₦airaland Forum

Seems my prediction of CIV emerging victorious will come to pass

You people saying you prefer Algeria, where is your optimism?

Granted they are familiar foes but we don't get to decide who goes thru. True champions are winners regardless of foe.

safarigirl:
as in

No matter how tall a child grows, e no fit pass im papa.

I would rather Algeria that CIV, even if CIV has a leaky defense. I prefer familiar foes. We sabi their ways, and we go fit give them bumper to bumper, as e dey hot

The match will be bloody sha, cuz Algeria will come in with vengeance on their minds, and we will come in to remind them who their sugar daddy is

Just like Cameroon.

Vengeance or no vengeance, a child cannot defeat a dibia in combat

safarigirl:
We were saying this about SA two days ago

Yea.

Let's also not forget that prior to when we beat Algeria 3:1, they were on a 12 or 13 match unbeaten run and were ranked 1st in Africa by FIFA.

I keep saying it that the outcome of any match depends on the opposition irrespective of form

Luckyroro:
Algeria is the winner of this tournament. The team is so organized just like modern European teams. This team will beat Super Eagles very well. No sentiments.

You have a point about their style of play but a learning point from this AFCON is that the performance of any team depends on the opposition.

andrew444:
lol, person wey don dey championship for 5 seasons and no epl club buy am?

he is lucky aston villa has gotten promotion to the epl and i am sure he wont start in the epl as villa has already purchased a brazillian striker from club brugge for 22 million pounds

Chai

A footballers career doesn't get more stationary than this

Eagles learn from the Bafana Bafana clash?

Nigeria title contender tag is real
The Super Eagles will always be obvious favourites going into any Afcon tournament but they didn’t live up to it after finishing second in Group B behind Madagascar and put up a poor defensive show against Cameroon in the Round of 16. Coming up against a Bafana Bafana side who saw off tournament hosts, Egypt, was going to be very difficult, but it proved to be a much better display from all departments this time, controlling the tempo of the game and preventing the South Africans from threatening. If the West African giants can maintain this in the semi-finals, a fourth Afcon crown has a high chance of coming home.

Chukwueze can’t stop dazzling

After coming off the bench to sparking effect in the comeback 3-2 win against Cameroon last time out, fans called for coach Gernot Rohr to start the Villarreal wideman against South Africa, and he certainly heeded to their call. The result was him playing to his best again and scored the all-important first goal which set the tone of the match in Nigeria’s favour. He played the entire 90 minutes, and it’s clear his presence will always give the Super Eagles the momentum. At this stage, he should be an indispensable starter. Hopefully, Rohr realises that.

No Akpeyi weakness for Bafana

A worry ahead of this match was Daniel Akpeyi starting. Though he has been the preferred choice in Egypt, he has not been really exceptional between the sticks. Plying his trade in the South African Premier Soccer League with Kaizer Chiefs, there were concerns his weakness will be exposed as a number of the Bafana players are his teammates. He has also faced other South Africans in competitive club games, hence the knowledge about him would be a big advantage for Stuart Baxter’s side. It however didn’t materialise at Cairo International Stadium as South Africa failed to test the former Chippa United shot-stopper. The victory also emphasised Nigeria have the superior edge over the 1996 Afcon champions in competitive tournaments, and no perceived team flaw or weakness can change that.

VAR finally works for Africa

The Video Assistant Referee system has been marred by controversy since introduced by Caf last year. This brought its use at the ongoing Afcon into serious question, especially after a myriad of refereeing complaints at the just-concluded Copa America. Two matches in and the system has been very fair, first correctly ruling out two Sadio Mane goals for offside against Benin Republic, and then rightly giving South Africa the equaliser against Nigeria after the linesman had ruled for offside. Such correct calls are what Africa wants to see and should the referees judge more fairly henceforth, it will change the tide of bad officiating which is often associated with the continent

Afcon crowds still large despite Egypt exit

The shock exit of Afcon hosts and record title holders, Egypt, to South Africa in the Round of 16 was perceived to reduce attendance and interest in the competition. It was however far from seen at Cairo International Stadium, where fans of both South Africa and Nigeria trooped out in their large numbers to support their respective teams. Some of the Egyptian locals donned the jerseys of the respective two teams also. It’s an indication that interest remains high in the tournament.

Leave Rohr to tinke

rMedia pressure and scrutiny has not been far from Gernot Rohr ever since he took the Super Eagles back in August 2016. He has been heavily criticised from his squad selections, tactical setup and use of substitutes. His decision to start Jamilu Collins on Wednesday night ahead of Ola Aina was questioned, likewise his decision to let an ineffective Odion Ighalo play the entire 90 minutes, without giving minutes to Victor Osimhen or Henry Onyekuru – who are yet to kick a ball in Egypt. Even Rohr’s decision to bring on Moses Simon was criticised, but it was from his corner William Troost-Ekong scored a minute from time. It’s no doubt that Rohr is stubborn, but it’s best he is left to decide whatever he pleases. Rohr looks very well on his way to claim his first international title, and should it happen, all criticism against him will matter less.

https://www.goal.com/en/lists/afcon-2019-what-did-the-super-eagles-learn-from-the-bafana/p98qghs9tjih1am7lk2tgsj13#2muh6v5gucei1bjfu5iezfbuj

Abeg who know when Inter vs Brondby IF dey play?

andrew444:
Is it Jonathan Kodjia?

If its him am not surprised

Even the name self don give away him style of play.

Na jam body striker be that

Earthquake2:
The Ivory coast no 9 has missed three open posts in this Afcon

No 9 indeed

charlesemeka85:
Na national team goal keeper trainers made enyeama world class and ikeme a good goal keeper?

To scout for better GKs.

I'm sure we can find better Nigerian league GKs better than Akpeyi and Ezenwa

charlesemeka85:
The number 9 position and midfield are the departments we lack personel and depth going forward inhe future.

The upcoming season in Europe will be vital in the process of getting a good striker who can take the mantle from Ighalo, mikel and John ogu most especially the former.

The likes of awoniyi and oshimeh needs to move to more competitive leagues or remain in Belgium and join the top teams in the league who feature in European competition so that they can make a statement for their course. Odey and Okereke are in a better environment and clubs to make their marks so that they will be counted. Iheanacho needs to rediscover his MOJO as well even if he has to drop to the English 2nd tier.

In the midfield, more qualities are needed to replace the aging mikel and ogu and as well complete the younger ones we have on ground which are ndidi and etebo. I pray that the likes of onomah, aribo, ejaria, Kingsley Michael, Eze, bashiru, zubairu etc perform well in their various and prospective clubs so that they can have a look in.

In the defence line, tomori(if interested), uduokhai, [b]Pius junior [/b]etc can also be drafted if they perform well in the upcoming season.

My biggest worry is the goal keeping department and due to the lack of quality in that position we have to make do with the trio we have now until a better goal tender emerges.

I don't know this guy oooo

Anyways, I feel there are better GKs. Our GK trainers are just lazy.

Mikel should retire after AFCON. And on no account should Rohr take just 4 midfielder to any tourney again. Its too risky. I doubt we have a replacement for wither wtwbo or Ndidi. Joe Aribo should rise to the challenge.

ChrisKels:
But some misguided fellows didn't think through this line when they said kitten Tau was gonna have him for lunch in the absence of Simon. To them, prior that match, taofeek, sorry tau was even an upgrade on zaha, mahrez and ounas

one thing I love about awaziem is his ruggedity, u can never bully him no matter ur size and physicality. I saw him against the trickiest winger in the world last two seasons (neymar), hence ,I ain't losing sleep over taofeek'ed, mahrez, zaha and ounas

Abeg Tau no be player. That dude was hyped to heavens. I didn't even know him before AFCON and when people started throwing his name around like used tyre, I had to google him only to find out that he plays at a second division Belgian club. Even the name of the club looks like a club formed by NURTW.

Mtchewww

charlesemeka85:
That's why I pray we meet algeria instead of CIV who will sit back to frustrate us. Algeria is not a defensive minded team and the super eagles tend to do better when playing attack minded team.

With chukwueze exploit so far I will prefer him to start ahead of Moses Simon but with strict instruction to track back to defend when the need arises.

Musa is another dynamite but his biggest problem is his final ball. Judging by his work rate and directness I will prefer to start him ahead of onyekuru and kalu.

Musa did well against SA but his greatest undoing was trying to pass to a crowded Ighalo.

I think he should shoot next time when he has the clear chance. He is a better shooter than passer/crosser

charlesemeka85:
Tactics to be deployed in a match determines the players to selected who are better suited for it.

Against Cameroon Simon started because Rohr tried to be cautious knowing that the rb position is unfamiliar to awaziem and deemed it reasonable to start a more defensive disciplined player with better work rate to help out awaziem in the position.

Against SA the game plan was to take them unawares with a fast, skillful and lethal player in chukwueze who they knew nothing about and their main focus was on Ighalo and Musa. The plan was to attack them as the game starts so we can get an early goal which will unsettle them and it worked out if not for the dubious goal we conceded.

The match I blamed Rohr was against Madagascar cus I expected onyekuru to start or atleast come in as a sub instead of fielding unfit kalu. All the same he is human and prone to mistakes

You made some good points.

But now, all eyes would be on Chukwueze, so who would be our joker in the next game?

Suggestions on possible tactics are welcome

Clementoke:
In other words, They have not had their first real test

These guys are better than the ones we have faced. However, our defenders should be able to rise to the moment

Don't put words in my mouth please

soetanoreoluwa:
Now you are banking on Rohr? Wonders shall never end.

Which wonders?

chrisooblog:
is there really a difference between mahrez of leicester city and mancity? he's just playing with more commited and talented algerian players plus they have gotten rid of the clowns who used to coach them

You have a good point

BascoVanVeli:
What if I tell you that Ighalo slugging it out with two CBs allowed our wingers to flourish? We win and lose as a team no one is expecting Ighalo to score in every match. Those passes were poor apart from the one Samu made which Ighalo wasn't hip to.

Okay

charlesemeka85:
When we get to that bridge we will cross it. Shehu hv faced Mahrez so I see no reason why awaziem can't handle him. If Salah can be shut out by the southies then same can happen to Mahrez n Co u mentioned

Thanks mahrez shehu faced isn't the Man city mahrez.

I'm banking on Rohr to make adequate prep against them but I doubt awaziem would be enough. My opinion please. No insults

charlesemeka85:
Oga I doubt oshineh can handle the rigors of a competition huge as the afcon.

These players are been monitored day in day out since the training camp resumed and Rohr knw their qualities than u and I.

No sensible coach will try such gamble now that we are in this crucial stage of the competition and if Rohr didn't believe in the lads potentials he wouldnt have dropped iheanacho and ignored players like awoniyi, Simy or even Odey who all did pretty decent in their respective clubs in Europe in favor of oshimeh.

If you want to watch oshineh play u can invite to compete in your village competition but as for the super eagles his time will surely come. The Olympics is there for him to perform of which he is the team's undisputed number 1 striker

Now this was funny.

But on a more serious note, its not as if Osimhen is my favorite but Ighalo is very unreliable.

I don't claim to be better than Rohr at his job but one this is sure, Chukwueze has been given opportunities and he has relayed that faith. Why not give the other lads such opportunities no matter how little.

Ighalo has been studied and a good defence will render him useless like yesterday. If SA could do so, what about Algeria or even CIV.

If your top man isn't reliable, what happens. We could have scored more goals yesterday bit for Ighalo's poor positioning. He can't claim to haven't received enough passes from the wingers yesterday but he was just absent. He want in the right place. Now, ighalo is a decent player because I know some slowpokes will attack me for singling him out but truth is, he had the poorest game yesterday same as what we saw against Madagascar.

That's all I'm saying

breezy147:
I wish there could be upsets. Madagascar defeating them and CIV beating Algeria.

Then we face Madagascar in the final.

CIV will defeat Algeria

Madagascar has been improving with every game and anything can happen

breezy147:
I mean long aerial balls. When you send them to Chukwueze his control is superb. The ball sticks to his feet. I wonder how he developed such professional first touch at such a young age. Ighalo, Musa etc often have poor first touches. I have not even seen Mikel or Ndidi control the ball the way Chukwueze does. I observed this long ago.

Ighalo has poor touches when he isn't backing a player.

He thrives on being marked by bodily contact when trapping a ball

chrisooblog:
Massive win yesterday though we made it harder for ourselves than it should have actually been. Awaziem and Collins great defensive performances. Iwobi best game of the tournament so far. Chukwueze what can i say about this starboy? nigeria is blessed to have such a talent pray he stays free from any serious injury and stays humble has potential to be one of our best wingers ever. kudos to alhaji musa pity his final ball often let him down. ighalo had an off day rohr shouldn't be scared to try other striking options if odion is not working out. makes us more unpredictable. shout out to king kong ekong too.

really pitied percy tau yesterday. like a snooker ball he was just entering one corner POCKET to the other

still on course game by game, match by match unto the next one.

Thank you God.

LET'S GO SUPER EAGLES!

I still feel rohr should try Osimhen.

We never know what the cat may let in.

Rohr may have said the guy falls in training but o feel he is eager to get the praises that Chukwueze has been getting. Same as Onyekuru and Kalu.

As at 65mins yesterday when we were still leading, Rohr should have subbed in Osimhen for Ighalo and see what happens. Ighalo is too inconsistent and predictable. Osimhen offers a bit of an unknown guile/trickery that may confound opposition defences while Ighalo has limited ability to get past his man..

Rohr ought to give this young ones a chance. We can't let the AFCON pass by without seeing them in action even if for 5 mins

Starboytwo:
I'm enjowing the show pls go on

You be bad guy

ChrisKels:
Some weed smokers said awaziem was a weak link

They won't comment on his display yesterday, they gonna wait till he slips, so that dey will crawl outta their caves to say rubbish again.



Even the ones that said awaziem can't do without a defensive winger in Simon

About this.....Awaziem was solid yesterday. Same as Collins but to be honest, I'm eager to see what they can pull against Zaha, Ounas, Mahrez et al.

Understand that I'm not rubishing their efforts ooo. Far from it but they haven't exactly faced wingers with the quality of the players I just listed

TheSuperNerd:
They are fortunate to be in that half of the draw in the lead up to the final. Our half of the draw is a lot more stronger. We had to play Cameroun for goodness' sake. Ours have been hell.

But beware of shockers shaa... Madagascar MAY surprise.

I can't wait to meet ad beat these guys to put them in their place properly. That loss was painful to darkelf

lakesidepapa:
Sir Mike, God bless u! This is what I have being explaining to this dude but his over-patrotism is making him ignorance, Im still surprise forgiveness could also bring himself so low like that.
The ball is a clean goal, Not office as sir forgy regards it.

That goal wasn't offside. Even the commentator explained after the video check that Ighalo's back header nullified whatever claims of offside there were

Icon4s:
Efe Ambrose was a CB before 2013 AFCON. Was drafted to RB for the AFCON and continued to play that position post AFCON

Shehu was a DM before the 2016 Olympics. Was drafted to RB for the Olympics. And after the Olympics he has continued to play RB.

Mikel was a DM/CM in the SE before the 2016 Olympics. Played AM in the Olympics and became the SE AM afterwards.

This is not the first time a player will be drafted to a make shift position. Awaziem has done creditably well in that position and has continued to improve with every game. He, IMO was the second best player yesterday after Chukwueze.

Ebuehi and Shehu are too injury prone. Good that we have a new RB Option.

Tbh, I don't think Shehu may have dome as well as AwaIem offensively. He always runs out of ideas

Icon4s:
Etebor is one player that has really impressed in this tournament and is improving with every game. Boy's recovery rate is is always awesome.

His Stoke City move and championship football seems to have helped him a lot.

I expected scouts to have jostled for his signature after his season in Stoke but his performance in this tourney should give premiership teams something to think about

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria's Top 3 Performers at Afcon 2019


Who makes your list of our top 3/best 3 Performers at Afcon 2019 SO FAR?

Colin Udoh's picks so far from 1st round to Quarterfinals are 4 in number:

Ndidi, Etebo, Omeruo and Awaziem.



It must be mentioned that Ndidi and Etebo have truly held their own against some of Africa's tough looking midfields so far at this Afcon. Alongside Iwobi, they have given us fine presence in the middle and they must be highly commended.

But again, I know not all three will automatically be counted among the top 3 performers so far in several lists.


So what's your take? Who makes your Top 3? Colin picked no forward.... Very interesting.

I will go with the following in the order given:

Etebo

Ndidi

Omeruo


Our forwards haven't been consistent enough especially Ighalo so, I can understand why they weren't picked

Odunayaw:
I remember once saying our serious local clubs could play friendlies with clubs from established countries

Look at Kariobangi Sharks (Kenyan club ) holding their own against Everton

Bit out clubs may not have the resources or even will to pull it off