₦airaland Forum

Triniti:
That guy is not Ghanaian. He lives in Owerri, he’s just trolling here

I know

Just kidding around with him

Ighalo: How can Nigeria replace departed striker?

The Afcon top scorer has retired from international football, and he won’t be easy to replace

Farewell Ighalo
Odion Ighalo called time on his international career this weekend, drawing the curtain on a four-year tenure with the Super Eagles in which he scored 16 goals in 35 appearances.

Despite being criticised during his time with Nigeria—notably when he missed a decisive sitter as the West Africans fell to Argentina during the World Cup—Ighalo goes out on a high following the Africa Cup of Nations.

He scored five goals in the continental showpiece in Egypt, earning him the Golden Boot, and now goes out on a high.

However, how can Gernot Rohr replace the striker in whom he’s shown faith throughout his time at the helm?

Here are five options…

Kelechi Iheanacho
The Leicester City striker has struggled to adapt to life at the King Power Stadium since being sold by Manchester City, and has paid with his place in the Nigeria squad.

He was cut from Rohr’s selection after netting just once in 30 Premier League outings last term, but at only 22, he has time on his side.

If Iheanacho can rediscover the form he showed earlier in his career, at Leicester or elsewhere, then he can return to his rightful spot as Nigeria’s leading man.

Paul Onuachu
The towering forward may have—inadvertently—become Nigeria’s leading man following Ighalo’s exit, having been one of only two other strikers on Rohr’s list.

His goalscoring record in Denmark is excellent, while he also took to life as an international instantly with an early goal in a friendly against Egypt.

However, he’d change the style of football Nigeria play—being such a towering target man—while his relatively meagre playing time at the Afcon suggests Rohr isn’t completely convinced.

Victor Osimhen
The only other striker on Nigeria’s squad list for Russia was Osimhen, although he received even less playing time than Onuachu, managing just 45 minutes during the course of the competition.

The attacker is only 20, and while highly rated, can’t yet be considered a viable leading man for the national side.

With more regular playing time at club level, for Sporting Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen can refine his craft, while Ighalo’s retirement should raise his place in Nigeria’s pecking order.

Henry Onyekuru
Unlike the other players on this list, Onyekuru isn’t a natural striker.

He’s made his name as a wideman during his career, while he was also trialled—and excelled—as left wing-back during a loan spell at Anderlecht.

However, what Onyekuru does have in his locker is goals; he scored 14 in the Super Lig for Galatasaray last term, and 27 across three seasons in the Belgian leagues with Eupen and then the Purple & White.

He’s found gametime hard to come by out wide—playing for just 12 minutes at the Nations Cup—and with Samuel Chukwueze and Samuel Kalu only likely to get stronger, a move to a more central role could suit all parties.

Tammy Abraham
Nigeria tried to recruit Abraham before, only to have their fingers burned—in somewhat humiliating fashion—as the Chelsea striker rejected the NFF’s overtures in order to represent England.

However, two years down the line, despite having featured for the Three Lions in friendlies, he’s yet to make a competitive debut and hasn’t been called up since.

Now back at Chelsea after a productive loan spell at Aston Villa, Abraham may find himself back in Gareth Southgate’s sights, but if not, he could be a replacement for—and even an upgrade on—Ighalo.

https://www.goal.com/en/lists/odion-ighalo-how-can-nigeria-replace-departed-striker/u0j1wg5tkvrn19thx2pp9nym3#1qd3lglh5fcd711rcstw35sb23

fergie001:
It's no pride.....its fact...

Except the State is policed like Kwara and Ekiti, the PDP can't lose the seat.

They have the structure........and the money to float around....

But I wont go out to vote against someone when the gun is on my head or will you?

PDP had federal might which is greater than all you just listed and still lost

That's a greater fact

BascoVanVeli:
A real sad story is leading a penalty shoot out in the final by two goals and still going on to lose


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr1KUzRWRAw

Gustav25 must feel so hurt now

. Chai. See the look on Gyan's face

Meliforme:
I prefer David Okereke to Tammy. You heard it first from here.

Who wouldn't prefer a player that identifies with his country. Of curse, its very logical

I for one wouldn't prefer Tammy in the Super Eagles

komekn:
Onuachu has been consistently delivering as a forward over 5 season. GHe has been outstanding player in his club and league.

When he came on he brought something different he influenced the game he was a focal point and impacted the game.

That's just being object without emotive sentiment.

Which AFCON game are you talking about?

fergie001:
TA Orji isn't in charge.....

There are people he reports to......

PDP won't lose the state, they pay opposition parties to be stupid.

They virtually control the Executive Council members of the opposition parties....

It is only now that people like OUK, Nkiru and Nkechi are in, that they can fight....

But ordinarily, it will be almost impossible for the PDP to lose the State.

The same way PDP boasted about ruling Nigeria for 60yrs straight

Hubris is the downfall of men in power. A time will come when their money and influence will fail them

Odunayaw:
He's Nigerian no? See as una bring out pitchfork as I mention him name

Capped by England or Mars, The lad is achieving and its worthy of mention

Hence the reason Lampard will cap him

And he will choose them over us without blinking an eye lash

Danielnino00:
If truly Moses as changed then he should be the one to announce his comeback from retirement not us going to beg him..
I totally refuse to subscribe to the idea that we don't have any player to replace Moses! .. Moses himself meet other players in the team when he first joined but he was given his chance and he grabbed it! Let the likes of Onyekuru,Chukwueze and even David Okereke be given their chance too...We have already seen what Kalu can offer...

If we go back to beg Moses now we will be sending a wrong message to our younger players who are still waiting for their chances.. we will be making them feel like they aren't good enough at all..

If we want to move forward, we should let go of the past!!

You are seeing it from same point of view as me.

I am not sold on Moses returning.

Let us give the younger player more opportunity

somehow:
I prefer Akpabio as minister of sports
even though he can aalso perform well as minister of works or power.

Yes, I feel he will do way better than Dalung as minister of sports and there will be less conflict between him and Amaju since they have a good history

Earthquake2:
Our men's basketball team lost to Algeria

Chai

To add insult to injury

We have been underperforming in sports given our abundant human resources and talents at our disposal.

It's a pity Buhari hardly cares who heads the sports ministry .

Danielnino00:
If he can't do that,then he hasn't changed at all..

Wo, u better get the thought of Moses coming back out of ur mind . Some footballers don't enjoy playing for their national team cus of the stress involved and Moses is one of such players ..He doesn't need the national team for anything again.. He has money .he has won trophies . he is. British citizen .na only patriotism fit make am come back, and unfortunately, he no get!

Gbam

Very correct

Earthquake2:
Enyeama had the 2nd highest minutes of cleansheets in the French league history

He definitely world class

Damn

Did not know this

Enyeama was close to world class if not world class

Chai...

Mikel Agu na real carpenter

komekn:
Why did it take so long to establish that this guy was simply not the right person for this position.

Just waited for him to show e his term through

Dalung was a square peg in a round hole

Daninya111:
Check this out

Our defence and midfield was average

MetalJigsaw:
I'm still in the dark as to why some folks still in doubt of Moses' credibility and some other certain functionalities he offers this team. Alot has deserted the team and some poeple do not know that v Moses took them along with him.

The same way Mikel took our creativity away with him abi??

Okay, I know when he comes back, you people will learn. Nigerians like learning the hard way

Na look I go dey look Una.

MetalJigsaw:
Oil dey your head my guy. But talking Moses out of retirement is a good idea for me. over 50% percent of our team's attacking flair, creativity, fear factor, unpredictability and experience deserted our dear SE by the time Moses left the team.

And Returning to international football is always a good omen for a player who's career is seemingly backsliding... I just pray that Moses comes back. Make Rohr and Pinnick call that guy back abeg.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander

Begging any player, whether Messi or Ronaldo, Ighalo or Moses is a NO NO for me

A truly patriotic player will give his utmost best in matches. He doesn't need begging to play for his country, He is ready to die on the pitch for his country.

I don't want any player feeling bigger than the team. I don't want any cabal formation in my beloved Super Eagles.

NB I warned them about taking Mikel to AFCON but I was met with insults. In the same vein, I vehemently oppose any calls for Moses and Ighalo. Let them stay retired while we look to the future. We have some hungry, younger guys looking for opportunity. We mustn't waste such opportunities on old retirees

wayodude:
We should be the Brazil of Africa? Why? Because of our out of control population explosion? Our population domination in Africa doesn't bestow football development rights.

The fine line between confidence and arrogance has been crisscrossed here too many times for my liking and I am a full Nigerian. Imagine then how that comes across to a neutral and then a rival.

Why do we rate ourselves so highly it has now become ridiculous?

How many Nigerian players have ever won the African player of the year award and when was the last time a Nigerian won it?

Of the 15 times we have played in AFCON semifinals we have lost 8, that is more than half!!

Of the 7 times we have played in AFCON finals was have lost 4, again that is more than half!

Can anyone who isn't deluded claim we had the best squad at this last AFCON bar none? At best we had one of the best squads and the results achieved mirror that fact.

We failed to qualify for 3 of the last 5 AFCONs (we have 40% attendance at the competition since the turn of the decade). There are multiple reasons for this, including player quality and coaching. Regardless of NFF infighting we should be participating without fail, we should be Brazil of Africa remember?

I agree we are not all fans of Rohr's methods. I have been appalled at times with the way he sets up his teams. Examples such as at Wembley in the first half and his selections against Seychelles in a dead rubber game. BUT....

...IF he leaves today either by sacking or resignation he IMO can leave with his head held high and I will agree he played a role in setting us up for future success. How we manage what he leaves behind will determine if we harness the potential he has laid down.

So far, he has done well. However I think he will be carrying out an inquest on if he genuinely thinks he can take the team higher than where it is now. If he thinks not, he will resign. This I am sure of.

You said it all bro.

We will not know the value of what we have until we loose it

do4luv14:
keep the head coach relieve the GK coach of his position, and draft in IKEME full time as a GK coach,

go for a creative 10, talk both IGHALO and VICMO outta retirement( let the young guns learn from them, especially CHUKS)

he can learn how vicmo finds his way outta tight space, his daring runs, and his final ball,

Vic Mo has regressed and may not even listen to any calls out of retirement.

His conversion to a wingback in Chelsea limited his attacking instincts and dulled it over time.

Ighalo should just stay put. Begging a Nigerian player out of retirement is tantamount to creating a demi-god in a team who may start disrespecting the coach and may even form a cabal. That is the way I see it. I don't think Ighalo understudied any person when he came into the team. All our young attackers have clubs where they can learn. The National Team is a place to apply what you have learnt and not the other way round

mostob:
better stop fooling yourself. At your age,you keep saying rubbish. Level of education in that your country must be so low. Just see what you write up. Damn!
au revoir

Calm down Oga

Gustav25 is a popular troll.

Just laugh at him and move on

gustav25:
I went to the mountain to find the face of God .... I did and he assured me Nigeria won't win the AFCON , and guess what ? It happened !!!

You are a clown

Mr gustav25

Have you come back from the wilderness where you went to seek the face of god

Yeye man

jihday:
they scored only 3 goals all tournament long, despite the brilliant attackers they possess

ANd this is the coach many Nigerians are clamoring for??

Naija fans sef??

gustav25:
Are you still not Weeping now ?

This guy again

Earthquake2:
I can't wait for the Premier league to start

Do you mean Nigerian Premier league?

Earthquake2:
How exactly is Herve Renard better than Rohr?

Imagine not passing to quarterfinals with arguably the most talented team in the tournament, You say he is an attacking coach did you watch the match against Benin, they lacked bite and were lucky to score through a defensive mistake

The grass is always greener on the other side for you guys

It is very laughable bro.

Herve Renard better than Rohr

I don't even know what to say

[quote author= post=80522162]Work hard and be prayerful so that your children can be proud of you in the future.

We have Hundred of thousands of Nigerians that their kids are schooling abroad and they are not in politics, neither are they so called 'elites' as you put it.
They only work hard so the future of their wards can be good.

Peace out![/quote]I hope you're also taking your advice

Because it will be a pity if you come here tomorrow to scream at how ASUU strike is limiting the education if your wards

charlesemeka85:
For a record eighth time in their history, Nigeria came away from an African Nations Cup campaign brandishing bronze medals around their necks.


It is not just a record for Nigeria, but also for the tournament. No other country has more third-place finishes in the history of the competition.

When in the past this final podium place has been celebrated as a "golden bronze", this time emotions have been more varied. Nations Cup winner Segun Odegbami vehemently refused to celebrate it.

There are those, like Odegbami, who feel the Super Eagles should have done better than bronze with the quality of talent at their disposal, believing the team was held back by a conservative coach. Then there are those who argue the coach can do only so much given the broken structures in the country.

There is no "one size fits all" solution, but should Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr's position be the major issue of concern?

Calls for the German to be sacked have not exactly been muted. The major reason seems to be his perceived "lack of tactical nous" or, in other words, an "inability to read matches".

The argument here lies in an unfavourable comparison with the late Stephen Keshi, who is said to have led a more limited Super Eagles squad to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013.

That comparison loses some steam in the face of context. Keshi had an almost ready-made squad with just a few additions to be made. Rohr has had to build his squad from the ground up.

Keshi's knockout stage opposition in 2013 was Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso. Rohr had to battle against Cameroon, South Africa and Algeria. The Fennecs, who were described as "deserved Afcon champions" by Nick Ames reporting for ESPN, were taken within seconds of extra-time by the 2019 Super Eagles.

How Algeria's defence made the difference in AFCON final

How Algeria's defence made the difference in AFCON final
While the African Cup of Nations final may have been tough to watch, Steve Nicol says Algeria's defence deserves a lot of credit for their victory.

All of these considerations might explain why Rohr himself has told close associates that he is uncertain if he wants to carry on.

"A lot of things have been going on but he has taken it all because he does not want to cause any controversy," sources have told ESPN.

"But now, he is not sure if he will continue."

Rohr was noncommittal when asked if he would continue, simply telling ESPN with a wry smile: "I go away to rest now, and then we think about it and see what happens.

"I have a clause in my contract, I made sure I put it there, that it is possible I go any time if we agree."

Rohr is due to meet Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick this week as part of that assessment. And if both parties come to an agreement, a parting of ways might come sooner than most expect.

If that were to happen, there will be many who will celebrate. But that would mean losing sight of what should be the more important conversation, one which should go beyond Keshi, Rohr or any other coach.


No team has more Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals than Nigeria's Super Eagles.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
Nigeria have had six coaching changes in the past five years. Samson Siasia, Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Siasia again in a stand-in capacity, Salisu Yusuf (also in a temporary capacity) and then Rohr.

Oliseh aside -- he resigned due to issues with the NFF -- the rest have been fired. And the same story goes back even further.

Clemens Westerhof, now acknowledged as one of Nigeria's greatest coaches, was hounded out and did not even bother to return home with the team after they were eliminated from the 1994 World Cup. His former assistant, Jo Bonfrere, who won the 1996 Olympic gold medal with the under-23 team, was fired as Super Eagles coach. Philippe Troussier was fired. Amodu Shaibu was fired multiple times, despite qualifying Nigeria for two World Cups. Christian Chukwu was fired. Austin Eguavoen was replaced by Berti Vogts, who ended up being hounded out. Same with Swede Lars Lagerback, who opted not to renew his contract with the NFF after the 2010 World Cup. It is a long, unending cycle of celebrating new appointments, then bemoaning their (in)competence before sending them on their merry way.

This unending coaching merry-go-round seems to mask -- however unintentionally -- the real issue. That the complete grassroots development of Nigerian football has been, and continues to be, totally ignored. There are no articulated programs to scout, identify, develop and train talent from a young age. No structured tournaments for children to take part in. No playing philosophy, nothing beyond a hit-and-miss approach relying on an entitled "we have abundant talents" narrative. It's an approach that relies on said talents flocking off to Europe before being called into the Super Eagles, or, even worse, the cadet teams.

The domestic league, which should provide a conveyor belt of ready-made talent, is running on life support, as club administrators push back against much-needed reforms.

As it stands, two influential players retired after Afcon: Captain John Obi Mikel and forward Odion Ighalo; John Ogu may have been a bit part player, but he is also almost certainly looking at the door.

Goalkeeping remains a major issue. Nigeria have struggled in that department since the departure of Vincent Enyeama. Francis Uzoho showed some stability at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but was shaky after. Ikechukwu Ezenwa is in his 30s, and rarely gets playing time in the Nigerian domestic league, and Daniel Akpeyi does not inspire confidence among the fans. Some say even among the coaches.

Nigeria can sack Rohr now or hound him out. But precedent has shown they are unable to attract any real big-name coaches. The ones they do attract, they take months just to hire. When a coach is eventually hired, whoever he is, what is the guarantee he will spend more than two or three years before being hounded out like others before?

And after poppling around in a fresh hire-celebrate-hound-fire cycle, the country returns once again to blaming the coach for another campaign that fails to meet entitled expectations, expectations without a grounding in fundamentals.

Rather than debating whether or not to fire a coach who has done more than most since Westerhof in 1989 to reboot the national team, conversation should be focused instead in a different direction.

How to reset the entire national football ecosystem in a manner that begins to produce and develop talent deliberately and consistently, one that will eventually lead to a playing philosophy that takes advantage of the in-bred self-expression of the Nigerian footballer as well as their natural physical attributes.

Nice article. Dissects the roots of our problems in football.

Poor league management

Few if any chances for academy prospect to develop under a template

Age cheating at all levels

Corruption in the glass house

And so on. Sacking Rohr is simply blaming him as a scapegoat for all these maladies. Until there is a deliberate and purposeful revamp in our football, we will continue to replace coaches

andrew444:
Even if super eagles employ another coach dem go still complain

I remember france people calling for the sack of dider deschamps during the 2014 world cup saying he is too defensive, but he ended up in the euros final 2 years later and ended up winning the 2018 world cup, if they had sack deschamps they might not have won the world cup

Dozier Deschamps also had a world class squad at the time. He underperformed in 2014 given the talent at his disposal. Yet I agree with you that we shouldn't be quick to criticise Rohr. This team is improving albeit slowly.

TheGoodJoe:
Classic.

Best sports article I have read this year and the last paragraph says it all.

As a sportsman and an Olympian, one that believes only in celebrating the best that one can be, I shall not celebrate this Bronze Medal. I am sorry folks.

I can understand that he is holding the team to high standards but the fact that we came from two consecutive non qualifications to bag a bronze medal deserves some accolades. Although, we could have done better