₦airaland Forum

soetanoreoluwa:
Wow... Never knew... Still painful we could not achieve anything with under 20...

Because we have not given it the importance it deserves.

safarigirl:
of course everyone desires that, bug everyone will not have what they desire. You work with what you have, not what you dream of having.

You think only us have problems? The Argentine coach is worried that their number 1 goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, is chopping bench in United, Mascherano and Pastore are also not playing regular football, but do you think he will drop those players? No! Why? Because he doesn't have capable alternatives

And that is the situation Rohr is in....and as much as you wish it were possible, you are not likely to find a replacement between now and June. We only have one window open in March and the team at this point, should be more interested in cohesion than unnecessary fusing of new blood. 2018 is here already, any half decent coach would know to use what he has, rather than go on a wild goose chase for what may or may not come good eventually.

I desire a Rolls Royce, but am I driving one? No. Even the 1994 team we took to the World Cup, they were not all regulars, but they still did well despite that

Safari representing. With you here I don't need to make any comments. Kudos.

BascoVanVeli:
Broken record

Call it broken record if you want.
I have said my own.

safarigirl:
I don't think a lot of people have high hopes for the tournament, many don't even know it is taking place.

I do agree that the fact that it will be counted like any game played by the actual team is a downside really.

And while I would have preferred we don't even qualify at all for CHAN, it will be unfair to some of these players who can only get opportunities when they play the tournament

I quite agree with your last paragraph but men... I pray they even qualify from the group stage because the Libya and Rwanda I know are presenting their A teams.

I am not writing them off but I am not expecting much from them either.

TheSuperNerd:
Why Nigeria will not win the African Nations Championship by Colin Udoh, KweséESPN



Nigeria's Super Eagles arrived in Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday, a week ahead of the African Nations Championship kickoff.

Prior to their departure, coach Salisu Yusuf assured Nigerians that his wards were determined to bring the trophy home, with goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye one of several players who shared the coach's optimism.

As commendable as this show of confidence is, it will not be the first time the Super Eagles have blown their own trumpet ahead of one of Africa's major tournaments.

Chigozie Agbim was equally boastful ahead of the 2014 tournament in South Africa, and just before the last tournament, Nduka Ugbade bragged that the Super Eagles would return as champions.
On both occasions, the team came back home without the trophy.

As they head into the competition this weekend, Nigeria fans ought to keep their predictions and expectations modest, due to these three reasons which should prevent the Eagles from winning the tournament.


Lack of Pedigree

There have been four previous CHAN tournaments, beginning with the inaugural edition in 2009, and Nigeria haven't shone in any...in fact, their performance at Africa's competition for home-based players has been distinctly underwhelming.

The Eagles failed to qualify for the first two, losing the 2009 qualifying playoff to Ghana and then the 2011 playoff to Niger.
When they did qualify for the first time in 2014, Stephen Keshi's team finished third with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in the bronze medal match, but their run wasn't as inspiring as expected.

Finishing second behind Mali in the group phase, they beat Morocco 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final game before falling on penalties to Ghana in the semi.

In 2016, they failed to make it out of the group stage, finishing a point behind both Tunisia and Guinea.

Their elimination was even more distressing because they only needed a point in their final group game against the Syli Nationale in order to advance, but lost the game 1-0.
Despite the chest-thumping, and Nigeria's standing in African football, this lack of pedigree at this level will be tough to overcome.

On the bright side for the Super Eagles, only one former champion qualified for this year's tournament -- 2014 champions Libya -- but guess who they've been drawn against?
Yes, Nigeria.
Then there are three-time participants and hosts Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea, who finished third and fourth respectively in 2016.

The field is not impossible to overcome, but Nigeria's lack of pedigree could hurt them.



Rusty Players

Nigeria's domestic league wrapped up in early September, and since then, players have been on break. This includes members of the Super Eagles CHAN squad, who have seen no league action for four months.

This is contrast to many of their title rivals whose domestic competitions have been in full swing during the months leading up to the tournament.

Training and friendly matches are no substitute for competitive, high octane matches with an edge, and it's this competitive edge that the Eagles could lack when their campaign begins against Rwanda.
A slow start will be no surprise, but could prove expensive, as their second game would be against Equatorial Guinea, fielding almost the same squad that took part in recent A qualifying games, before a final showdown with former champions Libya.




Poor Preparation

For a team with players lacking in competitive football, better preparation should have been expected, but that has hardly been the case with Nigeria, particularly with some of the players having their eye on a European transfer during the offseason.

For what it's worth, they did take part in the WAFU tournament last year, but there, their lack of regular action was an exploited hindrance during the early stages, and then brutally exposed by Ghana in the final.

Playing against even rustier opposition in the NPFL pre-season tournament, they came out winners, but considering the level of league football and friendly internationals being played by their potential title rivals, it does look a difficult road ahead.

It is entirely possible that the Nigerian team, with their strong character and never-say-die attitude, can overcome these challenges and go on to lift their maiden title, but the odds appear firmly stacked against Yusuf's side.


Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3342681/chan-2018-why-nigeria-wont-win-the-african-nations-championship?device=featurephone

Anyone can hack me for this comment if he wants. I am not looking forward to this tourney.

And putting results of this tourney in the records as being played by the Super Eagles of Nigeria makes it more annoying.

TheGoodJoe:
If that pass by Iwobi to Welbeck is not supernatural, what is?

Are you saying you don't know where he is going with those comments?

Evablizin:


Empty stadium.
Aba youths,deh ahia ohuru,shopping centre,ariara,A Lane deh hustle,they no send buhari.

He went to Umuahia and not Aba.

goldfish80:
Abeg this is not a funny matter oh. I had high hopes on Iwobi, I can't believe things have gone south like this for him in just 12 months.
Recall I used to hype him as the player with the best first touch in world football.

Calm down bro. E nova reach like that.

safarigirl:
all those his irresponsible UK friends will not be in Russia now, he cannot try this rubbish in camp. Who go follow am party?

Hahaha what if he chooses to take them along?

What are all these arguments of whether he took cannibis or tobacco or what? Even if he went there to only drink a bottle of water it is wrong to be partying the morning of a crucial game.

safarigirl:
the issue is not to stop him from partying, the issue is to talk sense into him

And no matte which part of the world, even a 40-year old should not be too old for his parents to talk sense into him. That is what makes you a parent.

Of course no one is stopping him from partying.

But partying the morning before an FA Cup tie is the height of indiscipline and irresponsibility.

He obviously saw Nottingham Forest as a push over.

Make him try that nonsense for Russia first

TheSuperNerd:
@bolded.... very true. It is a good thing Rohr calls for Nacho and Musa to take advantage of the January transfer window "or forget the world cup" but you and I know that both players are still in Rohr's plans regardless. The mundial is just five months plus away. No time for heavy experimentation anymore. This is the time for Consolidation of tactics and light experimentation.

But personally , I wish to see Nacho play more. He is so gifted. A couple of full match action between end of January and may will do him lots of good and also enhance the brightness of his quality in the GWG going into this World cup.

We are all on the same page.

Iheanacho and Musa need to make those moves now.

I personally don't mind the Bristol and Turkey move for both players respectively. We just need them playing.

safarigirl:
honestly.

I don't want to blame people, but what is his dad doing about such condemnable behaviour?

A child should never be too old to get a scolding from his parents when he strays. This boy has had this issue of sociak media and useless partying since I have known him.

I complained about it two years ago and I thought that his babe was partly to blame for it as well as his friends, but two years later and he is still maintaining this juvenile attitude.

This boy has family in the UK and they cannot drag his ear? I swear, I simply don't understand how these people behave

My dear, it is only in Africa that a 21years old is still living under the influence of his parents/family.

At 21, Alex is no kid any more. No one stops him from partying but being out partying at 2-3am when you have a game in the next 14hrs is a no no.
Iwobi should know better.

I think Okocha needs to reach out to him as quickly as possible.

safarigirl:
two assists oga.

1 for Iwobi
1 for Idowu

Yeah, you are right . But you get my point?

mazimee:
Move now or forget World Cup, Rohr tells Iheanacho, Musa

By Joe Apu
Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr in his effort to keep a crack squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in the summer has called on bench warming forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa to take the opportunity of the January window and move or forget being a part of the World Cup.
Rohr, while speaking on Monday night football, a programme on Supersport expressed his worry over their lack of playing time in their club in the English Premier League.

“I’m in touch with the players and I’m particularly worried that Iheanacho and Musa are not playing regularly. The January window provides them a good opportunity to make a move and I hope in the days to come we’ll hear some news from them. It is important they move because they need to be active. The Super Eagles needs her best legs in Russia.”
World Cup Camp and international friendly matches
We have been able to pick a very conducive camp for the Super Eagles in the Southern part of Russia. It’s a place that has good weather conditions in the summer. Denmark wanted the place but we got it before them and I’m happy with the choice of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria is the last team in the group and I believe that the onus lies on us to make an impact at the World Cup. To be ready for the mundial, we need to play quality friendly international matches. We have to play more European teams to get ready. On March 23rd , we play against Poland and on the 27th, we play another team that has the same style of play like Russia and Iceland.

Goalkeeping problems and injuries
We have had problems in the past and have solved it. There would also be answers as we progress. Unfortunately, Carl Ikeme had health issues and Vincent Enyeama quit the national team. We had Ikechukwu Ezenwa who has not done badly. He was great in the WAFU Cup. There has also been the coming of Francis Ozoho in Deportivo La Corona. He was exciting in the friendly against Argentina and we have sent a trainer to be working with him in Spain.
I also hope that Henry Onyekuru who would be undergoing a knee surgery would be back in time for the World Cup

Why I’m not coaching CHAN team
I have my assistants – Coaches Salisu Yusuf, Imama Amakapabo and Alloy Agu. They know the players well and I have confidence in them. The CHAN team did well with them during WAFU Cup. The CHAN 2018 in Morocco is another opportunity for the team to show what they have. I will be there before their first game but let me state that Yusuf is in charge. There will be many scouts from around the world in Morocco to see players and for those who excel, they would have an opportunity to improve their careers.
The CHAN Eagles had difficult times training preparing for the championship but I would suggest that the league is reorganized to enable the players get ready for championships like this.


https://www.google.com.ng/amp/sunnewsonline.com/move-now-or-forget-world-cup-rohr-tells-iheanacho-musa/amp/

This is expected. Every coach wants his players active as we build up to the world cup.

Rohr just like everyone of us here has sanctioned a move for the duo. Way to go.

AIG07:
baba I get you.

Both players performances for their respective clubs have been abysmal which is the opposite in the GWG.

Sir, don't you think dropping/putting them on d national team standby list will help them to buckle up in their clubs which will benefit us at the long run cos me I'm afraid of them turning out to be another versions of Mikel.

Dropping them to the national team bench is not an issue because Iheanacho was on the bench for the later part of our qualifiers. Against Zambia Iwobi also started on the bench.

Ahmed Musa has been on the national team bench ever since Rohr took over, has that changed anything about him? Ahmed Musa's performances against Algeria in Uyo and Argentina shows he still has it in him.

These guys are professional footballers and the coaches are professional certified coaches, they know what they are doing when they keep faith with players even despite their club performance.

At this point in our preparations, we need to be focused more on consolidating on our tactics.Like I was proposing we repeat the Iwobi-Iheanacho false 9 combo in our next game. If you drop one or both of them to the bench that will distort that arrangement. Rohr could have other setup options though. What do I know?


Modified: I just re-checked the words you used: "standby list". You will put Iwobi and Iheanacho on standby list and put who on the list in their place?

AIG07:
I was opportuned to watch the FA cup replay between Fleetwood Town and Leicester. I took my time to watch Nacho so as to be able to assess him.

Though his team general performance was below par considering the level of their opponent, Nacho's 10min cameo appearance has nothing good to write home about. He only had one single touch of the ball.

The boy seem either not to be interested in playing for LFC or he is no longer interested in football. I wasn't that happy with the attitude he posted. For a player who is trying to get back to the bench, I was expecting a bit of fighting spirit and aggressiveness to show that you ain't happy been left out of match day squad.
Nacho isolated himself and was just idle waiting for balls that'll never come. He couldn't fight for the few that came to his direction...

I only hope he can shake things up and come back to reckoning but he needs to first realise that nothing comes on a platter of gold not even making a match day squad either in LC or at Bristol. He need to find his WHY!

You are right. At a point I forgot he was even on the pitch.

That is part of what affected him at City. His involvement in overall play. Meanwhile in the Super Eagles u see him working like he has been mandated to play like 3 positions.

See, I am not happy with Iheanacho and Iwobi's game levels at their respective clubs but when it comes to the Super Eagles they deliver and that is what matters to me as a Super Eagles fan.

All those calling for the dropping of Iheanacho and Iwobi will definitely be disappointed again. Rohr will still chose them again over the likes of Raheem Lawal, Josh Onomah and who again? Ajagun etc.

Rohr knows his players and what they can bring to the table. Iheanacho and Iwobi contributed to the 4goals we scored against Argentina. Iheanacho: 1 goal, two assists and Iwobi 2 goals. Iwobi scored the goal that took us to Russia.

The Iwobi-Iheanacho false 9 partnership worked like magic against Argentina and I would like to see it again in our next friendly.

Form is temporary but Class is permanent. Go ask Mikel.

Danycrusoe:
I just can't wait for the new NPFL season, so much to be excited for new teams, new TV deal, how my darling MFM fc perform on the continent, will they stamp their feet and join the likes of Kano pillars and enyimba who won't crumble on Both fronts like wikki tourist, rangers n Ifeanyi ubah did last season?

can they make their presence known to the African continent and still challenge 4 the NPFL title.

my brother there x a lot to be excited for really.

Which satellite TV has the broadcast rights this time?

TheSuperNerd:
Of course she can. Safarigirl could kick Nacho in the butt if she had the chance too. No kidding. She is that passionate I tell you.

I don't doubt that either.

That lady can kick a$$es eh....hahahaha.

Double post

Good to know that Mobi Oparaku is the current coach of newly promoted Heartland FC. He is 41yrs old now. Small boy of those days. Hmmm.. how time flies.

chrisooblog:
Lol funny picture but who are the people burying their head in the sand? All I have mostly read is encouragement and call for our players to improve. Believe me if we had descent replacements for the players who are currently underperforming I'll be the first to call for their inclusion but the reality on ground is you don't have any at the moment so we have to make do with what we have. Iwobi has been posting on and off performances for some time now not just of recent we can only continue to encourage alex and make him that he has to up his game same with kc

True words.

Kog45:
Kelly if u add your own i no go dey happy,pls let's talk better thing na,na eagles bring us come here and just 5 months to the WC we are fighting the same old stuff wey always bring the thread to standstill.Oga icon4s don talk am say he no dey for all these Iheanacho, Kayode etc supremacy tussles.

My brother, If u ask me both players can even make the squad.

Kog45:
Sunday Rotimi in the last CHAN?i remember him last in eagles jersey against Jamaica in a friendly in London.

Sorry not Rotimi.

Kog45:
Yes cos you said Ejiogu can only be good for CHAN if we have one then which I quite agreed based on what we have Enyeama,Ejide,Aiyenugba.

Do not forget we still have Greg Etafia,Ambrose Vanzekein,Uche Akubuike and solid Sunday Rotimi,so not even easy for him to make it but despite that Ejiogu of then is better than Ezenwa of today.

Pls check the list
1.Vincent Enyeama
2.Austin Ejide
3.Dele Aiyenugba
4.Sunday Rotimi
5.Greg Etafia
6.Uche Akubuike
7.Yakubu Haruna
8.Ambrose Vanzekein
9.Chiejoke Ejiogu

Pls tell me who Ezenwa or Akpeyi of today better on the list

Save for the first 3 names on that list you don't know how the other keepers would have performed if played in competitive games like the WC qualifiers.

Note that Rotimi Sunday was awful in the last CHAN.

Kog45:
I didn't start this,someone said Ejiogu was a good keeper and i said oh Arugo Monkey very good keeper nothing more.I don't think anyone mentioned may be he was good for Eagles then but you came up with eagles stuff.

On goalkeepers given chance before you can rate them,well if i see one i know and that's why i will always rate Uzoho and Ajiboye than Ezenwa and Akpeyi.

I'm one of the critique of Uzoho but watching him against Girona i changed my mind,also watching Ajiboye against Guinea showed that he is good and recent NPFL six invitational tournament in Kano showed Ajiboye is better than Ezenwa but am not the coach,if Rohr still stick with Ezenwa no issue cos is a must to respect his decision.

But you compared Ejiogu with today's Akpeyi and Ezenwa.

Anyways, this no be court of law. We are just discussing.

Kog45:
My man i said he wasn't better than the trio but very good keeper that would not be shaking like Ezenwa and Akpeyi that we are banking on now if given the chance.

He was not tested at the international level. Club and national team football are not the same. So you can't conclude he would have faired better.

If a goalie like Akpeyi with his performance in the PSL was never given the chance to play for the SE you would have said he was one of the best goalies that was never given the opportunity.

The other day some of us were blaming the Eagles handlers of the 90s for not giving Williams Okpara a chance in the Super Eagles only for the clips of the Holland friendly to surface and we found out it was the William Okpara that was the atrocious keeper in that second half.

I personal do not feel comfortable rating players that are or were not tested.

Kog45:
Even as at that time Chiejoke Ejiogu was not better than the trio but good keeper that can be bank on,i remember watching him against Enyimba with Dele in goal,my man he stole the show,it was Ejiogu vs Aiyenugba cos the two had a great 120 minutes but during penalties shootout,Ejiogu was fantastic.

Maybe if there was a CHAN Eagles team as at then, he would have been banked on but not the Super Eagles team.

Oasis007:


You are never a Believer of Experience, hence engaging you in this Discourse gonna end in Futile, coz experience-wise the Gap is too wide and both ain't in the same Class!

Puel has managed Top Teams like Monaco, Lyon, Lille, Nice, Southampton and now Leicester - these are Elites Clubs, not second Division Clubs.

He won many Titles as a Player, also as a Manager he has won Titles. Can you name the Achievement(s) of Lee Johnson?!

Who doesn't know experience is the best teacher. They just pretend not to believe in experience just to promote their favorite inexperienced young players.

Kog45:
Chijioke Ejiogu(Arugo monkey)we have brilliants keepers in the league in those days,hope you remember Greg Etafia,very solid keeper.Sunday Rotimi which i rate than Enyeama,Ejide and Aiyenugba then but surprisedly i heard that is still playing in the league.

Yes. His performance never projected him to the Super Eagles then because we had Enyeama, Ejide and Ayenugba. EOD.

safarigirl:
the bros own don too much. E go dey cry like say na only him guys dey suffer pass for Super Eagles, Echiejile that most people have thrown inside dustbin, is he Yoruba? What of Mikel Agu that has been vilified here, is he Yoruba?

The Idowu that we are asking to replace Echiejile after one game, is he Igbo?

Forgiveness has blinded himself to those ones, it is only Kayode's lack of chances he is seeing. I am sure Kayode is his relative, because there is no logical explanation to why he is so insistent on that one and has covered his eyes to the other Omoluabi players that are performing in GwG

There are certain arguments I have always tried to stay away from.
Arguments that have been revolving in circles and the person keeps saying the same thing over and over again. With nothing new to add.

safarigirl:
was Kelechi not peforming under Guardiola? Yes or no?

When last did I complain about Leicester or the coach?

And how many times have we said here that club football is different from National teams? You think Rohr has the time to keep testing players that are not bringing anything to the table?

On this same thread, we have asked for the exclusion of Echiejile because he brings nothing to the table, is it because he has not performed previously? No, but he is not performing now and that is enough for some of us to ask for his exclusion and who are we using to replace him? Aina and Idowu

Echiejile is from my state, but I will be pained if Rohr drops Aina for him. So, it is you who is an ignoramus if you think this is about who is Igbo or Yoruba


Your brother, Kayode is not performing as it stands and does not deserve another chance, people will not even give Nwakaeme another chance, is he also Yoruba? Bear in mind, Nwakaeme is performing for his club, unlike Kayode that we cannot see anywhere, but I don't see you waving Nwakaeme's flag here

I at least thank God that you have now spoken what is on your mind, you think Nigerians believe Yoruba players are inferior to their Igbo counterparts, so, you continually put them against each other to prove the falsity in that.

Na small small people dey talk their mind for this place.

Hahaha, firstlady, cool temper.