₦airaland Forum

AkinDS:
Yes. You are right - I'm getting old...
Jane Rafiloe was one of the key threats, as well as Ramalepe.
When writing my comments, I had listed the top 5 players who I felt had been our most problematic players on the SA team over the years and tried to whittle them down to 3. Criteria was speed (of thought and physical pace), but mostly intelligent play.
Where they (SA) had hurt us the most was in the midfield area - offensive and defensive. That is their engine room, and they use very quick ball movements and passing to get behind our defense.
The new midfielders we have seem very well up to the task (unlike before, when we had the likes of Unc. Rita and Halimat running the show).
I honestly fancy our chances better, this time around.

Surely we have a better chance right now as defensively we look so compact.. The major battle will definitely be in the Midfield but as you have said we now have younger and pacy players in Midfield..!

Randy better play Tony Payne in Midfield with any of Pair of Ayinde, Ucheibe, Abiodun in midfield to clean up the dirty job. Then bring in Echegini for Payne later to freshen things up.

Happy birthday Onyi🎂

Onyi Zogg celebrates her 2️⃣7️⃣th birthday today 🎉

I think the goal she scored at the World Cup covered her poor game run from 2023 till date… That goal literally blinded the Fans eyes if not her game play from the World Cup till date is just at 50%..


She isn’t the Kanu i followed her game from U17 till now. What’s happening?? she’s just 26yrs

Let’s be Sincere Uchenna Kanu is on Decline right now… She’s arguably one of the most Complete forward we have in the team..

Pace, Skills, Aerial Ability, Finishing ability and full game play as a whole was very good from U17 to U20 and down to playing for the SuperFalcons..

She had a good College & Pro Career in USA, Sweden and Mexico.

But since moving to the USA to play in the NWSL her game have depreciated a lot, I will say 50% down right now.!

What is wrong?? Uchenna Kanu was even on the rise before Rasheedat Ajibade? What is really wrong!?

She’s talented and would be a big weapon for the SuperFalcons if she up her game or better still recover to her top level..



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1jGQxJQjVY?si=soV3zlS4UewWRiyr

Morocco Women's national team coach Jorge Vilda compares Copper Queens' squad to Real Madrid's famous Galacticos

Zambia will face Morocco in the final round of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier between April 1-9.

Below are his quotes ahead of the showdown in April.

"They have a very scaring squad with super individual players who can change your game plan due to their brilliance.

"You have no idea on how to contain both Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji.

"These are very strong Players, very skillful and fast. How do you contain such players?

"If it was one, yes we would suggest we give her attention and tight mark her. Now it's two players! You can't tight mark two players and that's where they take it all.

"They also have a difficult system, you don't know how they play, you don't know or have any ideas of their tactics, you will not see them play in Midfield the next moment you see balls out-wide. Banda and Kundananji running out everyone! That's difficult to contain.

"But we will have a game plan and try to cut ball supplies to the two and have a way to stop them from recieving balls.

"No doubt they have the most expensive female footballer (Kundananji) in their squad and the most feared female forward currently (Banda) and that plays to their advantage. Because most defenders and opponents are frightened.

' I would say they are like the 2002-04 Real Madrid Galacticos. You have Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Zidane in one team? Opponents will be scared of you and have no one to tight mark.

These trios though…

Onyi Echegini still need to add more to her physical side of the game as she lost the ball on one or two occasions against Cameroon, anyway she just went pro and will definitely improve as time goes on.. Playing against African Opponents demands a lot physically... But with Stronger Ayinde, Ucheibe, Abiodun behind her she’s covered. This also helped Tony Payne in Midfield with them behind her..

AkinDS:
Point of correction...
I meant Jane, not Ramalepe.

Also, that was why I feel, as a matter of urgency, we need Nicole back in the squad. Was unimpressed with Imuran, the way that Cameroonian #6 took her to school and she kept beating her with pace.

For me, the key to overcoming the South Africans is centered around neutralizing the triad of Kgatlana, Seoposenwa and Motlhalo.
Those three are the engine room of the team.
Truth is we never had a solid enough midfield capable of bottling them up, especially Seopo (AM) and Motlhalo (CM). However, now having the likes of CM's Ayinde, Ucheibe, Abiodun and Echegini, I think the midfield now tilts in our favor and we should be able to overcome them.

Also think Randy needs to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting with Rasheedat - her very poor decision making and wanting to take unnecessary touches and dribbles is detrimental to the team.
We really need to move the ball faster when playing SA, as they are very well organized and are disciplined in their recovery.
Rash, for me, is THE cog in the wheel.

Firstly you typed Ramalepe… now you’re saying Jane?
Is it same Rafiloe Jane (31+) who’s their Skipper and Plays Central Defensive Midfield? Or another one.

She’s an intelligent Midfielder with a good passing ability but she’s not very fast if that is what you mean as age is also catching up with her.

Chidinma Okeke…

AkinDS:
Not true.

Watched some of their recent games and they have some dangerous speed threats:
Kgatlana, Ramalepe, Magaia and this new kid called Nicole Michael (who is a speed burner on the right flank, even though she is still a bit raw).

That's why I stated we need Nicole Payne back in the squad cause that MIchael girl will take cause problems for us on the right flank.

Ramalepe their fullback isn’t quicker than Alozie either.

Magaia is just like Rash and Babajide

Nicole Michael is arguably their quickest player and forward right now.. Yeah her pace will be a threat but not for someone like Nicole Payne..

Elder Halimatu Ayinde

Promise47:
I'm definitely friending this lady she's good and beautiful 😍

I hear say Linda Jiwuaku na Wrestler before she become goalkeeper ooo

Let’s us take note that this is the 2nd time Onyi Echegini is assisting Esther Okoronkwo🤘

But Precious Dede was really Good Back in her days ooo.. Who remember those her heroic Days of saving Penalties Back to Back..

Esther Okoronkwo is our Breadwinner for the now as she has been Consistent from 2021 till date..


Randy tried out the trio of

Ajibade — Oshoala — Okoronkwo upfront in Turkey going to the World Cup and they didn’t do bad at all… At the stage Randy would have probably tried out their 3 again with Esther and Oshoala switching positions regularly as game is on..

Would love to see Rinsola Babajide start for us upfront anytime soon.. Her Skills, pace, Physicality and Pullout/Crosses are very dangerous, is something we can take advantage of upfront with Echegini in AM who’s always Pop up in the Opponents Box..

Currently Uchenna Kanu isn’t it, except she wakes up real quick.. Tony Payne is not quite strong enough from the flank.

Babajide — Okoronkwo — Ajibade

Or

Babajide —- Oshoala —- Ajibade

M7even:
South Africa are less physical but they make up for it with pace and swiftness, how good are we to match them for that. Considering their record in Africa over the past three years or so, they beat us in the Aisha Burahi cup as well at home.

SA doesn’t have Pacy players than Nigeria but can keep possession.By the way If they do how many can you name. By the way they’re pretty compact in Midfield especially the trio of Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo and Kholosa Biyana.. But defensively they can be punished a lot even though they have an attacking trio that can Finnish too but can be wasteful ours too.

🚨Racheal Kundananji could be sidelined for weeks after suffering a knee injury during Zambia versus Ghana Olympics qualifier, second leg tie, last Wednesday.

Kundananji was stretched off after 60 minutes and was unable to walk on her own at the tunnel as she was in pains, having left the field in tears.

The 23-year-old will be examined by Copper Queens medicals and most likely Bay FC, to determine the severity of the wound.

Paris 2024: It’s Do or Die vs Super Falcons – South Africa Coach Fires Warning To Nigeria.

The Future….. Linda

Any Chance for the Return of Japan 🇯🇵 based Full Back Chidinma Okeke??



Chidinma Nkeruka Okeke (23yrs) who currently plays for MyNavi Sendai in Japan..

83’ Netherlands (0) - (2) Germany

⚽️ Buhl K. (Oberdorf L.)
⚽️ 78' Schuller L. (Buhl K.)



https://www.youtube.com/live/m8QLjoHOlS4?si=rxLr4USxncTN5MeZ

yinkeys:
It’s already been set for April 1st I think

Can never be April first oooo

The FIFA Window starts April 1st and ends 9th…. The real date picked for the match will be made public once they finalize it btw (1-9)

Omooor … I was thinking that France will hold their own against Spain but as it’s Spain is running away with 2Nil Victory..

yinkeys:
That’s how England managed to get passed us in the World Cup lol
I think Sweden are a very good side
South Africa has probably had our number since 2018 that’s why I worry.
If it’s gonna be in Abuja we need the stadium to be at least 50%

Fans or No Fans the Falcons are Capable… The game should be fixed in a way that they would have time to train at least 3 times before the first leg… Maybe 5th. At least they can train 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

We say congratulations to the Veteran Defender Faith Ikidi Michael who turns 37 years old today! 🥳🌟❤️🤍

PDPGuy:
Well, both the federation and players would have to figure out a way to make the schedule work 🤷🏾

There’s nothing to figure out there… All on ground now is how the SuperFalcons can prosecute the Olympic qualifying Games against SA

Zambia will meet winner Morocco/Tunisia, whose return leg is currently underway with Morocco strolling to the final round 👇

20' | Morocco 4-0 Tunisia (agg: 6-1)



https://www.youtube.com/live/JAkHN3KJgL0?si=PtLdtlKzP2NnIBFw

Ball Meets Boot…. SuperFalconet U20🔥⚽️.

PDPGuy:
FIFA’s window for both legs is April 1-9, so it’s possible

Is not possible at all… FIFA only allows 2 game in that window and there’s no way Players will be in Camp exactly on the 1st of April as some of them will be playing a game 31st of March and also the travel distance, they still need time to recover from jet lags….

What is difficult here for you to understand.??

Nnadozie Chiamaka way dey in form for both club and country..

PDPGuy:
I meant April 5 - a Friday

Then will they play the Olympic Qualifying Games?
Traveling and all that? How does it work?

FIFA only allows two game in that window… Each window have the maximum number of game a National team can play.