₦airaland Forum

semid4lyfe:
Baba, questions for you

1. You dey play ball?
2. You don pull hamstring before?

I have ...about 5 years ago during my normal saturday morning football sessions.

I was pressing blocked pure water to the thigh for like 5 minutes everyday and rubbing deep heat ointment.

Despite all these, it took me about 3 months before I could resume playing football again.

With the stakes and the physicality of the DR Congo players, there's no way Osimhen would have lasted the remaining 45 minutes.

Abeg, e good as coach commot am to save am for AFCON.

Me, I want us to meet DR Congo again at AFCON. I want to see what Eric Chelle will do, and how the team will play differently.

If osihmen missed Afcon it’s no big deal as Afcon is every two years and he can still play the next edition but the World Cup is every four years and there’s no guarantee Osihmen will be available then. Ghana won’t be in Afcon so what’s the big deal, the real deal is the World Cup. You gerit?

Life itself is hard so choose your hard!

jedisco:
Seriously? Had to go check it out.

I swear, one can't make this up. While searching, I also stumbled upon Vance blaming illegal migrants for outbidding Americans to houses.

Very soon, we'd be told to accept whatever we're dealth. Afterall, UK is the only country that doesn't blame migrants for the rising price of beef.

Just search for Scott Bessent you’ll see it even many Americans are embarrassed 😂

Even in uk immigrants have also been blamed for rising inflation. I think advanced nations have finally found immigrants and third world nations as a tool for their domestic politics to avoid more scrutiny and accountability from their societies and we should expect more of this in the years ahead.

Goodenoch:
In comparison with Badenoch (because it's obvious that's the parrarel you're trying to draw) yes, she is being very decisive and her policies are very firm and some might say harsh, but you haven't seen her say anything derogatory about immigrants in general or Pakistanis in particular right? Her comments have been, as far as I've seen, decisive but dignified, unlike Badenoch's constant rants.

None of the referring to people on skilled worker visas as being in the country to wash bums, that she doesn't identify as bring of Pakistani heritage; that she doesn't want to be identified with certain Pakistani ethnic groups because they are her "historical enemies"; that maternity pay is excessive; that autism confers several advantages etc etc.

So while I can't speak for the Pakistani immigrant community Im reasonably sure most fully understand she is a British minister and her priority is to the country, and so won't begrudge her in any way. But they definitely would if she begins launching random attacks on them every Eke market day. THAT is why primarily people despise Badenough, not because of any policy actions she has taken or supported.

P.S. If anyone has a minute, try searching 'shabbana Mahmood Pakistan' and 'kemi badenoch Nigeria' and see how the results differ. It's actually quite interesting.

The difference is clear, it’s called sense of worth and dignity. You don’t need to despise your kind to feel more important! There are even other MPs of Nigerian origin that never towed such slavery path!

Mujtahida:
The match against DRC played out exactly the same way the final against CIV happened. In both matches, We scored first but the opposition wasn't fazed. They just shrugged it off and played their game. And equalized.

What struck me was how our players became timid and tame. You will see fear and panic in their eyes. It's strange.

That’s the perfect description! And it’s too worrisome.

semid4lyfe:
Osimhen felt his hamstring at the end of the first half and walked off the pitch with some discomfort. Still he wanted to resume the 2nd half.

The coaching crew made a calculated decision to substitute him so he wouldn't aggravate it, and he could play in the AFCON.

People shitting on Osimhen for the injury, and Eric Chelle for taking him off have major issues in their lives.

It would have been better to risk him for a wcq than Afcon. My thoughts

mostob:
I didn't have any agenda.. I promise 🤣🤣

You Dey laugh at yourself 😂

mrwilliams9:
There is a habit of these players folding in big games. Playing with no urgency or desire…

2022 WCQ against Ghana
2023 AFCON final against CIV
2025 CAF playoff final against DRC

Let’s see what comes of this AFCON but some players will definitely need to be replaced after this cycle.

This Afcon? please be serious

elyte89:
We can choose to hold the NFF responsible for our failure to qualify for the World Cup, and in many ways they do deserve criticism. Their long-standing issues are well known, and nothing seems to change. However, I believe a significant part of the blame must also fall on the players.
About 70% of this current squad experienced the painful way we missed the ticket to Ghana, yet that disappointment still didn’t motivate them to perform better in this qualification series. They were placed in a group with mostly lower-ranked teams in Africa, aside from South Africa, yet the performances were still below expectations. I honestly don’t feel sorry for them. It shows a lack of seriousness and a failure to push themselves to grow as professionals. Maybe they feel the World Cup isn’t essential for their careers, but if thats the mindset ,den is disappointing.
Many of us came from humble backgrounds, yet we keep striving to excel in our careers despite challenges. So why should professional players, who know the NFF’s shortcomings, wait for miracles? They should have risen above the circumstances and fought for their careers on the pitch.
It’s unfortunate, but our next chance is in 2030. The preparation must start now.

You’ve said it all. The players have themselves to blame perhaps they themselves are not confident about their future and just want to remain average or where they are currently. That drive for personal satisfaction and fulfilment is lacking. Never saw an eagles generation as flat as this.

CornOak:
I totally lost interest in anything football since last night.

Don’t be hard on yourself there is plenty of football to enjoy from EPL to laliga and champions league etc. Even the upcoming Afcon will still bring lots of entertainment forget about naija football and enjoy the game

mostob:
see my team for here.. 2gether 4ever

Your agenda clear 😂

QueenJazz:
In a normal country, Ibrahim Gusau and Amaju Pinnick would be under arrest by now and facing prosecution.

😂 I wonder what will happen if you meet these people you go just carry them throw inside gutter

lbrichman2:
Wait first..
Is it a matter of ability or is it commitment..
Because those drc guys were pretty average but they played with more spirit

I think it's a confidence thing and self-belief. The guys can't just lift their game in big moments, someone said on this thread as he watched them coming out of the tunnel, he could see or sense fear in their eyes. I must be honest, I observed that too,o but I thought as soon as they get on the pitch they should overcome that. Some players are in that team for almost ten years now still na still shaky shaky daddy things. It's that bad.

lbrichman2:
My bro
Wetin happen exactly?
Midfield with 3 midfielders just collapsed like bread wey Dem soak inside water..

Or was it because we played 120 mins earlier?

Or was it the formation?
But we started well na and could have gone 2 up if we scored that Lookman's pull out

I just dey ask myself since yesterday

We couldn't mark
Coach brain stop to work
We returned to our aimless long ball strategy

Na wa

The boys just switched off and like someone said earlier it’s becoming a dejavu for this team. They are not strong finishers and they get overwhelmed in the biggest moments. I think that’s the destiny of this team and how far they can go. We saw it at 2022 wcq, the last Afcon and now this. Expecting more than this is an overkill make we manage am like that. This is a different Eagles from the previous ones. Dem no reach

BankyGee:
We don't even deserve the guy in the first place. Na Super Eagles go later end him career.

If everywhere good during AFCON, make he retire in peace focus on club football.

I for agree but make him break that Yekini record first then he can retire

lbrichman2:
Omo!!!
I am just recovering!!

In Shina Peter's voice, I wish you speedy recover

Kilishihunter:
Apart from the loss not being present at the world cup has spoilt a lot of opportunities for those planning to travel to cash out making content or leave the country outright, I understand their pains

Yankee, for that matter, especially for those football fans YouTube pages, those folks for don get plans omo everywhere blurr true true

TheGoodJoe:
On a more serious note, I actually lost a neighbor this morning. He had BP issues. Your post makes me ponder. Sad incident.

Oh my God! My deepest sympathy and condolences.

Folks are really going through a lot in our country, I will suggest our medical professionals continue sensitising the public more about their health care during sports events. Well they are on strike sef, aaaah!

QueenJazz:
Words fail to describe how disappointed I was with his performance. Based on looks, I misjudged Tolu as Osimhen-lite. His finish against Russia (even though it started as a gift), and his solo effort before the near miss against SA made me overrate him.

I think the biggest lesson we're learning from this whole episode to be way more conservative while praising the club performances of these players. No matter how good they function out in Europe, when they come home, they act like complete strangers and amateurs.

They remind me of English national team of the late 2000s. There was an insane amount of individual talent in that squad (Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Beckham, Terry, Ferdinand, Owen, Crouch, Joe Cole etc) but together, they were a bunch of massive underachievers. Failed to qualify for the 2008 Euros and absolutely shiiit the bed in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Very true, this don't touch me football (according to Ifeanyi Udeze) that these European-based players play for us need to stop if we are serious, if you can't function in the national team and play African football, kindly decline invitations, and we should stop inviting such players.

QueenJazz:
Plus Ndidi and Tolu.

The Sinister Six: Iwobi (grandmaster), Tolu (deputy), Ndidi, Moses Simon, Lookman and Chukwueze.

😂 you need to see how Tolu has been dressed and dragged on social media omo naija no get chills. Tolu is still new in the team but Una mhen no excuses for the more experienced ones! Only God can forgive them

Dannyxy:
Iwobi o Simon o Ndidi o, out of the national team.

Apart from NFF, some players too must receive sticks.

Do you know what finals are? Just one game, we had just one game to win AFCON, we were a goal up, we choked embarrassingly, just one game to lift a trophy, you let your opponent run around like you were ball boys, you loose possession, you don’t mark, Iwobi did not mark one runner through out, he didn’t win any ball, no turnover, no through ball, no blocked shots, no shot at goal…
One game against Ghana in Abuja
One game against Ivory Coast
One game against DRC


Mikel and Moses, with Onazi, will pull out this wins 2/3.

This set of players have very weak and lackadaisical personalities, plus mentality and I want them out, most of them, let’s start from scratch, while also kicking out all NFF members out too, Infact let’s get banned from football.

What are we going to AFCON to do?

Out under 17, 20, 23 all suffering, what are we going to AFCON to do, talkless of World Cup?

This current team get too overwhelmed as the stakes become higher. They are bad finishers and can’t fight for too long. It shows in the way we concede late goals. This is where the most senior and experienced members of the team should be held responsible and we all know who they are

[quote author=TheGoodJoe post=137504954]Wa lahi. This one touched me.

Footage shows Nigerian Super Eagles fans’ heartbreaking reactions after yesterday’s loss 😔💔
pic.twitter.com/UhCktHGw8L

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) November 17, 2025

get mind o to cry for the eagles 😂 someone even posted that two elderly people in his area had to be rushed to hospital around 11pm! I hail those who deployed so much emotions for the eagles. Me I had my dinner before the match, was in night gown and was on my bed after the game in fact it was on my bed I was posting on this thread last night!

My heart goes out to everyone one experiencing such heartbreaking moments. I hope the players see such videos and understand how their shitty play affects many Nigerians.

Dannyxy:
we played trash yesterday… all this hyping of drc , just watch how Iran or South Korea without any physical strength with give them 3-0 easily..

Nigeria was trash yesterday, like didn’t mark, we didn’t position to receive ball, just playing back passes, even with our trash we got penalties…

Physicality is good o, but it’s 30 percent in modern football, brain will always win.

Too bad our brains like Iwobi, Simon, Chukwueze, look man decided to be absolute trash…

Drc are at best very average.

Those four players do us strong thing yesterday! It was an eyesore. They are the culprits of yesterday’s loss

BankyGee:
God bless you sir.

People just dey talk anything wey dem feel. Like we had our best players on the field, like the best! All the entire attack decided to go on holiday. Our defence. Jesus I wan cry for Bassey and Fredrick, even Nwabali held his own too.

All this bad mouthing the coach cannot work this time. We complained about Osayi in the Gabon game and the coach didn’t start him so what’s our problem sef. Even if the coach start Jesus himself we go still complain. Phew

ThunderFireAgba:
Na una dey hype all these guys to heaven. I no send them at all! At all! His Ego is out of this world. Somebody that scored 6goal in UEFA Champions League out of which 3 are penalty spot kicks na so dem dey hype am that he is the Best striker in the whole world when it's time to show he lose signal. That game took a nise dive when he didn't show up for 2nd half.
His combination with Akor would have changed the dynamics of that game in the 2nd half. That how Eric Chelle planned it to be but your guy FRICKED out at las.

If I were him, I wouldn't show up either. Iwobi is saving his leg, Simon and Chuks too, so after my club buys me for 75million euros, make I go break my leg? If others are not putting in their all, na me go form mugu abi

Nomyth:
The influx of foreign borns into various African teams is beginning to change the dynamics of African football and small yanah don begin dey shake.

Cape Verde used it, now they are in the World cup.
Morocco used it and got to the world cup semis.

Senegal and Algeria used it, and won the AFCON.

Now Congo.

Never have I seen an East African team dominate Nigeria the way Congo did yesterday, the way they quickly closed down our players whenever we attacked and the way they totally controlled both wings of our defense line. It looked totally strange to me.

Someone highlighted the quality of their defense yesterday when the team list was released and I wasn't particularly worried because I believed our attack was potent enough to unlock it.

But I was shocked at how easily the Congolese defense shut out our attack line, I don't think we make it into their 18 box up to 2 times yet, the Congolese had a field day in our own 18, strolling in virtually every time they attack.

With the influx of foreign borns into African football now, grit and brawn will never cut it again . The Congolese side played like a well drilled European team.

Not true, even these foreign-borns forget the fact that they were born abroad, most still have that African upbringing in terms of character and even nutrition, which has made them adapt to the African game of grit and brawn, the same DRC won't have dominated even SA (mostly home-based players) like someone earlier said here. We were just poor and allowed ourselves to be overwhelmed and bullied by a hungrier team. I've seen Cape Verde play despite their foreign-borns; those guys play like South Americans with grit, brawn, skills, and tactics. It's a blended mixture that must be applied to the African game

Kilishihunter:
I know DRC has grown since afcon but SA dominated them in their third place game before winning on shootouts. For us not to even win one of our two games against them in the qualifiers speaks on our quick they've grown to no longer fear us, no way they would allow themselves dominated like a nnl side if they were the ones in the playoffs yesterday

Very true, I can't even fault this, your point! This is becoming a trend as we are struggling to defeat what I call middle table teams in Africa, like SA and DRC, even Gabon; we couldn't do the job in 90 minutes. The signs were there too in the last Afcon as we struggled to beat Angola in the knockout stage. That's how bad we have fallen, this is our giant or super power status for Africa don get k-leg o even Lesotho and Zimbabwe sef was a problem

ChrisKels:
We were bullied. This is how we used to bully south Africans those days. 🤣😂

omo wetin my eye see yesterday I just weak. SA used to be soft but not anymore, so tey they carry us go potato pitch play. na dem comot Aina na!

Kilishihunter:
Even small Fredericks didn't allow their left side to bully him yesterday by using his body to shield the ball. Tolu tried with his own physicality when he entered but he made wrong decisions too

But for Frederick, Nwabali, and Bassey, we would have conceded like 4 goals yesterday. Na dem save us from disgrace yesterday.

Arizoner:
Mujtahida, mostob, kennysville, Charleschukwuemeka, 9jamac10, chriskels, bankygee, goke7, others, oya adopt and mention your new team at the coming worldcup. Me am going with England

ain't supporting anybody. Would have supported Benin if they qualified! Just gonna watch and enjoy the game like I did in the last edition. And I don't wish any other African team well. That's my stand! They must all fail as a consolation for the Eagles' missing out. African solidarity is a scam!

QueenJazz:
And we are more than capable of matching their physicality and aggression, so for the life of me I don't know why Nigeria has grown so fragile over the years. I remember the 2013 AFCON squad was ridiculously physical. Between Emenike and Obaobona, if you put body, you fit lose your full teeth. 😂

Only physical players we have now are Osimhen, Frederick, Bassey and Nwabali. Unironically, they were our best players yesterday. The rest are just fancy runway models. Starboys 😁. Na Tolu dey even vex me pass.

Lookman tries to be aggressive but recently he has lacked the precision and decisiveness to back it up. Atlanta really did a number on him.

Oboabona retired Drogba from the national team of the Ivory Coast, dude no see ball land for im chest like he always wants for that game in 2013, Ivory coast no believe am, the likes of Vicmo and Emenike bullied their defence line with the likes of Kole Toure and Eboue. Mikel was taking care of Yaya in midfield. even against Burkina Faso in the final with the likes of Aristi Bance, but for physicality, Omo, we won't have beaten that fantastic Burkina side.

That's why Chelle likes Nwabali, he said in that interview with Odegbami, that he prefers crazy players like that and not gentle men. Nwabali, with his physical presence, was able to put pressure on the ref for those cancelled goals; that's how to play the game in Africa.

ChrisKels:
They can always match our madness, good thing they don't speak English, otherwise they would be giving us gbas gbos online.

Chai, na why Keshi dey like hefty men as his players.

In his playing days, nko no be hefty men like Chidi Nwanu we get abi na iroha wey sabi break leg, omokaro dem and all those wicked players

As a coach, he had the likes of Fegor Ogude, Onazi, Emenike, Oboabona dem, even that short Ejike Uzoeyi, all those players wey don chop better bitter leaf soup growing up. Abeg na those kind players I wan see for our national team again o! Make we mix dem with some of these Indomie players. It's a shame the way we are being bullied these days on the pitch.

ChrisKels:
Our boys were scared of these guys yesterday. From the time I saw the boys coming out from the tunnel, through the national anthem session, something was just off and I could sense fear in the air.

DRC is the most physical side in Africa. Not even Uganda or Cameroon can match them in terms of physicality, now they have complimented that with some really good talents. I doubt we can hurt them even if we meet them again at the AFCON.

At a point, our boys were praying for the game to end so that the onslaught would stop. They dealt with us so mercilessly that we became clueless when we have the ball.

That is the way to win in Africa, without physicality, your skills and tactical play can't take you far. Me too, at a point in the game, I just wanted the ref to blow the final whistle and give the game to DRC. It was that bad. We need more robust players in our midfield and attack who can put their whole body into the game, especially when it gets tough. Just see that kongfu kick that DRC player used to score the goal that was cancelled. Another ref would have just allowed that. Na gbe body things for this Africa o! all those gentle men play no dey work most times