₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
4pm my time.. about 9pm Nigerian time

OK.
We'll see as events unfold today.

tbaba1234:
Ekong is definitely a starter, no need to debate that one

On a 4 man back line Ekong and Balogun it is for me.

tbaba1234:
Moses is not in camp.

That was published at about 4pm yesterday.

tbaba1234:
Awaziem was very solid against Argentina and is playing very well in the french league.. His pace will be useful against Lewandowski who is deceptively very fast. He is an excellent Man marker. If you need a man marking job done on Lewandowski, he is the man.

Balogun has been playing regularly so i expect a sharper Balogun if he starts.

Omeruo has been on good form apart from his last game. He can replace Balogun if we feel that we need more pace at the back.

If we play three men at the back, i think Awaziem must start. He is the best passer of all the CBs.

Counter attacking will be key... They are playing at home and will want to attack.. Our pace can catch them off guard.

So where do you put Troost-Ekong who has been our most consistent and trusted CB in the last couple of games?

I would rather put Troost-Ekong on Lewandowski rather than Awaziem.

TheSuperNerd:
Nna eh Uncle Kog Sir, hapu Papa biko.... That one na him own... No mind am... Very strict, he is... Na so he even.... *make i no talk*
SEE, Even Yoda of the great Jedi council is impressed with our tracksuits, wears and more... He cannot wait for the soccer party to begin...

Hahaha. Don't worry son, have fun with the jerseys.

Me I am more interested in the results.

tbaba1234:
I thought about that too.. cultural differences?

Ekong and Shehu are in the same club but Ekong is in poland and Shehu isn't.

Look up and tell me any of those guys you listed is married.

Movements for married or people with family not always that easy.

Should not be an excuse though. Just thinking.

komekn:
MOTM Ngolo Kante who is more authoritative BBC sports commentators or Who scored


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43361317

Kante got MOTM mostly because his side won. Typical in such situations.

Ndidi was better than Kante in that game.

daveP:
yeah. came on as a sub. his went deep as though he wasn't the 9. But in some moments of concentration loss, his first touch was a hard header that miss the post by a few inches. touched the ball several other times inside the 18,and couldn't be dispossessed.

Na him you say make we dey fear?

daveP:
If Kalinic is striking for Croatia Vs Nigeria, our defenders gats be aware. cos the guy have a very crafty positioning.


I've watched couple of games of him in Milan Jersey and I must twale for him in that regard. Not to lethal, but good positioning.

Was he part of the team that played Arsenal at the Europa league?

tbaba1234:
I like Kelechi a lot but i think, some people over praise him.

A honest analysis of Kelechi performance can not be done without argument. For some, he can do little wrong.. Some are sometimes over-critical.

It is like criticizing the NPFL. Some do not want to hear one critical word..

You sabi every my brother.

And this is the root of most conflicts in this thread.

Petrobros:
Back to observer's mode.

Haha Mr Observer thanks for helping out.

But the comments are not complete maybe safarigirl will come up with more tomorrow.

safarigirl:
that one is tomorrow
My battery is on 0% now and upliading an image takes time

Can I borrow you battery? Hahaha

safarigirl:
that one is tomorrow
My battery is on 0% now and upliading an image takes time

Can I borrow you battery? Hahaha

safarigirl:
why are you people acting like nobody blamed Kelechi?

Of the first five comments on that goal, only one person blamed Mahrez


I feel like someone is always waiting on the sidelines to accuse people of blindly supporting Kelechi, even when the comments are even and others just corroborate because it is natural to accuse Nigerians of having sentiments


Dede even said Kelechi had 25% fault while Mahrez had 60%....if we translated that to jail time, Kelechi would have 3 years to Mahrez' 7 years.


Why is it that many of you are quick to bury our players at the slightest fault?


Some are making it seem like Mahrez was not even on the pitch. It was only after the likes of Supernerd broke down everything that happened that some people mentioned Mahrez being partly to blame.


You people should stop acting like nobody says a word of criticism on Kelechi. Maybe, I should go back and screenshot all the criticisms he took as soon as Leicester conceded, maybe una skip that part and only saw the exonerations since you people do selective reading here

I for one blamed Iheanacho for the poor pass and also Mahrez for not being able to make the best out of that situation. I think only one other person saw reasons with me. The majority completely put the blame on Mahrez.

You have been long enough on this thread to have known my kind of comments. Look, I say things the way they are.

I don't care if anyone joins me in the course or likes my comments or not.

You that believed Iheanacho was partly at fault why didn't you say it?

I don't belong to the group that pledge loyalty to any player or group of players. Nobody is paying for my data so I owe no player or any school of thought any allegiance.

People should learn to say things the way they are.

Please post those screenshots if you want to.

BascoVanVeli:
He joined Akwa midway through last season from Sunshine stars

Meaning he left Lobi two seasons ago?

BascoVanVeli:
He joined Akwa midway through last season from Sunshine stars

Meaning he left Lobi two seasons ago?

Dedebanky85:
We are too biased as individuals when it comes to Naija players. Iheanacho has a little bit of fault in that Chelsea's first goal. Out of 100% he'd get 25, cos he put the ball behind Mahrez and DID NOT open up as expected for Mahrez to give him a pass, thus making Mahrez attempt to dribble and create more space. Mahrez also has 60% fault, Ndidi has 5 just for not fouling and Morgan has 10 for not anticipating to block that Willians pass. Gosh!!! This f%*jing Iheanacho's worship has gotta stop, he ain't the only bloody player for crying out loud. Jeeezzz! I praise him when he does well, and I point his flaws when he under performs. Did he play badly today? Hell naw. He was very good bar that chelseas goal. He caused the MFs of chelsea to foul him a lot. He had a good game. But we should say the truth when it comes to some things. Had it been that roles were switched and Mahrez gave the bad pass to Iheanacho and Iheanacho was the one that lost the ball, most of the people saying Mahrez is wholly at fault now would still say Mahrez is at fault citing the fact that why would he pass that kinda ball to Iheanacho - thus making Iheanacho to adjust to the pass. Habaaaaa. Abeg naaaauuuu, make we de talk truth. I watched the game from beginning till end.

Thank you my brother. That has been the trend here for some.

Some players are selected for criticism and some others for praise no matter what they play.

People cannot see a spade and call it what it is.
No objectivity.

TheSuperNerd:
REVEALED! How Poland Coach Nawalka Worked In Nigeria; Reasons He Endorsed Super Eagles Clash In Wroclaw
Special report from Poland, by Michal Zichlarz


There is one reason Poland coach, Adam Nawalka, wanted to play Nigeria before their opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia aginst Senegal – sheer sentiment, he has big admiration for Nigerian football, Complete Sports’ correspondence in Poland writes.

Not many Nigerians knew that Nawalka has once ‘worked’ in Nigeria. Not Many knew that he is an astute fan of Nigerian football. Here is the detail…

Anthony Egwuatu is a medical doctor – a gynecologist and endocrinologist, with two offices in Krakow and Kalwaria in Southern Poland. The Igbo man came to Poland 20 years ago, completed his medical study in Gdansk and stayed over here permanently.

Egwuatu is a doctor with good reputation, respect and esteem. However, his love is football. As a teeneger, he used to play in Lagos, but later decided to further his education. But his love for football stayed.

Living in Poland, he participated in some transfers of Nigerian footballers over here, and living in Krakow presented him with the opportunity of meeting Adam Nawalka, the current Poland head coach.

Nawalka and Zbigniew Boniek – one of the best Polish footballers in history and the present Polish Football Association (PZPN) president, were wonderful talents of the Polish football in in the 70s.

Nawalka represented Poland at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina alongside Boniek, playing five of the team’a six matches there. Although very talented, he couldn’t manage to make such a great career as Boniek’s due to the serious injuries he suffered.
He played for Wisla Krakow for several years and a few years in the USA. He later did football coaching training and became a coach.


Invitation to Nigeria

In 1999, Nawalka, as a Wisla Krakow’s scout, was invited to Nigeria by Dr. Anthony Egwuatu. His task was to comb Nigeria and find a decent striker for the top Polish club.
“He was a guest of my family and I must say that he was adored by everybody. My mum, till today, asks me, how is Adam?,” smiles Egwuatu.

The medical doctor adds, “He (Nawalka) was fluent in English, open-minded, friendly and easily made friends during his stay in Nigeria. He spent really good time in Nigeria. Of course, it was not a holiday, he came to Nigeria to spot talented players.”
.
During his stay in Nigeria, Nawalka started with the careful studying of daily newspapers. He asked his Nigerian friend for some dailies everyday as he searched for useful information that could help him make headway in his assignment.




Spotting Talented Nigerian Footballers

At that time, one of the best scorers in the Nigerian league was Kelechi Iheanacho (not the current Leicester City forward) from Enyimba of Aba.

Kelechi Iheanacho who still lives in Poland after retiring from football, takes up the story:
“As far as I know, Adam Nawalka found out in one of the newspapers that I was scoring lots of goals. He came to see me in action in Aba. That’s how Wisla Krakow later gave me a proposal to play for them,” says Iheanacho.

Iheanacho was later transferd to Poland from Julius Berger FC and started playing for Wisla Krakow in 1999.

Iheanacho adds: “Mr Nawalka was a very positive person, and he stood by me and my transfer to Poland. I spent a few years in Krakow before injury stopped me.

“And even though being injuried, Nawalka kept me as a coach at the club. He was a very open-minded person who was eager to learn. At that time, not many Polish people spoke English well like him. He was different,” recalls Iheanacho, who is now in football business while living in Poland capital, Warsaw, partnering with football agents and travelling a lot.

Nawalka moved around a lot too within Nigeria during his visit in March 1999. He went to Onitsha, where he met Chief Jude Ezechukwu (late), Jasper United president at that time.

This writer, as a journalist, had an opportunity to meet Chief Ezechukwu in 2005, during his stay in Nigeria, on the invitation of his close friend, Vincent Alumona, currently the owner of the sports business outfit, Krakovia Sports Ltd.

Chief Jude Ezechukwu, as Jasper United president, transfered some of the best Nigerian footballers to the Polish league at that time. In 1997, he transfered Kenneth Zeigbo to Legia Warsaw and Emmanuel Olisadebe – who later became a top striker of the Polish national team, to Polonia Warszawa. Eight years later Chief Ezechukwu complained in his office at Ajao Estate Lagos, that he still was not paid for those transfers – sometimes, a part and parcel of football business.




Poland’s Test Before Senegal

Dr. Anthony Egwuatu recalls that in 1999, Nawalka spoted some other Nigerian talents. Among them was Justice Christopher.

“Nawalka had an eye for the talented footballars. As far as I remember, he chose five players, who later played for the Super Eagles, among them was Justice Christopher, who later played for another Easter European club, Levski Sofia. It’s a pity that they didn’t play in Poland,” Egwuatu states.

The Nigerian medical doctor is still a friend of the Poland head coach and keeps in touch with him. And he knows how much invaluable the Super Eagles friendly is to Nawalka before he leads Poland out in Russia to face an African opposition in Senegal.

“When Poland drew Senegal in the World Cup and it was known that their first match will be against the African team, Adam opted for playing against Nigeria in a friendly, the country he likes a lot,” Egwuatu explains.

“That trip in 1999 was a great experience for Nawalka, leaving lots of good memories. He is very happy to have the Super Eagles now for a very important pre-World Cup friendly match. ”




*Michal Zichlarz is a Polish journalist of Sport newspaper and Interia.pl. Author of ‘Afryka Gola!’, a book about African football in Polish language.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/revealed-how-poland-coach-nawalka-worked-in-nigeria-reasons-he-endorsed-super-eagles-clash-in-wroclaw/


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 87 days 16 hours 20 mins to go



Pics gallery:

Pic 1: Poland Head Coach, Adam Nawalka.


Pic 2: (Old photo): Poland coach Adam Nawalka (m), flanked by late Chief Jude Ezechukwu (l) and Dr. Anthony Egwuatu (r).

Hmm.. Late Chief Jude Ezechukwu of the Jasper United fame. The Nigerian league lost a gem sha.

BascoVanVeli:
It wasn't a score update I clearly called it breaking news. A near brawl broke out between the Libyans and the officials and I just happened to think people would be interested in that.

No wahala but I didn't just see any where you put up any scores update and time of play.

Congrats to Akwa United. They join the people Elephant in the next round of the CAF confederations cup.

BascoVanVeli:
3-2 on pks. Ojo Olorunleke saved 3 pks.

Ow! Ojo Olorunleke is now with Akwa United? So he left Lobi stars where he was also fantastic last season.

That is another goalkeeper on the rise.

If that Diabate guy had scored we for no hear word here tonight o.

oloriooko:
Was a little behind but Mah got it under control and lost it

Mahrez hardly got it under control.
Anyways it's 1:1 now.

TheSuperNerd:
Nacho was not meant to pull back..... He had found Mahrez after exerting his efforts winning the ball off two players. He ran into space behind the defenders and tried his best staying onside... Nacho's position behind the defenders laterally is where Nacho was also before his VAR goal... Remember? Similar scenario...

Mahrez had ample space to exploit that will see him keep the ball or find a better pass but he decided to go find a diamond thru the needle's eye. He made the wrong move and choice. Mahrez's fault it is.

Iheanacho ran into space yes but into a tight space giving Mahrez the difficult task of haven to dribble through that cluster of Chelsea players to find a hidden Iheanacho. Mahrez needed support at that time and Iheanacho or any other player ought to have opened up for him.

tbaba1234:
Moses has been anonymous.

He just pulled a nice cross

TheSuperNerd:
Bottom line is that It is is Mahrez's fault. Even commentator talk am. Mahrrez still had all the time in the world to make the right choice but he wanted to go it alone.... End of story.
No one even mentioned the two players he beat in two ball tussles before that moment of the pass.

He needed support. Iheanacho could have pulled back a little to offer an opportunity for Mahrez to give him a pass.

Well, all these are just in retrospect. Mahrez would take the blame but Iheanacho wasted that goal bound move. It could have been 1-0 for Leicester

oloriooko:
I wonder ooo my Bros as if na another match them dey watch cuz Nacho has no fault in that goal rather Mah made the silly error losing the ball

How do you describe that Iheanacho's pass to Mahrez?

TheSuperNerd:
I dont know what you guys are trying to get at.... But it is clear that Leicester conceeded because of Mahrez. Nacho gave him a pass (after winning the ball off two players) and yes it was slightly behind Mahrez, Mahrez still got the ball under control and had the choice to go wide right instead of trying to do a maradona when surrounded by three players. Iheanacho was in position and keeping himself onside and an further step from him will be offside.... So the fault is on Mahrez.

So after Mahrez lost the ball, the ball was fed to William and Ndidi had the chance to stop him but he was afraid of the card so he kinda let William thru and viola! William picked out Morata with a beautiful thru pass and morata just did the rest one on one with Schmeichel....

Gbam! So Nacho has no fault in this at all. If for say I no dey watch naa, I go just dey hear this one today. Na wa ooo

That Iheanacho's wrong pass killed a goal bound move. We had about 4 - 5 Leicester players in an advanced position leaving gaps in the middle.

Mahrez tried to manage the situation but was dispossessed and Willian had acres of space having only Ndidi to deal with. A through pass to Morata and Ndidi was beaten to space.

MetalJigsaw:
How us Iheanacho faring..? Don't tell me he caused that goal.

With the exception of the wrong pass that Mahrez could not manage well leading to the counter that Chelsea scored from he has been OK.

BascoVanVeli:
Wow Akwa qualifies on pks.

Final score?

Oasis007:
He made a wrong Pass and didn't open up for a Pass from Mahrez, rather hiding behind the Opposition Defenders.

He was aiming to finish up the move rather than to continue with the build up.

Wrong move. The midfield was exposed leaving acres of space for a Chelsea counter attack

That Iheanacho's poor pass. Now they have conceded.

TheSuperNerd:
Enyimba won 3-2 to qualify 5-2 on aggregate. #CAFCC

Yeah.

We are the people's Elephant.