₦airaland Forum

Mikel Obi has done nothing spectacular. He is suppose to dictate the game but he's holding unto the ball too much.

The wings have not been utilized so far.

Joebie:
Go read the post U posted I replied to, if that’s a sensible thing anybody watching this game should be saying this moment

*Yawn*

Joebie:
Moses Simon is injured.. what are u crying for? Who’s fault is it?

Are you sure you are really really really ok?

Joebie:
Yea and Kayode..

Wetin concern Kayode for this matter?

You see am for dream?

This is why Simon Moses injury is a big disaster.

He will never expose Shehu like we are seeing now.

Midfield is not functioning.

RB dey lick. Rohr

It seems it high time we try Ebuehi or change formation to 3 man defence.

Make Shehu take am easy ooooooo.

Uzoho with a fantastic save.

But dem don score us.

Which kain play be dat?

Joel and Balogun should take things easy. Abeg.

Naija fans dey boo Ali.

Make my people no disappoint me today, abeg.

Nigeria 2 : England 1 Final score

Martz101:
i still disagree, Echiejile was already a super eagles starter before joel came into the team, Echiejile played our 2 out of 3 worldcup match in 2010

You are right but you can only disagree on Echiejile issue.

However, he was a starter in a wururu way.

I can still remember local coaches benched ligue 1 and CAF best LB for him in the National team despite the fact that he was a bench warmer in his club.

It was after a foreign coach came that he was relegated to the bench in the 2010 World Cup.

He was not the starter in that competition. On the two occasions he played, he came from the bench.

From that time, he was a second choice till Keshi came and restored him to the first eleven and fizzled out the best LB in Africa.

Whenever I remember this, I can't just dey yan.

Very funny.

Martz101:
Echiejile debut in 2009 and musa debut in 2010

Yeah! You are right.

I missed it because these players weren't first team players then.

Joel Obi met them in the team but became a starter and integral part of the team before injuries set in.

Danielnino00:
.Onazi was with the u-17 in 2009..
I think he made his debut in 2012

Siasia brought Joel Obi to the team and it was after he got sacked that Keshi became the coach and later brought Onazi.

Even Echiejile was not regular then. He was behind Taiwo Taye but despite Echiejile had his debut before Joel Obi, Obi was a regular and first team player even ahead of Musa who came to the team due to his goal breaking record in the NPFL

Echiejile and Musa weren't in the picture then. It was Joel Obi all the way and that's why I made that mistake.

Danielnino00:
Musa and Echijele have been in the team longer and have more caps than Onazi

Chai! My bad. I thought it was around 2008 or 2009.

Thanks.

somehow:
Rohr said no one is to be sent here until the last friendly incase of injury. meaning even if the names of the 2 to be dropped are announced, they will stay with the team till the last friendly match.

So "Aina and Agu" should be hopeful but don't pray that your colleague gets injured o.

Ogu should be dropped because If he is good enough, he wouldn't be playing in obscure league.

Sentiment that he will be retired after the world cup and therefore not make the team next world cup should be discarded.

Besides, Agu is a replica of Ndidi.

If we go by the current form of Echiejile this season, there is nothing to right home about. Barely played and struggled to play in Belgium second division.

The career threatening tackle he made was a as a result of fatigue and rustiness. We should expect more of that in the coming days.

If he is picked ahead of a player that played consistently this season, it is based on sentiment.

However, he must be played today to see if he is fit enough for the tournament and deserves to be in the team, and if Brian is the first choice then he must also play to see if he really deserves to be the first choice.

if this be the case that only these two players play today, Ola is out.

But before Rohr takes this decision he should see if these players are good enough for the 4 man defense else he should just gegeli play a 3 man defense and forget about the 4 man defense.


For me, Shehu could do another Kieta and could cause us a game if he doesn't know how to react to provocation. In addition, I don't think he is good enough be a starter. Ebuehi is better but I have to see him against England again.

My point is that the performance of our wing backs should determine the formation which should eventually determine the right choice of players for the formation/formations.

England is defensive minded and very deadly at counter attacks. Underrate them at your own peril. This is also what an English fans will say about Nigeria counter attacks football. Just some few hours to go. We go know the scores.


International Friendly: England vs Nigeria Lineups, Preview & Prediction

The Three Lions begin their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Nigeria this weekend.


by Oli Stein

Jun 01, 2018Jun 01, 2018

17:15 (GMT), Saturday 2nd June, Wembley Stadium (London, England)
England begin their World Cup preparations with their third-ever fixture against Nigeria with both Gareth Southgate and Gernot Rohr using the fixture as a chance to test the depth of their squads for Russia.

The Three Lions last faced Nigeria in a 0-0 draw at the 2002 World Cup, previously beating the Super Eagles 1-0 in 1994, the only other side the two countries have met.

For England, this is the first of two international friendlies, the second coming against Costa Rica on Thursday.

The logic is simple although perhaps not ultimately compelling: Nigeria will offer a good test ahead of England’s fixture against Tunisia; Costa Rica will present a comparable team to Panama.

Whether or not this proves to be the case, Gareth Southgate will treat both fixtures as a chance to iron out the final problems before their opening fixture against Tunisia on the 18th of June.

Nigeria, on the other hand, have already played their first friendly of this tranche, running out a 1-1 draw with DR Congo on Monday.

With a few of their key players missing, Gernot Rohr won’t be too worried. However, with a game against the Czech Republic coming up on Wednesday the 6th of June, he will hope the remaining two fixtures can kick-start the Super Eagle’s World Cup campaign.

Can Nigeria earn their first victory over England at Wembley?

Last Time Out
England 1-1 Italy (Internation Friendly)

England were denied victory against the Azzurri back in March after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded late penalty to Italy.

Jamie Vardy fired the Three Lions in front in the 26th minute and they looked to be en route to a respectable 1-0 victory, despite some lapses in defensive concentration.

However, VAR awarded the Italians a penalty in the 87th minute after Burnley centre back James Tarkowski clashed with Federico Chiesa. Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne made no mistake from the spot.

Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo (International Friendly)

Nigeria did not earn the result they would have liked against the DR Congo, as they were held to a 1-1 draw on Monday ahead of this weekend’s friendly at Wembley.

William Troost-Ekong, a former Tottenham youth player, got the Super Eagles off to a strong start with a 14th-minute goal – his first for his country – but the Congolese continued to force saves from keeper Francis Uzoho.

The surface didn’t make life easy on Nigeria, whose short passing game was hampered by the state of the Congolese pitch, though this cannot excuse the fact Ola Aina gave away an 85th-minute penalty, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

England Lineup


Harry Maguire did not train with the Three Lions on Monday, although he should be fit for this World Cup warm-up fixture.

The Manchester City title-winners have joined up and trained with England ahead of Saturday, but rests could be given to Liverpool’s Champions League runners-up Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Gareth Southgate could use this as an opportunity to experiment with formation and personnel before settling on a starting XI for Russia, with the likes of Nick Pope potentially seeing some playing time.

Nigeria Lineup


After a promising performance between the sticks for Francis Uzoho, it seems as though manager Gernot Rohr has settled on his number one ahead of the World Cup.

Kelechi Iheanacho performed poorly as a midfielder against DR Congo, which could see Rohr change his shape to incorporate the Leicester City man up front.

Victor Moses could return after missing the first game due to participation in the FA Cup final.

Key Battle: Harry Kane vs William Troost-Ekong
William Toost-Ekong, the Nigerian centre back, was formerly a youth academy player at Tottenham, thus may have some prior experience of Harry Kane. However, Kane then compared to Kane now is an entirely different prospect.

The two have had very different career paths, with Troost-Ekong now plying his trade in Turkey with Bursaspor and Kane captaining England at the World Cup after winning two Premier League Golden Boots in three seasons.

Kane poses all sorts of problems up front. Troost-Ekong will have to work out when to track his runs in behind and when to close him down or hold position when Kane decides to drop deep.

It’s not just his shooting that Troost-Ekong needs to focus on, but his movement and the subsequent space it creates for the likes of Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling.

The centre back will have a lot to contend with at Wembley.

Talking Points
The number one Super Eagle

Having started his third game in a row for Nigeria, it seems as though Francis Uzoho has earned the right to start in goal at the World Cup, following another impressive display in the draw with DR Congo.

However, that was only Uzoho’s third cap for his country, highlighting his inexperience on the international stage. As a 19-year-old with two senior appearances for his club, Deportivo La Coruna, Harry Kane will certainly be the best striker he’s had to face.

Uzoho will do well to keep the 24-year-old from scoring, whilst also managing his nerves, but the key for Kane and his teammates is to get shots away continuously at the Nigerian goal in the hope Uzoho makes a mistake or parries the ball back into a dangerous area.

England’s midfield creativity

Perhaps the biggest criticism levelled at Southgate’s squad selection was the lack of creative options in the centre of midfield.

Eric Dier is predominantly a defensive midfielder, whilst Jordan Henderson is typically a safe passer which leaves creative responsibility on the shoulders of Crystal Palace midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

With Henderson jaded from last Saturday’s defeat to Real Madrid, this is a great opportunity for Southgate to experiment with Loftus-Cheek and Dier as a two-man combination.

Loftus-Cheek created the most chances (25), assisted the most (3) and scored the most goals (2) of the trio. His passing accuracy (82%) was only a fraction behind Henderson (84%) and Dier (86%), furthermore.

With this degree of creativity from a deeper position, it takes the pressure off Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling.

The fullback dilemma

As we approach the World Cup, it’s fair to say that Southgate is still undecided on his starting pair of fullbacks for Russia.

Expected to start are Tottenham duo Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, though the latter hasn’t come close to resembling his 2016/17 form since his injury and subsequent setbacks, whilst Trippier isn’t athletic enough to perform the duties of a right wing back in a back five.

Ashley Young, a converted winger, has arguably been in better form for Rose – and started more consistently – whilst Liverpool teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a brilliant breakthrough season, culminating in a mature performance in the Champions League final.

With all four likely to receive minutes either in this friendly or the next, all will have to be at the top of their game to ensure they start against Tunisia in England’s opening World Cup game.

Prediction: England 2-1 Nigeria
Gareth Southgate should perceive this match as winnable, hence selecting the slightly more attacking 3-4-3 formation over a 3-5-2.

The Three Lions are stronger than their visitors, but Nigeria are no walk in the park and will test England’s resolve.

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940410079?-18946:4882:3

somehow:
It's very rare for GKs to get injured in training.

You are right. It is rare doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

However, hope nothing happens but anything can happen hence he should be ready to take decisions that is best for the team.

forgiveness:
Based on the pedigree of club and current form that saw Simy picked, Ogu and Echiejile should be dropped. Disclaimer: Not in my voice.

Super Eagles feeling heat as Gernot Rohr yet to finalise World Cup squad



Nigeria’s players could not have a bigger incentive to perform well against England at Wembley

Paul Doyle

Fri 1 Jun 2018 18.00 BST Last modified on Fri 1 Jun 2018 22.01 BST
Nigeria’s players go through their paces in training at Wembley.
Nigeria’s players go through their paces in training at Wembley. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters
The main event will kick off in a couple of weeks but for Nigeria Saturday’s meeting with England is more than a warm-up. For some Super Eagles, at least, the heat is really on. Unlike Gareth Southgate, Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr, has not settled on the squad that he will take to the World Cup, preferring initially to name a 30-man panel before ditching surplus players in instalments as if trying to lend his selection process some of the suspense and agony of a reality TV show.

Four players were evicted after Monday’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, while a fifth, the Gent winger Moses Simon, was ruled out by a hip injury, although Rohr is giving him as much time as possible to recover. The manager will announce the last cuts to his squad after the England match. There could hardly be a bigger incentive to perform well at Wembley.

Rohr is probably not doing this for dramatic effect. Rather his hesitation reflects uncertainty over a couple of roles, particularly at full-back, where the manager has admitted doubts linger. Ola Aina, the 21-year-old Chelsea player who spent last season on loan at Hull, may have marked his own card by making the clumsy tackle that enabled Congo to equalise from a penalty but, on the other hand, his ability to play on either flank may earn him inclusion ahead of either Elderson Echiejile or Brian Idowu, who can function only on the left.

Mikel John Obi: If Nigeria were organised we’d have won World Cup | David Hytner
Read more
Aside from places on the plane, there may still be spots up for grabs in the starting lineup for Nigeria’s first World Cup match, against Croatia on 16 June. Most obviously, and like England, the goalkeeping question seems unresolved.

Rohr’s options following Carl Ikeme’s leukaemia diagnosis and the retirement of Vincent Enyeama are not especially compelling. It will be fascinating to see who starts in goal at Wembley. For recent friendlies the manager has put his trust in Francis Uzoho, who is undoubtedly talented but still raw, as should be expected from a 19-year-old whose main club action has been with Deportivo La Coruña’s second team. The other options – Enyimba’s Ikechukwu and Daniel Akpeyi of Chippa United – are more experienced but have previously shown they are not above rashness.

Those worries aside, Rohr knows most of the side he will count on in Russia and has good cause to be confident of progressing out of a formidable group that also features Argentina and Iceland, thereby fulfilling the ambition he expressed at his first press conference after being appointment Nigeria manager in August 2016.

Nigeria made light work of a tough qualifying group, sweeping above Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia with a style that suddenly had Rohr feeling the need to dampen expectations. “Unfortunately, ambitions are a little excessive here, as Nigeria must reach the semi-finals, at least,” he said shortly after securing qualification.

Nigeria swelled expectations further by beating Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in November, although a recent defeat by Serbia offset that a tad. Nonetheless, the victory over Argentina, whom Nigeria will face in their last group game, was an encouraging demonstration of the qualities displayed during qualification. This is a strong, dynamic, united and skilful side featuring a potent mix of youth and experience. The Super Eagles will test England.

Premier League fans who do not keep tabs on Nigeria will find them intriguing visitors. Not only will this be a chance to check out Leon Balogun, the centre-back who will play for Brighton next season after signing in May from Mainz and who, under Rohr, has developed such a strong central defensive partnership with William Troost-Ekong that Nigeria fans refer to the pair as the Oyinbo Wall. It will also provide an opportunity to gain a fresh appreciation of Mikel John Obi and Odion Ighalo, players widely dismissed as washed-up after leaving the Premier League for China last year.

Neither featured against DR Congo, having just arrived from Asia, but are expected to play at Wembley, where they will hope to show they remain indispensable to their national team. Mikel pulls the strings from an advanced midfield role in a way he seldom did during 11 successful years at Chelsea. One of the players he regularly supplies is Victor Moses, whose storming raids down the right were one of the most thrilling features of Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, during which Moses was the top scorer.

Igahlo, meanwhile, remains Nigeria’s first-choice striker. But a valuable alternative has recently emerged: Simy Nwankwo, aged 26, was given his international debut against Congo and continued the form when he scored six goals in eight matches for Crotone in Serie A season. He offers Nigeria a new dimension, as at 6ft 6in he carries an aerial threat and has the strength to serve as an effective fulcrum up front while also smart and nimble. He may be coming to the boil at exactly the right time.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940458156?-18946:4882:3

English press can exalt their own. See as dem praise their league and take yab Mikel and Ighalo as washed up. Our best players for that matter. hahahahahahaha!

Moreover, Simy didn't play only 8 matches, he played 23 matches this season.

forgiveness:
Ndidi is the number 1 then, who is the second?

England vs. Nigeria: Rohr reveals Super Eagles team plans



6:47 PM GMT

Gernot Rohr has confirmed that he will play his 'best team' in Saturday's friendly against England at Wembley.

Rohr told reporters on Friday that he will pick his preferred starters for the World Cup warm-up match, with one or two exceptions.

"It is a big test. In the last match we didn't play our best team," the German coach began. "[On Saturday] we will try to play our best team.

"Perhaps there will be one or two players who are not in the best team because of injury," Rohr continued, "but tomorrow we will see the team which has a chance to start against Croatia."

Those two absentees are likely to be Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon.

Ndidi appears to have recovered fully and trained with the rest of the squad at Wembley on Friday, but will not be risked, according to team officials.

A combination of injuries, fitness issues, suspensions and a need to try out new players meant that the coach has been unable to roll out his starting eleven since last October.

However, with almost every player now fully fit and available for selection, the German now has a chance to see his first team in action against formidable opposition.

Rohr also confirmed that Simon is out of the World Cup after a third scan in London showed the extent of his hip problem.

"Unfortunately, the result of the scan showed that he will be out for three to four weeks, so he cannot go to the World Cup," Rohr added.

Two players will be dropped after Saturday's match but Rohr insisted that they will not be sent home, but will be on standby with the rest of the squad.

"There was a situation at the last World Cup where a player was in the team and then at the last minute, had an injury," the coach explained. "So nobody will go home.

"They will be with us on standby."

Nigeria will leave for Austria on Sunday for the final phase of their pre-World Cup training camp ahead of group matches against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940475898?-18946:4882:3

So, if a goalkeeper gets injury, Rohr will replace with Ogu or Aina? hahahahahahahaha!

Sentiment is all I see.

Based on the pedigree of club and current form that saw Simy picked, Ogu and Echiejile should be dropped. Disclaimer: Not in my voice.

Super Eagles feeling heat as Gernot Rohr yet to finalise World Cup squad



Nigeria’s players could not have a bigger incentive to perform well against England at Wembley

Paul Doyle

Fri 1 Jun 2018 18.00 BST Last modified on Fri 1 Jun 2018 22.01 BST
Nigeria’s players go through their paces in training at Wembley.
Nigeria’s players go through their paces in training at Wembley. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters
The main event will kick off in a couple of weeks but for Nigeria Saturday’s meeting with England is more than a warm-up. For some Super Eagles, at least, the heat is really on. Unlike Gareth Southgate, Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr, has not settled on the squad that he will take to the World Cup, preferring initially to name a 30-man panel before ditching surplus players in instalments as if trying to lend his selection process some of the suspense and agony of a reality TV show.

Four players were evicted after Monday’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, while a fifth, the Gent winger Moses Simon, was ruled out by a hip injury, although Rohr is giving him as much time as possible to recover. The manager will announce the last cuts to his squad after the England match. There could hardly be a bigger incentive to perform well at Wembley.

Rohr is probably not doing this for dramatic effect. Rather his hesitation reflects uncertainty over a couple of roles, particularly at full-back, where the manager has admitted doubts linger. Ola Aina, the 21-year-old Chelsea player who spent last season on loan at Hull, may have marked his own card by making the clumsy tackle that enabled Congo to equalise from a penalty but, on the other hand, his ability to play on either flank may earn him inclusion ahead of either Elderson Echiejile or Brian Idowu, who can function only on the left.

Mikel John Obi: If Nigeria were organised we’d have won World Cup | David Hytner
Read more
Aside from places on the plane, there may still be spots up for grabs in the starting lineup for Nigeria’s first World Cup match, against Croatia on 16 June. Most obviously, and like England, the goalkeeping question seems unresolved.

Rohr’s options following Carl Ikeme’s leukaemia diagnosis and the retirement of Vincent Enyeama are not especially compelling. It will be fascinating to see who starts in goal at Wembley. For recent friendlies the manager has put his trust in Francis Uzoho, who is undoubtedly talented but still raw, as should be expected from a 19-year-old whose main club action has been with Deportivo La Coruña’s second team. The other options – Enyimba’s Ikechukwu and Daniel Akpeyi of Chippa United – are more experienced but have previously shown they are not above rashness.

Those worries aside, Rohr knows most of the side he will count on in Russia and has good cause to be confident of progressing out of a formidable group that also features Argentina and Iceland, thereby fulfilling the ambition he expressed at his first press conference after being appointment Nigeria manager in August 2016.

Nigeria made light work of a tough qualifying group, sweeping above Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia with a style that suddenly had Rohr feeling the need to dampen expectations. “Unfortunately, ambitions are a little excessive here, as Nigeria must reach the semi-finals, at least,” he said shortly after securing qualification.

Nigeria swelled expectations further by beating Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in November, although a recent defeat by Serbia offset that a tad. Nonetheless, the victory over Argentina, whom Nigeria will face in their last group game, was an encouraging demonstration of the qualities displayed during qualification. This is a strong, dynamic, united and skilful side featuring a potent mix of youth and experience. The Super Eagles will test England.

Premier League fans who do not keep tabs on Nigeria will find them intriguing visitors. Not only will this be a chance to check out Leon Balogun, the centre-back who will play for Brighton next season after signing in May from Mainz and who, under Rohr, has developed such a strong central defensive partnership with William Troost-Ekong that Nigeria fans refer to the pair as the Oyinbo Wall. It will also provide an opportunity to gain a fresh appreciation of Mikel John Obi and Odion Ighalo, players widely dismissed as washed-up after leaving the Premier League for China last year.

Neither featured against DR Congo, having just arrived from Asia, but are expected to play at Wembley, where they will hope to show they remain indispensable to their national team. Mikel pulls the strings from an advanced midfield role in a way he seldom did during 11 successful years at Chelsea. One of the players he regularly supplies is Victor Moses, whose storming raids down the right were one of the most thrilling features of Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, during which Moses was the top scorer.

Igahlo, meanwhile, remains Nigeria’s first-choice striker. But a valuable alternative has recently emerged: Simy Nwankwo, aged 26, was given his international debut against Congo and continued the form when he scored six goals in eight matches for Crotone in Serie A season. He offers Nigeria a new dimension, as at 6ft 6in he carries an aerial threat and has the strength to serve as an effective fulcrum up front while also smart and nimble. He may be coming to the boil at exactly the right time.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940458156?-18946:4882:3

Ndidi is the number 1 then, who is the second?

England vs. Nigeria: Rohr reveals Super Eagles team plans



6:47 PM GMT

Gernot Rohr has confirmed that he will play his 'best team' in Saturday's friendly against England at Wembley.

Rohr told reporters on Friday that he will pick his preferred starters for the World Cup warm-up match, with one or two exceptions.

"It is a big test. In the last match we didn't play our best team," the German coach began. "[On Saturday] we will try to play our best team.

"Perhaps there will be one or two players who are not in the best team because of injury," Rohr continued, "but tomorrow we will see the team which has a chance to start against Croatia."

Those two absentees are likely to be Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon.

Ndidi appears to have recovered fully and trained with the rest of the squad at Wembley on Friday, but will not be risked, according to team officials.

A combination of injuries, fitness issues, suspensions and a need to try out new players meant that the coach has been unable to roll out his starting eleven since last October.

However, with almost every player now fully fit and available for selection, the German now has a chance to see his first team in action against formidable opposition.

Rohr also confirmed that Simon is out of the World Cup after a third scan in London showed the extent of his hip problem.

"Unfortunately, the result of the scan showed that he will be out for three to four weeks, so he cannot go to the World Cup," Rohr added.

Two players will be dropped after Saturday's match but Rohr insisted that they will not be sent home, but will be on standby with the rest of the squad.

"There was a situation at the last World Cup where a player was in the team and then at the last minute, had an injury," the coach explained. "So nobody will go home.

"They will be with us on standby."

Nigeria will leave for Austria on Sunday for the final phase of their pre-World Cup training camp ahead of group matches against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940475898?-18946:4882:3

Victor Moses, Dele Alli & Three Other Bold Predictions For England Vs Nigeria Cracker

Published: June 02, 2018

As England welcome Nigeria to the famous footballing ground in London for their pre-World Cup friendly encounter tomorrow, it is fitting to pick out some certain things we could come to witness of the highly anticipated game.

From the fall out of the activities of Friday afternoon at the Hive Stadium, 25 Super Eagles are now left in the Nigeria squad to take on England at Wembley on Saturday, we take a look at five things that could be on show in few hours time.

1) Victor Moses to prove the key in unlocking the Three Lions defense

Victor Moses has always looked Nigeria's likeliest source of goals going forward and we are envisaging it would remain so on Saturday.

Having joined the team in their base after the exhaustion of the FA Cup final which culminated in him missing out in the DR Congo game in his homeland, the Chelsea dazzler will be looking to show his peers what he can do in the ranks with his country.

Should he come out top (which he are convinced he will), it will more than massage his ego.

However, we are not in any way underestimating the effervescence of his England-based teammates the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho!

2) Troost-Ekong and Balogun will have a whole lot on their hands stifling England's talisman, Kane

The message the sub-heading bears would not be more starker. The Three Lions boast an enviable attacking group of quality players and while Southgate is spoiled her choice in who starts upfront for his team, we can surely note it would be none other than Tottenham's Harry Kane.

The 24-year old is the man-to-go to when his side are in need of a goal and few would really bet against him finding one at Wembley tomorrow.

Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong who could be the team's defensive pairing yet again will have to be at their best to stem the flow of his efficacy.

3) Dele Alli to reunite with his country of descent

English-born Nigeria midfielder, Dele Alli is one player that could be on parade for the hosts tomorrow — his quality is, after all, never in doubt.

Having turned down a chance to represent the country of his parentage, the 22-year old has shown mettle and is every inch worth his salt with England after series of sensational displays with Tottenham in the English Premier League.

Today, he would be coming up against the country whom he jilted for the other.

4) Nigeria to score their first goal against the European nation at the third time of asking

Nigeria has met with England twice before this upcoming game and on each occasion, failed to manage a goal.

In a game such like this in 1994, a solitary goal from David Platt was all that separated both sides after ninety minutes while in a 2002 world cup group game, honours remained even throughout.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last six games overall, have not scored more than once in each of them but here, we are banking on the Super Eagles to at least find a way of breaching them this third time.

5) Gareth Southgate and Gernot Rohr to flex their managerial tactics ahead of World Cup

These two sides are bound for Russia and this presents a perfect opportunity for the two presiding managers to show what they can come up with against their fellow world cup participants.

Both Rohr and Southgate are seasoned handlers, but we are primed to be in for a treat of managerial masterclass!

As such, the game could be viewed as a case of which manger has be best tactics and managerial know-how to outdo the other.

Emmanuel Chinaza

http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=27990

CaptainStephen:
I agree with you, if not for his longterm absence, he should have been in contention for vice captaincy.
Based on years since debut na senior baller for eagles

Off course! I still remember his debut for Nigeria, that was when he played alongside with Mikel Obi.

He's the oldest capped player in the team save Mikel Obi.

I hope he takes things easy after he makes the team.

Ogu should be dropped for Etebo who performed in the La Liga and for Agu who played in the Turkish league because Ogu plays in a lesser lowly obscure league.

He's not a future prospect.

Let him work harder and his time will come.

CaptainStephen:
, I think he needs to calm down, Joel of old was more calm in his play, this current version na jam body things oh.

You are right. If he is not carefully, he can cause us a game if he gets a red card but I don't think he will be starting ahead of a fit Ndidi.

CaptainStephen:
forget ! Joel is going to Russia, why do I have this feeling ogu will miss out ? obi's second coming has thrown sand into ogu and agu's garri

Hahahahahaha! Ogu plays in the inferior obscure Isreali league. He should make way for a Serie A player.

Joel Obi is already in Russia.

elyte89:
Chief, na news u dey drop now,kayode matter don' tire you

Hahahahahaha! If anybody brings false news, I go still debunk am.

I no go tire ooooooo.

Rohr said 4 weeks but this one is saying 3 weeks. Last week it was 3 weeks but more than 1 week has passed since he did the scan in Nigeria and it is still 3 weeks.

Very funny.


Simon weeps, as scan finally rules him out of World Cup

By Gowon Akpodonor

02 June 2018 | 4:16 am

• Argentina Hits Barcelona For Final Preparation
Super Eagles and Gent winger, Moses Simon, was in sober mood yesterday, as he departed the team’s camp in London for Belgium after scans conducted confirmed that he will be out of action for three weeks.

Simon was at the Hive Stadium on Thursday and underwent series of scans, while his Super Eagles teammates were sweating it out in a workout ahead their friendly against England. The match will hold today at the Wembley Stadium.

‘’Simon is finally out of the 2018 World Cup and he is unhappy that he won’t be traveling to Russia with the Super Eagles squad,’’ a source in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) told allnigeriasoccer.com.

‘’The scan performed on Thursday confirmed he will be out for three weeks. Simon just left the Super Eagles hotel and said he is going to Belgium.’’

There are 25 players presently in the Super Eagles camp in London, and coach Gernot Rohr must drop two by June 4.

The players are expected to leave their hotel for the Wembley Stadium at 16:45 hours for their final workout before the friendly against the Three Lions today.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Group D opponent at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, Argentina, arrived in Barcelona yesterday morning for their final training camping.

Argentina will face Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.
Jorge Sampaoli’s jetted off to Barcelona after their 4-0 thumping of Haiti in Tuesday’s international friendly in Buenos Aires.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi who scored three goals and assisted on Sergio Aguero’s fourth in the friendly also shared a picture on his Instagram with the caption: “We are already home.”

Argentina will remain in Barcelona until June 8 as they put the finishing touches to their World Cup preparations.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940511205?-21310:8643

Rohr Informs Moses, Iwobi, Idowu, Obis, Uzoho, 5 Others They Will Start Vs England; Ndidi Update

Published: June 01, 2018

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has already picked the eleven players that will start the eagerly anticipated pre-World Cup friendly against England on Saturday.

Due to the inclement weather, the training that was scheduled to start at 1700 hours at Wembley had to be suspended for several minutes, but they finally had a short session before returning to their hotel.

The players didn't do much in training today, they performed warmup exercises and worked with the ball before Rohr called off the session.

There was some good news, with Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi training with the squad but that is not to say he's in contention to face the Three Lions as he's lacking match fitness and there was no practice game between the Team A and Team B to test his fitness.

After the training session, Rohr informed Francis Uzoho that he will be in goal against the Three Lions, and the German has also selected Abdullahi Shehu, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun and Brian Idowu as the defenders.

Despite only one full training session with the Super Eagles in London, Victor Moses has been informed that he will make the starting line-up, as well as Eddy Onazi, Joel Obi, Obi Mikel and Alex Iwobi.

Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo starts upfront in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Nigeria Starting XI Vs England : Uzoho; Abdullahi Shehu, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Idowu; Onazi, Obi; Victor Moses, Obi Mikel, Alex Iwobi; Ighalo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/940494949?-21310:8643:3

eterisan:
egbon you like wahala o... Shuo wety sef. Incase you dono Sone aluko na delta state person like me not your Yoruba brother.... Abeg e do.... Don't drag me down this road.

How you see tomorrow match sef.... Who go win

You mean Senator Aluko's son is from Delta state? Bhuuuhahaha!

See as e wan cover him stereotype mentality.