₦airaland Forum

Cameroon Lose Star Forward For Super Eagles Clashes
completesportsnigeria.com Aug 24, 2017 12:58 PM
Cameroon’s hope of unleashing Clinton N’jie against Nigeria in the September 1 and September 4 World Cup qualifiers has been finally dashed on Tuesday evening after Olympic Marseille confirmed that the striker will be out for two weeks.

Cameroon.info.net reported that the country and indeed FECAFOOT had waited to know the extent of the former Tottenham forward’s injury and hoped against hope that Njie would be available for the double header with Nigeria.

But their hope went up in flames when French website L’Equipe reported that the former Spurs striker will be out for two full weeks.

N’jie was injured in last weekend’s Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Angers which ended 1-1. N’jie’s goal seemed to have sealed three vital points for Marseille until Angers rallied back to tied the game.

N’jie is third in the Ligue 1 goalscorers chart with three goals behind Radamel Falcao and Neymar who have netted five and three goals respectively

of invited players for the clash on Friday.

Why NFF Invited Chelsea Defender Aina For Cameroon Clash, Not Cleared By Fifa

mobile.nigeriasoccernet.com

Aug 24, 2017 9:26 AM



Chelsea loanee Ola Aina is unlikely to make his international debut for the Super Eagles when they tackle Cameroon in Uyo next Friday because Fifa has not yet approved his one-time switch from England to Nigeria.

The Hull City right back has been named in Nigeria's latest roster, nonetheless, and the Nigeria Football Federation have explained that the former England U19 skipper was called up so that he can familiarize himself with the team.

It would be recalled that Ola Aina's family friend, Arsenal's Alex Iwobi, trained with the Dream Team VI while he was waiting for Fifa to give him the go-ahead to represent the colours of Nigeria.

''Ola Aina has not been cleared yet, it is an imminent move, it is something that will happen,'' a Nigeria Football Federation staff revealed

''It is just for the player to start familiarizing himself with the system pending when he gets his clearance, that's why he was invited.

''We don't have natural right backs, we only have utility players or people we convert to play that wing but Ola is a right back.

''While he waits for his Fifa clearance, we want him to mix up with the team and see how things are done in Nigeria. It will the first time in a long while he'll be in Nigeria.''

It remains unclear if Ola Aina would honour the latest invitation to the Super Eagles, as he skipped the team's get-together in France in May because Fifa had not approved a one-time change of association

The last paragraph ended with "too crucial to try new players".


Nigeria vs Cameroon: Why Dennis Bonaventure, Dessers were not invited – Rohr

dailypost.ng

Aug 24, 2017 4:34 PM

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has encouraged Dennis Bonaventure of Club Brugge and Cyriel Dessers of FC Utrecht to keep working hard, if they want to be invited to the Super Eagles squad.

Dessers has three goals from just two games in the Dutch top flight league, while Bonaventure has four goals from the first five games of the Belgium top flight league.

Both players were, however, not called up for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon and Rohr has explained why.

“You can’t have everybody in the list at the same time, but I can confirm to you that the form of Dessers and Bonaventure has not gone unnoticed and they will definitely get their chance,” Rohr’s aide told Owngoalnigeria.com.

“Mikel Agu and Anthony Nwakaeme even John Ogu are good examples of players who kept on doing their best for their clubside leaving the coach ‎with no option than to call them up.

“All what Dessers and Bonaventure need to do is to keep working hard and they will definitely be rewarded very soon. We have games coming up but the Cameroon game is too crucial to try new players.”

2018 WCQ: Injury stops Cameroon star ahead Eagles' clash
.com Aug 21, 2017 1:00 PM
By: Ayodeji Tunde Share:
Cameroon
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will not enjoy the services of their USA-based star, Ambroise Oyongo for next month’s back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against the Super Eagles of Nigeria it has been confirmed.

Owing to injury concerns. Oyongo’s name will be conspicuously missing when Lions’ coach, Hugo Broos announces his roster for the two crunch matches against Nigeria this Friday, August 25, a week before they face the Super Eagles.

The Lions’ Belgian manager has decided to summon 23 players for both games, ahead of which he is expected defend his call-ups when he faces the Cameroonian media on Friday.

However, Montreal Impact defender, Oyongo, who had surgery in June after picking up an injury while on international duty, is certainly not in contention to add to his Cameroon caps.

The Lions will on September 1 play away to the Eagles, who top Group B of the qualifiers with six points, followed by Cameroon who have two points after two games drawn.

The Cameroonians will hope to get back on track with both matches, from which they hope to get at least a draw in Uyo then make the best of home advantage in the second game on September 4 in Yaoundé

ROHR'S GLADIATORS: Scorecard Of Super Eagles Stars Selected For Cameroon Battles
completesportsnigeria.com Aug 24, 2017 1:36 AM
Ahead of the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon next month, Completesportsnigeria.com’s JOHNNY EDWARD profiles the players invited to the Super Eagles squad with their club forms so far this season…

Goalkeepers:
NAME: Daniel Akpeyi
CLUB: Chippa United, South Africa
AGE: 31
APPEARANCES: 0
CLEAN SHEET: 0

The Chippa United shot stopper must redeem himself after his shambolic display against South Africa. He remains the first choice for both encounters in Uyo and Yaounde barring any last minute injury. He has not featured for Chippa United this season.

NAME: Ikechukwu Ezenwa
CLUB: FC IfeanyiUbah
AGE: 31
APPEARANCES: 18
CLEAN SHEET: 9

The FC IfeanyiUbah keeper will probably only get a chance to make his debut for the Super Eagles if Daniel Akpeyi sustains any injury. The CHAN Eagles skipper is a capable replacement if the coach on the day picks him.

NAME: Dele Alampasu
CLUB: Feirense
AGE: 21
APPEARANCES: 0
CLEAN SHEET: 0

Dele Alampasu has been promoted at his Portuguese club as the second choice goalkeeper but he remains the Super Eagles’ third choice goalkeeper and may not feature in the double header against Cameroon except the unthinkable happens.

Defenders:
NAME: William Troost Ekong
CLUB: Bursaspor FC, Turkey
AGE: 23
APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0

William Troost-Ekong is gradually establishing himself as a stalwart in the Super Eagles defence line. The Bursaspor defender has featured in the two games his club has played so far this season. Ekong’s defensive capabilities will be tested in both legs against Cameroon with the likes of Christian Bassogog and Vincent Aboubakar leading the attack for the Indomitable Lions.

NAME: Abdullahi Shehu
CLUB: Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus
AGE: 23
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 0

Abdullahi Shehu is one of the most consistent players invited to the squad in the last one year. The defender’s versatility cannot be ignored and his overall performances in the games he has featured in have been very encouraging.

NAME: Leon Balogun
CLUB: FSV Mainz 05, Germany
AGE: 27
APPEARANCES: 0
GOALS: 0

Leon Balogun’s return to the Super Eagles squad is a great boost to the team but is he fully fit to replace Chidozie Awaziem who stood in for him in their defeat at home to South Africa? If fit Balogun remains the best defender Nigeria has at the moment.

NAME: Tyronne Ebuehi
CLUB:ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands
AGE: 23
APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0

He is yet to make his debut for the Super Eagles in an official game and he must churn out an superb performances in training to bench preferred choice Shehu Abdulahi.

NAME: Elderson Echiejile
CLUB: Sivasspor FC, Turkey
AGE: 29
APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0

Elderson Echiejile is the only recognised left-back named in the squad against Cameroon. Echiejile is not as quick as he used to be in the past but his wealth of experience playing in big games will come in handy for the Super Eagles next month.

NAME: Chidozie Awaziem
CLUB: Nantes FC, France
AGE: 21
APPEARANCES: 3
GOALS: 0

Chidozie Awaziem had a day to forget on his debut for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 defeat to South Africa. Since his move to French side FC Nantes, Awaziem is gradually developing and Gernot Rohr will have a big decision regarding starting with him against Cameroon or recalling Leon Balogun who is yet to kick a ball for FSV Mainz this season.

NAME:Ola Aina
CLUB: Hull City, England
AGE: 21
APPEARANCES: 3
GOALS: 0

Ola Aina is a big prospect for the Nigerian senior national team. The Chelsea full back joined Championship side Hull City on loan in search of regular playing time and so far he has featured in all three games for the Tigers this season, but it remains to be seen if he will be cleared by FIFA to represent the Super Eagles.

Midfielders:

NAME: Mikel John Obi
CLUB: Tianjin Teda, China
AGE: 30
APPEARANCES: 6
GOALS: 1

Mikel’s return to the team will bring a lot of experience and stability which the they obviously lacked in his absence.

NAME: Ogenyi Onazi
CLUB: Trabzonspor FC, Turkey
AGE: 24
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 1

Onazi must prove his critics wrong with a stellar performance against Cameroon to banish memories of his abysmal performance against South Africa. The Trabzonspor midfielder failed to lead the younger Eagles to victory in the absence of skipper Mikel Obi. His place will be under threat against Cameroon.

NAME: Wilfred Ndidi
CLUB: Leicester City, England
AGE: 22
APPEARANCES: 3
GOALS: 0

Ndidi performed creditably well replacing Mikel Obi in the middle of the park for the Super Eagles against South Africa. Mikel who missed the encounter due to injury is back in the team and it will be fascinating to be see how coach Gernot Rohr will line up his midfield with the likes of John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Mikel in the squad.

NAME: Oghenekaro Etebo
CLUB: CD Feirense, Portugal
AGE: 23
APPEARANCES: 3
GOALS: 1

Oghenekaro Etebo warmed the hearts of Nigerians with his wonderful performance for the Super Eagles in their 3-1 home win over Algeria. The former Warri Wolves star seems to have sealed his place in the squad and it will be an uphill battle for other midfielders in the team to bench him.

NAME: John Ogu
CLUB: Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel
AGE: 29
APPEARANCES: 8
GOALS: 1
ASSISTS:2

John Ogu has been impressive for his Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva but has rarely featured for Gernot Rohr’s side. His only game under Rohr was in a friendly against Senegal in London and he was not listed in the matchday squad in their last defeat to South Africa.

NAME: Mikel Agu
CLUB: Bursaspor FC, Turkey
AGE: 22
APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0
ASSISTS:0

Mikel Agu will be back-up to the midfield quintet of John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Mikel Obi.

Forwards:

NAME: Ahmed Musa
CLUB: Leicester City, England
AGE: 25
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 1
ASSISTS:0

Musa got of the mark for Leicester City in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fixture and he is one of the most experienced attackers listed for the crucial encounter. His pace down the flanks will definitely be a great asset for the team.

NAME: Kelechi Iheanacho
CLUB:Leicester City, England
AGE: 20
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 0
ASSISTS:0

Kelechi Iheanacho has a lot to prove to many Nigerians if he does get a chance to feature in this encounter. Iheanacho, according to his club coac, Craig Shakespeare, is not fully fit and having seen just nine minutes of action in the English Premier League, his place may be taken over by Odion Ighalo who makes a return to the team after missing the last game.

NAME: Moses Simon
CLUB: KAA Gent, Belgium
AGE: 21
APPEARANCES: 2
GOALS: 0
ASSISTS:0

Moses Simon gets a chance to prove his last performance in an Eagles shirt against South Africa was not a one-off.

NAME: Alex Iwobi
CLUB: Arsenal FC, England
AGE: 21
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 0
ASSISTS:0

Alex Iwobi must improve on his last outing against South Africa, where he looked lost.

NAME: Odion Ighalo
CLUB: Changchun Yatai, China
AGE: 27
APPEARANCES: 21
GOALS: 11
ASSISTS:3

Odion Ighalo has a lot to prove on his return to the team. The former Watford star is the one of the few Nigerian strikers to have hit double figures this season.

NAME: Victor Moses
CLUB: Chelsea FC, England
AGE: 26
APPEARANCES: 1
GOALS: 0
ASSISTS:0

Regarded as Nigeria’s most prolific winger at the moment, Moses is expected to shoulder Super Eagles’ creative role from the flanks and the goal responsibilities against Cameroon.

NAME: Anthony Nwakaeme
CLUB: Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel
AGE: 28
APPEARANCES: 7
GOALS: 5
ASSISTS:3

Anthony Nwakaeme finally gets his chance to prove his mettle in the colours of Nigeria.

Any news on Ambroise Oyongo?

Icon4s:
Onazi or Etebo

Can Rohr drop Onazi?

soetanoreoluwa:
Akpeyi

Sheu/aina. Balogun ekong. Echijele

Mikel Onazi
V. Moses. Etebo. Simon

Nacho

Sub musa for Simon

Nacho for ighalo
Mikel for ndidi

This line-up will make them domitable, but your subs depends on ur score line and what u (the coach) wants from ur team.

AndreTAyodeji:
Rohr does not see Etebo as a LWF and he will always use him in the midfield.However,Musa starting is not a problem and me myself will start him ahead of Moses Simon because Musa is a goal threat and we need goals in the game and not needless dribbling with no good final balls.According to respected journalist Colin Udoh,Moses Simon started ahead of Musa in the S.A game because Musa was fasting and might get tired easily because he is always running.

Sir,how do u rate Musa against Senegal?

Joebie:
My take

Aina ,Nwakaeme and Alampasu starts?
Iheanacho as SS? The time for
camping is too short to change
what has been working.

Modified
With Leon,Mikel,
and V.Moses back we are good
to go.

TheGoodJoe:
But it is okay repeating the same mistakes with Echiejile, Onazi and Akpeyi.

Akpeyi is safe with Leon as CB,V.Moses plays LW to assist Echiejile.Can Rohr drop Onazi?

Famocious:
Lovely formation but I would have preferred Iwobi at the CF instead of Kelechi..
Kelechi can come in as a substitute in the second half.

Your preference "Iwobi as CF" against the African champions?

soetanoreoluwa:
Pair with who?

This is where Rohr's selection headache comes,our "mid-field".It decides whether we win or loose.

Icon4s:
Ndidi will start the game.

I'm against the Idea for two reasons,Mikel as AMF is not pacy and Ndidi-Onazi partnership.I will prefer the midfield we played against Algeria.

edi287:
Akpeyi will remain first choice for now in Rohr's eyes.
Apart from Mikel, Ogu has to be the best passer among our CMs. Sure he's not quick, but he can dictate play from deep better than Onazi or Ndidi. He should've played against SA.

I don't think Rohr will drop Onazi for Ogu.Our Mid-field pairing has been Onazi-Mikel for years.They understand each other and few days of camping can't change that.I would rather prefer Ogu -Ndidi but let's face reality .Ogu might start from the bench likewise Ndidi.The time is too short for experiments.The probability that the new invitees and Ighalo will start from the bench is very high.I don't think Rohr will repeat his mistake with Awaziem.

Icon4s:
There is a difference between distrust and hate.

This one is hate.

Just because you want Alampasu in goal. The day you quit being attorney to certain players the day you will analyse football without sentiments.

Sir,I think the competition is between him(Akpeyi) and Ezenwa.I don't see a green horn like Alampasu starting in a game of this magnitude.

OMANBALA1:
Ighalo is a quality player any day and shouldn't be written off. I will start an inform Ighalo ahead of a fluttering Kelechi. I have high hopes for Kelechi and I still believe be can become a world class but HE NEEDS TO WORK ON HIS FIRST TOUCH!

fluttering?How?

He is not Messi or CR7 but I will start him in Uyo and if his position requires physicality,I will change to a 4-4-2 with Nwakaeme.Our major concern should be "can Echiejile cope with Bassogog? We need V.Moses in LW to help him out.

Exclusive: Rohr Receives Bad News From RSA As Akpeyi Suffers Injury Ahead Of Cameroon Clash
allnigeriasoccer.com Aug 23, 2017 12:07 PM
Exclusive: Rohr Receives Bad News From RSA As Akpeyi Suffers Injury Ahead Of Cameroon Clash

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has received bad news from South Africa regarding the fitness of his number one goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, ahead of the national team's vital World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon in September.
Contrary to speculations in the local press, allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Akpeyi was not involved in Chippa United's 2-0 win over AmaZulu FC on Tuesday evening after picking up an injury in training days leading up to the clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth).

The verdict from the Chilli Boys medics is that the Super Eagles netminder has suffered a 'minor injury' to a muscle.

Though the severity of Akpeyi's injury is not as bad as first thought, he has been advised by the medical team not to train with Chippa United until he reports for international duty this weekend.

The other goalkeepers named in the Super Eagles squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon are Ikechukwu Ezenwa and C.D. Feirense greenhorn Dele Alampasu.

I expect their first training to be something like this.Team A -Akpeyi,Ekoong,Balogun,Shehu,
Echiejile,Mikel,Onazi,Etebo,
V.moses,Iheanacho,
Simon Moses.

Team B-
Ezenwa,Agu,Awaziem,
Aina,Ebuehi,Ogu,Ndidi,
Iwobi,Musa,Nwakaeme,
Ighalo.

Modified
Performance in camp will only change two players in team A,if at all there will be such change.Team A is my possible line-up for the Uyo game.

AIG07:
I was about taking this list serious not until I saw Isaac Success name.

Isaac Success will be invited for the cameroon matches and he is likely to start from the bench in one of those matches.Most of the players who played the friendly against Senegal will also feature .Remember we played Senegal in order to be prepared for those two matches against cameroon.

Cameroon To Name Squad For Nigeria Clash Next Week
completesportsnigeria.com Aug 19, 2017 8:25 PM
Cameroon To Name Squad For Nigeria Clash Next Week
Indomitable Lions of Cameroon head coach Hugu Broos will next week release a list of invited players for the back-to-back 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria in early September.

Cameroonian outlet Camfoot reported that the Belgian coach will name 23 players at a press conference in Younde on Friday as Cameroun attempt to resurrect their fading World Cup qualifying campaign in which they are trailing Nigeria by four points in African Group B.

Indomitable Lions team press officer Vincent de Paul Atangana told Camfoot that Broos will have a chat with the press on August 25 after which he is expected to divulge his plans for the encounters billed for Uyo on 1 September and 4 September in Yaoundé.

The first leg, which was fixed for a week day to maximize television opportunities, will come up at 7pm Nigerian time.

The Super Eagles top African qualifying Group B with six points after two games while Cameroon are second with two points. Zambia are third on one point with Algeria bottom also on one point.

tbaba1234:
Kayode had a good debut, full of running and endeavor.

He did well, but had his attempt saved.

FT.Girona 2-2 Athletico.

Jose Gimenez scores for Athletico making it 2-2.

Iwobi Can't Save Arsenal As Jese Scores On Stoke Debut

completesportsnigeria.com

Aug 19, 2017 7:53 PM



Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi made his first Premier League appearance of the season for Arsenal on Saturday as Spanish forward Jese Rodriguez scored the winner for Stoke City on his debut in the Potters’ first win of the campaign at the expense of the Arsenal Gunners at the Bet365 Stadium, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Iwobi, who was an unused substitute as Arsenal defeated Leicester City on opening day, came on for midfielder Granit Dhaka in the 79th minute as Arsenal chased the equaliser.

Stoke had earlier lost 1-0 to Everton in the opening fixture of the EPL.

Former Real Madrid striker Jese, who only joined Stoke this week, scored early in the second half off a great pass from substitute Saido Berahino, who had replaced the injured Xherdan Shaqiri in the first half.
Beharino almost doubled the lead for the Potters in the 61st minute with a thumping header which was saved by Petr Cech.

Giroud missed a chance in the 90th minute to draw level after his header went inches wide.

Arsenal then brought on Iwobi, Oliver Giroud and Theo Walcott but the trio could not salvage a draw for the Gunners.

Angel Correa scores for Athletico Madrid making it 2-1.

Icon4s:
A player that has not even integrated with the rhythm and flow of the team.

In the absence of Nacho will u start kayode or Nwakaeme who has been playing UCL qualifiers?

pyrex23:
Girona leading athletico madrid 2-0......kayode on bench this Girona team looks good sha

That Christian Stuani is good at set-pieces.2 goals through heading.

mumemma:
He ll play both of them

It's just like playing Onazi,Mikel and Ramon Azeez, a repeat of 2014 mistake against Iran.He will drop one of them for the other.Playing Onazi and Ndidi won't click just as observed in the first 26 mins against Senegal and the S.A match.Ndidi and Ogu will be better because this match is not a test -match but decides who leads the group.2 matches are enough to tell us that the two can't work together.

Ndidi played from start to finish in their last two games.Their 4-3 loss against Arsenal and their 2-0 win against Brighton.Yet,Rohr might still start Onazi ahead of him.Our midfield will determine whether we defeat or lose to Cameroon.I won't like Onazi to start after his failed move to Birmingham City.

Nwakaeme will destroy Cameroon – Ogu

today.ng

Aug 19, 2017 9:39 AM



RTV Slovenija

John Ogu has backed his teammate at Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Anthony Nwakaeme, to take his chance should he be called up for next month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon.

The 28-year-old Nwakaeme has been prolific for his Israeli club – 38 goals in the league in the last four seasons – but he has so far not been called up by the Super Eagles.

His super strike this week in a UEFA Champions League qualifier has again sparked off agitation for his call-up.

Ogu said the all-action striker will make his mark if given a chance in the national team.

“I have played with him for three seasons now. He’s a cool head and he deserves his chance (in the national team),” Ogu said.

“He is very strong, very fast, he is skillful and he knows how to score goals.

“If given the chance, he will show he’s ready, he will come to fight in the important games against Cameroon.

“I believe he will get his chance against Cameroon.”

TheGoodJoe:
Note. I said exceptional brilliance on the ball. Iheanacho is not the kind of player that relies on on the ball movements to create havoc. Most of his damage to the opposition comes from his off the ball movement.

Sir,u defend Nacho as if he is an average player from NPFL.If Rohr were to read ur comments ,he won't start him even against Seychelles.Iheanacho should adapt to the Leicester System.His position in the Super Eagles is at stake.