₦airaland Forum

nelszx:
Things I'd love Rohr to work on:
The Barca/City defensive style/pattern, work more when you're not with the ball (quick closing marking) which is more about the DMs and the defenders. Our DMs should not be too adventurous in as much as they want to show their talent, they should only go when theres cover (the reason I have never subscribed to Onazi-Ndidi combo as our double 4).

We know we have pace but we've never mastered the science in it over the years, our players just run like Bolt then resort to passing back - never adventurous in taking on opposition players.

Our players should be put on crossing practice drill; I mean all. Sad but true only S. Moses and Iheanacho to an extent are above average in it.

Despite the fact that we all know VicMo is a star boy, he sucks at taking set pieces (very poor). KC should be drilled more and be made our taker or S.Moses (who sometimes plays what's in his mind rather than his head).

Wishing our darling eagles all the best as they master more information cum formation for our friendly games and a happy Sunday to all on this thread.

realpoacher:
If we go to the world Cup with Akpeyi in goal, we will fail woefully.

I REPEAT WE WILL FAIL WOEFULLY WITH AKPEYI IN GOAL!

We won't qualify from the group stage, no matter what we play. No matter how strong our outfield 10 players are, we will lose out in the group stage.

Akpeyi has a negative history in goal for Nigeria. Let those who have ears hear.

Mark my words. A word is enough for the wise.

TheSuperNerd:
The Curious Case Of Junior Ajayi Of Ahly – Recognised By CAF, Feared In Egypt But Ignored In Nigeria

https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_4210.jpg

One name that strike fear into the mind of opposition defenders when ever they are up against Al-Ahly is Nigerian striker Junior Ajayi.

The former Nigeria U23 international took his goal tally for the season to seven for the season with a brace in their 4-2 win over Arab Contractors yesterday night.

22 year old Ajayi has also proven himself to be a good provider of goals for his teammates with nine assist to his name, after his deployment to the left wing at the start of the season.
Recognised by the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) as a member of the Team of the Year at the recently concluded CAF Awards, back home the story is different for the former Shooting Stars prospect.

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has options available to him in attack, with the likes of Brown Ideye, Odion Ighalo and Kelechi Iheanacho playing as top striker for Nigeria since his appointment.

While upfront might seem loaded for the forward, he will no doubt feel he deserve a chance to fight for a shirt in the team,due to his consistent performance for a team like Al-Ahly adjudged by many as the best team in Africa.
Also his ability to play different roles in attack aside playing as the main striker is also another reason why he should at least get a look in ahead of the Super Eagles friendly games in March.
One point to note is that, if he were to be an Egyptian, his form will no doubt but him in the frame of a national team call up where he would likely line up in attack alongside Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah.

Judging by current form and fitness, it’s hard to argue against him getting a call up. He can’t be feared in Egypt, honoured by CAF while his homeland act like he hasn’t done enough to at least get a look in.



**Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman writes in from Kaduna


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/02/13/the-curious-case-of-junior-ajayi-of-ahly-recognised-by-caf-feared-in-egypt-but-ignored-in-nigeria/

Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 119 days 7 hours to go

LieDetector:
Why is iheanacho not starting for Leicester? Diabate has taken his place. Seems to me we've been hyping him all along thinking he'd come good at some point. My optimism about him becoming a better footballer is beginning to shrivel honestly

congo4ka:
What is your problem

congo4ka:
Francis Uzoho to start for Deportivo LA corona tomorrow ? Nice one Clarence

TheSuperNerd:
CHAN 2018: Morocco and Nigeria prepare to contest final
By Nick Cavell
BBC Africa sport, Morocco



https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/C78B/production/_88138015_85299729.jpg


There will be a new name on the African Nations Championship (CHAN) trophy on Sunday as hosts Morocco take on Nigeria, who could become the first west African team to claim the prize.

Morocco coach Jamal Sellami says Achraf Bencharki and Jawad El Yamiq are eligible to play following their moves to overseas clubs during the tournament which is for home-based players only.

However winger Abelilah Hafidi misses the final, having picked up an injury during Morocco's win over Guinea in the group phase.
Nigeria have three players definitely ruled out through injury - goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Sunday Faleye and Daniel James, while Ifeanyi Ifeanyi is suspended after his red card in the semi-final win over Sudan.

Both teams have similar records at the tournament so far, drawing once and winning their other four games - and the two sides have also each had to win a game in extra-time.
The Moroccans boast the tournament's top scorer so far in Ayoub El Kaabi who has grabbed eight of his side's 12 goals so far while the Nigerian's top scorers are Anthony Okpotu and Okechukwu Gabriel with two each from a total of 7.

Both teams have been tough to score against as well both conceding just twice.


Morocco coach Jamal Sellami:

"The Nigerian team is a good team, they have some good individual players that try to win all their one against ones.
"They have two good strikers, they are difficult when they are near your goal but we prepared good for this game. We have our qualities and we believe in our qualities and in our players.
"During this tournament we have had many chances and many goals. We have scored from set pieces, we scored in open play from the wings from the centre and we have many solutions for the game tomorrow(today).
"It will be a tough game - we believe in our team and Inshallah we will be successful tomorrow(today)."



Nigeria coach Salisu Yusuf:
"We know the Moroccan team is a very good team playing at home, moved by the crowd.
"But I think we have shown a lot of strong character in all our games - two games we came from behind.
"We played a hard game with Sudan who are a good team and we survived 30 minutes with 10 men. We have shown a lot of character to be champions.
"The Moroccans have the support at home and we respect them but I think it is going to be a very exciting final and very interesting."


Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42933686

rabzy:
Ernest Okonkwo

Nigeria vs Tunisia, 1978
WC Qualifying match
He starts off slowly. “As the game peters out to the dying minutes of this rather engrossing match, a long ball is floated into the Eagles 18 yard box. It seems like an eternity for it to land……(then as the action intensifies, his voice becomes racy)……Godwin Odiye, under pressure from the advancing Tunisian attacker is there to deal with it. Without looking back, he expertly heads the ball backwards toward Okala…..(his voice is now loud). ………Okala is rushing out to retrieve the loose ball. (his voice becomes louder) ……….Oh noooo…..it’s an own goal. Nigeria has scored Nigeriaaaaaa. It was a misjudged header by Odiye, as Okala goes the wrong way and the ball the other way. The ball rolls effortlessly into an empty net.
……(he tones down his voice into a sombre one).
A sad spectacle to watch……What a calamity! (His voice is now slow)…………. The Tunisians are joyous and celebrating victory. And the Nigerian camp is understandably subdued. Odiye bends down in shock as he watches the long towering figure of Emmanuel Okala walk slowly towards goal to retrieve the ball from the net. The stadium is agonisingly silent. You can hear a pin drop. The Green Eagles are rooted to the spot. They can’t believe their eyes. Even Father Tiko is motionless. It was as if someone had just died………to everyone listening, it is with sorrow in my heart that I return you to the studios. Bye-bye Nigeria!”.

Nigeria Vs Egypt
“….and the ball is ballooned skywards out of the Eagles defence by Chairman Christian Chukwu, but Muda Lawal runs towards the ball and controls it superbly with the deft touch of his right boot as if it was glued to it. The midfield maestro strolls majestically with the ball. He then sprays the ball towards Chief Justice Adokie on the left of midfield, who darts to the left and cleverly cuts the ball back in one fast swift motion, losing his marker in the process……he crosses the ball and it reaches Mathematical Segun Odegbami. He exchanges a one two with Muda. Odegbami collects the ball back, sells a dummy and beats another player with a leg over……the crowd roar in delight….. he’s running to the right flank… He calculates one and two, maybe he will find Muda Lawal again at the perimeter circle, but he decides to kick a 50 meter cross close to the 18 yard box of the opponent. Blockbuster Aloysius Atuegbu intercepts the ball. He bamboozles his way past two players using his physical strength. He dribbles one, dribbles two and releases a cannon shot! It’s a goaaaallll!!! Oh no! The Egyptian goalkeeper, Ikrami Ahmed, tips the ball over the bar, just when the ball was flying into the top corner of the goal post! What an intercontinental ballistic missile…what a brilliant world class save by Ahmed. And what a great flowing move by the Green Eagles. Even Father Tiko is standing in admiration”.

Salutations baba....Rest in Peace

TheSuperNerd:
CHAN: Ezenwa Named Man Of The Match Of Nigeria Vs Angola
By Adeboye Amosu

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Preko-on-Ikechukwu-Ezenwa.jpg

Home-based Super Eagles captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa was named man of the match following his superb showing in the side’s 2-1 win against Angola in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-final clash on Sunday, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Ezenwa is the third Nigerian player to have picked the award in the competition after Stephen Eze and Dayo Ojo were adjudged best players in the games against Libya and Equatorial Guinea respectively.

The Enyimba goalkeeper was at his best in the encounter, making four vital saves to ensure the Home Eagles beat the Angolans and secure their passage into the semi-finals where they will face Sudan.

His impressive showing has no doubt boosted his chances of not only making Nigeria’s 23-man squad to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but picking the number one goalkeeping position.

Salisu Yusuf’s men came back from a goal down to beat Angola 2-1 with Anthony Okpotu and Gabriel Okechukwu grabbing the goals.

They will take on Sudan in one of the two semi- inal games in Marrakech on Wednesday.

Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/chan-ezenwa-named-man-match-nigeria-vs-angola/

CaptainStephen:
I also felt the same way too but hey ! He scored sha

TheSuperNerd:
Uhmmmmmm..... As it stands, Nacho now has Five goals in all competitions this season for Leicester.

Five goals and Two assists to be exact. If I work out the goals/minutes ratio all season, I may find something very interesting yet again.

And if Nacho scores again... it will be His Second Career FA Cup Hattrick!

tbaba1234:
Can anyone locate a certain Troost Ekong for Holland under 19

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUZfSs0WsAAluS3.jpg

Humility017:
read my words to goldfish.....
aremu earned his place....after the wafu cup tourney...rohr decide to extend to him the olive branch.......
same thing may likely repeat itself should any of Chan team player play well till the end of the tourney and not because of sentiment.

like to encourage them when they never merit the call up......

Humility017:
read my words to goldfish.....
aremu earned his place....after the wafu cup tourney...Rohr decide to extend to him the olive branch.......
same thing may likely repeat itself should any of Chan team player play well till the end of the tourney and not because of sentiment.

like to encourage them when they never merit the call up......

kennysville:
Thats pure distractions. After the world cup please.... thanks

realpoacher:
Sup house, I am a year older today .... 3 decades and counting .. . It is the Lords doing


I promise to tone down character assassination posts going forward

Humility017:
it baffles me seeing people advocate for the inclusion of certain players not because they play better but because of sentiment....

the best should be picked that's my take and front I have seen thus far none is in that category yet.

goldfish80:
Isn't it ironic that those Egwueke's and Uzoenyi s have an Afcon medal around their necks and equalled Nigerians best outing at the world cup.
Guus like Victor Moses and Mikel were our biggest flops at the world cup not Uzoenyi and Egwueke.

Kog45:
Yes too late for players like Orji in the main team preparing for WC except Rohr takes interest which i doubt but Salisu need to be blamed for not discovering talents that are abound in the league early enough for Rohr to polish,may be some of these boys would have been in Europe by now and useful for Eagles.

Humility017:
they boss the defense against Africa opposition and when they played against non-Africa opposition they played otherwise...and how is omeruo now...?

safarigirl:
don't worry, Rohr is planning to get Akpoguma and Uduokhai....since the friendlies are in Europe, I fully expect that the players who will be given a chance are those in Europe, for obvious money issues. NFF will not want to waste money even if they have enough

These home-based players will only be able to get their chance in May, when the farewell match is played and by that time, it may be too late.

So, anybody expecting CHAN Eagles in the team in March should tamp down on their expectations

goldfish80:
I will compare an off form Balogun with an in form Orji . We are talking real football here not some some fantasy league or play station.
Omeruo and Obabona bossed if for the Super Eagles not so long ago straight from Sunshine stars of Akure.

safarigirl:
imagine!

Why should one of them be invited? Is there a space they can occupy? Are they better than what is on ground?

What will be unfair will be making way for someone who isn't as good as those on the team and dropping a better player simply because one bros is in CHAN.

Thank God our next friendlies are in Europe and NFF will not be willing to spend flight money on anyone who isn't in Europe unless said person is exceptional

goldfish80:
But Kalu Orji have demonstrated competence over the past 3 months more than Leon Balogun. I stand to be corrected

Icon4s:
It is comments like these that will make me break my keyboard.

Humility017:
how will it be unfair....?
super eagles invitation should be base on competence and not sentiment.

let them earn it......even the ezenwa have not been living up to expectation that much.