₦airaland Forum

Mujtahida:
No coach used unfit player for a match? This is simply not true. I can give you so many instances even in Nigeria football where unfit players were used. Keshi played some of our matches unfit, Oliseh came from hospital to come and play our Afcon 2000 semi final match with Senegal. Maradona played lots of matches unfit. I can go on and on.

The human body is not a machine. I do not agree with you at all that just because he passed fitness test he was fully fit. I ask didn't you see him wince in pain at one point in the match?

Even before the goals when some monikers were saying Ebuehi na baller I just sighed. He didn't ball cos I was watching him keenly. Yes I will not deny that he didn't play well but you cannot take away the fact that for the last two weeks the boy has been struggling with fitness issues. I repeat the human body is not a machine.

No be human body wey even somebody that is certified as fit will just slump and die?

Did you intentionally exclude Obafemi Martins who came in with one leg to score a goal that qualified us for the 2010 world cup?

Now, that is quality player.

Kog45:
Sir no coach used unfit player for a match.

Balogun Leon failed late fitness test and what happened,replaced by Awaziem ASAP.

Ebuehi was fully fit for him to pass fitness test and played 90 minutes,but had average game.

OK Sir,wll you pick Ebuehi as our best RB with his performance against Serbia

People with double standard all over here.

Joel Obi could not play the last match in Seria A during to small fitness problem but he still passed the test and played two friendlies.

Should we not say Joel Obi also came back from injury and exonerate him from blames?


Awariem has flopped twice but they want him in the team. Double standard.

Mujtahida:
If you want to call for Martins call for him based on current performance but forget about all this nominations abeg. Did he win those nominations yesterday?

Who is currently holding the title of Chinese FA highest goalscorer? Martins Obafemi.

Those goals won his team Chinese FA cup ahead of Mikel Obi and Ighalo's clubs.

Besides, the arguement is not about current form, it is about the past achievements with their European club.

Pls, read well before you start jumping into matters. Thanks

somehow:
Did we play him as AM or as a DM? Thought he was on the right side of a 4:3:3 formation. How's that an AMF?

He was on the left side of the 4-3-3 formation and he played as a LMF. He didn't pay as the AMF.

I don't understand the reason people can't see that.

somehow:
The qualifiers has ended, we are heading to a stage where more difficult opponents are waiting for us. We must shun emotional and irational thoughts for now.

Goals win matches

Ighalo can't be our sole 9, I think we should be rational and think of a backup 9.

I would rather we go with Ighalo and Martins to the world cup.
One of the DMs should be dropped.

You need goals to win matches.

We need a backup for Mikel too and I think we should be rational here too.

Joel so far hasn't shown he can play that position or should we blame the coach for always playing him as a DM?

Let's think rationally this time around.

Your head dey dere.

However, Joel Obi is not an AMF. He played as a CMF and LM and he has shown he is better than John Ogu.

Goke7:
Which European continental coup trophy did martins win for his club? Mikel was a stand out performer on the champs league win over Bayern Munich, even Chelsea fans all over the world still gives him the credit, moses had a good run of form with important goals for Chelsea in their Europa league win. Martins goals for Nigeria could not win any aficon for us and failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2006 world cup. In 2010 world cup, the likes of martins could not take Nigeria beyond the group stage with even countries like Greece and south korea in our group. Am talking about delivering when it matters most. Your beloved martins is still behind mikel and moses. Talking is on the pitch,not on nairaland sports section abeg

For your information, Obafemi Martins won continental trophy.

Now, tell me another thing.

Goke7:
You are the one deceiving yourself bruv, am talking about delivering on the pitch for both club and country you dey talk Fifa nomination. who nomination epp

Can you explain how one can be nominated for such award without delivering on the pitch?

I think that is being subjective and not objective.

Where was Mikel when we failed to qualify AFCON?
What about Victor Moses?

What did Mikel Obi and Victor Moses bring to the table in the world cup they went?

Goke7:
Which European continental coup trophy did martins win for his club? Mikel was a stand out performer on the champs league win over Bayern Munich, even Chelsea fans all over the world still gives him the credit, moses had a good run of form with important goals for Chelsea in their Europa league win. Martins goals for Nigeria could not win any aficon for us and failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2006 world cup. In 2010 world cup, the likes of martins could not take Nigeria beyond the group stage with even countries like Greece and south korea in our group. Am talking about delivering when it matters most. Your beloved martins is still behind mikel and moses. Talking is on the pitch,not on nairaland sports section abeg

How many FIFA nomination did Mikel Obi and Victor Moses performance earned them?

Is FIFA award not European recognition award?

Is FIFA Nairaland?

Be deceiving yourself.

Goke7:
What has Martin's and aluko conributions to the team in the past won for Nigeria. It took great depth in talent in moses and Mikel for Nigeria to win another afcon, in addition both players also have European continental cup trophies to show in which they were also largely instrumental for their clubs winning those titles. Even the entire world knows that both moses and Mikel are our best players because of their depth.

We are talking about results delivery on the pitch but you guys shy away from that because your favourite players must be invited and must play even though they are not delivering. This is too bad from you. Mark my words, if aluko is invited, he will flop like Joel. If coaching crew are so convinced about martins and aluko, they would have been invited before now but Joel don spoil market, only you think otherwise.

If you don't play Victor Moses because he played in relegated threatened club as at the time he pledged to play for Nigeria, how will you know he has depth in talent?

Are you serious? You don't know what Obafemi Martins did in Europe with his clubs?

Oga, Obafemi Martins won trophies in Europe and the world knows he contributed to winning those trophies.

He was was more infuencial to his team than Mikel Obi and Victor Moses. You can take that to the bank.

Goke7:
We all said same thing about Joel obi before the last two games he played for us. It's all assumptions bruv

Which assumptions? Sone Aluko and Obafemi Martins have depth in talent is assumption?

I thought you claimed Mikel Obi and Victor Moses are old wine but could blend with the team because of the depth of their talent. But now that it is proven that they have depth in talent, you are changing mouth.

I fear naija ooooooo.

Goke7:
Keep on making excuses lol, DM, am, pm whatever, he who cannot deliver is not needed. Simple

I think you need to watch the match again.

Five Takeaways From Nigeria's 2-0 Loss To Serbia In London

Published: March 27, 2018

Five Takeaways From Nigeria's 2-0 Loss To Serbia In London

The Super Eagles lost 2-0 against Serbia in Tuesday night's international friendly at the Hive Stadium home ground of Barnet FC.

Izuchukwu Okosi here presents his observations from that game.

1. Communication Between Ekong And Awaziem

Leon Balogun was missing in the friendly and was replaced by Nantes FC central defender Chidozie Awaziem and he made some vital clearances but it was obvious that the partnership and understanding between Balogun and William Troost Ekong has been beneficial to the team.

Two goal hero, Aleksandar Mitrovic was a menace for the Nigerian defenders on the night and the hitherto defensive solidity was lacking.

The long term partnership between the 'oyibo wall' and its resultant breakup tonight owing to Balogun's illness was apparent.

There is need to have options in case of injuries or any of the regular players call in for illness but Balogun's absence shows that the central defense is a sensitive position.


2. Abdullahi Is An Important Defensive Player

Shehu Abdullahi was missing from this game due to injury and was replaced by Tyrone Ebuehi.

The youngster did not fair badly but his defensive awareness was questionable as he let Filip Kostic loose to deliver the assist for Mitrovic's second goal whilst Ogenyi Eddy Onazi covered up for him (Ebuehi) as the Serbians exploited the space from the right back position.

3. Super Eagles Lucky Again With Goal Line Technology

For the second successive game against Poland and Serbia, Nigeria's opposition scored but the referee and his 'able' assistants failed to award them against the Eagles.

Before the two goals were scored, Mitrovic saw an effort cross the line but Eagles' keeper Francis Uzoho turned swiftly to gather the ball after it had crossed the line.

Poland similarly should have had a goal against Nigeria on Friday but LeonBalogun cleared the ball much to the frustration of the Polish side.

That underlines this writer's point made on Friday that the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) is needed in world football.

4. Idowu Had A Better Game

Amkar Perm left back Brian Idowu surged forward a couple of times to support the attack unlike he did versus Poland last weekend.

That implied that gradually he is integrating into the team and his confidence will be boosted even further.

Idowu's defending was also better. However there were a few times Alexandre Kolarov in particular threatened to wreck havoc as Idowu wandered to support the attack but was either at the receiving end of an over hit pass or had his crosses failing to create panic in the central defence.

5. Eagles Need A Striker To Support Ighalo

There was lack of cutting edge in the team's attack. Players like Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi did trouble the Serbians with their trickery and pace but the final balls were disappointedly poor and mostly off targets.

Odion Ighalo was a second half substitute after the likes of Victor Moses whom he replaced, and Moses Simon fired blanks in the first and second halves.

The Eagles attackers did not draw world class saves from the Serbian keeper tonight and that shows that Ighalo needs another striker to help share goalscoring duties.

There has been calls for the recall of veteran Obafemi Martins. The former Newcastle, Inter Milan, Wolfsburg star has divided opinions and if coach Gernot Rohr monitors him and is impressed by his performances at his club before the next round of friendlies against DR Congo, England and Czech Republic should be brought back for the sake of this World Cup only.


http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/930684307?-19787:21190:3

Goke7:
We all said same thing about Joel obi before the last two games he played for us. It's all assumptions bruv

Those who don't know Joel Obi claimed he is an AMF but I was the one that said no, he is not.

Joel Obi is a CMF or LM and that was were he was played in the two friendlies.

So, I don't know what you are talking about.

Mickael2:
the kind of bias and hypocrisy on this thread eh, imagine VicMo more talented than Martins and Joel

Forgive him, he doesn't know about those two players.

ykalhaji:
The truth is this we are only going to go as far as Mikel Obi takes us. Shikena. Aluko and anyone can not do what Mikel does for this team, Mikel is the chairman of this team. Until we go back and pick from the last Under Something team that won, we can not get a good AM replacement, because foreign club coaches have refused to pick Nigerians to play that role for them, so we are presently and will continue to be talent short in that department.

So our option is to use one of the "rejected" 3rd division playing in a back water league AM or develop our Junior teams' AM ourselves, just as we have continued to use Mikel even though he now plays DM in his clubs.

Abdul Ajagun has played as an AMF for more than four seasons with a big club and is currently in a top 10 league but unfortunately people are demanding for players in backwater leagues. Smh

MetalJigsaw:
Exactly. people can be biased

That is it. You are getting it now.

Mickael2:
you seriously think Moses is more talented than Joel? Bar injury, Joel would have been in a top top club playing his favourite position. Moses was a bench warmer until he got drafted into another position

In addition.

Goke7:
what you guys are failing to understand is that this is a new generation super eagle who plays differently from the team we had few years back, the baloguns, ekongs, ndidi, iwobi, iheanacho and co have brought in a new dimesion that only experienced players like moses and mikel has been able to cope because of the depth of their personal talent. Musa is struggling to gel with these players, Echejielle too, even omeruo. This is why a joel obi can't gel or a martins or even aluko. They will struggle and struggle with players like Ndidi I saw displaying some great skills tonight.

There is a shift in the current SE set up and you can't have old wine in new bottles, mhen it will burst

You mean Obafemi Martins who was once nominated for a FIFA award doesn't have depth in talent?

You mean Sone Aluko who was nominated for Championship player of the year just last season doesn't have depth in talent ?

There is no player currently in the National team as skillful as Sone Aluko.

Since, they meet your criteria, I think they are perfect for the team.

Goke7:
Excuse not accepted, try again

Joel Obi is not an AMF. Rohr should take note.

Goke7:
but still we didn't get the ticket for afcon. Aluko has nothing to offer this team bruv, this is how we keep making noise for these players and when they get invited, they begin to struggle, we made noise for keshi to bring in martins then and nothing came out of it.

Oga, Aluko's last game showed that he has alot to offer.

We saw what he added to the team. He changed the whole game as soon as he came on. That is the koko.

Besides, Keshi never wanted to bring Sone Aluko to the team because of the same reason you are giving and that was why he kept inviting the mediocre Uzoenyi to the national team. But we saw that all those team cohesion, he can't offer anything where plain lies not to bring him to the team.

Goke7:
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses, count me out of this. Joel Obi na risk, no wonder keshi did not even bother in the last world cup edition.

Joel Obi was injured almost throughout Keshi's era.

Goke7:
and are they good replacements? Judge yourself

Of course. Yes.

Goke7:
they have nothing to offer the present eagles, who will ambrose bench in that defence, not even omeruo, aluko and martins does not belong to the generation of eagles and can't gel with them, all na wash abeg

The last time Aluko played for the national team, he rescued us from shameful defeat and almost secured us a ticket to the AFCON. Know what? He did all these coming from the bench with 38 minutes left.

So, you can't write him off like that because he never flopped in the National team.

Goke7:
oga, all the additional players we have been rooting for to be included in this team have struggled so far even the likes of ebuehi, awazie, aina and even idowu are all struggling. We already know the players that are delivering and has been delivering. It's high time we stick to them and save ourselves the trouble. Rohr knows his team already, na experiment he just dey do and taking risks

The purpose of these friendlies is not to change your first eleven, but rather to have a better replacement for them on the bench. That's all.

Goke7:
The summary of your post is this: stick to the team that qualified you for the world cup. As for the likes of the ajagun, aluko that you mentioned, they can do nada, it's all permutations and assumptions like we said of Joel obi

Joel Obi brings alot to the team in terms of playing different formations. You can see that over the two matches.

Maybe your expectation was for him to play like Maradona or as an AMF but not that kind of player. He is more of a CMF, LM and LWB than a AMF.

There was never a time on this thread that I said Joel Obi is an AMF.

I think he offers more than John Ogu can offer.

mank1234:
I might have been judging you wrongly. Was expecting new names but here you are - seeing positives from the team. You're a true fan.

I agree with you on all front except for Joel Obi. We are better off without him. He's not offering anything different. Etebo and co blend better having been with the team for long.

Please, watch the two matches again and you will understand the role he was asked to play. He offers alot.

Etebor has failed to blend in recent games. The only game he did really well was against Algeria in the first leg. That's all.

Joel Obi has blended with just two matches.

Goke7:
Joel obi is a big NO pls

Why?

What wing did Joel Obi play today?

mank1234:
forgiveness come and hear o

Is Joel Obi Messi?

Joel Obi did his job well. When Victor Moses was on the left side, Joel Obi combined well with him and we were creating chances.

He didn't play as an AMF. Did he?

The goals didn't come from his wing.

elyte89:
D S.E have just given d likes of boss forgiveness, boss komekn d chance to yearn more for d likes of onyedima,onomah,ALUKO,OBAFEMI MARTINS,EJIDE,AIYENUGBA,AMBROSE AND d likes ,


Take away from.tnite match

Idowu has improved

Ebuehi fans aw market...Ebuehi iS NOT BETTER DAN SHEHU


J.OBI...MAYBE WE AV OVER RATED HIM AFTERALL,he was poor again tonight


Personal Advice

Henceforth, let's reduce our expectations from dis team

A quarter final....is a tall dream judging from d last two matches,let alone of winning d cup,like what some monikers do say here


The team is work in progress

In a team you need good experienced players mixed with youngsters.

We are going to the world Cup with the youngest team is not enough.

However, I really enjoyed the game because there are both positives and negatives but I hope Rohr corrects the negatives.


we don't have a goalkeeper yet.

Ebuehi doesn't see to be good defensively and he found it difficult to deal with up balls and tricky players.

The defence is not solid without Balogun and Ekong.

Idowu is not as good as Aina. Aina is better..

We don't have strikers. Ighalo is not enough.

No creative or attacking midfielder.

Ahmed Musa is suspect.

No pattern of play.

No Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Balogun, no Nigeria National team.

We don't have good replacement for Simon Moses and Victor Moses on the wings.


Rohr only selected players for training materials. He's not ready to bring competition for shirt into the team else he should explain why he brought in new players to the team without given them chance to prove themselves. Abi, wetin person wan play within 3 minutes.


Positives

Our midfield is good save for an AMF.

Joel Obi is an asset. Can play two man midfield as he did against Poland and he can play as a LMF in a 4-3-3 Formation. He covered Idowu well on the left side.

Ndidi is getting bold day by day and that's a good one.

With Mikel Obi, Onazi and Ndidi, we are good to go. Meaning, Mikel Obi plays the AMF role.

Victor Moses is a game changer.

Aina has a bigger heart than Idowu though Idowu offers defensively.

Iwobi is comfortable in the middle but he can't really open space. One for the future.

Awaziem is ok.

We can finally see our weaknesses now and make corrections now. That's a good one.

RB dey lick.

I think Dele Aiyenugba Aiyenugba is the best option but we don't know why they are not calling him.

TheSuperNerd:
I will give Ovie Ejaria and Kelechi Nwakali a good go for that role too in the near future alongside Josh Onomah. K.Nwakali has been doing pretty good for MVV since his loan move back to Dutch second division with 3 goals and 1 assist from his AM role in 10 games for them. Ofcos, Josh does his thing at a higher level than Nwakali in the English Championship with 4 goals and 1 assist in 28 champ. Games.for Aston Villa.

Ejaria has played 6 games for Sunderland in the championship mainly as a CM although he is both CM and AM material.

Yes, you are right. In the near future after they must have proven themselves but for now, I don't think so.