₦airaland Forum

12large1:
This last 2 games was the first time that I have watched him meticulously since the u17 cup and I have impressed. His short/long passes, intelligence, technique and most importantly set piece acumen is a joy to behold and frankly there’s no one similar to him on our team for now. If we can convince eze, ejaria or olise to switch Nationality, nwakali position will become replaceable

K. Nwakili has always been a technically gifted player. He was also the free kick specialist in that U17 team. Himself Osimhen and Chukwueze were the standout players of that tournament, and I am glad to see that Nwakili has joined the other two at the next level.
Our performances at U17 from 2013 to 2015 has started yielding fruits for the national team. The two sets alone produced:
Ndidi (2013)
Iheanacho (2013)
Uzoho (2013)
Awoniyi (2013)
Osimhen (2015)
Chukwueze (2015)
Nwakili (2015)
Good job from Manu Garba and Emma Amuneke. Imagine if this kind of production line continued with the 2017 and 2019 sets, the Super Eagles would have been better for it.
The Current NFF Leadership really needs to take Youths football more seriously. Under Pinnick, focus has been more on the Super Eagles. Our youth teams have not done well under him and that will mean that the future of the SE would be hinged on foreign Borns which is not good for local football development.

Ghana stopped doing well at Youths level ever since the MRI was introduced and that has started having it's ugly toll on their national team. I hope that will not be Nigeria's case in a couple of years to come when the current crop have started declining in form. We have so many aged players in that our defense (Awaziem being the youngest) and I think Qatar should be the last WC for a good number of them. We hope younger defenders would emerge soonest.

My own conclusion about this Nwakili case is that he has performed above expectations so far.

I had always known the boy had it in him but I kept wondering y his development had been slow. Appears he is not pushing himself well enough.

Well, this AFCON has really helped his career.i hope he can improve as the tournament continues.

safarigirl:
LOL.

He is a Nigerian photo journalist in Cameroon currently.

Dem say CAF, players and photo journalists have an agreement on how photos are to be handled in the competition, so, let me see if I can find something on that

OW I see.

safarigirl:
Anyway, Pooja has come to report Kelechi to us with his picture

I'm kind of in the middle on things here, but can I have some input from you guys?

Cc Mujtahida, Komekn, Kog45 and some other members of the thread

Nne abeg who be this Pooja? We don't know him here in Republic of Zamfara

iamdynamite:
that is not true, no one will do that, didnt we lose our last group game against madagascar at the 2019 edition?

And what followed that loss to Madagascar. I don't need to take you through the amount of back lash that team received.

Nigerians do not take any defeat likely, irrespective of the strength of the team we parade.

safarigirl:
Dem no dey rest most lethal forward. He has scored 5 of their 7 goals this tournament, and the idea is to seek total domination

You need to show your other competition that there is no chance for them, that you have no off days and you do not grant mercy. You need to instill fear in their minds before they even meet you.

That is one reason I need us to get all 9 points from our group. Make Cameroon no think say na only them come play ball for this tournament .

You get the point.

iamdynamite:
i want us to use the fringe players seriously, i just want to see what others have in stock

And when we lose that game, we all come here and insult Eguavoen and write off the entire team.

safarigirl:
Aboubakar with his fifth goal of the tournament

Na wa

Some analysts here would have adviced the coach to rest him so as to unearth another Gem

drDoom3:
Cameroon are playing nonsense today from what I've seen so far. The Tunisia I saw against Mauritania will comfortably dispatch this Cameroon side, let alone us.

Don't judge a team from its performance in the last group game if they have already secured qualification. That lesson we have learnt here over the years.

minfelix:
Why was Egypt was able to defy the weather and conquer Africa in 1998(Burkina Faso) 2008(Ghana) and Angola(2010)....bro north African team strength lies in Egypt, the other ones are jus ekuke trying to mingle with consistent African Heavy weight...it's not necessarily the weather

Nigeria also won AFCON in Tunisia in 1994 and Cameroon won AFCON in Morocco in 1988. So there would always be outliers in data analysis.
Most North African teams perform well when the AFCON is hosted in North Africa. It is not an absolute statement. They can still win it outside of their sub-region but they perform better when it is played in North Africa than anywhere else.

That is the point.

Danielnino00:
If you are looking for some unnecessary argument to engage in, I don't have time..
Don't pretend like you don't know how the award works... You have been part of the nomination committee before....

Simple.

Some comments are not Just worth the argument.

Mujtahida:
Aribo has a yellow card ooo

He can be rested based on that

drDoom3:
You can't play the same personnel every game. Which team that went far in any tournament you have watched used the same starting lineup from matchday 1 to finals? Your players will get fatigued, some will pick up muscle injuries. Remeber, games are 4 days apart and the matches only get tougher and more intense.

Go back and read my post again

chrisooblog:
7 games actually if you get all the way to the semis

True That

Mujtahida:
I doubt he can be said to be objective sef. one track minded persons are rarely objective. If a man is always seeing the dark side of things, he can't be said to be objective.

His moniker says it all

iamdynamite:
i feel we shouldn’t allow the starters get burnt out before the elimination stage, remember they most of them are coming from a tight busy schedule, especially the ones playing in the premiership.

I feel having secured top spot, we should allow other guys express themselves as well, who knows there might be a hidden gem somewhere who will likely give the starters a run for their money

I would rather put consideration on players who are already on yellow card so as not to receive another and get suspended for the second round game. But for being burnt out? Come on these are professionals bro. The AFCON is just a maximum of 6games.

Mujtahida:
I think thesupernerd is right. Elfy does it as a coping mechanism. It's just that he rubs it in our faces and kinda gloats when we experience a loss.

Someone that does not have the face to come and celebrate here when we win and only wait for us to lose so he can come here and say "I said it". Abeg that is a simple definition of lack of patriotism. I know some may argue he is being objective but he is always fond of looking only at our negatives, magnifying it and ignoring our positives.

I just hope we can win the AFCON so he can go on permanent exile or until the World Cup when he comes up again with his negative vibes.

GeneralDae:
Equatorial Guinea is a better team than Sierra leone, they also gave Ivory Coast more headache than Sierra leone. Sierra leone would find Equatorial Guinea a handful. Infact this was the real group of death all along.

I agree with you

iamdynamite:
The mild fielders i would love to see on wednesday.

Onyeka
Nwakali
Iwobi

These guys should get the job done against guinea bissau..

Attack should be henry on the right, ejuke on the left awoniyi leading the line…

My opinion about that Guinea-Bissau game is not to make too many changes to the starting lineup. It is very important that we maintain consistency and win that game against Guinea Bissau. We need to continue to build that momentum and maintain that winning spirit, also for more team cohesion.

I think Eguavoen should maintain that same backline and Ndidi- Aribo Midfield Combo. One of the starting wingers may start from the bench and We may give Sadiq a starting role for him to fully prove himself. For me, not more than 3 changes to the starting line up and it should be in the advanced positions.

Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia all have one thing in common.

They are all small nations and are in the AFCON to announce their names to the rest of the world. Underrate them and get purnished!

Stormtrooper11:
So weather is the reason why these North African countries play bad and poor in the World Cup too??

Weather is always one of the several factors why they dominate each time the AFCON is hosted in North Africa. You cannot rule that out. When a tournament is played elsewhere you see them struggling.

do4luv14:
. Correct, reason Algeria are going home early

They need a win against a wounded Ivorian team. I doubt Algeria can secure that win. That game go be like Final! na to grab my popcorn.

safarigirl:
Equatorial Guinea just stole the headlines from Sierra Leone yesterday

Because they beat a defending champion.

I still feel that 4:4 draw with Nigeria in Benin-City changed Sierra Leonean football. They suddenly started believing in themselves.

Imagine playing draws with Nigeria twice, drawing also with Algeria and CIV. They have played the strongest teams on the continent! So what else!?

But....I think Equatorial Guinea can beat them cos Sierra Leone will come all out to secure a win and not to play another draw and get exposed in the process.

do4luv14:
Guys, why is that Afcon Hosted by southern and western African is more entertaining than that, hosted by the north?

When it is hosted in North Africa, countries from that region dominate. Weather is always a factor. And when it is brought down to sub-saharan Africa it is thrown open. Those North African teams that usually look like Spain Start playing like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt again

jubilantagida:
If you listened, I read out the news about the award on my sports show.

Icon4s
Danielnino

Your name is written in Gold. Thanks man.

More Sierra Leonean jubilations.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TLiH7Fff0w


They are my second favorite country in this AFCON. Took me back to how we celebrated Nigerian football in the 80s and 90s

See wild jubilations in sierra Leone after yesterday's 2:2 draw with CIV



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

TheSuperNerd:
Algeria's Struggles: A Lesson

Before the tournament, we had to give Algeria their respect as Champions but I recall indeed agreeing that Algeria's fall is possible especially after they had been held by Burkina Faso in the Qualifiers last year.

Truth is, I just knew they won't be able to repeat their triumph in Cameroun like they pulled off back in 2019 because of certain factors.

They were one shock game away from falling but never did I think that it would be Equatorial Guinea that would pull it off.
Algeria did fight and had chances to score but you see, that bit of luck has eluded them so far.

The African Champions yet to score at the Afcon. How ironic. How strange yet not so surprising when you consider how they have struggled against some of Africa's mid-powers like Zimbabwe (2-2 in harare) and most especially the team that held them to a standstill TWICE. Home and away. Burkina Faso (2-2 away & 1-1 at home).


Algeria's fall came through because of one mentality which prevented them from making the needed tactical switches/changes that would have enabled them refresh and upgrade.

They stuck to a big majority of the team of won them the Afcon title in 2019 even when it was clear a few of them were not in form.

Djamel Belmadi is a fine coach but I guess even he fell for this and misapplied the "You don't change a winning team" mentality.

There are times to change or shake up a little what worked before in order to get results. I mean, it's been 2 yrs+. Even Spain changed/shook up a few things to its core and twitched tactics a little to win the WC 2 yrs later and the Euros four years later all after their Euros conquest in 2008.

Algeria has an Adem Zorgane coming into this tournament. An inform bonafide MF Playmaker adept at contributing strongly in defensive phases as well. Ramiz Zerrouki is another who could pair either of Bennacer or Zorgane.

I spoke about both players after the Ghana game where Algeria extended their unbeaten run to 34 Pre-Afcon, earlier this month. The effortless form both showed in that game vs Partey & Ghana made me envy the depth in Algeria's Midfield but so far, none of them has been used at this Afcon.

Imagine my surprise when I saw that. Well, not saying these 2 lads are the sole reason Algeria have struggled but the rigidity of Belmadi in sticking to the old guard is clearly affecting the team.

Belaili is another core member of the side. He has created the most chances at this Afcon so far but none have turned into a goal. Why haven't the coach seen the need to put a little trust in some fresh legs who could offer new dynamism? Lads like Said Benrahma.


Anyway, the point is simple. Keeping a winning side is good but beware of its limitations. If that winning side is not tactically flexible enough to keep pulling out those results then a little shakeup that will tactically/technically elevate things won't hurt.

Belmadi failed to spot the expiry date signs of his own team. A team he built. This is because he put too much trust. Wayyyy too much trust in his core even when the core was beginning to show signs of rust and wear.

Now it's true a couple of us saw their downfall coming from various degrees of observation angles. A few were strongly certain. Few were hinging on the possibility of a shock. Few more were cautious but didn't rule it out.

I personally was expecting their fall using terms like "it's very possible for them to be shocked going by some results in recent times for them" but I still gave them my respect as Champions.

But some expected Algeria to defend their title. Cameroun 2021 must be a wakeup call to these lots.

Algeria's struggles should not just be an opportunity to mock or laugh at how a Giant is fallen or how right we were at any level to see or predict their fall.

I say it is a lesson. A lesson that even we and our Darling Super Eagles must take to heart.

Yes, in some instances, you don't change a winning team. But sometimes, you do to shake things up and keep things fresher and ahead of the game.

With that said.... Bissau will be coming for blood. We must be ready. Eguavoen should make his selection based on who is mentally ready to keep our momentum going strong. And if the first XI can still do it. Then stick with them. But be mindful, be keenly observant to notice even the slightest drop in focus and form so that we don't spoil the good work we are doing at this Afcon.

Selah.

I had also warned about the fall of this Algerian team when majority were tagging them favorites.

If you have followed the AFCON well enough you will understand so many things about African football.
Like i have always mentioned, book favorite and pre-tournament form can hardly win you the AFCON. We only know the favorites after the tournament has kicked off.

BTW where is that darkelf guy? I hope with this additional AFCON experience in your bag, you have come to understand a little more about African football .
And what is even more worrisome is how you usually come here to predict all sorts of doom for Nigeria, when you think we are not in good form before any tournament but will as usual varnish when our team disappoints you. What pleasure do you derive in wishing your country fails?

Samueltemi337:
Malawi are playing against Senegal


Do you think they can get a draw?

Even if they lose to Senegal, the 3pts they have might just be enough.

safarigirl:
Please, people that were alive in this period, can you confirm?

Wrong. They crashed out of the group stage in 1992 and not 1994.

For Nigeria:
After winning in 1980, we crashed out at the group stage in 1982.
After winning in 1994 we didn't participate in 1996 due to diplomatic issues with South Africa.
After winning in 2013 we didn't qualify for 2015.

For Ghana:
After winning in 1982 they crashed out at the group stage in 1984.

For Egypt:
After winning in 1986, they crashed out at the group stage in 1988.

For Cameroon: after winning in 1988 they crashed out at the group stage in 1990

For Zambia: after winning in 2012, they crashed out at the group stage in 2013

For Ivory coast: after winning in 2015 they crashed out at group stage in 2017.

These are the ones I can point out from off my fingers with certainty.

Others like:
Tunisia after winning in 1978 didn't do well in 1980

Cameroon after winning in 1984 didn't do well in 1986.

So this has been a trend, probably complacency from the defending champions.

After all the talks about Algeria.

Danielnino00:
I'm sorry for not responding to your mention before.. I actually can't modify the post again..that's why...
Here's an edited version of the post.

Super eagles and SSC Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has won the fourth edition of the annual Nairaland Nigerian Football Fans Player of the year award for the second time in a row. The former Lille hitman beat fellow super eagles forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Emmanuel Dennis to win the award in a poll conducted by football fans on Nairaland. A committee made up of 5 members of the largest Nigeria football discussion thread on Africa's largest forum, Nairaland came up with the award categories and deliberated on the names to be considered in each category, and the final nomination list was released for voting by members of the forum.

In the female category, Asisat Oshoala beat off competition from Chiamka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade to emerge the woman player of the year, while former Enyimba forward, Anayo Iwuala won the NPFL player of the year award for his exploits in the league which earned him a famous call up to the super eagles before his move to Tunisian giants Esperance.
Osimhen also emerged winner of the attacker of the year, while Torino fullback, Ola Aina won the defender of the year and Wilfred Ndidi was voted as midfielder of the year.
Akwa United were also voted the team of the year ahead of the super eagles and Enyimba FC.

Bow is the full list of the winners:

1. Nigeria player of the year
Victor Osimhen 63 votes

2. Nigerian female player of the year
Asisat Oshoala- 70 votes

3. NPFL player of the year
Anayo Iwuala

4. Most impactful new inclusion (2021)
Frank Onyeka

5. Best Ogedengbe goalkeeper of the year
Maduka Okoye

6. Stephen Keshi defender of the year
Ola Aina

7. Samuel Okwaraji midfielder of the year
Wilfred Ndidi

8. Rasheed Yekini attacker of the year
Victor Osimhen

9. Most improved player
Taiwo Awoniyi

10. Super eagles goal of the year
Alex Iwobi goal Vs Sierra Leone

11. Best assist of the year
Alex Iwobi assist for Iheanacho's second goal vs. Liberia

12. Team of the year
Akwa United

CC: jubilantagida

Below is the full list of winners you mean. I can work with this.

Thanks and well done.