₦airaland Forum

safarigirl:
, you should read WAFU updates, it's like Nigeria vs. Cameroon.... And we're Cameroon

Mtcheew

safarigirl:
Updates say the Sierra Leonians have beautiful build-uo play while our players are playing the age old anywhere-belle-face style

No be belle-face football dem dey play for NPFL?

BascoVanVeli:
U always kill me with this philosophy because someone else makes it through hell makes hell acceptable. No need to argue then because u are just searching for a reason to bash these guys.

I am totally against ill-treatment of our teams.

But when you find yourself in such a situation what do you do? Go and ahead and fail?

BascoVanVeli:
Sierra Leone has been in Ghana since last week while our boys are scheduled to arrive an hour before the match so ur guess is as good as mine.

A Nigerian team that just recently took part in 2-legged CHAN qualifiers. Who should have more momentum?

No need to defend them in advance. I will be happy if they beat Sierra Leone but I will also bring out my stick if they fail to do so. What is the standard of the Sierra-Leonean league that the NPFL cannot raise 11 players to beat them?

Siasia's boys landed 3 hours ahead of their first game in the last Olympics and they came all out flying. No excuses to beat Sierra Leone today.

BascoVanVeli:
Sierra Leone has been in Ghana since last week while our boys are scheduled to arrive an hour before the match so ur guess is as good as mine.

A Nigerian team that just recently took part in 2-legged CHAN qualifiers.

No need to defend them in advance. I will be happy if they beat Sierra Leone but I will also bring out my stick if they fail to do so. What is the standard of the Sierra-Leonean league that the NPFL cannot raise 11 players to beat them?

Siasia's boys landed 3 hours ahead of their first game in the last Olympics and they came all out flying. No excuses to beat Sierra Leone today.

BascoVanVeli:
CHAN is different from WAFU cup na. U do know these guys had matches on Saturday and will only arrive an hour before the match so why are u adding pressure on them?

Who is adding pressure on them? Are they not expected to beat Sierra Leone?

What I am concerned with is our FIFA ranking. I have not confirmed but I won't be surprised to see these WAFU Cup results as part of September or October rankings.

Lose to teams like Sierra Leone and Gambia and watch our FIFA ranking plunge.

Kog45:
Chei!10points difference between the top and bottom,then that's not league,something needs to be done

Plateau United are champions but when CAF pairs them against a club from Rwanda now they will crash out. They may even relegate next season. That's how bad it is.

adegwurulez:
Really? Does Fifa attach any importance to regional competitions like this?

Go to fifa.com , check the rankings page you'll find the results to be used to rank us for September. The CHAN results are included.

I just hope the main Super Eagles will not be working hard to boost our ranking only for the home based to be negating it.

zicky:
Except you see everything as an argument to be won, I don't. we are all here to learn, if someone makes a false statement we correct so others are not misled.

Which false statement?

Has any Nigerian Club won any continental title since after Enyimba in 2004?

BascoVanVeli:
What trend? Mfon Udoh just had a double digit scoring season playing as a winger. Emem Eduok plays in the Turkish super league with Kasimpasa. Godwin Obaje is doing well for himself still banging goals as the NPFL's highest paid player. Chisom Egbuchalam is in Sweden and his club is fighting for at least a Europa League berth. The only trend I see is people disrespecting home based professionals with no justification.

A league that the difference between the top and bottom team is always less than 10points. Plateau United and MFM are to represent us at the CAF champions league and I am sure you know the expectations of even the Plateau and MFM fans on how far both teams will progress.

The league is in a mess.

mostob:
18:00gmt Nigeria vs Sierra Leone. . WAFU cup today

I hope we win this this one if not for anything our FIFA ranking . The 1-0 lose to Benin is already registered on FIFA ranking sheet and is set to negate our win over Cameroon.

zicky:
did you see where I wrote the lost on goal difference and you still ask if they win it. you make it sound like Nigeria club have been shit, bt I try to let know that two Nigerian clubs got to the semifinals that 2009 which is a remarkable feat either they win or not caf remember the second place team and I also do.

No need going into an argument with you on this.

I have made my own point.

BascoVanVeli:
U congratulated him but u also made an underhanded dig about him ending up in an obscure league next season.

You want to say that has not been the trend?

zicky:
I think Heartland got to the finals in 2009, played Kano pillar in the semis lost the finals on goals difference to To mazembe

Did they win it?
Who remembers the second placed teams?

Enyimba are the last Nigerian club to have won any continental title. Too bad for the Nigerian league.

OMANBALA1:
And whoever said that was right ,all NPFL strikers are one season hit and they hit the rocks. Sometime ago I have highlighted why this keep happening I mean one season a player scores 20 goals and next he bits the dust. Its the the ills that comes with playing in the Nigerian league,the bad management,poor remuneration very hostile environment and the players desperation to seek better option abroad which usually ends in disaster.

We can all remember players who shook the NPFL with their goal scoring exploits but soon after this accomplishment they went missing...Emeka Nwanna of Rangers and Enyimba,Wobo Uwaezoke of Enyimba,Jude Aneke of Warri Wolves just to name a few have all bit the dust. Sad. And this trend will not change if further changes are not made in the way clubs and the league are run.

That is my point.

BascoVanVeli:
Give the young man his credit no need to beat around the bush. He is a consistent goal scorer that is what I am saying.

https://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/170718/Okpotu_close_in_on_65th_NPFL_goal

I have already congratulated him. But I will watch out to see that name make headlines again next season.

TheSuperNerd:
Hmmmm.... Okay Sir... I think I recall that discussion. I think Osimhen was also kinda thrown into the saw discussion right? Yeah... I think I recall this....

What timeline did I give again sef? I think I gave a timeline of mid/late 2017 to 2018 right for the players to get into the team as quality Options in their positions? Well... seems that may not work according to my timeline... Osimhen came in but not K.Nwakali yet...

Good you remember.

You see, I have over the years learnt not to put too much expectations on these young players. I prefer not to expect much and they exceed my expectations than to expect so much only to get my hope dashed.

Senior team football is way way above the U17 level.

As I have always said: It is not just a Nigerian thing. It cuts across all countries.

safarigirl:
interesting title

I tell you.
Nothing wey person no go see.

TheSuperNerd:
Hahahahahahahahaha.... I intentionally dropped this report because I just knew a few people like Chief go talk.... looollll


https://www.intuitiveaccountant.com/downloads/626/download/ROFLMAO.jpg

How come a player coming close to scoring is making headlines?

What if he had scored a heart-trick?

safarigirl:
no

Straight! Haha haha

TheSuperNerd:
To Russia 2018? The main Event? The world cup itself? Hmmmm.... Chief Icon4s.... I gotta tell you my frank opinion....

K.Nwakali's chances are very very slim indeed... I don't know how many midfielders Rohr will take to Russia "when" we qualify (bin "if" but I reckon it won't exceed five to six....

It will be difficult for K.Nwakali to break into that 23-man squad ahead of names like Etebo, John Ogu, Ndidi, Onazi and even Joel Obi (if he stays fit)... MIKEL IS ALREADY A CERTAINTY FOR RUSSIA WITH Onazi and also Ndidi.

K.Nwakali may have a shot at Afcon 2019 but at Russia 2018, I don't think his chances are very bright. But he should just bend his head down and keep working hard... if his season at Venlo yields excellence, it will be hard to ignore but also may not be enough to get him on the plane to Russia. It will bring him into the team but that would be with Afcon 2019 in mind most likely.

So Chief... those are my thoughts for now shaa... but Time and chance happeneth to us all... time will still reveal more.

OK. Remember our earlier debate about Kelechi Nwakali breaking into the team this year 2017?

That was why I asked that question.

TheSuperNerd:
Tammy Abraham Comes Close To Scoring As Swansea Lose To Newcastle

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/22131Abraham.png



Nigeria Football Federation target Tammy Abraham came close to scoring his second goal in the English Premier League in Swansea City's 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday evening.

With an hour played, the England U21 international ought to have scored but Jamaal Lascelles made a goal-saving block to deny the Chelsea loanee, who had rounded goalkeeper Robert Elliot.

Abraham recorded his fifth straight start for the Swans in all competitions so far this season, after he was named in the starting line-up by manager Paul Clement ahead of club hero Wilfried Bony.

It was goalless at the break but there were a couple of chances at both ends of the pitch.

The outcome of the game was settled by central defender Jamaal Lascelles, who powered his header into the roof of the net after a pinpoint delivery from Matt Ritchie in the 76th minute.

Before the international break, Abraham had registered his name on the score-sheet against Crystal Palace (Premier League) and MK Dons (League Cup).


**Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : twitter.com/tammyabraham

Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=24584

'Coming close to scoring' is making headline again?

tbaba1234:
Joel Obi injured after a fantastic start to the season.

His village people are back from vacation.

TheSuperNerd:
Nwakali Nets On Debut As VVV Venlo Set New Record For Nigerian Players

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/38399kelechi.png


Nigeria U20 international Kelechi Nwakali came off the bench to rescue a point for VVV Venlo in their Dutch Eredivisie clash with FC Groningen at the Euroborg on Sunday evening.

The attacking midfielder came off the bench with 15 minutes left on the clock and the scoreboard reading 1-0 in favour of the home team, who took the lead through Mimoun Mahi with a quarter of an hour played.

VVV Venlo became the first Dutch Eredivisie club to have seven Nigerians play for the first team following the introduction of Kelechi Nwakali.

The Flying Eagles skipper came close to restoring parity for his team when he let fly from outside the area but it missed target on 85 minutes.

But he wasn't to be denied for long, scoring with a header in the first minute of stoppage time following an excellent delivery from Lennart Thy.

VVV Venlo are eighth in the standings with seven points in the kitty after four matches.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : vvv-venlo.nl


Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=24583

Good for him.

Emmm but TheSuperNerd do you think there is any likelyhood of this lad making it to Russia?

BascoVanVeli:
He has scored over 50 career goals in the NPFL. That's not a one season striker.

Over how many years?

And has his goals tally ever finished amongst the top 3 before this season?

Mujtahida:
Joebie where are the two LB you unearthed? Which kind tease and run be dis. Please name them ooo.

Haha haha

TheSuperNerd:
Samuel In Line For Debut In CL Group Stage, Flies To Portugal With CSKA

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/45796Samuel.png


Aaron Samuel may make his debut in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League this week, with the Nigeria international on the flight to Portugal with the CSKA Moscow squad.

Nineteen CSKA players, including the Super Eagle, flew to Portugal, where they will face SL Benfica on Tuesday at 21:45 (Moscow time), writes the official website of the Russian Premier League side.

Whilst Aaron Samuel was involved in CSKA's qualifying round and playoff games against AEK Athens and Young Boys, he has never played in the Champions League group stage.

The 23-year-old was an unused substitute as the Muscovites beat Amkar Perm 1-0 in the league two days ago.
CSKA Moscow Squad


Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev, Ilya Pomazun.


Defenders: Aleksey Berezutskiy, Vasily Berezutskiy, Mario Fernandes, Georgy Shchennikov, Viktor Vasin, Sergey Ignashevich.


Midfielders: Pontus Wernbloom, Aleksandr Golovin, Alan Dzagoev, Georgy Milanov, Bibras Natcho, Konstantin Kuchaev, Astemir Gordyushenko.


Strikers: Vitinho, Timur Zhamaletdinov, Aaron Olanare, Fedor Chalov.



**Igho Kingsley


Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=24581

Exactly what he needs now: competitive game time.

BTW seems this guy has been 23 almost for ever.

safarigirl:
azzin.

Not too long ago, this was Odey,biw he's in one obscure league in Europe. Next season, another one will bite the dust

That's why since after Enyimba of 2002 to 2004 no Nigerian club has done anything meaningful on the continent.

Mickael2:
My brother have you seen what I saw

Me Sef weak o.

Spanish midfield kwa.

TheSuperNerd:
NPFL Goal King Okpotu: League Mission Completed, WAFU Cup Next
By Kayode Ogundare

https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Anthony-Okpotu-1.jpg


Lobi Stars of Makurdi striker Anthony Okpotu who emerged highest goalscorer in the Nigerian Premier Football League is already setting his sights on bigger targets with the senior national team in the WAFU Cup competition which kicked off Saturday in Ghana, completesportsnigeria.com has exclusively gathered.

Okpotu, scorer of 19 goals, beat MFM’s Stephen Odey to the award but claimed he never set his sights on winning the title in the first place.

“I’ve been playing in the League for a while and each season, I always try to help my team to win games by scoring as many goals as possible. This season was not different. I was just doing my thing. Because I didn’t put m mind to it, I was not under any serious pressure to win. I’m grateful to my teammates and the coaches because without all of them this would not have been possible,” he told completesportsnigeria.com.

The former Al-Itihad of Libya forward also zeroed in on the goal which he felt was the most beautiful of all the 19 he scored in the season which included two hattricks against MFM and El-Kanemi.

He said: “I will pick the second goal in our 3-0 win over MFM in Makurdi. It was a free-kick and I think it was beautiful to watch. I actually wanted to cross the ball but at the last minute I noticed that the goalkeeper was not well-positioned so I changed my mind and decided to aim directly for goal. It went over the wall and into the net. It was a good goal.”

The 23-year old, already in the national team camp with the Super Eagles who are preparing to participate at the WAFU Cup in Ghana, said he’s now focused on helping Nigeria to do well at the competition.

“I want to join my teammates to help Nigeria win the WAFU Cup. As usual, I’m not setting any goals target for myself. If I get picked to play, I will give it my best and ensure we do well. If I sit on the bench, I will support whoever is playing. We are a team and we win together.”

Nigeria are billed to face Sierra Leone in their first game on Monday before the winner goes on to qualify for a four-team round -robin.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/npfl-goalking-okpotu-league-mission-completed-wafu-cup-next/

All these one season NPFL strikers.

Next thing now na to go Romanian 3rd division and you won't hear of him again.

Congrats to him all the same.He should enjoy the moment.

safarigirl:
only those two? Why not England and Togo as well for better understanding?

These people just want to take advantage of their government and enjoy themselves abroad before they crash out and can't get any more freebies.

They've earned it sha

They should even camp in the Niger Delta Mangrove swamps for acclimatization if they like.

They will chop serious cane that day.

TheSuperNerd:
EAGLES BEWARE: 5 Countries Who Blew ‘Sure’ World Cup Qualifying Chances


https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Nigeria-Team.jpg

After four rounds of games, the Super Eagles of Nigeria top African qualifying Group B of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier Russia, three points ahead of second-placed Zambia.

Following the ousters of Cameroon and Algeria, it is now a straight fight between the Eagles and Zambia for the sole ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Matchday five will see the Eagles, who have been riding high and are on 10 points, host Zambia on seven points, in Uyo on October 7.

A home win for the Eagles will seal their third straight World Cup qualification but to guard against complacency,
Completesportsnigeria.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI highlights FIVE countries who failed to qualify for the World Cup by losing steam in the final stages of the qualifiers…...



TUNISIA (2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers)

Tunisia were on the verge of denying Nigeria the chance of playing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but blew it at the final hurdle.

Both teams were drawn alongside Mozambique and Kenya in Group B with Tunisia staying top of the table right from matchday one only to relinquish top spot on the final day of the qualifiers.

Tunisia on 11 points and two points ahead of Nigeria (on nine points), going into the last group games, the North Africans needed a win to clinch the group’s sole ticket but lost 1-0 away to Mozambique while Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.



CAMEROON (2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers)

After faltering at the early stages of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Cameroon were able to bounce back and needed a home win in their last Group C game against Egypt in Yaounde to secure a spot in Germany.

But to the dismay of everyone inside the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Cameroon were forced to a 1-1 draw by Egypt who were already out of the race to qualify, thereby losing the ticket to Cote d’Ivoire.

Going into the game against Egypt, Cameroon on 20 points needed an outright win to topple Cote d’Ivoire on 22 points following their 3-1 win against Sudan in Omdurman.

Roudolphe Douala gave Cameroon the lead on 20 minutes but Mohamed Shawky equalised on 79 minutes to make it 1-1. Despite Cameroon being awarded a 95th minute penalty, Pierre Wome hit the spot kick against the post.



LIBERIA (2002 FIFA Wold Cup Qualifier)

A George Weah inspired Liberian Lone Star almost made history by qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan but falterd when it mattered most.

Going into the penultimate game of the group games (matchday seven), Liberia were on 12 points, two points ahead of Nigeria who had 10 points. Liberia needed to beat Ghana to boost their chance of qualifying for their first ever World Cup but lost 2-1 at home to the Black Stars while Nigeria thrashed Sudan 4-0 away.
Nigeria went on to beat Ghana 3-0 in their last group game to usurp Liberia and pick one of Africa’s tickets for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.



COTE D’IVOIRE (1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

Cote d’Ivoire looked a sure bet to qualify ahead of Nigeria and Algeria in their group for the USA 1994 World Cup.

African champions Cote d’Ivoire drew 1-1 away against Algeria and beat Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan in their first two games.
Their third game was at home against Algeria which they also won 1-0 thanks to a late goal.

Against Nigeria which was their last group game, Cote d’Ivoire were hammered 4-1 by a resurgent Nigerian side who didn’t have the best of starts in the qualifiers.

Despite losing to Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire were still in the driving seat as they had five points, one point ahead of Nigeria.

For Cote d’Ivoire to qualify, Algeria must beat Nigeria. But Nigeria forced Algeria to a 1-1 away draw to qualify for their first ever World Cup.


FRANCE (1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

France’s failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in USA was one of Europe’s biggest shocks in the qualifiers.

Parading the likes of Eric Cantona, Didier Deschamps, Jean-Pierre Papin, Bernard Lama, David Ginola, Marcel Desailly, Emmanuel Petit and Laurent Blanc, France were grouped with Sweden, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Austria.

And after doing so well in the course of the qualifiers, all France needed in their last two games which incidently were at home against Israel and Bulgaria, was just one point.

Surprisingly, France lost both games: 3-2 to Israel (Israel’s only win in the group) and 2-1 to Bulgaria to painfully miss out of qualification.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/eagles-beware-5-countries-blew-sure-world-cup-qualifying-chances/

Our case will not be like any of these by the special Grace of God.