₦airaland Forum

lovewins:
Another ACL Injury

USWNT and Gotham player Midge Purce announces she's torn her ACL. She's out for the Season and won't be at the Olympics.

Sad one, I do feel for her though… But again she’s more like Monday Gift of the USWNT, She will perform today and end up doing the unexpected (average performance) the next opportunity....!

AkinDS:
She (Elisha Sulola) and Edna Imade are in the same situation and are ready to go.

And the both of them the Spot they will be fighting for in the team is very tough and are currently occupied by very talented Players too… Anyways both bring height to the midfield and attack!

Deltamani:
Lyon vs Benfica

https://www.youtube.com/live/lFOWl9aOa0c?si=1CNnriWRwB5v83jE

What a quick response from Benfica

Lyon W (1) — (1) SL Benfica W
43' Cascarino D. (Le Sommer E.) [LYO]
45' Alidou d'Anjou M. (Sousa Alves L. C.) [SLB]

daveP:
How far switch matter on Sulola. Abi na just Randy no get time?

It’s a matter of Coach giving her a Call Up… No Switch required as she hasn’t played for England at any of the age grade level..

Lyon vs Benfica

https://www.youtube.com/live/lFOWl9aOa0c?si=1CNnriWRwB5v83jE

Nigeria U17 First Choice Goalkeeper Ijeoma Ozoma was in goal as Edo Queens earn a 4-2 defeat of Sunshine Queens with Goodness Osigwe getting a brace.

FT: Edo Queens 4-2 Sunshine Queens

Valencia Central Midfielder Elisha Sulola

So we have finally lost PSV 21yrs old Nina Iyobosa Nekpen Nijstad to the Netherlands… The Defender have been handed a Call up to the Senior National Team after playing for the Dutch side from age grade down to the U23 and now the Senior National Team…

Anyway GoodLuck to her, I remember she played against Nigeria at the last U20 World Cup …. She had interest of Playing for Nigeria long ago but didn’t get the Chance.!

Work in Progress!

Our very own version of Nadine Angerer..

Pretty Zogg!

Regina Otu look lost in Internationals Wilderness Right now… I still wondered how a good player like Ebere Orji still didn’t stay long in the National Team..! Faded away so quick..

African Sisters Esther Onyenezide, Opeyemi Ajakaye and Grace Chanda of Zambia 🇿🇲

Desiree Ellis, the head coach of Banyana Banyana, is gearing up her team for an epic showdown against Nigeria's Super Falcons in a crucial Olympic qualifier, and she's ready to use every advantage at her disposal

In an interview with SABC Sport, Desiree highlighted the strategic importance of playing at Loftus Stadium, where the high altitude could work in their favor. She also pointed out the team's recent success at the Aisha Buhari Cup in 2023 as a turning point, showcasing their determination and fearlessness on the field.

"These upcoming matches against the Super Falcons are crucial, and it's a 'winner takes all' situation," Desiree Ellis remarked. "We're focused on leveraging the altitude advantage at Loftus Stadium, especially in the early stages of the game."

Reflecting on their journey, Desiree emphasized the hunger and determination within the team, highlighting their absence from the previous Olympics and their strong desire to qualify this time around.

"The clash against Nigeria is significant, as both teams vie for a spot in the Olympics. It's been a long journey, and we're ready to give it our all," she added.

The stakes are high, and the winner of this clash will join a prestigious group alongside world champions Spain, Brazil, and Japan in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Stay tuned for an electrifying showdown!

mostob:
It is not hard to replicate the front three. It is just that we now have many player fighting for the 3 spots.

I think we can have a front 3 of Babajide, Oshoala and Ajibade, they all have different and a lot of qualities that Randy can utilize as a big weapon for the team, They have Pace, Strength, Football Sense… Babajide a dangerous ball crosser, Oshoala a Box finisher, Ajibade can Play make from the flank.!

mostob:
Ashleigh as WB? Na you type this thing?

It’s a mistake from his end… Ashleigh playing as a Left Back is because of the experience she has and how she understands football basis as a whole… Considering pace she isn’t there but makes up for it with her intelligent play.

mostob:
You're actually describing Ucheibe here. When it comes to energy and ball-winning, who do you think does it better between Ucheibe and Abiodun? When you have 3 good midfielders fighting for 2 spots, you consider their individual qualities and how to arrive at the best compatibility. Dropping Abiodun doesn't mean she is not good enough after all there are enough minutes to go round. Ayinde gets the nod here for me.

At this stage we can say that the midfield is one of the toughest position in the SuperFalcons right now…

Having Ayinde, Ucheibe, Abiodun, T Payne and Echegini

The only reason I’m picking Payne ahead of Echegini is Experience right now, if not with the few games Onyi has played she’s top notch and would make any team roster in the World..

Don’t forget we still have Regina Otu, Amanda Mbadi, Chinaza Uchendu, Peace Efih, Esther Onyenezide and foreign born Elisha Sulola..!

daveP:
Since that time, it's super hard to replicate this front 3. A front 3 that all 3 brought adequate threat individually. Not to talk of team effort too. I just feel Ordega wing is still empty sort of. It's never the same since she stopped being a regular.

Omorrr… it seems you really noticed everything, it was more like Stella Mbachu passing the Baton to Fransisca Ordega then Franny dropping it like that without passing it to anyone…The 3 O’s back then from 2014 till after 2019 wha them scatter, our frontline not really remain the same again.. Desire Oparanozie was that typical no.9 doing all her job well, even though she wasn’t that quick she did the rest well..

Ordega and Oshoala workload then was so good, combining their Attacking duties with a lot of defensive duties too because they were just too quick so they travel to and fro on the flank and where also interchanging positions regularly..

lovewins:
You just said exactly what I said. The trio will be playing together for the first time.

Worthy of note also is the fact that Ajibade and Esther haven't played sufficiently enough to be rest assured. Esther is for the most part a bench player in the team, you can count in your fingers how many times she's featured for the eagles.

Esther and Ajibade have played good numbers of games together, in Summer Series, Revelation Cup in Mexico and Friendly in Turkey Prior to the World Cup, then add up the few WAFCON & Olympic qualification games … Only Rinsola Babajide that’s out of this equation.. By the way weda from the Bench or Start Esther Okoronkwo have been our most reliable goal scorer since Summer Series and last year she was the SuperFalcons top Scorer with 5goals…

mostob:
Can never be Swart. Ellis won't be that dumb. And if na Swart, na to shoot from distance o. The girl no fit jump

Swart has been Ellis First Choice goalkeeper since 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand..

lovewins:
My issue with this combination is that they will be playing together for the first time. A little scary if you ask me.

Ajibade and Esther have played together on several occasions since 2021… The only newbie there is Babajide!.

AkinDS:
Wouldn't start with Kanu - she is better coming in as a sub.

I would start with Babajide (on the left) - Okoronkwo - Ajibade (on the right)

Esther is very physical and she can soften up the SA CB's for Oshoala to reek havoc coming in as a sub.

We need to be extremely efficient and take our chances early. Okoronkwo has been able to do that successfully over several SF matches now.

With this… Echegini will have to start over Toni Payne as she’s good at getting into the Box! Her chemistry with Esther is top notch.. Babajide will have to do more of the Playmaking job from the flank!

But again it’s time for Randy to start utilizing Rinsola Babajide Pace and excellent pullouts from the Flank!

𝕁𝕌𝕊𝕋 𝕀ℕ

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has confirmed that Banyana goal keeper Andile Dlamini has withdrawn from the squad ahead of the final Olympic Qualifier against Nigeria due to medical reasons.

AkinDS:
Based on the videos of her playing in Japan, not particularly impressed with her speed (which has been a concern in the past).
She seems a tad heavier and slower now. Demehin is a huge loss for Nigeria, but what do you do? I lieu of Demehin, I would prefer a back 4 of Alozie - Ohale - Plumptre - N.Payne for the games against SA.

They have pacy wingers and we need FBs that can match them stride for stride. S.A.'s strength is in their wing play and if you can contain that with pacy FBs, that helps. And we also need quick and sharp CBs to handle the pace of Kgatlana.

We need a very active midfield, with CMs that are tireless workhorses. Between Ucheibe, Abiodun, Halimatu, T. Payne and Echegini, hopefully we can overwhelm them.

I fancy Nigeria's chances IF we are smart about the way we play them. Randy has been burnt and embarrassed twice by Desire Ellis, so this is very personal for him.

Picking the trio upfront that day, Maybe Ajibade, Oshoala and Kanu to start… With Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo and Monday Gift coming in to Change things up..

Onyi Echegini and Esther Okoronkwo have a great Chemistry and i would love them to go hand in hand.

AkinDS:
Based on the videos of her playing in Japan, not particularly impressed with her speed (which has been a concern in the past).
She seems a tad heavier and slower now. Demehin is a huge loss for Nigeria, but what do you do? I lieu of Demehin, I would prefer a back 4 of Alozie - Ohale - Plumptre - N.Payne for the games against SA.

They have pacy wingers and we need FBs that can match them stride for stride. S.A.'s strength is in their wing play and if you can contain that with pacy FBs, that helps. And we also need quick and sharp CBs to handle the pace of Kgatlana.

We need a very active midfield, with CMs that are tireless workhorses. Between Ucheibe, Abiodun, Halimatu, T. Payne and Echegini, hopefully we can overwhelm them.

I fancy Nigeria's chances IF we are smart about the way we play them. Randy has been burnt and embarrassed twice by Desire Ellis, so this is very personal for him.

In Midfield I will leave Randy to decide on who starts in the double pivot Midfield position between Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun..
With Tony Payne and Onyi Echegini battling it out on who starts in the AM position.!

AkinDS:
Based on the videos of her playing in Japan, not particularly impressed with her speed (which has been a concern in the past).
She seems a tad heavier and slower now. Demehin is a huge loss for Nigeria, but what do you do? I lieu of Demehin, I would prefer a back 4 of Alozie - Ohale - Plumptre - N.Payne for the games against SA.

They have pacy wingers and we need FBs that can match them stride for stride. S.A.'s strength is in their wing play and if you can contain that with pacy FBs, that helps. And we also need quick and sharp CBs to handle the pace of Kgatlana.

We need a very active midfield, with CMs that are tireless workhorses. Between Ucheibe, Abiodun, Halimatu, T. Payne and Echegini, hopefully we can overwhelm them.

I fancy Nigeria's chances IF we are smart about the way we play them. Randy has been burnt and embarrassed twice by Desire Ellis, so this is very personal for him.

Coach Randy just need to really redeem himself against Desire Ellis, I hope that Ellis wining Jinx will be broken by him this time..

I really do fancy Nicole Payne starting at Left Back as her Speed and Strength ( Athleticism) is her major asset, she can shut Thembi and Co down..

Don’t know how Fit Alozie is right now considering the Knee Injury Houston Dash said she’s Carrying!

Alozie — Ohale — Plumptre — N Payne in Defense..!

If Randy Waldrum and the Goalkeeping Coach didn’t see how talented and potential she has, She wouldn’t be given another chance Consecutively… The girl is good, with an intimidating physique and a good height as she’s a little bit taller than Nnadozie..

⚽ 8goals in 11games for CHINWE IHEZUO this Season..!🤩💜

ekehopp2:
Rofiat Imuran I can excuse, but is Blessing Demehin injured?

Blessing Demehin is Injured, she hasn’t played any game since the last one against Cameroon, not even training..! Speedy Recovery to Her❤️‍🩹

Chidinma Okeke 23yrs (Fullback/Center Back)

A good time to be Back in the SuperFalcons, She very quick, Strength/Physicality, Aerial Presence and a very good balance defensively and Attacking wise..!

I’m very much aware of how the Knee injury at Madrid CFF affected her game.! Having Played in Israel and currently in Japan since her return from the injury it looks like she’s has gotten back to her top form!.

She’s in form…

AkinDS:
Eiee!!
Na me talk am o!
Going off precedence and I believe I said I hoped I was wrong.
Nothing spoil - good luck to the young lass!

Looking at you with my 3D Camera 📷

dkay51:
I thought you people said Randy was going to drop Jiwuaku

Good list, Randy now understands his players better, hopefully he puts the best starting eleven from the first game unlike the last time.

Which one be you People, You nor know who and who talk am..!

Anyways Linda is one of my favorite Young goalie.