₦airaland Forum

Humility017:
meaning he was not in Indonesia or China...

Thank you.

tbaba1234:
I remember that time.. My cousin had to pass ear test before she entered school. How times have changed...

Yeah, plus then a good number of children didn't start primary school until they were almost 10.

Alhaji Lateef Jakande God bless him. He built so many new schools in Lagos then and declared free education and free books plus Buhari came with free meals and so many parents that couldn't send their children to school pushed them all out even at old age. We used to call those big pupils then " Agbaya".

We had a country. How times have changed.

safarigirl:
I was 9-years old in JSS1 as at 2003. I was 10 in JSS2 as at 2004. I had a classmate a year younger than me then, so, she was 8 in JSS1 as at 2003....she graduated secondary school in 2009 at 14...

You need to revisit these your beliefs. I still graduated secondary school in 2010 at 16, even as I had to repeat JSS2 because we moved.

Bear in mind, some people wrote WAEC in SS2 even back then, so they didn't spend six years in school.

O boy, during our time of primary schools enrollment your left hand must touch your right ear o. Only well nourished big size 6 years olds could do that. I was lucky to do it at 6 but a good number of my class mates were 7 & 8 years olds. That was primary one o. I spent 6 solid years (not the mago mago 5 years they spend now). I finished primary school at 12+ and enrolled in Class one (later became JSS1) at almost 13. Finally na 18 years me finish secondary school and a good number of my class mates were 19, 20. Very few were 17. Only one girl in the whole graduating SS3 was 16.

I recall the 1985 Golden Eaglets were picked from the national Principals cup. Secondary schools ended at Class 5 then. So the boys would have been mostly 17 or 18 and less.

safarigirl:
no, I did not grow up in the East actually, rarely even visit. I grew up partly in the West and partly in the North

Lagos and Abuja.

Kog45:
Honestly i don't want to have any discussion on Martins,Osaze,Ik Uche with Michael2 coz ve already told him point blank that i no dey just like your speechless comment.

My "speechless" comment means I am shocked that someone could suggest such names at this time. No vex.

His comment there left me speechless

Kog45:
Pls icon4s let us be realistic and be honest.am always follow your statement that says'only a player better than d one we have should be given opportunity'

Now my question do we have any striker better than Ighalo and Iheanacho presently,if we have no issue but i don't see any better than what we have presently.

How many goals are we expecting from our striker in d WC coz in any WC good and solid strikers always have 3,4,5,6,7 goals and sometimes highest goal scorer 5, 6 or 7 goals,so why unnecessary pressure even Yekini had one WC goal despite having two WC appearance.

Pls these so call strikers we keep on hamnering on are they topping d goal chart in their various club or league coz am even fed up with the way we are clamouring for these untested players at d expense of players like Ighalo and Iheanacho.

Boss pls do not forget Ogbeche,Uchebo,Ameobi,2014 not too far and still fresh how some players find themselves in d team and couldn't do anything extra ordinary,funny enough good ones were even dropped for them.

What we need now is a balance team where any of our forward can score and thank God our WC qualifying matches can attest to it.I don't think we can pinpoint to any player as responsible for our qualifications.We have 11 goals shared by six players meaning our formation don't rely much on our top 9.

Remember our qualification to US 94,it was Yekini,2002 WC qualification it was Victor Agali and Kanu Nwankwo d two scored four goals apiece.

We need to stop all these noise on striker coz i don't see any one of them giving us 3 to 4 goals in WC,so let us plan with what we have but if we see any special one fine but from d names being peddling here we should forget it.

I guess the comment was supposed to be addressed to Michael2 and not me. Cos he was the one calling for those pensioners to come back and play for us.

The only striker I have clamored for here is Tammy Abraham and of course we are getting more convinced by the weeks of his exceptional abilities.


And Please don't use Yekini's achievement at the World Cup as a yardstick for current strikers because we know Yekini had 2 bad World Cup outings: both the 1994 & 1998.

Your points are noted though.

Mickael2:
Well Klose did, at the last world cup infact

Yes Klose did. And I was even expecting you to mention Rodger Miller.

But mention one of such players that performed at ages close to or above 40 and I will mention 100 players that could no longer perform as from age 30.

Humility017:
I can only vouch for osaze's age...amongst them...the rest I can't say....
especially Martins and uche

Even Osaze is 36 for Christ's sakes. How many strikers in the world can still compete favorably at that age?

Mickael2:
do you need me to tell you the average age of the Italians when they won the 2006 world cup? Or that of Spain when they won the 2010 World cup? I mean even CapdeVilla played that tournament! So much for the Veterans I guess

Last time I checked Martins, Uche and Osaze are not Italians, neither are they Spaniards.

They are Nigerians.

Mickael2:
No No No, Ighalo cannot do what Emenike was doing then. Do you think Ighalo could have created that Bosnia goal? For one he doesn't have the pace to even do something like that, he is not the type of striker that can go out in the wing thus allowing another unsighted player free reign in the 18yard box which was what Emenike brought to the party then.


Then let's take a cursory look at all the to strikers in the world right now-Suarez, Benzema, Lewandowski, Kane etc etc. All these guys have one thing in common, their ability to also drift away from the box and giving the two CBs a false sense of security allowing their other attacking teammates to score. If Kane does not drift from the middle Alli won't score two goals in a season, same for Suarez and Messi, Benzema/Ronaldo, Lewandowski/Muller(you can see here that Ancellotti disrupted that Lewandowski/Muller, sack letter). This is what worked for us at the last world cup, Emenike drifted away from the box and created a goal for Osaze, he drifted into the middle and created a goal for Musa, this is the type of striker we need as out starter not some kwatankwa striker like Ighalo, which is why I really hope and pray and wish that Iheanacho will check his development because in the present crop of guys he is the only one that can remotely do that. Tammy Abraham cannot do it and so I do not expect him to be a hit for any National Team he plays for.


Now that brings me to the two/three guys I have always been clamouring for. Martins, Ike Uche and Osaze. Now Martins and Uche are two strikers who can drift well, infact sometimes you would be left wondering if they are playing as the winger just like what David Villa used to do, no need telling you his achievements from such play and/or Suarez's achievements too. So me clamouring for Ike Uche or Martins isn't because they bagged some goals recently, I am looking at their style of play, Ighalo is the type of forward we should look for when we are chasing a game, never a starter. There is a reason why the Three Lions will still invite Defoe ahead of Tammy despite our show of interest, they are not stupid, they know Defoe drifts more than Tammy thus providing a whole lot more attacking dimension.


So please, next time I mention Uche or Martins, it is not because they bagged a couple of goals, it is because their style of play will provide a lot more than what we have now.


Cc Joebie, Humility, Icon4s, Kog45 these guys that always attack when they see these names take note

Speechless.

mank1234:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding

OK.

This must be a new format then.

For the 2014 WC when FIFA rankings were first used only the top 8 seeds were picked based on Rankings. The other teams were potted based on confederations.

[quote author=Kog45 post=61531661][/quote]Sorry for the digression Boss. I just felt like correcting a wrong impression.

Kog45:
Rohr said Echiejele is still his number one pick for LB barring injury but also said Aina is a player to beat coz of his versatility in both flanks.

Let wait till WC and see what happens, nobody gave Shehu Abdullahi the chance but he grabbed it with good performance especially against Zambia.

All i know good to have options for these positions, it gives us advantage and it is glaring Echiejele is a plus to d team,his experience is still valuable to d team but that doesn't mean is indispensable.

Good to have Echiejele, Abdullahi, Aina,Ebuhei and if possible Nura of Roma,this is what we want,depths in various positions.

Good things are:

1. Ola Aina is young and up and coming
2. We have permanently secured his future with us.

By and large he definitely has a future with the national team. Whether he would displace Echiejile for the Russia starting list or not, time will tell.

Humility017:
Lol...please i don't want to laugh...
you see corruption has drastically reduced west Africa especially Nigeria...to a good for nothinh giant...

hope you're currently aware of the present nnpc contracts debacle...
to be honest wit you...money go missing in this country daily....and I can tell you that those revelations were true...


If not that Nigeria is rich...by now the country should have been in bankrupt...

moreover.....I remember after my graduation...I told a friend of mine from south Africa...she was so happy for me...saying I will be very rich ooo...
I asked why say that...her reply was in her country if you're a graduate you're sure of a job...
I told her the realities in Nigeria...even wit a first class......
so I think ..the problem of west Africa..especially Nigeria is not the absence of human resources but lack of capable and transparent hands to manage this human and natural resources to attain a productive end

Let me digress a little, @ the bolded no money is missing. The only issue is the contracts were awarded without following due process.

This thing called 'due process' has always caused a major bottle neck in our Oil and Gas sector. There are certain emergency services that typically need urgent approvals like pipeline leakage repairs, pipeline fire, Stuck pipe severing and fishing during drilling operations and others related to crude oil or products evacuation etc, but our Minister of Petroleum was either on a sick bed or busy travelling from USA to Mongolia. The VP signed a couple of them and the NNPC GMD, Maikanti Baru, gave the go ahead for some others with the consent of the "away" Petroleum Minister.
It is normal and a common practice as the official approval would later be obtained to enable the contractor receive payment. So there is really no issue in this matter.

Ibe Kachukwu goofed big time and this will mark the beginning of his downfall.

The curves I only see here are those "k" legs

blueto:
My preferred starting line-up and formation for now. Mikel playing as a CM will be able to offer some defensive support also and also do very well as regards combining with Iwobi to orchestrate chances and keep the midfield in control. Iwobi can thrive very well with Mikel's presence in the midfield and Mikel doing one of the things that he is known for, and that is initiating attacks. V.Moses and S.Moses are also good defensively therefore balancing defensive and offensive play.

Bros some people can throw a club at you for starting Echiejile ahead of Ola Aina o. So please watch your head.

Humility017:
poor management and corruption sir...is the cause...especially when you use Nigeria as case study...
even the present awka ibom stadia...is fast becoming an eyesore...
poor management...even building this stadia funds will be inflated in the politicians desperation to steal

What do you then think is the cause of this attitude? Our skin color, weather, race or what? Because it is not only in terms of stadium facilities. When you visit Cities like Cairo, Rabat, Tunis, Luanda, Harare, Lusaka not even mention the SA cities, you'll almost think you are in Europe. Unlike most capitals in West and Central Africa. And ironically it is West and Central Africa that most of the talents in Africa emerge from.

Humility017:
don't mind them...
personally I will want them host it or any north Africa country...this is due to the nature of their playing turf ..
they ve good stadia

Why is it even that countries in sub-saharan Africa have the worst pitches despite having the richest vegetation?

Meanwhile,the North African countries are mainly deserts and semi-deserts.

BascoVanVeli:
Yea CAF really just wants to build them up for their world cup bid. CHAN will give them a chance to prove their hosting mettle.

I hope a new epidemic does not break out just like how they refused to host the AFCON due to Ebola outbreak.

Icon79:
Meanwhile.......

2018 World Cup pots (if the highest-ranked teams all prevail in playoffs/final round of games)

Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

Pot 2: Spain, Peru*, Switzerland*, England, Colombia, Italy*, Mexico, Uruguay

Pot 3: Croatia*, Denmark*, Iceland, Costa Rica, Tunisia*, Egypt, Senegal*, Iran

Pot 4: DR Congo*, Serbia, Nigeria, Australia*, Japan, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

*denotes teams yet to qualify heading into playoffs/final round of games

Four different Group of Death scenarios
*Germany, Spain, Egypt, Japan
*Brazil, England, Senegal, Serbia
*Argentina, Mexico, Croatia, Nigeria
*Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Korea


O pari

May I ask the source of these pots?

After the Top 8 seeded teams, the other countries are to be potted according to their confederations and not FIFA rankings.

Eg all African teams are to be in one pot with some teams from another confederation to make it up to 8 teams.

Lastly, how can Tunisia and DR Congo who are both justling for one ticket both be in the draws?

Icon79:
Yea, I totally agree. And I don't think that Rohr would play an wholly experimental side against Algeria either. At most, you will see Awazien partner Balogun in CD along with players like Etebo, Ogu, Nacho, and Aina starting.

And by the way, I can go on a limb here and predict that our CD partnership in Russia would be Balogun and Awazien, with Aina starting on the LB. Mark my words.


O pari

Rohr has stated the Algeria game is a must win.

Rohr needs to work on Ekong. Let him not turn out to be our weakest link in the WC.

I don't completely rule out Awaziem displacing Ekong but it is not likely.

BascoVanVeli:
Morocco is hosting and it is coming up soon.

OK. Thanks. A perfect host.

safarigirl:
Morocco is hosting CHAN 2018

Has it been announced?

mostob:
is the CHAN groups out?

We don't even have a host yet, you talking of Grouping.

soetanoreoluwa:
Immediately I posted it... I saw your post...

I think they have cancelled the Tunisia friendly.. Let us see who they are going to bring this time...

Anybody. Egypt would be a good test

Humility017:
how about the invitation of tiago ilori...? that day I will deactivate my account...

I tell you.
Come add Solanke join

Dedebanky85:
I don't think it's wise playing so many strong teams before the WC. What if they embarrass us like what we suffered in 98? That's no way to boost morale b4 a competition. I hope we play 2 strong teams, 1 in March and the other in June. Then we can play a plethora of average friendlies in June. There would be a lot of friendlies in May and June of every WC year. In 2014 we played 3 int'l friendlies against Scotland, Greece, and USA in these months. And we still found time to play some Brazilian local teams. So if it's getting friendly I no de fear that one. Just that this current NFF have somehow become so used to arranging friendlies that people can't watch. That's my only fear.

Infact you took this off my mind.

The friendlies need to be balanced. Aside top teams we need to play weaker or average teams so as to test our attacking prowess. Playing top teams will test our defense and cohesiveness of our midfield and ability to hit on the counter.

Icon79:
Baba, I think one is in the works already. Good insights tho


O pari

Yeah. We need to maximize the period.

We also need to win the Algeria game to continue building the momentum. Even if we are testing new players they must be given the mandate to win as that is a major justification for their inclusion.
It is not a friendly but a WC qualifying game and the consequence of losing would be heavy on our FIFA ranking.

soetanoreoluwa:
International Friendly – Super Eagles Hit Spain From Algeria After World Cup Qualifiers

https://i1.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_3646.jpg?w=720

Preparations are ongoing for the senior national team of Nigeria to play a friendly game in Spain after their dead rubber World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against Algeria in Algiers.

Nigeria are already through to the World Cup which will be holding in Russia next year, with a game to spare hence the need for the team to start lining up friendly games in readiness for the World Cup.

The Eagles were earlier bid to play a friendly game in Morocco, but it is now looking likely that the venue for their planned Friendly game next month will be in Spain and not Morocco.

” Morocco was initially suggested as venue for the friendly but it may now likely hold in Spain”, Onyewuchi Nwachukwu wrote in his report for the print version of Sporting Life newspaper.

However the team they will be playing against is yet to be confirmed as most teams are demanding Nigeria field the full compliment of their squad for the game, as they have been told about plans by Nigeria to field a second strength team against Algeria, which will be played before the planned Friendly.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/10/17/international-friendly-super-eagles-hit-spain-from-algeria-after-world-cup-qualifiers/

I didn't even see this before posting my comment above.

Good one NFF. Way to go.

soetanoreoluwa:
International Friendly – Super Eagles Hit Spain From Algeria After World Cup Qualifiers

https://i1.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_3646.jpg?w=720

Preparations are ongoing for the senior national team of Nigeria to play a friendly game in Spain after their dead rubber World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against Algeria in Algiers.

Nigeria are already through to the World Cup which will be holding in Russia next year, with a game to spare hence the need for the team to start lining up friendly games in readiness for the World Cup.

The Eagles were earlier bid to play a friendly game in Morocco, but it is now looking likely that the venue for their planned Friendly game next month will be in Spain and not Morocco.

” Morocco was initially suggested as venue for the friendly but it may now likely hold in Spain”, Onyewuchi Nwachukwu wrote in his report for the print version of Sporting Life newspaper.

However the team they will be playing against is yet to be confirmed as most teams are demanding Nigeria field the full compliment of their squad for the game, as they have been told about plans by Nigeria to field a second strength team against Algeria, which will be played before the planned Friendly.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/10/17/international-friendly-super-eagles-hit-spain-from-algeria-after-world-cup-qualifiers/

I didn't even see this before posting my comment above.

Napoleon55:
i think a these 3 friendlies with EMGLAND,GERMANY AND ARGENTINA is okey for us,the rest should be against average and decent teams.

Unfortunately, there may not be enough window for friendlies as CAF has lined up AFCON qualifiers for the FIFA window early next year.

We should have planned 1 few days after the Algeria game next month which is the last FIFA free window for this year.

We can also plan a friendly a few days after the Seychelles game in march next year.

Hopefully when the season closes early May next year we'll play a couple of friendlies to aid final squad and team selection.

TheGoodJoe:

It was still a conservative set-up. Not parked bus but conservative. That is Rohr's preference but I feel and honestly believe we can be more explosive with a more offensive set-up.

Who told you that is Rohr's preference? You just judged from the last 15mins of the Cameroon game. Was he not all offensive against Algeria and Cameroon in Uyo? What of the first half against Cameroun and Zambia away?

As I said choosing to go all attacking or defending depends a lot on the strength of your opposition and the result you aim to achieve at that point in the game.

Rohr needed to maintain that lead against Cameroon which was why he pulled out a more attacking player (Mikel) and brought in a more defense minded player (Agu). That's is what any normal thinking coach would do at that moment. Besides steam had gone out of Mikel Obi. Agu was not of the quality we thought he was which was why it almost back-fired, because he brought nothing into the game.