₦airaland Forum

ChrisKels:
Paul Aigbogun is a joke

I despise the mofo. Finidi should've been given this job. I'm tired of this nonsense. 2018 and this issue of age cheating isn't at its minimum.

Not going to bother following our U20 team sef. This Paul Aigbogun guy is a clown. I remember someone on here saying he doesn't bother following Nigerian youth teams because he knows at least over 50 percent of them are overage and it doesn't give a glimpse of what to come. I think I'll start doing that. U23 and Super eagles only.
Had so much hope for this team...

Icon4s:
You mean you don't know?

Nope.

Joebie:
Dig out news like these and Southgate won’t be able to lie to us.

Who is Southgate biko?

MetalJigsaw:
so I be mumu? hmmm

I meant the autocorrect oo

charlesemeka85:
Paul onuachu was on the verge of getting a call up before he got injured which kept him out for a long time. rohr monitors his progress and even advised him some time ago to push for a move away from the danish league. rohr has a strong scouting network which gives him report of the exploits of Nigerian players both home and European groomed. he is not like our lazy indigenous coaches who only monitor our players through complete sports newspaper and news gotten from the internet . i remember few years ago a certain Nigerian player was making in his club in Europe but was yet to get an invite to the super eagles, this got tongues wagging and when the then national team coach was interviewed on why the lad have been ignored the gaffer's response was if the boy is ready to play for Nigeria that he should place a call to him

Keshi did that a few times. He said the same thing when asked about Abiola Dauda and said Dauda can go play for Serbia if he wants.
I found it hilarious no lie...

MetalJigsaw:
Over confidence in what sense.

Mumu auto correct...meant our confidence.

elyte89:
Y is dis news emerging now,when keshi is gone?

The rumors were going on when he was alive tbh.

tbaba1234:
Daniel Amokachi's Ideye Brown lesson must be heeded by Gernot Rohr

There are just days to go until Gernot Rohr names his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Much of Rohr's squad essentially picks itself, and the coach sure knows what at least seventy percent of what his final 23 will look like.

Such knowledge however, still does not seem enough to protect even surefire certainties from being concerned about getting dropped at the last minute.

One player who was in the 2014 squad and should make the cut for the 2018 event, spoke to KweséESPN anonymously, and harked back to four years ago, when striker Brown Ideye was cut from the squad to general astonishment within and outside the team.

"Nobody expected that Brown will not be in the 23-man list," the player said. "We were all shocked.

"So now, nobody can say for sure that they are going to the World Cup, because anything can happen."

Daniel Amokachi, who was assistant coach at the time, told KweséESPN in an exclusive interview that he had no idea how and why Ideye was cut from the squad.

"Brown for me was one player that I regret that we did not take to the World Cup in 2014," Amokachi said, speaking for the first time about the incident that shocked a nation.

"Hundred percent I didn't know how he didn't make that list," he added. "I never saw it coming that he didn't make the list till when the list came out and we found out.

"I think I probably had a lot of fights with some people that I shouldn't have, but it happened because I saw no reason why such a player should be left out.

"We ended up going to the World Cup with players that even me I don't even know."

It is a stunning admission by Amokachi, who went on to suggest that outside influences may have played a part in the striker getting cut in favour of a players like Michael Uchebo and Uche Nwofor, both of whom had a combined total of six international appearances prior to the World Cup.

Four of those combined caps (two each) were in the friendlies just before the squad was named

"I think it is very tough if a coach is already an agent," Amokachi continued. "It is very, very difficult, and that is why I always say you cannot be a coach and be an agent at the same time.

"When the World Cup comes around, you always have a lot of new players showing up," he added. "Players who will decide that they are Nigerians and bring confusion into the team.

"When you find yourself in that situation, you try to advise, because you have agents that will be calling left, right and centre.

"If a coach is an agent, he will fall a victim too. Those are things that we really really need to avoid. There is no room to be trying new players."

These allegations of agent-induced selections have dogged Nigerian football for years, but Amokachi is the first high-profile name to go on record with it, and he says it is a pitfall that Rohr and his coaching staff need to be wary of as they pick their roster for Russia.

"If the coach is a hundred-percent focused as a coach then he needs the best players in the team because he needs results," the ex-striker proceeded. "However, if he is an agent and he has people around him that are agents then there is an issue.

"That is what is happening with our national team today. There are a lot of agents around them and that is probably going to be the only hiccup that the coach will have."

Squad lists, both provisional and final, are usually sent to the NFF's Technical Committee before release to the press and public.

This is the reason why the committee have taken flak for years about their interference in player selections, but NFF Executive Committee member Chris Green, who was chairman of the committee in 2014, says they had no hand in the matter

"I was not a member of the technical crew and I didn't have a hand in that," said Green. "Amokachi was assistant to Stephen Keshi.

"If as assistant to Keshi he did not know how Ideye was dropped, is it the technical committee that should know?"

Ideye himself appears to still be traumatised by the incident, especially because he was given no prior warning and was as blindsided as everyone else

"I don't want to talk about it," he told KweséESPN. "I just saw the names of the players Keshi picked on Twitter.

"Nobody told me the reason Keshi dropped me, and Keshi himself didn't call or text me so I just moved on."

It is a nightmare scenario, and one that continues to give many of the players in the current squad cause for pause, and potential action.

"Right now, everybody is just watching to see what will happen," a player said. "We know those who should be there, and if anybody from outside is coming in, he has to be very much better than those of us who are here now.

"However, we cannot just sit and allow what happened to Ideye last time to happen again."

Could this open the door to a selection showdown between coaches and players?

It's unlikely, with the harmony in the present squad and the relationship between captain Mikel Obi and Rohr, but it's possible that such surprises from left field could be the catalyst for a potential disruption in squad harmony.

Rohr himself seems to have that covered, having reportedly decided to pick a targeted 30 rather than a 35-man provisional squad ahead of next week's deadline.

He'd still do well to heed Amokachi's counsel, and keep his distance from agents while he draws up his roster.

http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3493688/daniel-amokachis-ideye-brown-lesson-must-be-heeded-by-gernot-rohr

Is this an indictment of Keshi?

Not just Keshi but the so called technical committee

MetalJigsaw:
If we beat this team, Rohr totally has my respect.

I tell you. It will do over confidence a whole world of good.

MetalJigsaw:
Lol... But I think he's not totally wrong though.

He's clearly looking for attention

Kog45:
I understand you wella but i don't think Rohr will start Etebo and i don't even see him starting,with Mikel and Ndidi we are ready to go against Croatia.

Same here. Wouldn't be a bad idea sha.

Joebie:
The new player have to be at least better, not “far better”.
At the end of the day there should be no shocking inclusion. And by shocking I mean a player that clearly does not deserve it based on performance. Everything being equal, there should be no hard feelings. No be fight after all, the goal is to do the nation proud unitedly. And whoever makes the list must earn it whether they are gatecrashers or not.

I trust Rohr. J Obi is honestly the only player that didn't feature/get invited for the WCQ that I see making the team. Rohr will take his usual suspects.

Kog45:
We are missing something here regards Etebo.

Pls is Etebo a regular in eagles,and how was his performance so far with eagles.

Why did he lost his place in eagles if he is so superlative and important to the team.

Another question can Rohr trust Etebo as a starter and benched Onazi,Joel and Ogu.

I think beating Croatia solely rest on Rohr tactical prowess,nothing more.

True it'll be his tactics but he also needs the right profile of players. I'm still not sold on playing 2 destroyers who offer little attacking wise. If we say play Ogu instead of Onazi, the question is is he mobile enough?? Is his ball handling good enough to overlook his lack of mobility? Etebo got dropped after the game at SA...a game where the team as a whole played poorly. Yes he isn't "superlative" but he is in form and has had good games for us before. Ndidi also started off not being superlative for us till he eventually blew.
Etebo stamina plus attacking threat will be useful for us in a game like this. I wouldn't mind either J Obi, Ogu, etc. I just don't want us playing with 2 destroyers.

gamaliel9:
Alert: Best way to stop Croatia,stop Modric from dictating play from the midfield...stop him from trying to find Rakitic most of the time who normally delivers the final pass or sends it to Perisic to cross. We should do an AUGENTHALER ON MARADONA version at 1990 World Cup...I know that Modric is not so fast in Croatian colours[he is sorrounded by fast legs in Madrid],we should work to BLOCK HIS VSION....and Croatian will collapse. He is the prima donna of this team

Not that straight forward bro. Kovacic can easily drop back to negate that. Plus Kovacic is superb at carrying the ball.
Assuming they start with Kovacic - Modric - Rakitic as they midfield 3, they'll have the likes of Brozovic outwide and he can always drift to the middle to outnumber us.
I really can't wait for this game. I don't think we've faced a midfield with this profile before. Want to see how Rohr will go about this...

safarigirl:
thank you. All this Etebo talk is because of his performance for Las Palmas, there are no guarantees he will perform same way for Eagles

So, I cannot in good faith, ask for Etebo to start our opening game when his performance in the GwG is underwhelming next to his Las Palmas performances

Etebo will be able to offer us something attacking and a lil bit defensively. His late runs will be another headache for the Croatia to worry about.

Afobear:
Make una stay here the analyse and give una self hope . Una no get team at all . Quote after the group stages , Nigeria will lose all 3 matches by a wide margin

You have been noticed. Bye...

Think we're getting carried away by Croatia's midfield. No one is taking about Mandzukic and Perisic. Those guys will definitely press us relentlessly without the ball. If we start with Onazi - Ndidi, how do we cope with it?? If we're going to go long, will Ighalo/Iheanacho be a good fit?
Anyhow I trust Rohr when it comes to scouting. Let's see what he comes up with that day.

Truidstar:
The Croats are good individually but the trio of Modric, Rakitic and Kovcic don't have chemistry. Reminds me of England that once had Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard and did not gel together. The Croats problem is they have a slow back line which we should exploit.

Actually think it's a very versatile midfield. Kovacic can play as a 6, 8 and even 10. Same as Rakitic to a certain extent. Modric will play in the middle. It will be a very difficult game.

forgiveness:
Abeg, forget Morata. He was the cause Chelsea missed the top 4 this season. See as e missed one on one yesterday.

Lool he'll come good next season. I like him

forgiveness:
Did you watch his last game? He had 2-3 shots on goal as soon as he came on. These shots were saved by the goalkeeper.

Sadiq Umar, Awoniyi, Dessers etc are not better than him talent wise. Read my lips, I will prefer Tammy Abraham in Chelsea ahead of Morata.

Doesn't have Morata's technique and link up play. But yeah...Tammy na great prospect. People are just being bitter with the guy

Nacho!!! Nice goal

Petrobros:
The same Madrid that Realpocher said usually gift opponents the midfield. So who gifted who the midfield this time?

Watch the highlights and see how Juve scored their first 2 goals.

realpoacher:
What is wrong with you all?

Did i say that you should play to the sidelines and wings for fun?.... Or that the middle should be completely neglected?... Don't you all know that there is a reason why you have to play to the wings?

The reason is to stretch the Croats... Underline the word STRETCH!!!..

Croatia play a very compact midfield,.. How do you intend to break such a compact midfield?

By choking the middle with more men or attempting to outplay them through the middle?

I laugh in Mandarin...

I REPEAT, THE ONLY WAY TO BREAKDOWN A COMPACT MIDFIELD IS TO STRETCH THEM.. TO EXPAND AND CONTRACT THEM.... THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BEAT THEM.

Midfield gifting and stretching is what we have been doing all along since Rohr came on board. And it has been working for us. Many times when we play matches, we rarely hold and control the ball in the middle, we are always chasing the ball and waiting to hit our opponents on the counter.

We have been gifting our opponents the middle because we always defended our half well... So i am only buttressing on doing what we have always been doing. This time around, we just have to be conscious of what we are doing and do it well. Simple...

We rarely hold possession and complete 3-4 passes anyways, so what's the fuss?

Against Zambia home and away we played and scored from the wings. Against Cameroon away we scored from the wings, against Argentina 2 of goals came from the wings. Against Poland, even our penalty was won from a cut-in from the wings... In all of these matches i mentioned, we never controlled the game from the middle, we never had more possession...

So i ask again, what is the fuss concerning my tactics?

The Way Juve played Madrid in the second leg should be a blueprint to how we play Croatia

Joebie:
#TransferRumors

Kingsley Ehizibue on the verge of joining a Bundesliga club

Heard he is waiting for a Dutch invite.

charlesemeka85:
nice observation bro. onazi no doubt brings enough energy to the team but he adds nothing moving forward. he tends to perform better when we face African oppositions. mikel can be deployed as a central midfielder who's sole responsibility is to coordinate the team's play and also help alex create openings for our strikers to score

GBAM

forgiveness:
This is spot on in regards to our team under Keshi but this present team has improved with better players and the way we play. The wingers now defend unlike before and our wing backs also has the potential of joining the attack from the flanks though not like we see in other big teams like Brazil, Spain and Germany that has better wing backs.

However, the bolded put to rest the false information that Ramon Azeez was not spectacular for his club that season and he can't face physical players. Lies every where.

Yeah you could say we have a bit more creativity on the flanks with Iwobi/Simon replacing Musa, but the middle is still the same thing. We still have highly energetic players who cover for Mikel's lack of mobility, only difference is Mikel plays in front of them instead of behind. I'd even argue over buildup play then was better than now because Mikel played deeper.
I still think a 4-3-3 with Ndidi - Mikel - Iwobi/Etebo would do us a whole world of good. Mikel would probably conserve more energy being behind instead of having to drop deep to help with buildup play.

Check this analysis on out team back in 2014. Not too much have changed since then in terms of style


Tactics: Analysing Nigeria’s tactical approach, formation, and set up

The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their spot in Group G of the FIFA World Cup after what was in hindsight an easy qualifying campaign. Stephen Keshi’s side are now getting ready to face Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iran for the honour of being in the World Cup’s round of 16. A feat that will definitely be a brilliant achievement from the African Champions. A lot has changed since Nigeria’s (led by Lars Lagerback) last appearance at the World Cup in 2010 that was summed up by Yakubu Aiyegbeni missing one of the easiest tap ins you will ever see. In fact 2010 was so forgettable for Nigerian football that the President banned the national team from any official matches. The said ban was only overturned when FIFA handed the Nigerian National team a ban of their own for government interruption. After a confusing period of switching manager after manager. The Eagles finally found the right man in Stephen Keshi. And since his appointment, Nigeria has not looked back. They won the 2013 African Cup of Nations and put out a good account of themselves and the continent in the Confederations Cup in a group that contained Uruguay and Spain. The Nigerian team is certainly capable of being a surprise package at the World Cup.

BASIC FORMATION

Stephen Keshi’s preferred formation since taking over has been the 4-3-3. Even though he at times experimented with a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2. If all players are fit and available, his starting XI is normally constant. Enyeama is a certainty in the post, with Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona being the centre backs. Efe Ambrose and Juwon Oshaniwa should be the starters at right and left back respectively, with a midfield trio of John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi and Ramon Azeez. Upfront, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are on the flanks and Emmanuel Emenike is the preferred striker. Although the inclusion of Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi in the provisional squad means serious competition for the front 3 players.

Made using Tactical Pad

ANALYSIS

Stephen Keshi, since he took charge of the Nigerian team has favoured a more reactive style of play. The Nigerians have become very adept at holding off pressure from opponents, waiting for them to lose the ball, and then they counter with lightning speed. They are not the kind of team that camps players in front of their box looking to soak up press or “park the bus”, they look to press the opponents from the midfield, as such are closer to goal most of the time they win the ball. Even in the games versus Spain in the Confederations Cup where you would expect them to sit very deep, they actually came out and pressed the Spanish in midfield, and for a while Nigeria actually dominated the World Champions. When the ball is won in the centre, it is immediately passed to their quick wingers who use their pace and trickery to fashion out chances for the team. The fact that Nigeria’s fullbacks are not very adventurous in attack and the presence of three defensively solid central midfielders means that the defence is well protected. So most of the time Nigeria’s centre backs are more concerned with defending the box and are rarely forced out of position into the wider areas or high up the field.

The team has problems defending down its flanks especially in situations when they have lost the ball and the wingers are high up. This is caused by the fact that Nigeria’s wingers, although they try, are not very adept at tracking back and helping their fullbacks. In a situation where Nigeria were on the attack and lost the ball, the fullbacks would be isolated because they don’t go high up the pitch, and there is no way the wingers can track back in time to prevent attacks. This problem is more evident when Nigeria play against a team with an offensive fullback, as this leaves the Nigerian full back in a lot of 2v1 situations. An attempt from the midfielders to cover could leave the centre exposed, and the same goes for the centre backs as they are not comfortable defending the wide positions if their fullback is exposed. A good example of this is the goal that Spain scored via Jordi Alba to break the deadlock in the Confederations cup.

[/b]Another problem of the team is building up play via passing moves. Nigeria’s team is designed to hurt teams with quick transitions and find it hard to fashion chances against teams that are deep and compact.[b] This is mostly because they have wingers that are better with space in front of them or behind the opposition defence to run into. The fullbacks in the team are not the offensive types so do not provide width during attacks. Another reason is that Nigeria don’t have the type of creative midfielders adept at breaking down deep defences. Mikel’s passing is at its most dangerous during counters. These factors altogether make it hard for Nigeria to break down deep, compact defences.

Another factor that could deter this Nigerian team is their finishing. The Nigerians are often guilty of squandering an alarming amount of chances in big games. In previous tournaments, Emmanuel Emenike has been their only efficient finisher, with wingers like Musa and Moses being good at fashioning out chances but disappointing with the finish. The presence of more EPL standard strikers like Odemwingie and Ameobi could solve this problem though.

KEY PLAYERS

Vincent Enyeama | The keeper has had a wonderful season at Lille and how far Nigeria goes will depend on his form.

Jon Obi Mikel | The Chelsea midfielder at club level is mostly known for his ability to provide a solid and stable screen to shield the Chelsea defence. He provides stability and anchors the midfield and also helps Chelsea slow down games with his passing and ability to hold the ball. He does the same for his country, but with far more freedom to be creative. Once Nigeria win the ball back, Mikel is their main distributor, quickly locating the outlets or sometimes splitting defences directly with through or long passes on the counter. He is Nigeria’s main playmaker and midfield anchor.

Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa | They are Nigeria’s main outlets on the counter attack. If found on the run, they will look to run at defenders and beat them with a combination of pace and trickery to create chances or score them. They are also Nigeria’s main source of width as the fullbacks are not very offensive.

Ogenyi Onazi and Ramon Azeez | The two central midfielders in front of Mikel are the ones tasked with the important duty of pressing the ball in midfield and forcing turn overs. Both players have brilliant work-rates, are strong and dynamic, and when they do win the ball, they go for the short pass to a close team mate (mostly Mikel). Both players also make forward runs on or off the ball from deep to help the attack.

Emmanuel Emenike | The striker was a key player for the team that won the African Cup of Nations. Although the inclusion of Shola Ameobi and Osaze Odemwingie casts doubts over his role in the team, he will probably still be the starter at Brazil. A striker that possesses a dangerous mixture of pace, technical ability and strength could be a nightmare for opposition defences. Emenike holds up play well, drops deep to play with the midfield allowing the wingers space in the channels to work with. All this while having a thunderous shot in him. His form in front of goal could be key for the Eagles as his absence was clearly felt in the Confederations Cup.

TALENT RADAR KEY YOUNG PLAYER

Kenneth Omeruo (21) | The 21 year old Chelsea defender has been a regular starter for the Super Eagles since their successful Nations Cup campaign. A physically imposing player for his age, he is strong, fast a very good tackler and interceptor. If he can brush up the technical side of his game and add a bit of maturity, the sky is the limit.

Ramon Azeez (21) | The 21 year old central midfielder had a good season with Almeria, during which he showed the potential that won him plaudits at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup. A capable defensive or central midfield player, he offers decent playmaking ability among other players that are more physical. But he also doesn’t shy away from a physical confrontation. He is certainly a player to watch.

Ogenyi Onazi (21) | The Lazio midfielder has proven himself to be Nigeria’s most frequent ball winner. Combining his wonderful dynamism and work-rate with decent tackling and marking abilities. He has become a main stay in the Nigerian team.

Ahmed Musa (21) | Pace, trickery and dribbling skills; those are the attributed to best describe CSKA’s Ahmed Musa. The winger is well capable of providing moments of sheer brilliance on his own.

EXTRA

There is a lot of hope going into Nigeria’s World Cup campaign. They have already showed that they are capable of going toe to toe with the best in the World at the Confederations Cup. Bar any spectacular capitulation, and as long as they can brush up on the finishing, they are in with a shout to make it out of the group. The fact that they struggle against deep teams may not be a factor as I fully expect that most teams would come at them and try to attack, which will play into their hands.

This article was written by Ismail Bello. Follow him on Twitter @BiasFootball

http://outsideoftheboot.com/2014/06/09/world-cup-2014-tactics-analysing-nigerias-tactical-approach-formation-and-set-up/

TheSuperNerd:
Another fine option if you ask me. Etebo in place of Onazi will be very good too. He has same energy levels/work rate as Onazi but his is times 10. But Onazi is likely is start but this is a fine midfield three all the same.

The attack is also nice. Mehn, we got options. At least we know that whosoever will start, we got a fine bench with players who can come in and cause damage.

Your selection picks itself either in a 4-2-3-1 (Ndidi and Etebo as double pivot with Mikel as AM and Iwobi as LMF/AML And Moses and RMF/AMR. Ighalo as no.9) or in a 4-3-3 (The midfield three of Ndidi-Etebo-Mikel and attack of Ighalo flanked by Moses and Iwobi).

Yeah its a fluid lineup...full of movement upfront and even in midfield. Best lineup in terms of switching formation during the game. Etebo can even play on the left and Iwobi moves infield if Rohr feels like it.

Humility017:
I agree with you...on this.
but to play and win Croatia.

it gonna depend on our wingers... that game will be won via wings.

Against Croatia, I'll probably go with Ndidi - Etebo - Mikel with Vic Moses - Ighalo - Iwobi upfront.

tbaba1234:
Iwobi and Mikel would be lovely in the middle with Ndidi playing in front of the defence. We will be able to create more chances.

I've been saying the same thing on here for ages now. It would do our build up play a whole world of good. I'd play Etebo on the left so he and Iwobi can swap position during the game. Etebo with his crazy stamina would help defensively out wide and in the middle if required.