₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
Uzoho is our number 1 keeper... After reading recent statements by Rohr, I think he has made up his mind on Uzoho..

“I don’t think goalkeeping is the weak link in my team,”

“After we lost Carl Ikeme to sickness, we had what seemed like a goalkeeping crisis but Ikechukwu Ezenwa did well in the qualifiers but we kept looking for options.

“Francis Uzoho came as an option because to go to the World cup, you require two good goalkeepers and I must say he has done well in the three games he has played for the Super Eagles that I won’t be afraid to start him in our opening game against Croatia at the World Cup in Russia.

“Francis is good and tall, and he is ready to learn. He did well in the friendly games against Argentina and Poland with two clean sheets and conceded two goals against Serbia in his third game in which I experimented with some players and tactics.

“I don’t believe he will get stage fright playing against the likes of Messi and other big names in Russia, because after playing against the likes of Lewandowski of Poland, Aguero and Di Maria of Argentina, I am optimistic that he would rise to the occasion in Russia.”

Oh come on! Uzoho didn't keep a clean sheet against Poland. We know Michael Oliver got the decision wrong when the ball crossed the line due to Uzoho's poor handling. Ditto, Serbia scored a legit goal that VAR will easily overturn such decisions at the world cup. Uzoho conceded 4 goals in 3 games if we want to be brutally honest.
Let nobody be deceived. We can't leave the truth and buy the lie.

Kog45:
Ayo Ogunlana played for old Ranchers bees of Kaduna coached by Argentine named Dominiques and later moved to Leventus United.

He was member of Afcon 1990 team in Algeria.He was well known for his free kicks and arguably the best in Nigeria football history.

CC:Icon4s,goldfish80,enomakos

I remember Ayo Ogunlana back at Ranchers Bee. They really had a very mobile team with lots of energy in the middle of the park. Very typical of teams from the Sahel region.

Although when it comes to freekicks I will give it to the chairman himself, CCC. Who can forget those thunderous ballistic missiles that flew off his boot and straight into the top corner. I honestly feel Nigeria have yet to find a like for like replacement for Christian Chukwu. He was the Nigerian version of Franz Beckanbuer. In myopinion, he came too early for his time.

edi287:
Allegri is definitely what Arsenal needs at the moment. He's someone who plays to his players strengths and gets the best out of them. He's also very flexible tactically. Makes superb subs as well.
Best manager for Iwobi? Tuchel no doubt. Great with young players and is similar to Pep in regards to positional play, etc. He's going to PSG sha so it's out of consideration.
Arteta will be good as well for Iwobi as they'll be a bit of familiarity. He's also likely to be more patient with him(Tuchel too and maybe Rodgers)
Rodgers is good with young players but sometimes he over experiments. He'd probably try Iwobi as a wing back, CM, 10, etc. I don't want him even though I feel he's a bit underrated as a coach.
Vieira would be a terrible choice for Arsenal. I watch NYCFC and I honestly don't understand what he's done to be considered as a replacement for Wenger.
In summary - all the names you mentioned will be good for him but some will just not be as patient as the other or as good a man manager like Wenger. I don't how Iwobi will react to "tough love" so yeah.
He has the ability to play under any of these guys but he'll need to do much much better than he has this season.

I have noticed a particular trend with managers over the year and to that extent I do understand why Viera is getting a look in.

Over the years, records have shown that visionaries often define an era when it comes to management. Starting with Wenger himself, when he was plucked from Japan, he arrived and shaked-up the English game with his fresh ideas on diets, attacking philosophy and modeling the Arsenal brand as a community club.
Those early days proved to be his most successful years as he got demystified and utterly left behind by younger visionaries whose management and ideas usurped his.

Jose Mourinho was at his best when he was fresh blood on the scene. Diego Simeone had a huge amount of success at the start of his tenure. Zinedine Zidane was a king when he started out. Even Luis Enrique when he took over the football at Barcelona. Same could be said about Conte (see how his fresh ideas on 3 man backline walked the Premiership) and of course Pep Guardiola.
Bayern Munich are unto something similar with the appointment of the Croat Niko Kovac (there goes my theory)

Spoting the next best thing (visionary as I call them) could be the way to go for a club like Arsenal. This could come in the shape of Viera who is a club legend, a winner and ultimately there's something about a guy who has developed and learnt his craft off the limelight. As risky as it seems, he could prove to be a master stroke, the next visionary. His friend at Madrid is ripping it up. Ultimately, his American story is not so different from Wenger's at Nagoya Grampus.

Someone like Arteta might be a smart move. He’s affable, speaks 5 languages, has played in 4 different leagues and he’s a thinker.A lot of top managers came out of La Masia, touching Cruyff and Bobby Robson along the way.If you want to take the game by storm, you have to bring something new to the table people haven’t seen before. Signing Arteta makes sense if he has something new to bring to the game.

Guys like Marcelino, the Valencia manager is a little bit special. Although he's off the main stream, but he is really good. A little bit too underrated for my liking. Hasselhutl at Rb Leipzig could be another next great thing in modern football.

Hopefully, the Arsenal suits hires the right man who can move the club forward. There fans have been great over the years. They deserve to be happy.

komekn:
Early odds are for Brendan Rogers.

I have been on arsenal.com and I can't seem to find an application form anywhere.

Massive respect to Wenger for making the right decision.

tbaba1234:
Kelechi is dribbling players today, looking the number 10 role.. Mehn, i want to see this Kelechi at the WC... He is looking class

That is because he is playing in his most natural position. Hopefully, this becomes permanent.

hardeycute:
Do you know about how others are train on how to disrespect their fellow human beings?

Can the dead relative(s) be of a stupid character?and abusing the dead or not is highly inconsequential.

This will have nothing to do with him.You are the only certified person to go abusive?

I feel bad for missing the countenance. After realising that everything on this page doesn't not reflect in the reality of the Nigerian Football and the fanatism here is highly illogical, then I stopped observing


Kudos to the ever biased fellows on this board and not forgetting the CORRUPTIBLE mods.

The bolded got me in stitches , indeed this thread can be yellow at times. I agree to that extent.

tbaba1234:
Yobo was very good but he only became that defensive master around 2003/2004, when he marked out Mboma in the 2004 nations cup. That is 23/24 years. He started out as a Rb and DM for the super eagles.

With 2 more years of experience, Awaziem could possibly be at that level for Nigeria too.

Awaziem plays on the right side of Nantes defence. A pseudo right back if I can call it. Yobo stood out as a polished right back until he made the seamless transition to a full time CB. He was Nigeria's best player the 2002 nations cup in Mali/ world cup as far as I'm concerned. Kanu and Okocha didn't come to the party.

Yobo defined an era. Can we say the same of Awaziem? The answer is obvious

forgiveness:
Peter Olayinka with an assist today. This is his 14th assists so far and he has scored 8 goals. Please, remember that he's currently playing on the wing.

If na Samuel Kalu assist, T, C, J etc go don annouce am and we call this thread Super Eagles thread.

I said it earlier in the season and I will still repeat it. Peter Olayinka is the best Nigerian player in Belgium. He's a proper player, the total package. An all round round attacking weapon. He's better than a lot of the pretenders in the current Super Eagles team.

komekn:
I am not relying on wiki.

Yobo started as a midfielder at standard Liege, then had a torrid time at Tenerife, then back to Standard Liege as a midfielder ( versatile) but certainly not exclusively as a DM. Things changed he went to Marseille were he played as RW.

Gets into the SE and claims the RB slot, goes to the World cup and he was one of the few highlights of our entire tournament.

Everton came in for him a played a handful of games as RB and Moyes moved him straight into CB, at this stage he was winning MOTM awards. And the rest as they say is History after chopping low tax money in Fenerbache.

I never knew people could forget so easily how good Yobo was in his early days with the Super Eagles. His emergence made us forget Taribo. Awaziem will do well to have the type of career Yobo enjoyed for both club and country.
The jury is still out.

ChrisKels:
That doesn't make him over rated. Where were those guys at the club level when they were his age?

Give him time because Ekong was even worse when he first came to the SE. You can say the boy would do better with time(in the future), not that he is over rated.

Come on. Yobo was doing well in Belgium before earning a move to Everton where he replaced a club legend. Heading to the 2002 world cup, he was our go to man with an ageing Taribo just getting by. Omeruo on his part was on loan to Ado Den hag from Chelsea, where he was the standout right back in his time at Hague. We know how well he played for the national team during this period.

My point is that Awaziem have yet to show he is as good as his fans claim.

ChrisKels:
Some people say my boy is overhyped but I just Lol and scroll down because I know their heroes(Yobo, Ekong, Balogun etc) weren't half as good when they were his age


Nigeria
Porto Frustrates Efforts By Ranieri To Sign Chidozie Awaziem Permanently For Nantes


Chidozie Awaziem is set for a return to Portuguese side FC Porto in the summer after the conclusion of his loan deal at French Ligue 1 side Nantes at the end of the season, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Nantes are eager to sign the 20 year old on a permanent deal in the summer after his impressive display so far for coach Claudio Ranieri men, and his performance made them approach Porto for a permanent deal in the summer but a deal is far from conclusion.

Porto are insisting on his buy out clause of 20 million euros. A sum agreed on his deal when he signed fresh terms for a five year deal three years ago following his breakthrough at the club 18 months after his move from Geelec Academy in Nigeria.

” It’s still the same as before concerning Awaziem. Porto are demanding the full release clause contained in his contract before his move to Nantes can be made permanent. The price is on a high side for the Ligue 1 side , so he will return to Porto at the end of the season “, Awaziem ‘s Nigerian intermediary Babawo Mohammed told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Emphasis is on performance. So far, he hasn't shown enough to prove his doubters wrong, at least in the Super Eagles. Yobo and even Omeruo were pretty much established defense generals in the national team at the same age as Awaziem.

tbaba1234:
I still support Uzoho but i think it is too early for him. In one or two years, he'd be ready.

Enyeama has always been my first choice and i have always been open to an invitation for Aiyenugba.

I watched Aiyenugba this weekend, I think he can help the current situation.

Pardon me, I'm just surprised it took you this long to realize Uzoho isn't ready. Hopefully this epiphany hits the technical crew before it's too late.

Some of us have canvassed for Aiyenugba's call since last year. That's the reason I welcomed a new member to the team Aiyenugba.

tbaba1234:
We should recall Aiyenugba or Enyeama for the WC. None of the other keepers are ready.

Your unequivocal support for Uzoho have waned? How times fly.. Welcome to the dark side... lol

tbaba1234:
Just watched Obinna Nwobodo's highlights, he still played on the left contrary to reports that he played behind the striker. He scored a beautiful individual goal and looked dangerous on the left.

His goal comes at about 1:45 min on the video..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtQKsljcIus

Lovely goal by Obinja. I liked the way he skinned that defender, leaving him flat on his buttocks.
#Talent

safarigirl:
his problem is that you were yapping about a game you did not watch as if you dey stadium when they played it. His problem is that you are still being cocky about your error, even after being corrected

And for the umpteenth time, he had TWO assists in that game. Call it whatever you want

Making innuendo about being a hater is what you call correction? I don't need your vile corrections or whatever you call it.
Where did you see me yapping about the Southampton game as if I was there?
Please choose your words carefully. Be guided

Joebie:
I understood you very well from the start.. Like I asked you earlier, by you saying just one assist as regards their Southampton game, how does that sound?
I never implied you gave him a 4/10 for his Southampton performance.

Now I see the problem. I should have said he made a "golden" assist. If golden isn't good enough, just suggest the appropriate word I should use. I will modify the post accordingly.

Joebie:
your words speaks for you. you said "just one assist". How could you even comment on something you did not watch? And you didn't have to watch the game to know he made much impact in it. At least we have google.. There are still ratings on Iwobi's Southampton performance online as well. So where did you get that information that it was just one assist? What would I gain for throwing you under the bus? I clearly highlighted were you erred. So accept it, or just forget it.

You and who is arguing about the number of assists he made against Southampton?
Where did you see me analyze or rate his game against Southampton?

Tbaba said he played well against Southampton and it was on this thread someone posted he got an assist as the game was being played. I basically referenced Ramsey's case who scored twice and was still slated by a sect. I don't know you're all over me with innuendos and hate suggestive tag.
It's not like I rated him 4/10 in the Southampton game which I didn't even watch.
Please excuse me.

Joebie:
I don't think I've called anyone a hater on this thread.. but when you make comments like those that's the tag you would automatically get. Your assumption is that Arsenal fans were indifferent about his performance -- not mine. What I know for sure is that YOU are/were indifferent about his Southampton performance.

It will shock you to know that I didn't watch Arsenal play against Southampton. Saying I'm indifferent about his performance in the game I didn't watch is absolute nonsense. If I had as much as seen the highlights, I could have figured out that he was involved in 2 goals.
My comment was generally about his season not about Southampton. Anyone with clean mind could have seen through my message.
Your intent to throw me under the bus says alot.

Joebie:
When dem call you hater now you go complain. How could you be so blind to say the bolded? how could turn your head the other way to his all-round impact in that Southampton game? It wasn't just one assist. TWO assists, and he played a big part in the first goal as well. immportant contributions and a brilliant effort which was unfortunately saved -- it was far from a miss against Southampton. At least say it as it is.. Iwobi has had bad games, but give him credit when he performs.

You've always wanted to tag me a hater. If you haven't, you would have noticed the intent in my post was to highlight that if someone who scored 2 goals could be criticized, another guy who made assist(s) won't be spared if the fans are indifferent about his performance.
So go on, call me a hater and get it over with. I don't care.

tbaba1234:
All the years of frustration is taken out on players...It is no wonder why players want to leave. Even after Iwobi's brilliant display against Southampton, i still saw plenty of abuse. The environment is toxic at the club.

You're complaining about Iwobi after the Southampton game which he just assisted one goal. I can show you unsavory comments made towards Ramsey after he scored a brace against CSKA. There is a serious hate campaign against Ramsey because of his over ambitious style of play. A sect in their fan base want him out of the club, they believe the likes of Ramsey and and Wilshere have held back the club since their emergence.
I don't care about these players, I only care about Iwobi and we must be honest enough to say it as it is. Alex Iwobi haven't improved. If I'm to rate his season, I wouldn't give him more than 4/10.

edi287:
Arsenal fans are harsh on players that isn't Jack Wilshere. Ozil only started getting a pass as Alexis Sanchez left.
Hector Bellerin and Xhaka have had it worse than Iwobi imo. Xhaka has also shut his comment section off a couple of times.

They dont even want Jack Wilshere at the club. They are saying Arsenal play better without him like in the CSKA game where Arsenal started scoring immediately he left the pitch.
I laugh when people say Iwobi is being singled out, obviously they lack information. The Nigerian's case is just that he have have refused to improve. A paltry 2 goals in 33 games for an attacking player says it all.

komekn:
Watched the game highlights, INCREDIBLE.

Did not know how young the Liepzig team is and for a German team they have a lot of African origin players with blistering pace.

They are building for the future one to watch out for.

Leipzig is a good team. Have been hugely impressed by them and their manager Hasenhutl who I think is primed to take a big job like Bayern, Dortmund or even Arsenal big in the nearest future.

edi287:
Yep Kovacic is a major baller. I've been harping on about Croatia midfield for a while now. Kovacic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Rog, Perisic, Pjaca, etc. We need to be on our A game.
Shows you just how good Madrid's midfield is that a player of his caliber is on the bench.

He needs to play in a team who will build their midfield around him. Teams like Chelsea, Man city, Arsenal and even Man utd should be banging the door for him if they knew what they were doing.
I know Madrid wouldn't be crazy enough to sell to Barcelona, but he is exactly the type of midfielder the Catalans need. He can do beautiful things with Coutinho going forward.
He's my favorite midfielder in the world now.

edi287:
Better than any midfielder in the epl top 6

KOvacic is another impressive player I have seen this season. I was in awe when I saw him play against Paris. Honestly, I have never taken notice of him till that day. The guy is absolute mustard.
He can easily develop into the best midfielder of his generation. According to opta stats, he's the best dribbler in Europe this season. The world cup will be interesting, thats for sure.

They are really bashing Iwobi. But honestly, the boy is not helping himself.

tbaba1234:
That is possibly one factor but that is not all... If the NPFL players were showing top quality, clubs would not mind recruiting staff to scout in Nigeria.
.
If they can buy top talent for cheap and sell at a higher rate, it only helps their bottom line

The truth is that several Nigerian players go abroad with top resumes from the Nigerian league but end up bang average or worse. There are several examples of this

There are are also those who have left the Nigerian scene and became world beaters. Kanu, Okocha, Finidi, Yekini to name a few.

The truth is that for NPFL clubs to get the attention of the world, the national team must do well in major international competitions. The exploits of the famous 1994 and 1996 teams put local based players on the spotlight.

Should this Gernot Rohr team get to the finals of the world cup (hypothetically speakingod course). We will witness a boom in the local football industry. This is a fact

tbaba1234:
Academy players on trial, very normal... When a top striker in a league is on trial, it means there is little trust in that league.

THe Nigerian league is barely on tv. Knowing that it takes over 30 games to scout a player.
see:Thomas Thomas vermalean's example.

"It's a good thing," Van Persie said. "There's nothing wrong with the qualities of Vermaelen. He can play as a left-back or a central defender and we need this type of player. The guys that we now have on those positions are already somewhat older.
"He doesn't do such a thing out of the blue. He needs to see a player 30 to 40 times before a decision is made."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/5493348/Arsenals-Robin-van-Persie-praises-Thomas-Vermaelen-interest.html

It makes makes perfect sense to request an audition to have a first hand feel of what a player is all about,expect on very rare cases (most times if a high profile agent is involved) a player could be signed straight from a less visible league without trial. Can Okputu boast of over 30 scouting tapes?
It is a matter of visibility in my opinion.

Chrismario:
Our league is more of English northern national league or German Regiollina to them.

In all truthfulness I don't blame them(oyibo people) because many of them(our so called stars) has flopped abroad. Like tbaba said, scoring goals in NPFL is nothing extraordinary.

Fun Fact:
At beginning of every season, a striker, skipper or penalty taker of all the 20 teams will be expecting at least 19 future clear goal scoring chances that will result from penalty of 19 home matches

Our league may not be the best but this comment is exaggerated because it took more than 20 years for someone to break Isaya Jatu's record of 17 goals in the league. And currently, Mfom Udoh is the league's all time top scorer with just 23 goals

tbaba1234:
Same thing with Stephen Odey, when he went on trial to a club in Denmark... Direct transfers are rare..

This is not unusual. Ibrahimovic was once upon a time invited for trials at Arsenal.
Every player must have at a period in their careers invited for trial irrespective of how talented they are presumed to be.
Even the so called academy players audition before being signed.

tbaba1234:
Perhaps, if it came from a more reliable source. But given the history of ANS fabricating stories, i'd take it with a healthy dose of salt.

In the fullness of time, we shall see.

komekn:
Anybody who has done business and more so governance business in Nigeria will not dismiss these allegations.

Has anybody bothered to wonder why Rohr has survived a decade in African football. He understands the way things are done here.

I haven't forgotten Glen Huddle disclosures on the NFF. A leopard never changes its spots and more so a hungry and glutinous one.

Only a JJC in Nigeria will dismiss these allegations off the hand. Recall how Emeka Ezeala and Berti Vogts ran things back in 08.
Hopefully, we get to know the real truth behind all the allegations but I wouldn't be surprised if the allegations were true because almost every expatriate coach in Africa get involved in one way or the other with human trafficking player agency.