back 3 and weigh the pros and cons. Your involvement in sports management doesn't automatically give you superior knowledge. This is a game I've been following religiously for more than 30 years.

I'm not a fan of John Ogu and I could care less if he was dropped from the final list. I only stated what I observed and its import on the game. Mind you, it had been reported even before the friendly against DR Congo that the coach had tried out Ogu a few times in defence in training. So maybe he has seen something we haven't.

Whether a back 3 will work for the Eagles or not is at the moment a matter of conjecture. Even Conte that won the EPL last season using a back 3 finished 5th this season. That's to show you that it takes more than the formation you play to win games. The players must bring their A-game.

I wish the Eagles all the best, and I wish you a lovely week.

vicardino:
You obviously lack more than just comprehension. What players do u have in super eagle's team disciplined enough to play back 3 system with? You played it against a weak legged Argentinean side and you got exposed till the formation got reverted to 4 at d back. I need not discuss football with your likes. Just play back 3 in world cup and we'll see who the charlatans are. I doubt you know Ogu to have suggested he should be played in a back 3 formation. If only England had punished you, jst maybe your eyes might have opened. Why not pla y mikel at the back in a back 3 system?

Oh wow! You didn't tell us you had a Grade 'A' FIFA coaching license. I'm guessing you're the one who will decide for Gernot Rohr what formation to play since you're the teams official trainer.

And again, it's still shocking that your level of comprehension is this poor. Did I suggest using Ogu in a back 3 or did I point out what the coach did in a match we all saw (maybe you didn't). There's a difference between reporting what happened and making a suggestion. Comprendé?

It might be better if you stick to the auto and religious section where you might actually know what you are saying. "I need not discuss football with your likes". Please, who are you, Pep Guardiola? Go take a back seat with your overbloated ego son.

P.S: For someone whose profile is filled with religious comments, you shouldn't be the one throwing first insults at people who give their own opinion on social media. Not exactly a good calling card for your religiosity.

I'm done. *drops mic*

samtol4:
dont mind people here with negativity spirit . when we were grouped with cameroon ,ALGERIA AND ZAMBIA many guys said we cant qualify that we do not have a team but when we qualify they praised Ighalo and Moses today they are singing a new song ... from a tender age i watch 1986 ,1990,1994,1998.2002,2006,2010,2014 world cups ... Surely we have a good team but defending set peices is a major problem of African teams in global tournaments. I think the aim of the friendly was achieved that is compare joel vs Ogu . Idowu vs aina and elderson . Idowu awesome ... Ogu okay , joel and onazi are waste of space ... Without mincing words ...Ajagun should have make this team but the coach has better plans

My first World Cup was Mexico 86 too. And you are right set pieced have been the undoing of African teams. Most of the goals we've conceded at the World Cup have been from set pieces.

samtol4:
ALL our past goalies suffer from this problem

It isn't just the goalies. Our players have never been good at defending set pieces. I can almost say that 70% of the goals we've conceded at the World Cup since 1994 have been through set pieces.

jtwest:
even Gary Medel a midfielder played as a sweeper(behind the two centrebacks) for Chile at last world cup and he was astounding. the way people analyze footy these days ehn. lazy analysts everywhere

I tell you. They just let their emotions get the better of their logical reasoning.

vicardino:
And you think this is a better plan B? Playing ogbu as a defender? Smh for charlatans

You obviously lack comprehension. I'm talking about going to a back 3. Who says it has to be Ogu. But if Ogu can do the job, why not? When Pep, Mourinho or Conte convert the likes of Fabian Delph, Ashley Young or Moses to full backs, wing backs or DM, they are charlatans abi?

If you don't know football go and analyze wrestling biko.

toluxa1:


All our previous friendlies were better. So are we getting better or worse?

Why were they better? Because we won against Argentina and Poland? This game was better than the Poland and Serbia game in my opinion. And again it's a friendly. The coach is trying different systems with different players. Against Argentina we started with 3 at the back and quickly conceded goals. Today 3 at the back in 2nd half stabilized the team.

You guys need to lower your ecpectations. We are not even favourites to qualify from the group. Encourage the team and hope for the best.

braimeddy:
I'm not impress in this game. We are still the underdogs and it doesn't supposed to be so.

Until we are ranked way above England we will be the underdog.

toluxa1:
We obviously are not ready yet.

Is that not the point of playing friendlies? To prepare?

Not a bad game. Many will be looking at yhe result but I'm more interested in how players performed. Onazi and Joel Obi didn't cover themselves in glory. Etebo and Ogu did better. Ebuehi also had a good game.

It's also good that Gernot Rohr has a plan B. He switched to a back 3 with John Ogu and Iwobi dropped deeper giving better stability in defence.