₦airaland Forum

Joebie:
It's still hard to make a case for someone who is yet to score.
What if we said (in addition):

1 match-day squad appearance (GRADE1) == 1 assist (GRADE2) == 1 goal scored (GRADE 3)

Joe-joe, hahaha. You just want to cage me. As I said before it is not just about statistics.

Who has scored more goals and given more assists between Dressers and Iheanacho this season?

But who do you rate higher?

Joebie:
Let's rate them based on their club careers alone within this current season.
We need to have a standard. This is a suggested one:

5 goals in Grade3 == 3 goals in Grade2 == 1 Goals in Grade1
Same as assists

GRADE 1 (1ST TIER)
Germany
England
France
Italy
Spain

GRADE 2 (1st tier)
Russia
Portugal
Ukraine
Belgium
Turkey
Austria
Netherlands
Czech
Greece

GRADE 3
MLS
Germany (2nd tier)
England (2nd tier)
France (2nd tier)
Italy (2nd tier)
Spain (2nd tier)
Other 1st tiers

It is not just all about statistical ratings.

For the times I have watched Osimhen play and the few times I have seen Bonaventure I tip Osimhen as the better player.

Statistics is good quite alright. in fact it is the easiest way out. But, it doesn't tell the entire story.

Taliban:
I honestly don't think he's a tribal bigot but what I think is he enjoys taunting people with ridiculous comments. It really is just a hobby for him. I might be wrong though.

Your last sentence says it.

Joebie:
okay sir, I just threw out names, and I believe I put "etc" at the end. It will be better to leave out the Ejarias.
How do you get to put Osimhen ahead of Dennis?

I rate Osimhen ahead of Dennis

OMANBALA1:
I have a dream, a dream that one day we will have a midfield comprising of Mikel, Ndidi ,Ogu and Joel Obi . This midfield will be unbeatable.

This your dream na on top which kine foam you dream am?

Joebie:
Okay Icon4s SerVik kog45 solonnachi Mujtahida junnyjake and the rest of us online
how would you order these names:
Bonaventure
Yahaya
Osimhen
Kelechi Nwakali
Francis Uzoho
Orji Okonkwo
Bright Enobakhare
Kingsley Michael
Sincere Seth
Tega Ejaria
Fikayo Tomori
Joel Osoro
etc

Due mainly to the poor performances of the last U17 and U20 we don't have a large pool of teenagers doing it in Europe. Unlike what we had 2-3 years ago.

To avoid creating an hiatus the NFF needs to ensure we have an excellent representation at the next U20 and U17.

Firstly I don't know exactly why you included Tega Edjaria and Fikayo Tomori on the list without also including Ademola Lookman. I personally will not rate them on my list since we are not sure of their international future.

My list of top 5:

1. Orji Okonkwo
2. Kelechi Nwakali
3. Francis Uzoho
4. Victor Osimhen
5. Dennis Bonaventure

Mujtahida:
It's so terrible, this thing. Our society is one that is riven with ethnic bigotry and division. Football and sports generally is the only save haven.
I like watching football in viewing centers. Last week when we played Argentina, Hausa, Igbo, yoruba, Igede, Ijaw, Igbira, Nupe, Bassa etc all United to support the team. It's our team. It lifts us beyond tribal sentiments and we love them because the team embodies our highest ideal as a nation. Interestingly, after we defeated Argentina Zambians, Cameroonians, Ethiopians were congratulating Nigeria for doing Africa proud. And here we have forgiveness fighting for tribal representation.


People are thinking at higher levels, from deep historical perspectives on our team. I have not read anybody making this kind of tribal calls so consistently as forgiveness in my estimation seems to do. This thing is bigger than Nigeria not to talk of your tribe.
Please Sir Icon4s go read Segun Odegbami's latest piece 'Super Eagles – The Black Man’s Burden, Responsibility And Hope!' https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/odegbami-super-eagles-black-mans-burden-responsibility-hope/

Nice write up from a great legend of the game.

The major problem I see with we blacks is our attitude/mentality and not even the environment.

Take all Americans to live in Nigeria and take all Nigerians to America . And in 100 years time you'll see Nigerians struggling to come back to live in Nigeria.

With the right attitude and mentality we can achieve a lot even as a football nation.

Mujtahida:
I hate to go down this road but I have to: Amaju Pinnick is from Delta State, the first vice president of the NFF S. Akinwummi as well the NFF media officer Toyin Ibitoye are yoruba. The second vice president is Shehu Dikko from the North. Rohr has three Nigerian Coaches Salisu Yusuf from the North, Amapakabo is an okrika man, Alloy Agu is Igbo.

So if a Yoruba man is crying that yoruba players are not given a chance(and it's so clear now to me that that is what it is) does he know better than S. Akinwummi and Toyin Ibitoye who are in a position to influence things?

We have the strange case of Uche Agbo who has been invited for almost a year now without even a single game time. Nobody talks about him. Even the press is silent about him. Yet it's like the guy is a patient man waiting for his opportunity.

Rohr doesn't invite Kayode, wahala. He invites him even more wahala.

It makes me sad when accusations of tribalism begins to be made against this team.

If the teams likes let it be populated by gworo chewing abokis. Just play good football and win games. To hell with whatever tribe.

The thing is people are often afraid to call a spade what it is.

His SOLE mission has been clear right from his first post on here.

maidaboi:
orji okonkwo don overtake victor osimhen see life

Emem Eduok that guy that score against ghana in uyo first match

Victor Osimhen's attorneys can sue you for this comment o.

Petrobros:
I tried to ignore this post but my conscience refused.

Forgiveness, I don't know what your problem is.

You better purge your heart of tribalism so you can think freely.

Are you the only Yoruba man here? It is very obvious that your hatred for the Igbo tribe is so deep rooted.

I wonder why some people will come here and still be pretending as if forgiveness is not a tribal bigot.

You better change this attitude of yours as it will take you no where.

He appears not to care about being tagged as a bigot any more.
Some of his sympathisers will still come to defend him.


We have learned to ignore. That is it.
And I have also learned to care about only reasonable posts on here.

EEGA:
Bro,Aina is a very good player.

A RB/RWB and not a LB or LWB.

Ebuehi played in his natural position (RB/RWB) unlike Aina who played the LWB.

Idowu who substitituted Aina is also a RB.In the match against Argentina, Idowu didn't do much going foward .He focused more on defending rather than going forward unlike Ebuehi.

The reason being that "when players are being played in a makeshift position,they can't be as good as when played in their natural position".

Aina will do well if played as a RB/RWB .

We had Ebuehi in camp when Rohr made the move to get Aina for the Cameroon game, after seeing him train with the team after the Senegal friendly.

I could recall a journalist said this during their training after the Senegal friendly in which Isaac Success was outstanding, "He (Aina) defended well against I.Success with ease,covered up for Troost-Ekong and linked up well with the attack.

The thing is we seem not to have issues with our RB. Where we need to sort out is the LB. If Aina must join the already crowded RB then one or two of Shehu, Ebuehi and Aina will not make it to Russia.

sontoly:
My conclusions:

Pros:

cyriel desser will be a like for like, or even better replacement for Odion Igalo, he has same characteristics with him and good physicality that is suitable for african footballs, he has good awareness and nice positioning skills, carries hot shots on both feet, has a good footwork required of a striker. He will give Ighalo a run for his money.

cons:

Cyriel desser struggles with aeriel balls, may waste a couple of chances cos of unnecessary wayward shots, has contributed lesser assists and doesnt often help with buildup plays.



PAUL ONUACHU

Pros:

paul is excellent with aeriel balls because of his height, has a good speed cos of his longer legs, he has a nice footworks considering his stature, may add something similar to Agali or even better.

Paul has a good sense of awareness and good positioning skills, he has contributed to so many goals this season apart from scoring making him a good teamplayer, he also contributes to buildup play which makes him fall a bit deeper to the midfield most times. He will be a good asset to the super eagles.


Cons:

He often get tangled while trying to dribble an opponent, he needs to do better on footworks, his physicality may not be suitable for playing african opponents. His shots mostly are not weighty and needs to add more power to his shots.

Final conclusion:

having both in the team will be nice, but probably overcrowded, its left for the coaching staff n scouts to decide.

Not really had much time to follow Cyriel Dessers, but as for Paul Onuachi, there is nothing spectacular about him. He is not a Super Eagles material for now. Na so we no take hear word about Sadiq Umar.

Samueltemi337:
Nigeria could face Argentina for the fifth time in the group stage of the World Cup if the simulation of the World Cup draw conducted bya llnigeriasoccer.comis anything to go by.
With seven months left before the tournament begins in Russia, the only thing left is for the thirty two qualified nations to discover their opponents in the group stage.
The Super Eagles were paired with Argentina, England and Denmark in Group C, while Brazil were drawn with Spain, Sweden and Australia in Group H, and the two groups are the strongest on paper.
Nigeria met Argentina in the group stage at the 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, losing by the odd goal on each occasion, but will fancy their chances of beating the South Americans if they cross path again in Russia after thrashing the two-time world champions 4-2 in an international friendly in Krasnodar on Tuesday.
A star-studded Super Eagles featuring the likes of Austin Okocha, Finidi George,Nwankwo Kanu and Taribo West lost 4-1 to Denmark at the Stade de France in the second round of the 1998 World Cup, the only meeting between the two countries at the mundial.
Fifteen years ago, the three-time African champions played out a goalless draw with England in their final group game of the World Cup.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup draw will take place on December 1 at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.
World Cup Draw Simulator
Group A: Russia, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Japan
Group B : Belgium, Uruguay, Senegal, South Korea
Group C: Argentina, England, Denmark, Nigeria
Group D: Portugal, Croatia, Iran, Panama
Group E: France, Peru, Tunisia, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Colombia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
Group G: Poland, Mexico, Iceland, Morocco
Group H: Brazil, Spain, Sweden, Australia
* World Cup draw simulator provided by Telegraph UK

Who will take this one serious?

.

ykalhaji:
Central Africa bro... Cameroon, Congo, Zambia... Those guys will knock us out any day any time.

Which Cameroon and Zambia?

The same ones we just out-muscled?

BTW Zambia is part of Southern Africa and not Central.

Joebie:
@bolded , rightly said, especially as they are all versatile

Versatility is a major strength of this team. A lot of our players are versatile.

blueto:
That back up can be Ebuehi, while Shehu will be selected as a midfielder who are also play RB depending on the formation adopted for a game.

What of Aina?

blueto:
sir, can you please shed more light? thanks in anticipation.

If V. Moses plays the RWB as you have suggested, then it means we need only one back-up RWB.

blueto:
Greetings!

This is my preferred starting eleven for now in the 3-5-2 formation.
Moses should start for the RWB role while the likes or Ebuehi and Shehu can come in as subs. We can recall during the last world cup edition in 2014, Moses couldn't do very well against world cup teams in a forward role, despite his impressive runs against African teams in Afcon and other subsequent games against African sides, so why not avoid the same mistakes this time?

Another point is that, he can also impress in the wing back role, he is indefatigable in running, he can draw players to himself, thereby providing more space for Iheanacho and Iwobi to do some serious damages to the opponent's defenses. He can also drift in the 18 yard box to cause havoc when Nigeria is attacking just like how Idowu was found in the 18 yard box of Argentina too from the LWB role.

Another very important thing that Nigeria stands to benefit if Moses plays wing back is a very good defensive cover. Chelsea rarely concedes a goal from the right side if Moses is on the pitch and he is playing RWB, I can tentatively say that Chelsea have NOT conceded a goal from that right side with Moses playing the RWB role and even if they have, it will be on very few occasions. he always have that side looked against any team, and since he got injured now, Chelsea have been conceding many goals from there, which goes to show what Moses have been offering in that role. Now imaging him playing that role again for Nigeria and replicating that form, that will be a big plus to Nigeria.

Another point is that the flow between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho combination should not be tempered with for now. If Moses is made to play a forward role now, his style of football may not suit the flow and thereby disrupting it. The combination between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho have been devastating to defenses and should continue.

Why I picked Ogu ahead of Onazi for now is because of his good combination with Ndidi. We see the best of each other (Ndidi and Ogu) when they play. Ogu have showed he also has some pace and can use his positioning also to neutralize attacks, which can come in handy against those highly rate teams.

Awaziem is good with his left foot so he should play in the LCB role while Balogun should move to the center beacause of his "lack of pace."


So here is my preferred line up for now

If Rohr should adopt this system, then 2 of Aina, Ebuehi, and Shehu may not make it to Russia.

Icon4s:
Thread on our Open Letter to the NFF and the coaching crew created.

https://www.nairaland.com/4180285/open-letter-nff-super-eagles#62435492

Done!

Posted on both Toyin Ibitoye and the NFF twitter handles.

The text box could not accommodate the whole message so I only posted the subject and referred them to the link to view the full message.

I also put a link to this great thread in the open letter so Toyin and the NFF can have a better view of more of our discussions here.

Well done all.

Mujtahida:
I didn't expect Ebuehi to play against Zambia. He wasn't even invited. But in they ought to have capped him in the dead rubber against Algeria even if it's just the last five minutes.

So why have people been crying that why hasn't Rohr been playing him since?

safarigirl:
I've been offline most of the time for the last two days, the power situation here is woeful, I could barely read through the over twenty pages I met here.

Icon4s, sorry I haven't been able to respond to your list, I haven't properly read it and I may not get the chance to because of my battery situation, however I trust your judgment and that of those of us on this thread. I would probably not have advised opening the discussion to all NLers though. They have proven themselves incapable of taking the national team issues seriously most of the time.


I was thinking up a final World Cup list and a thought came to me, what do you guys think of Etebo's chances of making it to the world cup considering current situations?

Aww sorry about that.

On creating of the thread, the main purpose is to make the message go viral.

I know the real Super Eagles fans are those that visit the Super Eagles thread. They have already made contributions and so I am not expecting much from the generality.

And thanks for believing in our judgments.

On Etebo, he us still a Vital member of the team though he may not be a starter. He is a utility player and as I always say such players are hardly dropped by coaches.

Goke7:
imagine folks are already giving rohr the sticks for not playing ebuehi earlier, why are we so emotional like this, Nigerians are just too difficult to please abeg and what if ebuehi decides to dump Nigeria after all, he will just give shehu and another RB very easy chance to russia, na so the boy stupid reach? dumping a country that did not qualify for the world cup for a country that did not. once again ayam not understand o

With the kind of performances Shehu was giving which reasonable coach would have dropped him for an untested Ebuehi especially in our last 2 or 3 crucial WC qualifiers? Shehu even won MOTM against Zambia. Should Rohr had thrown in players at random?

Humility017:
so.....oga icon4 you've shifted goal post...
I thought you were among those...still hoping for the young lad to mature up ...supporting rohr keeping ebuehi on the bench.....

sometimes what I have noticed wit my experience elites here on nairaland and beyond is fear to take risks....

just that fear.......
forget all those words of rohr...he never expect ebuehi to play so well....had it been he knew this all this while...he would have played him before now....

For the crucial games against Cameroon and Zambia tell me why you should bench Shehu for Ebuehi after the former put up mind blowing performances. Shehu was a phenomenon even ahead of that Zambia game. No reasonable coach would have started Ebuehi ahead of Shehu. You don't just throw players into the starting 11 at random.

I personally expected Ebuehi to start against Algeria of which we nothing to lose but Rohr had other plans.

Rohr introduces players gradually into the team and I OK with that.

pyrex23:
if u can, add a list of players who should/could be given a look in/be on their radar..
My thoughts..
Cyriel Dessers, Joel Obi, Sone Aluko, Deji(frankfurt, Peter Olayinka, Paul Onachau, Dennis Bonaventure.

Also, if u can add this link

www.nairaland.com/3018619/super-eagles-thread-russia-2018/

kudos

We have chosen not to suggest players to the coaching crew. That will amount to interference in their duties and responsibilities. Let us leave players selection to them. We can only suggest they give us the best.

As for the link, a wonderful idea.

TheGoodJoe:
I do not see it as a messed up decision because if Ebuehi wants to play for us, he will wait and get capped. I hope he does want to represent us.

That is why we need that AFCON qualifiers game against Seychelles. We start Ebuehi and Idowu and they are capped for life.

After that Seychelles game there is no other full international debut opportunity before the world cup.

Pinnick should go and withdraw that his proposal to CAF.

junnyjake:
I'm not sure you added one of Goldfish's point, that one about camping in Russia early.

I stated the proposed camping in Russia, though I did not add the word "early" because camping only depends on the completion of the European season. You cannot call for camping earlier than the European season closes. Secondly, reporting to camp early is not an issue with this crop as they have always reported to camp in good enough time.

Thread on our Open Letter to the NFF and the coaching crew created.

https://www.nairaland.com/4180285/open-letter-nff-super-eagles#62435492

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NFF AND THE SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW FROM MEMBERS OF THE NAIRALAND SUPER EAGLES FANS BASE.


We are ardent followers and supporters of the Super Eagles. Most of us may not make the trip to Russia, we cannot be with the coaching crew, we are not part of the NFF, neither can we kick the balls with the players. However, we can only make our little contribution by way of suggestion to the NFF and the Coaching crew.We believe firmly in the ability of this team to perform creditably well because we have both the footballing and administrative personnel to make it happen.

We are an assembly of fans who have seen the game for several decades and have followed it with burning passion all through the years. We have extensively X-rayed the reasons for the disappointing ends to our past World Cup outings and hence provided some tips for both the NFF and the coaching crew to critically look into:

1. The need for the NFF to sort out issues of bonuses and players’ welfare on time: We sincerely appreciate the current effort being put in place by the NFF to ensure that bonuses and allowances issues are sorted out ahead of the World Cup. This is a commendable step towards avoiding players boycotting of training session as witnessed in the last World Cup.
2. Majority of the players who qualified the team should be kept. Only players who are better than the current crop should be added. Introducing too many new players had its negative effects in our 2002 and 2014 campaigns. The team should also be a good mix of youth and experience as we hope to achieve a balanced transition in the team even beyond Russia 2018. The best players should be selected devoid of favoritism.
3. Quality pre-World Cup warm up games: We have started with an excellent one with Argentina and should continue in that line. Perhaps a top European and or Asian Opposition would not be bad for us in March, 2018. We propose camping in Russia where we expect high profile friendlies in the window leading to the World Cup
4. Instilment of high level of discipline in the team: This is to curb “over-confidence”, lack of team play by some players, segregation in the team and excessive celebrations both on and off the pitch: These kind of attitude had negative effects in our past world cup outings.
5. Updated FIFA rules must be understood by players and coaches to avoid naïve situations. A simple case in time is with our goalie – Daniel Akpeyi in our most recent friendly against Argentina. Also the same Argentina used it against us at the 1994 World Cup. Ie Cladio Caniggia and Diego Maradona. Also players taking off jerseys to display inscriptions should be kicked against.
6. Our players should learn to react to tackles in such a way as to influence the ref’s decisions in our favor. We have been victims of influenced or lack of influenced referee’s decisions in past world cups. Eg Onazi’s tackle against France in 2014 World Cup would have been a Red Card for Matuidi if the Nigerian players close to the action had reacted appropriately. Brahimi would have been sent off if Shehu had gone down after being head butted amongst others.
7. The technical bench should be fortified to world standard. The NFF should also engage the services of world class sports psychologist and physios

We believe so much in this Team. The NFF and the entire coaching crew are doing a Super Job with the Super Eagles. We can only hope for the Super Eagles to Fly above all expectations come Russia 2018.

We also invite you to visit our great thread on top notch discussions on the Super Eagles: https://www.nairaland.com/3018619/super-eagles-thread-russia-2018/

CC: honeric01, semid4lyfe .

Mujtahida:
Okay. Na this American/British spelling differences. Good job. We would spread it. Also let's tag the mods to take it to front page. What do you think. So that it would go viral.

Ok. Decided to wait till tomorrow before taking it to NFF and Ibitoye's handle just in case some late suggestions would fly in.

But I will create a thread for it on nairaland now. We may also get more suggestions from the wider generality.

Thanks for your inputs

Mujtahida:
Instillment not instilment.
Critically look into. 'Look'was reported twice

Instilment is single l. I will correct the "look". Thanks.

Icon4s:
Further modified:

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NFF AND THE SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW FROM MEMBERS OF THE NAIRALAND SUPER EAGLES FANS BASE.


We are ardent followers and supporters of the Super Eagles. Most of us may not make the trip to Russia, we cannot be with the coaching crew, we are not part of the NFF, neither can we kick the balls with the players. However, we can only make our little contribution by way of advice to the NFF and the Coaching crew.We believe firmly in the ability of this team to perform creditably well because we have both the footballing and administrative personnel to make it happen.

We are an assembly of fans who have seen the game for several decades and have followed it with burning passion all through the years. We have extensively X-rayed the reasons for the disappointing ends to our past World Cup outings and hence provided some tips for both the NFF and the coaching crew to look critically look into:

1. The need for the NFF to sort out issues of bonuses and players’ welfare on time: We sincerely appreciate the current effort being put in place by the NFF to ensure that bonuses and allowances issues are sorted out ahead of the World Cup. This is a commendable step towards avoiding players boycotting of training session as witnessed in the last World Cup.
2. Majority of the players who qualified the team should be kept. Only players who are better than the current crop should be added. Introducing too many new players had its negative effects in our 2002 and 2014 campaigns. The team should also be a good mix of youth and experience as we hope to achieve a balanced transition in the team even beyond Russia 2018. The best players should be selected devoid of favoritism.
3. Quality pre-World Cup warm up games: We have started with an excellent one with Argentina and should continue in that line. Perhaps a top European and or Asian Opposition would not be bad for us in March, 2018. We propose camping in Russia where we expect high profile friendlies in the window leading to the World Cup
4. Instilment of high level of discipline in the team: This is to curb “over-confidence”, lack of team play by some players, segregation in the team and excessive celebrations both on and off the pitch: These kind of attitude had negative effects in our past world cup outings.
5. Updated FIFA rules must be understood by players and coaches to avoid naïve situations. A simple case in time is with our goalie – Daniel Akpeyi in our most recent friendly against Argentina. Also the same Argentina used it against us at the 1994 World Cup. Ie Cladio Caniggia and Diego Maradona. Also players taking off jerseys to display inscriptions should be kicked against.
6. Our players should learn to react to tackles in such a way as to influence the ref’s decisions in our favor. We have been victims of influenced or lack of influenced referee’s decisions in past world cups. Eg Onazi’s tackle against France in 2014 World Cup would have been a Red Card for Matuidi if the Nigerian players close to the action had reacted appropriately. Brahimi would have been sent off if Shehu had gone down after being head butted amongst others.
7. The technical bench should be fortified to world standard. The NFF should also engage the services of world class sports psychologist and physios

We believe so much in this Team. The NFF and the entire coaching crew are doing a Super Job with the Super Eagles. We can only hope for the Super Eagles to Fly above all expectations come Russia 2018.

Nuff said and written posting on the NFF handle now.