₦airaland Forum

Mickael2:
My idea of a false 9 is a striker who drops deep, collects the ball and makes something happen with it. Now dropping deep means you will get crowded out, can you trust any of our present players to beat their man in a tight space?? Neither Iheanacho nor Musa can do that, Iwobi can but does he have the other attributes of a false 9?? I dont think so.

If however there is another style of false 9 then I am willing to learn.

All 3 of Iwobi, Iheanacho and Musa can function as false 9. I can now also add Onyekuru.

They can drop deep and beat their man in tight space. Besides, spaces are not tight all the time, forwards should not always aim at tight space they or other players can create the space for them to operate.

Mickael2:
If I remember correctly you are the advocate of 'manage what we have'. I believe you have at least rudimentary experience in coaching and I am sure you know that 99% of coaches have a standard formation which they always fall back on especially when the national team is involved. Moreover you do know that virtually no successful national team plays with a false 9? The training you have to undergo to field a false 9 is impossible to achieve in a short while,I remember when we tried it in our medical games and the movement of our 'false 9' confused even the CBs and we had 4 weeks to train with a proper coach and the dude was talented.

So first off, who is currently the striker who can precisely fit into a 4-2-3-1 which is virtually what we play nevermind the 4-3-3 you see? Don't say we can switch to a 3-5-2 because you know that is just a backup and the coach draws his list with preference to players that can execute that 4-2-3-1 formation, so please point out another player that can function there. Musa isn't exactly the type of player that can function maximally without the ball, you can see that most of his goals from 2014 are all as a result of playing the ball to his feet in space, do you have space as a single striker against 2 rough African CBs? Please do not even mention Iheanacho. Back in those days we had coaches who were actually tacticians, you can see Keshi switching tactics to play Ameobi as a CF today and then Martins next week, right now all we have is a German stiff-neck who arranges his team in the same 4-2-3-1 formation everyday then goes to sleep on the sideline, even if Rohr was appointed in the 2000s he still would have phased out Uche and other small out and out strikers then who could not play without the ball.

Then who exactly can operate as our false 9? Again don't mention Iheanacho it has already failed before, ok maybe Musa, but he is not creative enough for that role at all, who else? Even if we crack that part, a false 9 formation only works well with CFs disgusied as wingers, when Messi was playing as a false 9 he had Henry and Villa at the wings, original CFs, so which of our CFs now can play the the Villa/Henry role well? Will our false 9s be effective enough to create chances for the CFs? There is a reason why Chelsea's false 9 approach with Hazard as the false 9 and Willian(another conventional winger) as one of the supposed CFs who should benefit from the pockets of space left by the false 9. So saying get rid of Ighalo without a proper replacement is going to trigger a chain of events that currently we cannot afford. So until we get rid of that imposter parading as a coach and hire an actual tactician who can use our players well enough just get used to Ighalo or Ighalo type strikers

A good post and good questions.

Now see, If I want to play a lone striker, how would I continue to hope on an unproductive striker like Ighalo when I have an option of Simmy Nwankwo on the bench?

How many times do I want to play Ighalo to confirm that he is not prolific in front of goal? Throw in Simmy and let's see. After all this is Seychelles.

Now talking about the false 9. Not as if the team is completely alien to it. We played with it in some of the games leading to the WC and some WC games. And it proved to be our most attack threatening option.

Yes, Ahmed Musa may not function optimally as a CF but he has proven himself in the false 9 position.

Ighalo's positioning is terrible.
I understand if we say "yes he is bad but available options are few". Not that we should be defending him claiming he does hold up play. Ighalo's goals return is terrible. Ighalo does not pose any threat upftont. He does not test any goalkeeper.

ChrisKels:
U mean the UNL is a competitive league recognized by FIFA? does it mean that any dual citizen that gets capped during the course of this league, has been captied also? No more friendlies I Europe? Now that also blocks them from playing friendlies with other nations outside the UEFA then. I am not understanding oo

Firstly, there are 3 teams in a group. These groupings were done based on UEFA indices. In a group, only 2 teams can play at a time and so the 3rd team can play a friendly outside the UNL schedule.

The league also serves as qualifiers for the European championships. Meaning players that feature get full international debut.

Danycrusoe:
Sir actually that was a friendly indeed. most of the groups have 3 teams so since they v 2 match days per international break some of them could actually afford friendlies

OK. Russia, Sweden and Turkey are in same group.

Meaning the Russia Vs Czech game was an international friendly. Thanks for the correction.

But that doesn't take away the fact that Russia have continued to impress post WC.

cc: Slayerforever.

SlayerForever:
You have a point.

Not just a point.
That is the point. Hahaha

Earthquake1:
Samuel Kalu and Onyekuru has made me non-chalant about Ademola Lookman

He can switch to wherever he wants

Lookman is welcome. Let us finally convert Musa to a striker.

ChrisKels:
I must say vicMoses left at the right time


British-born Everton youngster Lookman dumps England to commit to Super Eagles of Nigeria

pulse.ng

Sep 10, 2018 1:00 PM

Lookman was born in England to Nigerian parents and is currently eligible to play for Nigeria.


British-born Everton youngsterAdemola Lookman has made the decision to dump England and commit his international allegiance to theSuper Eagles of Nigeria.

Lookman was born in England to Nigerian parents and is currently eligible to play for Nigeria.

The Everton forward has represented England in the youth levels and scored three goals to help them win the FIFA U20 World Cup title in 2017.


Ademola Lookman has represented England at the youth levels and won the 2017 U20 World Cup  (AFP/Getty Images)

According to a source close to Lookman, the 20-year-old is set to announce his decision to switch his allegiance to Nigeria.

This is after he turned down the opportunity to switch his allegiance to Nigeria after a meeting with the Amaju Pinnick who is the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) earlier in 2018.

Although it not known what changed his stance, Pulse Sports source revealed the 20-year-old has made up his mind to play for Nigeria.

“An announcement will be made soon, I’m close to his management and they have confirmed that he has made the decision,” thePulse Sports source said.

Lookman started his career at Charltonbefore the big move to Everton in 2017. He spent the second half of the 2017/2018 season at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.


Ademola Lookman spent the second part of 2017/2-18 season in German with RB Leipzig  (Static Independent)

Armed with pace, dribbling abilities and a good use of both feet, Lookman usually plays as a wide man from both the right and left wing and can also play centrally.

He made five appearances for the England U19s, i5 for the U20s and seven for the U21.

The NFF in recent years have intensified their effort to convince players of Nigerian descent born abroad to commit their international future to the Super Eagles.


Lookman is following the likes of Alex Iwobi switched their allegiance to Nigeria after playing at the youth levels for England.

Players like Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi and Bryan Idowu have been some of the success stories while Chelsea strikerTammy Abraham rejected the chance to represent Nigeria to play for England after meeting with Pinnick.

Better for him.

Let the process of nationality switch begin immediately.

SlayerForever:
That is actually a friendly,Sir.

It is no friendly.

It is a New Competition called the UEFA Nations league. No more meaningless friendlies for the Europeans. Every game counts in that competition. It will be used for FIFA rankings and more importantly as qualifiers for Euro2020.

darkelf:
Haha bro, I beg to differ.

Even Musa that isn't playing a top striker position has scored 3 goals in his last three games for the eagles.

See me o. What is the essence of having a striker that cannot score goals?

3 competitive goals out of which 2 are from penalty spot. And some see nothing wrong in this?

In all my years of followership of the national team we have never had it this bad in the striking position. Thank God for players like Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses who are not even natural strikers.

Even Iheanacho too has been disappointing.

I don't even want to go way back as the 80s and 90s. Let me mention a generation that almost everyone here can identify with: in the 2000s there was a time we had strikers like: Yakubu, Martins, Ike Uche, Osaze, Utaka, and Nsofor all in one squad. We were so rich in that department that we played Utaka, Nsofor and Osaze mostly from the Wings while Yakubu, Martins and Uche justle for the CF position.

Emmanuel Emenike was our last striker. Since after he dipped in his own form we have never had a number 9 again. Keshi brought in Gbolahan Salami and Aaron Samuel, 2 power strikers but where those ones day today?

Oliseh brought in Ighalo and brought back Ideye. Na just hold up play them say dem just wan do. Dem no dey fit test keeper.

It is better we just be playing with false 9s until a natural number 9 emerges.

Humility017:
I tell you my brother.....
a striker close to retirement. ...
even yakubu and aghahowa in their playing days....were very much better.
I don't wanna waste time talk about a striker who I see play as a defender.

Ah! like a defender ke?

Russia been proving their WC performance was no fluke. Currently thrashing Czech republic in their second game of the UEFA Nations league 5-1.

BascoVanVeli:
I already know your opinion on Ighalo. Met him at the airport, preached to him but he had a bad game or tournament anyways. I can understand u not believing in him, that is totally ok but that is no excuse to bash him without just cause.

Wait! I have no just cause to CRITICISE Ighalo?

*In Chinwetalu Agu's voice*: "Opianto"!

BascoVanVeli:
In the context it wasn't meant to be offensive.That withstanding I am willing to give an apology if u felt offended because I wasn't even thinking in that direction.

Secondly, you don't follow every argument but u follow all my comments to know I am emotional?

Lastly, If u want him to get onside what are u asking?

Starting with your last comment, I was only criticising him for making an attempt to open up for Awaziem to give him that pass while he forgot to check the defense line and ran into offside position in the process. My point is even if he wanted the pass from Awaziem he should at least had stayed on side.

I never said I WANTED him to position himself for Awaziem to pass to him. He wanting Awaziem to pass to him is worse than the case of Iheanacho begging Musa to pass to him! That which I also criticised.

Then your second point, YES, I don't follow every argument. But I have discussed with u here for many years to know ur line of arguments. I have even given you a couple advice in time past.

On your first paragraph, that is why I mentioned that "you are not a Newbie here". I would have overlooked if that was coming from a non regular here. Yes, this is a faceless forum and so we don't know who is who. But we have learnt to show respect for each other. Though angers may occasionally flair but we have learnt to cope with each other.

andrew444:
Yeah he won the heart of the coach with that game

Not only the coach. The entire Nigerian football community.

He completely foiled the attack of the Argentines from that wing, he linked up play with the attack and then capped it up with a goal. All on his debut. That performance has kept him in the team. Even when he gave an average performance in subsequent games his performance from that first game still stands tall in our minds.

That is the power of "First Impression".

andrew444:
Idowu is as good as Marcelo

His best game still remains the Argentina friendly.

junnyjake:
And even the U-23 team, we saw how that worked out for Ekong.

With Salisu outta da way, I think Sia1 might be the one to take charge...

Kog45 mentioned something earlier on that the SE helped Ekong. His Olympic performance really boosted his career. Another player that the SE helped is Shehu Abdulahi.
It happens. There are certain players that their national team performance boost their career.

Some players will perform better in the national team than at their club. While some will be called "the new Ronaldo" or "new Messi" or "New Okocha" because of club performances but will fall short when national duty calls. Some of such players are Joel Obi and Mikel Agu.

On Siasia as a coach, well, if he is willing fine.But If he is not let's see what Finidi George can offer.

tbaba1234:
Akinjide Idowu (2013 under 17) joins FC Palanga in Lithuania

Lithuania. Hmm..OK o.

BascoVanVeli:
One thing I will never be is intimidated by a certain tide of opinions. You are simply playing on people's emotions, u know there is so much detest for Ighalo that u could say anything and people will go along with it just because they don't fancy him at the moment.

You agreed that nobody in their right mind would pass that ball but u wanted Ighalo to make himself available for the ball, doesn't that sound weird when you hear it out loud? If the ball had hit Ighalo it would have been a bad miss so offside still won't have come to anybody's mind. We are talking about a wide open net Sir.

Now u want to talk about how I comment here but I asked u when I insulted u? Where was I uncivil with my choice of words? Pick out those words and either I explain what I meant or apologize, simple. I am sure u were reading when I got attacked on here but u never made one comment and now u want to say I come off as emotional smh. This was the same emotional trick u pulled out of your hat when I told u I felt aggrieved by one of your comments. Well I will never apologize for believing in what I say but one thing I am not is disrespectful. I could care less if u were the President or a gate man I treat every man as I would want to be treated.

If I say u are telling lies u will say I am offending u but I am the same person who told u Bashir was poor in Enyimba's last game, are the Peoples' Elephant now out of the NPFL? I was the first person to let u guys know that Gabriel from the CHAN team was a poor finisher TheSuperNerd can attest to that one. If there is a cause I will always criticize but what u do is critic with not basis or facts. I remember when u said u had no hope in the CHAN team and followed to jump down my throat for defending them but come world cup time u started calling people names for not believing in the super eagles, mehn I just smiled I say this to say I already know your tricks. U can try to twist up facts for the gallery but I will never buy any of it.

On Ighalo, I wasn't playing on anybody's emotions. If for one thing, I think I was the first person here to point out that Ighalo has nothing to offer this team. I said so right from when he scored 12 goals in his first season at Watford in the EPL. I have never seen him and Brown Ideye as good strikers. And that has not changed.

maidaboi:
i was told 12 am

Na who and who go play that one?

BascoVanVeli:
One thing I will never be is intimidated by a certain tide of opinions. You are simply playing on people's emotions, u know there is so much detest for Ighalo that u could say anything and people will go along with it just because they don't fancy him at the moment.

You agreed that nobody in their right mind would pass that ball but u wanted Ighalo to make himself available for the ball, doesn't that sound weird when you hear it out loud? If the ball had hit Ighalo it would have been a bad miss so offside still won't have come to anybody's mind. We are talking about a wide open net Sir.

Now u want to talk about how I comment here but I asked u when I insulted u? Where was I uncivil with my choice of words? Pick out those words and either I explain what I meant or apologize, simple. I am sure u were reading when I got attacked on here but u never made one comment and now u want to say I come off as emotional smh. This was the same emotional trick u pulled out of your hat when I told u I felt aggrieved by one of your comments. Well I will never apologize for believing in what I say but one thing I am not is disrespectful. I could care less if u were the President or a gate man I treat every man as I would want to be treated.

If I say u are telling lies u will say I am offending u but I am the same person who told u Bashir was poor in Enyimba's last game, are the Peoples' Elephant now out of the NPFL? I was the first person to let u guys know that Gabriel from the CHAN team was a poor finisher TheSuperNerd can attest to that one. If there is a cause I will always criticize but what u do is critic with not basis or facts. I remember when u said u had no hope in the CHAN team and followed to jump down my throat for defending them but come world cup time u started calling people names for not believing in the super eagles, mehn I just smiled I say this to say I already know your tricks. U can try to twist up facts for the gallery but I will never buy any of it.

Firstly, if you say a comment like "......you are being utterly ridiculous" is not offensive. Well then, no problem. Let me just take it as a comment u normally say to people.

Secondly, whether anyone insulted u or not. To be candid I cannot remember. In the last 48hrs so many people have made all sorts of comments here. When e be say all my life does not centre around this thread or nairaland how do u want me to remember what everyone has said to whoever. See, I don't even read every comment or follow all Arguments here.

Thirdly, please Quote me from where I mentioned that I WANTED Ighalo to have positioned himself for Awaziem to give him that pass.

BascoVanVeli:
This is why they say stop spreading fake news. Ighalo followed the ball for a put back but it fell to Awaziem. We saw Iheanacho asking for a pass against Iceland but this was totally different, he didn't even make a move, clearly indicating that he expected his man to bury it.


You also are not a newbie you know how I talk and I have never been disrespectful to you or anyone here for that matter. The fact is you are wrong. I have watched the match again with a clear mind and what you are saying did not happen.

Fake news? watch the replay of that Awaziem's goal. Yes, Ighalo started the move when the freekick was taken in anticipation of a rebound. But the rebound went in the direction of Awaziem. At that point, Ighalo was supposed to check his run to ensure he was not off-side but he still continued not withstanding. If that ball had come in contact with him on its way to the cross line into the net. It would have been ruled offside.

On how u comment here. The thing is sometimes u seem to attach too much emotions when u stand in defense of a player or a group of players. For instance no one must criticise any player from the NPFL . You just chose to defend the mediocrity of Ighalo for reasons best known to you. You may think you are not disrespecting any one but there are some levels of aggression in those comments. Some may over look but some others may not.

I know u very well, we have been on different sides of an argument more often than not. I can take whatever u throw at me but note that not every one can.

BascoVanVeli:
So Ighalo is the only striker that gets caught offside? If u play football you will know that ighalo's movement created the space for iheanacho to get that shot off. What about the picture perfect run he made when he hit the up right?

As for the second goal you are being utterly ridiculous. Why on earth would Awaziem ever pass that ball? I know you don't like Ighalo but it is just impossible to believe that a player would pass up an empty net. You even said Ighalo was frowning but there was not a single footage of that.

Oga, watch that highlight again, Ighalo was expecting a pass from Awaziem. And you are right, why on earth should Awaziem pass that ball? but Ighalo went to stand in an offside position expecting a pass when their was an open net.

About Ighalo frowning no highlight may have captured it because that part was cut off. Go watch the full game u will see his expression. But that is inconsequential. i just noticed and pointed it out.

On Ighalo being frequently caught offside his own are just unpardonable for a professional.

Finally, please, let us remain civil with our choice of words. You are not a Newbie here.

Ighalo's poor positional ability has been his greatest problem. Asides, two other occasions were he disrupted goal bound moves, due to being in offside positions, see how he put himself off-side when Iheanacho took that solo dribble but blasted wide. Also when that rebound came to Awaziem for him to score for the 2nd goal, Ighalo drifted into an offside position waiting for Awaziem to pass the ball to him. See short highlights:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2fWbRjfTzU

enomakos:
if he hads not been cap at youth level by Germany, aigbogun can give him a call up first

Elder, long time we've read something from u.
You made a valid point.

The Super Eagles should not be an all comers affair. Some of these young players should be sent to the U20 team and let's even see if they can offer better than what some of our home grown players can offer.

andrew444:
But during the 2014 World Cup Stephane mbia wore the number 17 jersey

Well maybe they may have reversed the decision. But all I know is Vivian Foe's number 17 was reserved.

Humility017:
only God will help that man...same way he aim for 4 points against Cameroon and we got just 4 points even when 6 points was possible.

well maybe you're right....he meant at least 4 points.

goodevening chief...how have you been and how is your family too?

Good thing just like against Cameroon we are playing them back to back. It means our qualification is right in our hands.

And good evening bro. The Eaglets and Super Eagles made sure I had a good weekend. Family is good too and yours?

Humility017:
I have always defended him here..

but with these one...It pissed me off.
why aim for the moon when you can get the sky...

the Arab guys are beatable home and away....
can't he inspire the boys for once and aim for something better.....
the south Africans we lost against....was partly reason because he screwed up....I expect mikel to be available in the next match...

we need a creative No 10 nancho for now can always play as a striker....his finishing and positioning are far much better than ighalo...

let iwobi play the 10 role and sometimes him and nancho can both swap roles depwnding on who is with the ball....

but the naughty coach will never learn.

Go back and read again.

He said.... "we need at least 4points" not that we are aiming at just 4points.

Kog45:
Humility baba remember we lost at home to South Africa.

All we need is 4 points and better to have it than missing out again.

Kai so you can go against Rohr.

Sorry wrong quote

.

AIG07:
I learnt that Liberia organized the friendly match in honor of George Weah #14 and they plan to retire his jersey number.

Got few quick questions:
1. Will FIFA allow the Liberia team to ommit a certain jersey number in a case where they qualify for a major football event like the world cup.
2. In relation to question 1 above will they increase their jersey number to 24 if granted the permission by FIFA.


This reminds me of Okwaraji's jersey number 6 that was said to be retired but was later seen worn by subsequent generations of players.

Cc:Icon4s, TheGoodJoe, Tbaba1234, Kog45, Forgiveness, Enomakos...

Cameroon retired Vivian Foe's number 17 jerseys till date. So Liberia have the right to reserve George Weah's number 14 Jersey.

tbaba1234:
Cote d'voire under 17 beat Burkina Faso 3:0..

Nigeria face Niger in the semis

That tells u that football is not 1+1 = 2.

EEGA:
They say Rohr is conservative, but seeing him start a new invitee(Kalu) ahead of Onyekuru makes me think otherwise.

Some wanted him to start all of Onyekuru, Kalu, Nwakili and Jamilu at the same time. And Rohr's failure to do this in their own mind "Rohr is too conservative".

Kog45:
Haba Chief we won away match 3 nil and we are still complaining about pitch even berating their performance.

Comoros held Cameroon though they have some players in French league but Comoros is still Comoros.

Chief wetin we want from these boys again. Oh guys want 10 nil abi.

Honestly we are too arrogant when it comes to football

Naso we rate this team before WC.

My major problem is Rohr.

Egbon, I am not among those berating the team for beating Seychelles by "only 3:0". I was only saying that the team could have played better on a better pitch.