If i may ask are you saying it's good to send trainer to Maduka and leave Alampasu out,on what criteria.
Good that Rohr has finally come out to make it cleared that all his five keepers will have trainer attached to them.
But i hate it when people read meaning to a very clear and simple comment.
I think am one of the moniker including goldfish80 and icon4s who always question Alampasu inclusion in the team and i remember Thegoodjoe always defend Alampasu.
But when truth need to be told we must say it without fear cos attaching trainer to Uzoho and Maduka alone is unfair to other keepers and it can cause acrimony in the team,thank God Rohr has made a bold statement towards the issue.
Pls how does i sound like forgiveness or how does forgiveness talk,pls i want to know.....
Not that I am pushing for Alampasu but one asking why he was initially left out in the assignment of a trainer is not out of place.
TheSuperNerd: Only on Mikel and this fast counter attack talk....
You saw the fast/Super quick passing that led to the Super Eagles' third goal against Argentina abi? You know it was from Ndidi to Iheanacho then to Mikel who found Iwobi, who then found Iheanacho (again) before his last touch rolled into Idowu's path....
Just take a look at that movement. Free flowing quick counter attacking football and it was not just about the movement but about letting the ball do the running too. IT WAS ABOUT THE QUICK PASSING EXCHANGES.
Mikel don't have to run much during a counter attack... All he needs to do is quickly release the ball into the Path OR feet of his younger attacking team mates like Iwobi, Moses, Nacho etc... Mikel is the orchestrator and for him, his role in this team's attacking style is not about his running but about his quick creative passing.
Another example is his quick creative pass to Ighalo to set him on the run for that first goal against Cameroun. Mikel didn't even have to turn and look at Ighalo. He already knew where he was. That is the quickness and speed I speak of. Speed in his brains and not in his feet.
Mikel's genius is key in this system and he has been at the center of it all when Nigeria blew teams away with the system so why semd him to the DM role? Why send our most intelligent and most creative midfield genius to the DM role? Unless you want him to operate as a regista akin to Pirlo? A deep-lying playmaker with a box-to-box partner and then with another partner in the CM role? Well unless that, biko hapu Mikel as the team's CAM... Having him there makes our attacking third delightful to watch and even more fearsome to contain.
My brother, I wonder how some people analyse football here.
Mikel's best position for Nigeria is that AM.
You are very right! Mikel does not need to make any runs, he just lays the ball and the younger players run with it.
Make Mikel a DM and as some say make Moses a RB?It means we want to clip the wings of the Eagles.
Icon79: Oh, has Fatai Dauda already repped Ghana in a competitive match? If not, we can still steal him. After all, this won't be the first time we'll be stealing a ghananese player. And your dad, Icon4s can give you a detailed history
O pari
Fatau Dauda is a Ghanaian national team goalie naa.
You said you stopped watching youth football but it seems as if you stopped Watching national team football generally.
At least you should remember him from the 2013 AFCON if nothing else.
The fact of Rohr sending a special trainer to Uzoho at least has been cleared. As others are getting there's too.
However, Mumuni made one vital point. And that is that "foreign coaches typically prefer foreign players". But even at that, Uzoho's lack of experience is still a major source of concern.
And let me also chip in something about the preference for Rufai in that 1994. I believe his track record (national team experience) counted much for him, even in camp.
Both Mumuni and Tunde are right in that it will really be a tough decision for Rohr. This situation is no where near that case of 94.
realpoacher: Oma Attah, you know what I am talking about. You once spoke here about rebuking with love other than rebuking with despite. Just look at how hard they are coming for Uzoho like conceding goals is a taboo.
If they must criticize him then let it be with love and not kill his moral. Having 10 clean sheets out of 15 matches is not something you overlook even when achieved among his age groups.
Haha, I can see that Ezenwa and Akpeyi have been rebuked with love.
So it is now a crime to point out the weaknesses of a goalie over 90% of us here hardly know.
Please if you want to preach rebuking with love do so also to those that criticize Iheanacho, Success, Onazi, Echiejile, Martins, even Alloy Agu and others.
We are talking about a critical issue that can Jeopardize our participation in the WC you are talking about rebuking with love. I don't think you know the gravity of the predicament we are in.
Anybody who is not mentally ready for a rebuke is not ready for the challenge and task ahead.
Icon79: Nna bros, I like your confidence sha. But what bothered me tremendously was the quality of the opposition coupled with the nature of the goals conceded. Well, like you said, let's hope that he has improved.
O pari
Nna some folks come dey harass me here on top say I requested for that video o.
Hyan-yan-yan-yan-ya. Tbaba1234 abeg when the video of Uzoho's last game comes out, post it here for us to see Jare. And remember I also requested for highlights of some of the games he kept clean sheet.
Anybody wey dey vex, I dey my house, make him come beat me.
Kog45: Sir let Rohr throw it open,the five keepers should be involved in friendlies and picked the best cos i will not deceive you not that easy throwing a rookie but the situation is pathetic.
Mujtahida you said Nwakaeme would not be invited and it seems is missing out
And let me chip this in again. The friendlies will determine a lot of things but will not be the sole decider. Let me also say again that not all the goalies will be tried during the friendlies. Some will be dropped without a trial. Sounds unfair right. But that is the game for you.
As for Nwakaeme, he blew up his chance with that game against Algeria. That was the very day I personally dropped him from my list.
Tbaba1234, honestly you deserve an award for your service to the Nation.
Was the last night's game amongst the ones you posted? If no please will really like to see it. As e be say the other videos were months ago, let us see the one of less than 24 hrs ago.
tbaba1234: You are spot on as regards the importance of experience in goalkeeping but we are in a peculiar situation. The two mos are .
In France 98, we had a goalkeeping crisis that was clear after we were walloped in friendlies. We decided to call the old warhorse back but my man was already finished at the time.
Talking about that France 98, taking Rufai to that WC was not a mistake or bad choice as peeps look at it today. Despite how finished he was, he was our best choice. You saw how Baruwa and William Okpara embarrassed themselves in the Yugoslavia and Holland friendlies. You think they would have performed better than what Rufai did in that WC?
That semi-retired Rufai was still our best goalkeeper at that time. That was the situation we found ourselves.
The young goalkeeper has not seen any first team action in Spain since his breakthrough in October; can he still be the preferred choice in Russia?
It was a moment of joy last October when a relatively unknown Francis Uzoho became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to feature in the Spanish Primera Division when Deportivo La Coruna drew 0-0 with Eibar .
He would go on to make another appearance against Kayode Olarenwaju’s Girona, and soon caught the attention of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
The 19-year old was given his maiden senior national team call-up in November’s friendly with Argentina, and came on as a second-half substitute for the disappointing Daniel Akpeyi in the comeback 4-2 friendly win in Krasnodar.
He impressed, and instantly won the hearts of many fans, prompting speculation that he could be the future of Nigeria's goalkeeping.
However, since the Girona game, Uzoho has failed to feature for the senior team, but has rather been a regular part of the B team. Indeed the Aspire Academy graduate has featured 15 times, but does being a reserve player hinder his prospects of being the preferred choice between the sticks in Russia, with Carl Ikeme still a long way from recovery and Vincent Enyeama ruled out for a potential return?
*Pic below the article*.....
Rohr still sees potential in Uzoho, and took big strides in sending goalkeeper trainer Enrico Pionetti to Spain to work with the young goalie earlier this month. That the Nwangele native has kept 10 clean sheets for the Depor B team is a sign of the promise he still has for the future, but is it enough to set him apart from his goalkeeping rivals ahead of the World Cup ?
Ikechukwu Ezenwa still looks primed to be the favourite goalkeeper to man the post in Russia.
He kept in the final three World Cup qualifiers and featured in both the WAFU Cup and African Nations Championship in Ghana and Morocco respectively. He put in strong performances in both tournaments as the Super Eagles made it to the final but lost out to the respective host countries.
Daniel Akpeyi continues to have low approval ratings among Nigerian fans after making consistent blunders whenever called upon. He has been doing well for his club side Chippa United in South Africa, but he has a long way to recovery before supporters can believe in his abilities again.
Others in contention are Dele Ajiboye and Daniel Alampasu.
The former replaced Ezenwa after the Enyimba goalie got injured in the 1-0 CHAN semi-final win over Sudan. He was instrumental in keeping the Sudanese from getting the equaliser and won a lot of praise. The Plateau United shot stopper could however barely do anything in the 4-0 bashing by Morocco in the final.
Alampasu seems to be a long shot, having failed to make a single appearance with Portuguese outfit Feirense. He was on the bench thrice during the qualifiers, but it’s not certain that Rohr will throw the dice on a keeper without game time unless there’s a serious crisis.
For Uzoho, failing to consistently appear for the Deportivo senior team could count against him, in that the chance to play against the likes of Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic - who will all feature for Argentina and Croatia in Group D, is now gone.
This would have been the chance for the youngster to get better understanding of his opponents and would also improve his abilities with such exposure, but will playing for Depor's reserve side give him enough exposure to top-level opponents ahead of Russia?
Putting trust in Uzoho for a big event like the World Cup might be risky due to his lack of experience.
Such was the case when Mile Svilar [above] represented Benfica in this season’s Uefa Champions League group phase.
He became the youngest goalkeeper to feature in the competition when he made his bow against Manchester United, but the occasion was however marred by the 18-year old Belgian making a costly error and putting the ball into his own net. It was a major reminder that experience remains one of the most valuable assets for keepers at any level of the game, let alone the top.
Uzoho still has a long and bright career ahead of him, and while it’s too early to say what his position will be when the World Cup kicks off in June, it is at least comforting to know he is still in Rohr’s plans.
However, it is the German tactician who has the tough job of selecting the suitable goalie that won’t jeopardise Nigeria’s chances of making a big impression at the global showpiece, and if Uzoho continues to play at reserve level, it would represent a major gamble to plump for him.
TheSuperNerd: Chief.... I think you should calm down first before bringing out the sword of judgment. The clips you just watched ehn.... Loooolll... This is mostly Uzoho before the Argentina game oooo.... Hahahahahahahahaha....
Your no 1... Low shots... Every tall goalie has this problem when growing up as youngsters in the game. Check them all... David De gea, Pete Cech, Van der Saar, etc... Most or all of them did struggle with low shots when they were far younger in the game and some of them will face such hell today... It is like a known weakness all over the world for tall goalies. Even Donnarumma (world's best young goalie) have his rough days with low shots a few times. Alban LA Font of toulouse too...
Your no. 2..... Dealing with crosses... Lol... Uzoho in recent times have shown good improvements with crosses... As seen in the Eibar game in LA liga and in the Argentina game. We cannot use the clips of months ago to paint the whole story on Uzoho's cross handling abilities.
Your no.3..... Reflexes... Hmmm... His coaches did say in that Spanish article (translated into English) and posted by Sir Tbaba1234 that Uzoho has grown in leaps and bounds and his development has been phenomenal even though he still have a couple more things to master to become the ultimate goalie choice for Deportivo in the near future.
Did you see his reflex save against Argentina from Dario Benedetto? That is as recent as it gets and that is the Uzoho of now and the one Rohr is putting his trust in and NOT the one of many months ago who was still learning the ropes as he began his rise up the GK ladder. I must say he has come a long way pretty fast even though he still has a loooonnngggg way to go... Don't you think so?
Your no.4.... Positioning. Now yes... This is something he is still yet to master even despite his shut out against Argentina. It was mentioned in that same article shared many pages ago by Sir Tbaba1234 that positioning and a really good sense of judgment (superior decision making) are Uzoho's biggest flaws which he is trying to get good grips on. I think with more games, he will get into the hang of these skills... They are mastered overtime and not in just one match. Give it time Chief....
Your no.5.... Often looks lost when defence is under pressure. Well, yeah, sometimes... But against Argentina, he looked so calm when the Argies came at us. He even sounded out to is more senior defensive lieutenants and big general Balogun, helping to keep them organised. Noooooo... I am not saying he is there yet ooooo....mbanu... Dad, no misunderstand me bikonu... I just dey talk say he shows good potential to be calm if he gets his concentration right and can be more consistent showing a calm figure while his defence is under pressure.
See ehn.... In the end... I admit making Uzoho number 1 for the mundial is A RISK even if he pulls off world class saves and post shut outs in all the friendlies he plays in. But thing is Ajiboye too is a risk.... He has not played beyond the level of the CHAN and the NPFL. He has not played beyond the level of African football. Akpeyi nko... Well, I believe you can fill that in.
Ezenwa... Now he looks the more suitable having been in goal for the Eagles in crucial competitive fixtures and did well for the most parts but his "Blood rush" like a vampire going for the kill could be our downfall in Russia as he could give out needless penalties and cause avoidable goals.
Alampasu nko... Well I like this lad so much but he has not been active. But we both know in the coming years he, Uzoho, Okoye, Akpan David, etc etc will be in contention to drag for the Eagles no.1 and no.2 GK spots.
All our options are risks Chiefs... And of all of them, Uzoho is the youngest and have played at a much higher level.... And plays at a level that sees him being no.1 for Deportivo fabril in a division two levels below LA liga. Well..... All na risk...
This is not me discussing the goalies in details... I have not even scratched the surface... because my kind of talk on the goalies will be an in depth look into their strengths and weaknesses and which ones we can afford to tolerate and which we cannot afford to manage.... Then we look at their attitude and their psyche... We look at their motivation and their fear factor... Mehn... So much to look at... And I won't go into all that... Mbanu... Not now... But after most of the friendlies...
This here is just to point out a few stuffs to you on your five points made on Uzoho. That's all Dad... Now uhmmmm you can continue the lashing.... Na Uzoho turn afterall...
This GK situation ehn...
Goalkeeping skills are not something you acquire within months of training. That those videos were captured before the Argentina game (or months ago) does not make much difference.
Goalkeeping weaknesses are not completely corrected in months. Do you know how many years it took Courtois to deal with his weakness for low shots? A goalie that went to Athletico from Chelsea on loan for 3 seasons. Returned to Chelsea haven kept at the highest level in Europe(UCL final) and still had that deficiency until of late. This is a highly talented goalie.
You know Enyeama, had problems with crosses and saving of penalties earlier on in his career. But he worked on them. But it took a couple of years.
Goalkeepers learn these things from conceding goals from their weaknesses , getting criticised for it and they working hard over time to improve on them.
Uzoho is just starting and let this WC not kill his career o because Nigerians do not forgive.
Aiyenugba for instance is still suffering from the goals he conceded against Guinea till date.
Kog45: Something is really wrong and we should all share the blame not only eagles technical crew.
We are not being truthful with ourselves when it comes to sensitive issues,emotions and sentiments always overrides our judgements and is seriously affecting us
Someone was asking here is Dele Aiyenugba not a Nigerian but he was shut down and some started citing 2012 Guinea match,and a moniker said he was blacklisted from eagles,beer parlour talks.
I'm seeing a situation where Austin Ejide would be recalled cos the friendlies would determine a lot and Uzoho just need to tell us he is battle ready.
WC is approaching and the situation especially goalkeepers is getting more complicated cos i realized Rohr doesn't rate Ezenwa and Ajiboye and it would be his greatest undue.He need to give them equal opportunity to prove themselves.
Uzoho i saw in that clips look amateurish and not really good for this WC but tbaba said is old clips but Uzoho joined Deportivo this season or last so to me is recent,but am waiting for friendlies to see may be the goalkeeper trainer has really done a lot with him.
I hope Uzoho is the key cos failing is like starting all over again.
We can't mess this coming WC up by not getting good keeper.
Banking on Uzoho as the key?
Hmm.... Kog45, you surprise me o. You that have come a long way in this game.
He may come out good In the friendlies. But hey! I fear for The WC o!
Hey!!! Tbaba1234 please did you just watch these videos today or you have seen them before?
So this is the Uzoho you guys have been shouting about here!!!?
Oh my God!!!
Cheap goals from a division 3 league for that matter. I watched all the videos. And my observations:
1. He is poor in dealing with low shots 2. He is poor in dealing with crosses 3. His reflexes are not sharp 4. He is poor in his positional abilities 5. He often looks lost when his defense is under pressure
For people saying they are old videos. Even if they were recorded 2 years ago, such deficiencies are not what you can completely correct within 2 years. Goal keeping at the senior level is not for rookies. He was trying to dribble a striker in one of the videos and got beaten by the striker instead. That was what Baruwa did that led to the recall of Peter Rufai in 1998
Even Dele Ajiboye is far ahead of this kid.
Please let us put sentiments aside, Uzoho looks to me an U20 goalkeeper. He is not ripe as our WC first choice. He still has a long way to go.
TheSuperNerd: Some young lads just have this solid and somewhat acromegalic look.... Natural for some shaa.... So uhmmm.... Yeah...
Someone like Moses Eneji, I never really saw him at the WAFU tourney because the only part of the tournament I watched was from that moment in the final when Ghana scored their first goal. No Nigerian station showed the competition except the final.
The first time I really saw him was in that CHAN final against Morocco. At my first glance of him, the commentator mentioned he was 18years old. And I was like "for real"?. But after a closer look at his face I saw that boyness on his face. You know some kids just keep beards just to look like their elder brother's mates.
TheSuperNerd: I have a dream.... A dream.... I say a dream.... A very big dream....that The Super Eagles shall soar over Poland and Lewandowski shall ask for Uzoho's jersey after seeing the young lad make many world class saves from the big striker.... Ohhhhh..... I also see Serbia score a goal but they shall not win the war.... I see Matic being overran by The class of Mikel.... He is overran so much that he literally begs for Mikel's jersey.... Ohhhhh.... This is lovely....
Can't wait to seel our boys banging in goals in these jerseys mehn....
Even Raheem Sterling knows their own white sucks and has his eyes fixed on Iwobi's new Nigerian class Jersey....
BascoVanVeli: What kind of screening could you be talking about? We are talking about players who were already part of Samson Siasia's U23s. They didn't even play the Super 6 because they were with the u23 team A in Algeria. Siasia at that time was even vocal about players playing for too many national teams.
That U23 team was formed late in 2014 remember. Alex Iwobi even came for screening.
But the U20 screening took place early in 2014. Just about this time of the year.
Etebor and Ajayi were part of that U20 screening process. They were dropped and were later in the year picked by the U23 handlers.
By the time that Super 6 was played the Flying Eagles had already finished playing their AYC qualifiers. They were preparing for the AYC.
Manu Garba dropped Junior Ajayi and Karo Etebor from his team.
BascoVanVeli: Manu didn't throw them away, at least not because they were NPFL players. Remember Sokari played a big role in the world cup and at the AYC we had Nwobodo, Ojo and Pyagbara who were all NPFL players at the time.
Thank God that you even mentioned those home based players. Imagine if Manu had left them out because they were NPFL players and stuck solely with his U17 winning team. That is why I still blame Amuneke for the last U20 disappointment. Manu knows better in that aspect.
Imagine if a player like Etebor had played in that 2nd round lose to Germany at the 2015 U20. He is a player that can dismantle any opposition at that age level. If he did so at U23 is it now U20?
Sports › Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 6:49pm On Feb 28, 2018
Why send our most intelligent and most creative midfield genius to the DM role? Unless you want him to operate as a regista akin to Pirlo? A deep-lying playmaker with a box-to-box partner and then with another partner in the CM role? Well unless that, biko hapu Mikel as the team's CAM... Having him there makes our attacking third delightful to watch and even more fearsome to contain.
it don tay since I stopped watching age grade tournaments except for the U-23.
