₦airaland Forum

Icon79:
Don't mind them, folks are just looking for an escape goat.

Like they say, when you lost a match, the guy who didn't play in that game becomes the best player in the world. All of a sudden folks start mentioning names likes of Ighalo and Ideye as our saviors. C'mon! You guys can't be serious!

O pari

Of course, just like we made an escape goat out of a goalkeeper who conceeded 2 goals through no direct fault of his, but leave the striker who couldn't muster a shot on target. Nigerians can be very amusing.

komekn:
Now we have an experienced coach Disu with a degree of knowledge. Saying almost verbatim what quite a few informed and observant contributors have already said time and time again.

Unfortunately some sentimental miss informed comments have accused some of us as being unpatriotic and prejudiced against the Golden boy who can do no wrong KC.

Tunde Disu is another hater who aired his jaundiced opinion . You know the drill.

I reckon those making the defence that he wasn't given through balls, only watched the game highlights and not the match.
That is the only logical reason I can come up with.

I'm not saying Disu is a member of this thread oh, but some of his points in this interview is something some of us have been saying for awhile now. Rohr looks like a hardworking manager, the type that will follow print and electronic media reportage of his team.
In this regard we expect nessesary changes and adjustments when we face Cameroun.
.................................................................
Disu warns Rohr on tactics against Cameroon



Tunde Disu, former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Sunday warned Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr against wrong tactics against Cameroon in the Russia 2018 qualifiers on September 1.
Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the team’s tactical formation against South Africa in the AFCON qualifiers was wrong and should not be used again.
He said that the Eagles loss to Bafana Bafana in the AFCON qualifiers was due to wrong tactical formation, adding that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon would be more tactical.
“The formation used by Rohr during the AFCON qualifier against South Africa is wrong tactics. He cannot use a supporting striker as an arrow head when using 4-3-3.
“Rohr should know that Kelechi Iheanacho cannot spearhead attack, that is not his role and that is why he is roaming about during the match against South Africa without a shot at goal.
“I want them to sit down and analyse the match themselves, that system is faulty because most teams can now predict the formation. If we use that selection and tactics, we will be embarrassed.
“Rohr should align with the modern tactics of play rather than stick with the old play which will not benefit us. We are too predictable now.
Disu said that the players at the disposal of Rohr were good enough to accommodate another formation which was less probable to opposing teams.
“We cannot continue to use the 4-3-3 formation, it’s outdated and counterproductive. We should rather play 4-2-3-1 which is far better for the defenders.
“The players determine the system and not the system that determines the players. It is better to have two defensive midfielders in front of the defenders, maybe if there is an overlapping one.
“Playing 4-3-2-1 formation also means that we need intimidating strikers like the late Rashidi Yekini to torment the opposing teams. We have Gbolahan Salami before but I don’t know if he is not called.
“The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders while full-backs join him in attack. The striker could also be very fast.
“African soccer is more physical and there is need for us to have a strong striker in the manner of Salami that can torment the defence of our opponent,’’ he said.
Disu warned Rohr to be wary of Cameroon threat could pose to the Eagles’ qualification, adding that a loss to Indomitable Lions would close the qualification ticket.
“I want the coach to be careful with the Cameroonians so that they will not scuttle our chances; any defeat to them closes the qualification ticket.
“It does not matter where we are now because we won’t be begging Cameroon to lose any of their games after defeating us.
“The Indomitable Lions are in form now and they are using the modern formation. Rohr needs to change that formation or else we will be out of contention.
“To beat those indomitable Lions, a very good top 9 will be a good option and not necessarily to score goals but to torment the defence line and maybe to create chances for others,’’ he said
Disu said that other countries and clubs have been winning through the golden formation, noting that countries that had yet to play the style were lagging behind.
“I want to give the example between Spain national team and the Germans. The Germans are more tactical in their formation and are not playing false 9 like their Spanish counterparts.
“The golden formation continues to have the upper hands. In these cases, the opponent’s defense will be forced to fall back early, thereby leaving space for the offensive central midfielder.
“Rohr does not need to inject fresh blood into the team but play within what he has to achieve better results. We are blessed with players that can suit the golden formation.
“The coach should also have two options in which he can switch and Iheanacho should drop back for a strong striker for him to be effective,’’ he said.

https://m.guardian.ng/sport/disu-warns-rohr-on-tactics-against-cameroon/

BascoVanVeli:
NPFL's senior citizens (2)
Published on Thursday, 13 July 2017 07:23 Hits: 386

By Clement Nwankpa Jr

In this concluding part of the series on serving legends of the NPFL, Clement Nwamkpa continues his chronicle.

GAMBO MOHAMMED (KANO PILLARS)
Gambo is a typical one-club player. It is hard to imagine him outside Pillars. Even after featuring against the star-studded Spanish national team at 2013 Confederation Cup, many expected Gambo to finally take his stock abroad but he has found a home with the sai masu gida. At some point, he moved to Middle East but cut short that stint due to home sickness and returned to Pillars. And he has been a consistent goal scorer in the domestic scene over the years. His goals were vital as Pillars won the title on three consecutive occasions. It must however be noted that in recent years, his goal returns have dropped. In the current season, his playing time has been restricted. But one moment he buttressed the saying that 'an old woman is not too old to dance to a familiar tune' was against Enyimba in Kano when he came off the bench to grab a late winner for Pillars.

ADAMU MOHAMMED (KANO PILLARS)
This is the league's Mr.Impact. Whenever he comes off the bench, the Sani Abacha Stadium erupts into cheers because the fans believe something must happen. And he has had many of such cameo moments off the bench for Pillars. Against Katsina, he came off the bench to break the visitors' resistance just as he scored a brace to secure all three points after being introduced against Shooting Stars. Funny enough, whenever he starts, he rarely replicates those heroic moments. But his game now seems suited to coming from the bench to take advantage of tired legs on the pitch. He isn't getting younger. His best days are well behind him.

IKECHUKWU IBENEGBU (ENYIMBA)
One of the familiar pictures in the league for the past one decade is a certain lanky figure running things in the middle of the park. You could be deceived by this lad's skinny appearance but then he stings with his passes and long range canons hence he is nicknamed 'Mosquito'. A key member of that Heartland back-to-back Federation Cup winning squad, Ibenegbu had since moved on to Warri Wolves and Enyimba. And at a time when he could be regarded as one of the league's senior citizens, the Sand Eagle is still dominating midfield battles in the NPFL. He made his foray into the league in the colours of ElKanemi in 2006 and was a member of the 2016 CHAN Eagles.

IFEANYI ONUIGBO (FC IFEANYIUBAH)
Pam Pam is one of the most popular figures in the NPFL. You can't miss his dreadlocks and tough looks. And he is also feisty on and off the ball. For his increasing age, it is still interesting seeing him ruffle younger oppositions. You must be up to his all-action play. He doesn't score much but he keeps you engaged for his duration on the pitch. And given the presence of the likes of Godwin Obaje at FCIU, he doesn't get to play much these days. After over a decade in the league with stints abroad in between, may be time has come for Onuigbo, who is also involved with the Sand Eagles, to gradually wind down his career. But he could still be somehow motivated. Just last year, he played a starring role in Enyimba's Champions League campaign.

CLETUS ITODO (LOBI STARS)
At Lobi, younger players call Itodo 'senior man'. Why not? Not a few of them could have watched from the stands while this midfield anchor strutted his stuff back then. Those were days his name featured prominently in the home-based Eagles. In a team that has Tyavkase starting regularly, a coach wouldn't be comfortable having Itodo on at the same time. So Itodo does more from the bench for Lobi. But whenever he comes on, you see the glimpses of a consummate midfielder. Time hasn't eroded the quality. Incidentally, he is having his first stint with his hometown club, Lobi, a development he attributed to to his decision to stay away from home till much later in his career. He had featured for Enyimba, Sunshine, Dolphins, Pillars, Akwa and Shooting Stars.

THEOPHILUS AFELOKHAI (ENYIMBA)
After 10 years at Pillars, Afelokhai joined Enyimba last season. Before linking up with the People's Elephant, he was a key member of that famed Pillars squad that dominated the domestic scene. At Pillars, he was always the first name on the list, but when he opted to leave his comfort zone, he has been made to sweat more for his place at Enyimba. His cause has not been aided by the signing of Ghanaian international Fatau Dauda this season. With younger keepers like Emeka Nwabulu, Siraj Ayeleso and Olonruleke Ojo who seem to keep clean sheets for fun, goalkeeping standards have also been raised in the NPFL. But Afelokhai doesn't seem willing to take a back seat yet.

RABIU ALI (KANO PILLARS)
Rabiu Ali is at the bridge between the 'senior citizens' and the younger generation in the NPFL. He has been excelling at the highest level for a long time that many fail to reckon that he actually started out so early. One of those natural talents who blossom early with their hometown clubs. For about a decade, he has been a mainstay of Pillars midfield, a pivotal member of the Pillars golden era. Despite the fact that Pillars has been recruiting quality midfielders season after season, Ali has remained relevant. This term, he has not taken his feet off the pedal. He has been a member of the last two CHAN squads just as he was in the NPFL All Stars squad. As long as he keeps churning out top notch performances as he is doing this

season, it will be hard for national team selectors to ignore him. It will be hard to assemble an All Star NPFL squad for the past 10 years without having Ali in there as the midfield orchestrator.

EFOSA EGUAKUN (RIVERS UNITED)
After a long sojourn abroad that took him to Sudan, Algeria, Egypt and middle east, Eguakun recently enlisted in the colours of Rivers United. This isn't a bad idea. Nigerian players should learn to return home at the twilight of their careers. That's one sure way of giving back to the society. A member of the 2003 set of U20s, winger Eguakun was a nightmare for full backs in the domestic scene in the colours of Dolphins. He has found it hard breaking into United's starting 11 but he has acquainted himself well on the few occasions he has been given the opportunities.

AKPAN BASSEY (RANGERS)
Goalkeeper Bassey is the last of the 2001 crop of U17s that lost to France in the U17 World Cup final, still playing top flight football. Joseph Eyimofe has dropped to the lower rungs of the league this season. Drafted in as a stop-gap measure when Rangers had injury-induced goalkeeping crisis, Bassey had also had brief stints in South Africa and Vietnam. That kid of 2001 has blossomed into a veteran of sorts. In an NPFL career that has spanned through about 13 seasons, he has really been all the places and was once a regular national team invitee. He has donned the colours of Shooting, Bayelsa United, Sunshine, Kwara United, Heartland, Abia Warriors and Akwa.

I recall Efosa then at Insurance and later Dolphins. He's a highly skillful winger. One of those type of wing men who takes pleasure in embarrassing full backs.
He was part of the group of talents (Ndubuisi Eze, Edurance Idaho, Kelechi Osunwa and Steve Nworgu) who were poached away by Sudanese clubs.

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria League Expert Blast Salisu Yusuf 30 Man List For CHAN Qualifiers

https://i1.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_3213.jpg


An ardent follower of the Nigeria Professional Football League Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman has taken a swipe at coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Salisu Yusuf, who recently released a 30 man list for the 2018 Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Qualifiers tie against the winner of the clash between Togo and Benin Republic.

The tournament which is for players based in the domestic league is held every two years, and Nigeria have twice qualified for the Championship in 2014 and 2016 respectively, and will be hoping to be at the 2018 edition.

Former Kano Pillars manager Salisu Yusuf has been mandated by coach Gernot Rohr to handle the team, and the coach has taken the first step in that direction by calling up 30 players for a camping exercise in Kaduna later this month.

Mowiz as he is popularly called has watched all teams in the league this season at least twice, and aside been a journalist he is part of an extensive network of scouts monitoring players of the Nigeria Professional Football League.


Here is his take on the list.


Goalkeepers:

Theophilus Afelokhai has been in and out of the squad of Enyimba, while Okiemute Odah has hardly kept goal for Lobi Stars. I’m shocked at the none inclusion of Suraj Ayeleso who is by far the best goalkeeper in the league this season, as a matter of fact the Nasarawa United man has more clean sheets than any goalkeeper this season. His non inclusion is a crime against football, especially as the goalkeeper trainer of his team happens to be one of the assistants of Yusuf.




Defenders:

So many names need explanation like Kalu Orji who isn’t the same player he was two years ago, and how on earth is Osas Okoro listed as a defender. We all know him as a winger. What about Chima Akas who hardly plays at Enyimba? The young boy Udoh Ikouwem has taken his spot.

Jamiu Alimi hasn’t played up to ten games this season, on what grounds was he picked? . Where is Daniel Itodo of Plateau United ?, what is Nasiru Sani of Katsina United doing in the list?, heavy, slow and very poor defensively. This is sad.



Midfielders:

Douglas Achiv of Lobi Stars and Destiny Ashadi of Katsina United, and the MFM midfield dynamo Onuwa are the three players who have taken the league by storm as midfielders.

Samuel Mathias of El-Kanemi Warriors is the one player in that list who clearly earned his spot in the team, and of course Alhassan Ibrahim just has to be there, by far a contender for the player of the season.




Attackers:

If at all a player will be picked in the attack of Gombe United it should be Afolabi Abdulwaheed and not Austine Oladapo who plays as a midfielder. Abdullahi, Kingsley Eduwo isn’t the top scorer at Lobi Stars, Anthony Okpotu is, so how was he not selected?

Where are the exciting prospects we have in the league in attack?. Sunday Faleye of Shooting Stars, Richard Jonathan of Wikki Tourist, Sanni Abanni of Gombe United, Victor Mboama of Remo Stars?



Finally:

I will score Salisu Yusuf 4/10, this list like I said on twitter has proven true the fact that you can’t trust a local coach with the job of the senior national team of Nigeria.



**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/07/10/nigeria-league-expert-blast-salisu-yusuf-30-man-list-for-chan-qualifiers/

I think the national team coaches should be made to name their call up list in a press conference. Where journalists will have the benefit of asking for some explanations. But in the absence of that. I will take exception to some points raised by the "expert".

According to him, Afelokhai shouldn't be listed, but surprising enough, he has one of the better stats in the league. I can understand the reservations about the non calling up for the Nasarawa keeper but the truth is that goalkeepers shouldn't be rated by the number of clean sheets. Last season, the best keeper in the league Nana Bonsu was not the keeper with the most clean sheets but he was rated as the best keeper. In England Schmeichel had the most clean sheets in the run up to Leicester City winning the league, I'm sure it is very clear that if we are to rate the best keepers in England, Schmeichel may not get to the top 5.
Further more, Jordan Pickford conceeded tons of goal in the relegation run for Sunderland but he transfered to Everton for 30M. The real stats to judge goalkeepers are shots per save not necessarily clean sheets because the defensive set up of the team in question can help an average keeper rack up piles of clean sheets.

For the defenders, I don't know about Jamiu Alimi this season,but from what I witnessed over the past 3 seasons, he is one of the better defenders. Stephen Eze is a good option in defence. Tall, big and strong, he's been impressive.
Kalu Orji deserves his place in the mix. I don't know what the expert is talking about but Kalu orji, with Odita were the trojans in defence that helped Rangers to the title. He has been pretty solid this season. He's my favourite defender there.

Unfortunately the acclaimed expert haven't been following proceedings closely this season he sounds surprised Osas Okoro was listed as a defender. If he had been following the league this season, he will have known Osas Okoro was converted to a RWB this season where he has blossomed. Honestly, Osas Okoro should be staking a claim to the right back position for the super eagles. If what I saw of Shehu against SA is the benchmark for the Eagles Right back position, Osas should be banging on the doors of the main Super Eagles. He's been that good this season.


Coming to the midfield position, Chukwuka Onuwa of Mfm omission should be explained. Bright Silas, the Rangers Outside 7 have to be listed. He's been performing really well, top prospect.

I think the attack is the best we can assemble so far in the league. Mfom Udoh, Odeh, Ifeanyi George, Alhassan, etc have goals in them. In my opinion.

#istandwithikeme

TheSuperNerd:
OGENYI ONAZI QUITS TURKISH SIDE TRABZONSPOR
By Shina Oludare

https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/GOAL/6a/5/ogenyi-onazi-trabzonspor_ytf2yw2n91zdzt2s2ebh74q1.jpg


The Super Eagles player is no longer tied to the Black Sea Storm after walking away from the Medical Park Arena due to unpaid wages

Nigeria international Ogenyi Onazi has called time on his playing career with Turkish topflight side Trabzonspor owing to unpaid pays.

The 24-year-old who quit Lazio on similar ground dumped the Trabzon based team after playing the final two months of last term with receiving a dime.

According to player’s agent, Ayodele Makinwa, the Black Sea Storm have been notified of their decision.

"Now we are looking for a quick solution with regards his next destination," Makinwa told BBC Sport.

"We have an agreement with the club which strictly states that the player has a right to terminate his contract if the club failed to pay him for two months or more.

"We've taken a decision based on the violation of this agreement as Onazi is being owed for more than the stipulated period."

Onazi joins Algeria's Carl Medjani and Ghana’s Majeed Waris who recently quit the Turkish club following a row over unpaid wages.


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/4110/nigerians-abroad/2017/07/04/36834322/ogenyi-onazi-quits-turkish-side-trabzonspor

Posted already

Onazi have terminated his contract with Trabzonspur over unpaid wages. ©BBC

Icon4s:
Thomas Nkono Belonged more to the Rufai era and not the Okala era. Peter Rufai took over from Best Ogedengbe in 1983. The only period Okala really made the mark was from the 70s(mid) to 1981. He and one Rufus Ejele were the goalies we took to the 1978 AFCON in Ghana. By 1982 Best Ogedengbe had become the best. Peter Fregene was the back-up goalie. So I feel Emma Okala was the best goalie of the 70s and not the 80s.

Yakubu remains our best striker for his era.

Being an Afcon winner and multiple league and challenge cup winner for Rangers of that era should earn Okala in the league of the best of the era. In my opinion anyway.
Yakubu was a club man. Aghahowa was more reliable for the Super Eagles.

Icon4s:
Peter Rufai made more marks in the national team in the 80s even more than the 90s. His heroics in that era dwarfens that of Okala. Even in the 90s Rufai was still the best though Ike shoromun too was solid.

Aghahowa, though started as a winger at U20,all through his Super Eagles days played as a striker and was never played as a winger. Yakubu and Martins achieved more than him as a striker in that era. And based on statistical indices both for club and country Yakubu tops Martins.

Thomas Nkono with Emma Okala were the best African goalkeepers of that era.
Dont forget Emma Okala was the first gK to win an Afcon. You listed the other 2 but not him. Check am na

I maybe tempted to swap Yakubu with Aghahowa. It will be difficult to leave out Julius. He was the go to guy for the team for a good number of years. More reliable than anyone we had from 2000 till date. With him in the team you know there is hope irrespective of the opponent.

Icon4s:
Rufai IMO is Nigeria's second best. So no way I will place Emma Okala ahead of him.

Babangida and Aghahowa do not play the same position. Babangida remains our best winger after the exit of Finidi. Aghahowa should placed in the same comparison basket with Yakubu, Martins and Agali.

I stick to Yakubu because of his achievements but at national level and club. Emerging second highest goal scorer for the national team and 2nd highest Scoring African player in the History of EPL, just behind Didier Drogba.

I have already swapped Iheanacho with Ike Uche. And also agree about Obaobona replacing Balogun.

You listed Rufai twice that was why I replaced him with Emma Okala with the first team.

Aghawonder started his national team journey as a right winger. Knowing the fun memories he brought at the time, he was our go to guy for a good number of years. Couldn't just leave him out that's the reason I listed him. Tough choice.

Tough choice between Obafemi and Yakubu. Very tough choice.

TheGoodJoe:
That is like saying City should not play Aguero upfront because we need aerial dominance or Barcelona should not play Suarez upfront because we need aerial dominance.

The point has not changed. Aerial dominance was not the problem against South Africa. Service was the problem.

Man city actually won something when they had smallish strikers up front like Baloteli and Dzeko paired up with Aguero & the dwarf Yaya Toure behind them.

TheGoodJoe:
No one is scared of Kelechi playing as a second striker. I wonder where you got that from. Kelechi has played as a second striker for Rohr. So no one is scared. Our problem is that we do not have lethal forwards. Even the Etebo you are screaming for missed a golden opportunity to give us the lead when Iheanacho gave him a brilliant chance.

That is why Iheanacho leads the line because he is our most lethal striker now.

How come everyone gets this but you.

I agree he is the most lethal forward we have now but scoring is just one part of his game. Other aspects of his game which is vital to the formation the team plays is lacking.
That is the reason it makes sense playing him as a second striker and get someone to complement his obvious weakness which is ariel dominance and power play like we saw against Zambia when paired with Ideye.
You're just being deliberately myopic by tagging me a hater.

Icon4s:
4 Generations of the Green Eagles/Super Eagles from the 1980s to present.

This write up is aimed at selecting the best 11 from each of the generations of Eagles.

I have grouped the 4 generations into 4 different decades: 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s(present)

Taking our minds down Memory Lane a bit, some may have to cast our minds farther than others. But which ever generation you belong your team will be captured.

With the emergence of Enugu Rangers and IICC as formidable forces in the mid to late 70s both in Nigeria and Africa, Nigeria was able to produce a formidable team that finished 3rd at the 1978 AFCON and ended up with a crescendo by winning the 1980 AFCON (then called the African Cup of Unity). That was the birth of Nigeria's dominance of football in Africa.

From 1980 to 1989 this is my first 11:

Peter Rufai
Bright Omokaro
Christian Chukwu
Stephen Keshi
Yisa Shofoluwe
Muda Lawal
Henry Nwosu
Samuel Okwaraji
Segun Odegbami
Adokiye Amiesimaka
Rashidi Yekini

With the Green Eagles of Algiers 90 nations cup came a new era of Nigerian football. Some of the players in the team of the 80s had become the senior players of the team. This era saw us dominate football in Africa and at a time ranked 5th in the world, highest for any African team ever. Also winning the AFCON in 1994.

My first 11 from the 1990 to 1999:

Peter Rufai
Ben Iroha
Uche Okechukwu
Stephen Keshi
Augustine Eguavoen
Sunday Oliseh
Austin Okocha
Emmanuel Amuneke
Finidi George
Daniel Amokachi
Rashidi Yekini

With Nigeria producing so many quality youth players in the 1990s both at the U17 and U20. Including winning the Olympics in 1996 and a q/final showing in 2000. A new generation of Eagles emerged. Some others joined from the 2003 U17 and 2005 U20. Some of the players from the 90s had become senior players in the team.

My first 11 for 2000 to 2009:

Vincent Enyeama
Taye Taiwo
Joseph Yobo
Taribo West
Chidi Odiah
Garba Lawal
Austin Okocha
Osaze Odemwingie
Tijani Babangida
Nwankwo Kanu
Yakubu Ayegbeni

The 2010 WC saw the end of a good number of the players of the 2000s. Some retired even before then.
The super eagles would had to depend mostly on the players who featured at the 2003 U17, 2005 U20, 2007 U20, 2008 U23 and 2009 U17 to carry the team further. This culminated in the team wining the AFCON in 2013. Nigeria continued to turn out quality youth players from the 2011 U20, 2013 U20, 2013 U17, 2015 U20 and 2015 U17.

My first 11 from 2010 to date:

Vincent Enyeama
Elderson Echiejile
Kenneth Omeruo
Leon Balogun
Efe Ambrose
Ogenyi Onazi
John Obi Mikel
Victor Moses
Ahmed Musa
Kelechi Iheanacho
Emmanuel Emenike

These are strictly my opinion. You are free to criticize or agree on any generation. Who is on my side on this one?

cc: enomakos, Kog45, komekn, forgiveness, TheGoodjoe, Michael2, Goldfish80, tbaba1234, Joseph1013, petrobros, Bascovanveli, safarigirl, TheSuperNerd, Joebie, chrisoblog, loogan, do4luv14, icon79 etc.

(80/89)
I will replace Rufai with Emma Okala from the first team.

(90/99)
The second team basically selects itself. No addition really

(99/10)
I will replace Babangida with Aghahowa and Yakubu with Obafemi Martins (tough one)

(2011 to date)
I will swap Leon Balogun with Oboabona and Kelechi with Ikechukwu Uche.
*before they call me hater and plunge me into an unnecessary arguement. I don't think it will be right rating players with less than 10 caps and no tournament experience for the senior national team ahead of those with 40+ caps and tournament experience.

BascoVanVeli:
What does not qualifying for AFCON have to do with Nacho. We are talking about a nonexistent midfield that got ran over by a white boy from supersports united and u are here blaming your striker.

If u don't want to be truthful we can end this right now. This whole started with u saying u would rather have Etebo play SS instead of Iheanacho, so what's all this about u being ok with Nacho play SS in the next match?

I don't believe that our midfield was over ran. Before South Africa scored,they barely found a way out of their own half. Our midfield dominated so much that the commentators were happy that South Africa held us to a goalless draw at half time.
When the team went a goal down,they panicked and lost shape probably due to inexperience. Let's get our facts right.

Yes, I still maintain that Etebo could be deployed as a false 9. He started out at Warri wolves as a striker and last season in some Fierence games I followed he played as a striker in the later stages of the league.
What he lacks in height, he certainly packs in good measure with strenght and intensity which can take out the Camerounians. Why are you guys afraid of having Kelechi play as a second striker? Is there something I'm not getting?

BascoVanVeli:
If u are not taking his words as gospel why are u so quick to tell me I should forget everything I saw with my own eyes and focus on the fact that Rohr said Kelechi was poor? U don't even have any clear reasons why you feel the boy was poor just that he was substituted.

Rohr's belief that Kelechi had a poor game was evident with his early substitution .
Kelechi admitted he had a poor game
,
The South African coach Baxter said the Nigerian attack was blunt
,
Some Nigerian reporters questioned why Kelechi was left on the pitch, they believed he should have been subbed earlier,
With my very own eyes, I saw that Kelechi was very poor on the day.

You skipped all these points and went to town screaming I'm taking Rohr's word as gospel.

TheGoodJoe:
Once again German teams are adopting more modern possessive approach. You can not change it with story and you do not need to buy it. From their clubs to their academies. Guardiola used to hold sessions with Coaches teaching them his methods.

Yet you want Rohr to adopt long ball to tall attacker strategy.

How does bringing Mario Gomez back in any way equate to German teams adopting modern methods? Na wa for you.

No Point hypothesising. The clear fact here is that the morden Germany recalled Mario Gomez for their Euro 2016 campaign to play that target man role their 4-2-3-1 formation required.
Need I remind you that Rohr modelled the 4-2-3-1 formation he favours for the SE from his country's national team.

Which begs the question, if Germany recalled the big Mario Gomez for their European campaign to play same formation we are copying, what stops us from copying well?

TheGoodJoe:
Why will I not bring Favre you tried to exalt above Klopp but you are here ridiculing Rohr who did more with his Bordeaux team than Favre. It is just sentimental criticism. You want Rohr who is a German to change his philosophy to fit your long ball tall striker strategy forgetting that there is a revolution in Germany with more coaches adapting modern possessive methods.

I think you're quoting the wrong person. Komekn was the person who made the Favre and Klop comparison. I know I have mentioned Favre in the past but not on this particular line of discussion.

Your second point about Germany does not hold water because the same Germans brought back a semi retired Mario Gomez for their world cup campaign (he's big strong and all that you know) .
If Rohr was German enough, he will bring back the big guys.

TheGoodJoe:
Your Favre, what has he achieved since to you he La Ballon d'Or Coach.

Classic scatter gun approach by TheGoodJoe. We are talking about Rohr and you're bringing up Favre.

BascoVanVeli:
Advocating against Iheanacho is downright bad belle-ish, hw many goals does he have to score to earn some respect? I have no doubt he would have scored if let on because he is a difference maker, u don't take those types of players out unless injured. U said he was lost but who wouldn't be lost when every pass ends up no less than 5 ft away? The coach took an easy way out, the system failed not the striker.

The system failed because he didn't deploy the right personnel to fit into his system. One of which was Kelechi playing the lone striker role.

Will respect qualify us for the World Cup and Afcon? Its like most of you have forgotten so soon we haven't managed to qualify for 2 Afcons back to back. You need to have a reality check.
It's not like I am advocating for Kelechi to be dropped from the match day squad. I have clearly advocated that he should be tried as the second striker like he played against Zambia.
This cheap blackmails to have other forumites prejudiced against me as "Kelechi hater" won't stop me from blowing my whistle.

TheGoodJoe:
Who not go and apply for the job hence you know more than a man who coached Zidane, Dugarry and Lizarazu to a UEFA Cup Final.

You do not know different coaches have different strategies. You have not heard of coaching philosophy before.

That's all he achieved? Coaching Zidane and Dugary for a year is a trophy.

BascoVanVeli:
One minute u are dissing Rohr and the next u take his words as gospel, I just dey wash u.

You just want to be mischievous. How did I take his words as gospel? Point out where and when I quoted Rohr let alone having his words as gospel.

TheGoodJoe:
As I have said before, you are talking of us changing strategy. Playing a lone striker system does not mean the strikers play the same way. Messi played as a lone striker but the system requires the team work together. Rohr does not coach the Mourinho way. He will not keep his team compact at the back with a big man upfront.

His style is more modern and a player like Nacho works for him. You can not tell Guardiola to play Bony upfront. Guardiola will play Sterling and De Bruyne before Bony.

What has Gernot Rohr achieved in his career with the so called morden coaching methods? The man have been a journey man. Rather than discussing in platitudes and ideologies we should be looking at a more pragmatic approach.
Something workable that will see us beat the team in front of us. You can bookmark this, if that same attack I saw against SA, Corsica and even Togo file out against Cameroon, what we will witness will be worse than a horror movie.
We didn't win the last nations cup with little attackers who couldn't hold the ball up. Go watch the past 10 Afcon winners and point out the ones who won with a little lone forward.
This is Africa football. Dont forget.

Lazyerudite:
I feel we all watched the match and noticed that most passes were either overhit or undergo. No one is even focusing on our midfield which is very key if we want to win any match. The fact that people just expect a striker to do wonders without a good midfield is surprising to say the least. You can only score if you have the ball.

Since Mikel Obi is coming back for the game,what else do you want us to say about the midfield? Ditto Balogun and Ikeme. We are left with the front line. You get the picture?

BascoVanVeli:
Forget the coach tell us where and when he was poor. How can u say a coach was poor then defend just one of his decision? I guess to fit into ur bias.

Defend what decision? If it was a bad decision or not, the bottom line was that in the view of the technical bench, Kelechi was not doing well in the game. I have been saying from day 1,he was lost in the game.
The decision to pull him off could be open to interpretation but the underling fact there was that he had a bad game.

Since Victor Moses is unavailable for the game, advocating for Kelechi to start in the same position is like saying more of the same. If we don't try a different combination up front. We may not earn more than 1 point in both games against these people. God forbid.

Icon4s:
Same person advocating for a "big striker".

Etebo may not be big but he's stronger and more physically equipped to handle Cameroun in the absence of those big strikers you don't fancy.

BascoVanVeli:
Come on u are the same guy that has said even Pep makes some bad decisions, so why is it so hard understanding that Rohr screwed up? He got caught up in the moment and made a poor decision.

The decision to pull him out didn't just happen. There was a method to the madness.
The underling fact was that Kelechi was having a bad game hence they thought it wise to pull him off even when the team was a goal down with more than 30mins to play.
Substitutions don't just happen. Rohr must have gone over the decision 5 mins earlier with the bench before making up his mind.

Kelechi is one of his most trusted players. It couldn't have been an easy decision to make,if not that his performance was incredibly poor.

zicky:
So the Etebo you prefer over Iheanacho will he contest those high balls or hold the ball better than Iheanacho.

You're nitpicking. I mentioned Etebo as a last resort. He's stronger than Kelechi, he could match the Camerounians for power better than Kelechi who will be better of coming in the tip of the midfield.

BascoVanVeli:
I stand by wat I said after the match, Iheanacho was not poor his teammates and coaches were. If Nacho had ran off the field the real question would have been why take out a striker who has not even been given a chance by his teammates. He won his share of duels and even created the best chance we had.

If Kelechi was not poor and was playing to instructions. Why will Rohr sub him off when the team needed a goal badly? Its not as if Rohr have substituted him before in a game.

BascoVanVeli:
So the whole freakin team is what u felt I meant ehn not the starting line up like u were talking about with Nacho abi?

Good a thing you cleared it up then.

zicky:
Yea, we are both looking at the same picture but from different angles, iheanacho inability to hold up ball or get a shot at goal was because of the poor midfield, if you put another 9 there this same poor midfield will make this 9 look poor. I hope you grab

If we had a taller Striker who could battle and win ariel duels, perhaps one of those balls Kelechi didn't even bother to contest in the air will have been won by him which could have set up attacks quicker high up the pitch against a retreating bafana defence.

If we had a better person up to who could hold up play better than Kelechi, he may have set up Etebo or any on rushing midfielder or winger.

The only time Kelechi got his hold up game right, it nearly resulted in a goal.
If he had managed to do this 5 times, you can fill in the blanks...........

BascoVanVeli:
Are u joking? When did I say don't invite him? Abeg correct yourself.

BascoVanVeli:
Pls if anyone should be dropped it should be Etebo . He missed our best chances and offered zero creativity against SA. I can only agree to drop Nacho if the coach wants to punish him for the stunt he pulled.

Perhaps you should clear up what you meant by the bolded.