₦airaland Forum

Mickael2:
Femi Thomas won't even make that mistake

Femi Thomas?
Chai na wa.

Kog45:
God bless u Icon4.I tire for guys here even poor Akpeyi handled better than great Enyeama.

Akpeyi is not good enough I know. But he is getting an unfair criticism. They left the CBs that were out of position out of the blame and put everything on Akpeyi for not taking a red card. Na wa.

Mickael2:
I am judging based on what I see. Heard Adi was in camp once and due to some issues with some NFF topwigs he was dropped, his career is probably going to go down the drain so I left him out. And even he is inexperienced about the African game, what we are looking for is experience AKA tested and tusted players who can still perform and teach the younger lads.

I said ANY goalkeeper we have is better than Akpeyi. Guy wait, is it that you didn't see the first bar that they hit? A simple cross and catch that GKs do all day in training and the imposter of a gk failed, how is that in anyway a good GK?

ANY. Then you are not being fair.

Mickael2:
you do understand that the goal was scored in the first half right? Of course that gives us ample time to respond, and if Enyeam pulled him down it would have been a penalty and another sure goal, fantastic decision making by Enyeama

That 2nd goal came in the second half. Go back and watch again.

Fantastic decision that made Rantie dribble him and he went to ground like a child playing in the sand (no disrespect meant)

kennysville:
If akpeyi did what he did that led to the 2nd goal in a professional league in Europe, he will promptly be axed! Plain and simple


Lets get something right. A goalie is also a part of the defence. And so as the last line of defence with a one on one situation, and he had closed the attacker down, the logical thing to do is to prevent the guy from making any further contact with the ball. If he had to jump the guy, so be it. Worst case scenario, he gets a red card. If we list 1nil, we wont be this annoyed. In europe, its called taking one for the team. We could at least hustle and still get a draw. Moreover the incident happened way outside our18 yard box. The moment the 2nd goal went in, the morale was totally down.

So in my books, Akpeyi desevedly got the sticks or bashing he deserved

Go back and watch the 2-2 we played against SA in Uyo in 2014. Watch how our idolized Enyeama handled the situation when he was one on one with Rantie for their second goal.

Please everyone should re-watch that video on YouTube.

BascoVanVeli:
That was the problem in midfield wise guy! We had no creative force in the game hence bringing up(not lamenting) Alhassan. How many inexperienced players did u see? Or are u now calling Iwobi and Iheanacho inexperienced? Why should I leave Rohr when it was all his fault.

Wait.

You sincerely feel Alhassan Ibrahim could have made the difference?

BascoVanVeli:
U cannot see into the future so u cannot say that. At least if we get a red card we are giving ourselves a chance. That for sure would have forced us to change our shape which is something we never tried to do. I am not bashing him but he acted naïve by not taking one for the team. I won't get into rating Akpeyi but we have good goalkeepers in our league.

He tried what he could do and forced the player wide. I cannot blame Akpeyi a single bit. The fault still falls on the CBs, and not even Onazi, for being in a no man's land when they were on that offensive that led to that counter.

Please help us by naming that NPFL goalie or goalies that you feel is/are good enough to deputise for Ikeme.

Mickael2:
Ok Martins is in the same league with Ighalo and Ideye, who has more goals in this current season? And who has scored/performed better for the SE?

Again you omitted Adi.

You still haven't mentioned that goalie o.

sontoly:
Abeg I don't know why we refused to see, we know that akpeyi is the weak spot in our squad, followed by the left side, anybody saying akpeyi is the best we can afford is a big liar.
we have better keepers in the Npfl. when we played Algeria it was very clear but we refused to see it.
SA studied our weak spot and used it very well, the Left back wing and a very weak goalie.

You can do 170million good by recommending that goalie from the NPFL.

sontoly:
hahahhahaahhaa, let's get over all this old legs, so because we lost now means we shld call back all this old legs, may be martins n osaze never lost a match when they played.
please we shld look ahead and let retired players rest they have done their best.

He should have as well also called for Utaka, Yakubu and Aghahowa

Mickael2:
I can literally bet my head that anyother goalkeeper we will field will be better than Akpeyi.

Name that keeper please.

Mickael2:
so you believe that Ighalo and Ideye have more to offer than Martins and Osaze?

YES raised to the power of 1000!

Remember I included Adi.

Mickael2:
ok so if these three guys aren't availabe yet again? We will endure this rubbish again?! For someone who appreciates experience you are too quick to dismiss these players. Osaze to be quite frank would have offered more than Moses Simon, #Fact. Martins would have offered more than Iheanacho #Fact, so these people still have something to offer. Quite frankly I'd want Martins, Osaze and Hope Akpan back

I am an advocate of experience but I always know where to draw the lines. If you say we need more experience in the attack and you call Adi, Ighalo and Ideye I will agree with that more than calling for Osaze and Martins.

Mickael2:
France just defeated England after receiving a red card, Akpeyi should have done the best thing there is to do, take one for the team! And he would have saved us the toture of having to see him in our next game

Funny.

So if Akpeyi took the red card and Ikeme ruled out as usual. We approach Enyeama and he snubs Rohr and the NFF, who will be ur pick to mount goal?

robosky02:
wwe lack agains south afrca was experience

sometime you just keep the experience guys around while the young guns run the opponent down

Yes I understand that view perfectly.

But Osaze is already far spent. The experienced players we missed in that SA game were Balogun, Mikel and V. Moses. When they are back in our next game I believe our attack and defense will be fine again. I don't even think we need Ighalo and Ideye.

Rohr just needs to sort out that MF.

I personally believe Ndidi(DM) and Etebo(CM) would be a better pairing.

I still have believe in this team.

robosky02:
do we need osaze

check his form?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27f1SzuqBOU

Bros, football doesn't work that way. We can as well call back Martins.

BascoVanVeli:
I'm sorry but I have to add Akpeyi for the second goal. There was one option only which was get a red card. Why did he bump Tau when he could have just wrapped his arms around him? Yes we get a red card but at least the score is still 1-0 and there is a chance.

A game you were already losing. If he collected the red we still would have lost.

If we were leading and needed to protect our 3points may be the red card could have been a worthy price.

Plus also Daniel Akpeyi is our most reliable goalie. Take that to the bank.
He is always available for action. If he received a red card, and knowing Ikeme's fitness level, you know we are in bigger trouble for our next game.

Akpeyi did his best to prevent that 2nd goal.

nysot:
call

What's the current price please?

forgiveness:
Today, I saw the highlight of our match against South Africa many times and I noticed somethings.


I don't think goalkeeper has to be blamed for the two goals. The goal scorers had enough time to think before they buried the ball into the net.

If any of our our prayers misses both chances he will be tagged the new Yakubu.

Though, I don't want a better goalkeeper.

The cause of the first goal was Echiejile. He should receive large chunk of the blame, followed by Aweriem and Ekong who were guilty of not man marking their opponent.


The second goal was largely the fault of Onazi who was responsible to cover for the Defenders that went for the set piece. He was suppose to be the last man standing, meaning he should have noticed the player standing at the edge of the middle line(on their side) to beat the Offside trap and had placed himself behind the player.

I think next time the fastest player in the team should be placed in that position whenever our defenders go for set piece.

Both back wings are very weak. It is high time we give Ebuehi and Aina the chance on both sides.

Moses created a lot of chances and even had a shot at goal but Etebor and Ndidi did not take their chances.

Rohr should have removed Aweriem for Kayode and revert to 4-4-1-1 formation. Meaning Ndidi will his position at the CB to supporting Ekong .

The defence wasn't organ.

We need experienced players.

Even though I did not agree with some part of this write up but I had to go back again to look at the moniker that wrote this to be doubly sure of the author.

This is the only fair analysis you have given of the game since weekend.

jieta:
for transparency purpose i think is a good development.

Transparency to all Nigerians to see?
That transparency IMO should be limited to the NFF and Sports ministry.

People who can relate to what I am saying would understand my point.

jieta:
NFF Pay Rohr, Amuneke, Nkwocha, Others With Aiteo Money.



The Nigerian Football Federation have paid
the outstanding salaries owed the technical
adviser of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr and
27 other coaches, reports


Completesportsnigeria.com.
Rohr was reportedly owed five month salaries
while the other coaches were owed
outstanding salaries.


The NFF recently signed a N2.5 billion
sponsorship deal with oil company Aiteo
Group who will assist in paying the football
body's salaries.


According to a report on official website of
the Nigerian Football Federation, no fewer
than 27 coaches were paid their outstanding
salaries owed them by the body.
"The salaries of the Super Eagles’ Technical
Adviser, Mr. Gernot Rohr, have also been
settled up-to-date from the forex component
of the transaction with Aiteo," the NFF
announced on Tuesday.


The payments were made direct to the
accounts of the beneficiaries through NFF’s
Financial Consultants (Financial Derivatives
Company), appointed to manage the funds
from the sponsors upon verification of the
processes by NFF external auditors, PWC and
payment instructions from the NFF
secretariat.


"We are very happy to announce that we
have been able to pay a total of 27 coaches
all the monies they were being owed,
including some who worked with previous
NFF Boards in what we termed ‘legacy
payments," NFF second Vice-President and
the LMC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko
stated.


"It is our joy that the coaches can finally
smile to the bank. A labourer deserves his
wages, and that is why the present NFF
administration worked assiduously hard to
ensure the realization of this partnership.
" The NFF is grateful to Aiteo Group for this
breakthrough in making our coaches happy."
The coaches who were paid their outstanding
salaries include: Salisu Yusuf, Alloy Agu,
Fatai Amao, David Ngodigha, Ann Chiejine,
Bala Mohammed, Kabiru Baleria, Emeka
Amadi, Peter Dedevbo, Toyin Ayinla, Wemimo
Oni, Auwal Bashir, Manu Garba, Bala Nikyu,
Lateef Yusuf, Nduka Ugbade, Jolomi Atunne
Alli.


Others are Ernest Salolomo, Queen Dolyn
Akpan, Adamu Audu Ejo, Godwin Okon, Justin
Madugu, Gidado Usman, Florence Omagbemi,
Perpetua Nkwocha, Emmanuel Amuneke,
Christopher Danjuma. http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/nff-pay-rohr-amuneke-nkwocha-others-aiteo-money/

But is it wise to roll out their names like this in this country that is infested with hawks looking for who to kidnap or steal from?

Plus their relatives wey don dey ask them for money since will now kill their phone batteries with phone calls and messages. Na wa o.

goldfish80:
Iheanacho: Struggling to live up to his billing


Isaac Success was Nigeria ’s star man when the Golden Eaglets arrived in the United Arab Emirates for the 2013 FIFA Under - 17 World Cup .
Prior to the trip to the UAE , Nigeria had won the title thrice — 1985 , 1993 , 2007 — and Success was the striker the Eaglets were relying on to win their fourth title .
But Kelechi Iheanacho , who played as a support striker during the qualifiers , snatched the spotlight from Success when Nigeria opened their campaign with a 6 - 1 defeat of Mexico at the Bin Zayed Stadium.
Iheanacho scored four goals in the encounter with Chidiebere Nwakali and Success scoring a goal apiece .
Following an injury blow , Success ended the tournament won by Nigeria with two goals to his name while the unheralded Iheanacho netted six times to emerge as the second highest goalscorer behind Sweden forward Valmir Berisha, who scored seven goals to win the championship ’ s Golden Boot.
Iheanacho won the Golden Ball as he was the tournament ’s best player , while Success, who struggled to get playing time at modest Premier League outfit Watford last season , returned to Nigeria to nurse his injury.
Iheanacho sparked interest from a number of European clubs following his impressive display at UAE 2013 .
It was no surprise that the Taye Academy attacker , who was 16 then, was linked with European powerhouses Manchester United , Barcelona , Real Madrid, Arsenal , Chelsea and Bayern Munich .
But Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, who was the then Manchester City coach worked hard behind the scenes to land the Nigerian in 2014 .
Iheanacho broke into Manchester City ’ s first team the following year and ended the 2015 / 2016 with 14 goals in all competitions .
Breaking into the star - studded Manchester City squad meant the young striker had a ‘ divine right ’ to play for the Super Eagles .
He made his international debut as a substitute in the 0 - 0 draw against Swaziland in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier before grabbing his first start in the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt last year. The encounter ended 1 - 1 .
With the player replicating his performances at club level for the national team , he has since cemented his place in the Eagles , becoming an important player for the side .
His goal helped Nigeria defeat Tanzania 1 - 0 in a Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Uyo on September 3 , 2016 and progressed to score the Eagles ’ second goal in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Ndola on October 9 , 2016 .
The 20 - year- old never wished to burst his bubble but the coming of Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich to some extent did just that .
Iheanacho struggled to secure regular playing time last season after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola preferring Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus .
The two South American strikers fitted into the Citizens manager’ s high intensity pressing game last season. Although the Nigerian is arguably as gifted as Aguero and Jesus , he seems to lack the consistency and power to put defences under pressure and force them to make mistakes .
Iheanacho started only five Premier League games in 20 appearances — scoring four goals .
Although Brazilian Jesus missed a large spell of last season with a broken metatarsal, he scored seven league goals in 10 appearances . Argentina striker Aguero scored 20 league goals in 25 starts and 31 appearances .
Iheanacho is being linked with a move to Premier League mid - table teams Crystal Palace and West Ham after being deemed surplus to requirements at English powerhouse Manchester City .
But the player , who was tipped to become the next big thing after Lionel Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo following his head- turning performances in the Premier League last year, is now struggling to resolve his Manchester City future . He also faces a huge task to convince one of the European big boys that he is still good enough to play at the top level.
Iheanacho had a bad day at the office when the Eagles were disgraced 2 - 0 by their bitter rivals South Africa ’ s Bafana Bafana in Uyo on Saturday . He was a pale shadow of himself before Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr substituted him in the second half .
Former Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu believes the player is being played out of position at both club and the national team , hence his current struggles .
“ Iheanacho is not a top striker but a support striker and a midfielder , ” the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday .
“ I think he is finding it difficult to adapt to his role as a top striker at Man City and the national team
“ Aguero and Jesus are ahead of him at Man City because they are playing their natural roles . ”
Nwosu added , “ If Iheanacho decides to leave Man City for a club he will be playing regularly , I will support his decision. ”

http://punchng.com/iheanacho-struggling-to-live-up-to-his-billing/
......................
Yet again another journo says he had a bad game. But what do I know, the whole world is wrong and TheGoodJoe is right.

I was one of those in the earlier days that kicked against Iheanacho being made a CF. But then Ighalo was still in the spotlight.

But ever since Ighalo fiddled out I have come to agree that Iheanacho should be our main striker.

Why?

He is our most lethal striker. And we all know that.
We know what Iheanacho can do when he is in position with the ball.

Who should have been played as a lone striker in that SA game? Kayode or Osimhen?

Iheanacho for now until another top striker springs up will always get the nod as our preferred striker.

And very importantly I think we are expecting too much from the young lad. Recall he is just 20 and is still learning the ropes with each passing game.
I know a lot of us here (from arguments past) do not agree that age is a factor in football. But it surely is.
iheanacho IS NOT THERE YET. in the absence of another top striker let's give him time.

Eseose9:
Nawa o Is like you don't understand what he meant by that statement.
He was trying to project what was on Rohr's mind.Looks like you like arguing for the sake of argument.

Haha haha my sister na so we dey see am here o. But by the grace of God we are copping.

forgiveness:
.




Can you please explain the @bolded Mr grammar?

Michael2 don't bother explaining. Thanks for the attempt to clarify on my behalf.

That was obviously an error. But you saw where I mentioned that Kayode combined with Musa.

So can we move on please?

goldfish80:
The organisation and positioning of the South African defence made it difficult for any through ball to find him.
Even when the balls came to him, he couldn't bring the midfielders into the game like a proper lone target man will do.

I've read reviews and ratings by various sources on this game, not even one gave Kelechi a pass mark. Why you're making excuses him beggars belief. Even if you're his agent, this blatant deceit is unacceptable.

Your first paragraph is just the summary of why our attack could not break down the SA defense.

For eg in that first half Iheanacho was practically kept off on several occasions. There were through balls from the midfield in that first half but they were either intercepted by their organized CB pairing or they kept Iheanacho off.

To rescue the situation, Iwobi had to play wide to pull usually two of the defenders to him. Expecting a disorganization of the CB pairing which could have given room for Iheanacho to operate. But his lack of athletism limited him to wide positions plus the SA defenders made sure he never made progress into the their 18yards box.

Etebo in an attempt to break the defence started making solo runs - what he is known for but his finishing touches let him down as he was always putting himself in a difficult position to aim at goal. Etebo's problem now I think is the 'Jack of all trade but master of none'. I think we need to define the role he will play for the national team and confine him to it. I recommend the CM. The role he played against Algeria.

Simon Moses has not improved a bit. He is not a starter IMO. He tried to use his skill and pace to outwit the SA defenders but his crosses were either not timely or too wide. At a point he was just playing crosses not directly targeting any player and expecting a miracle to happen.

Iheanacho was not much involved in the game. The major highlight I have of him was the pass he gave to Etebo that he missed. Secondly were the countless times he was caught in off side positions. The SA coach probably after seeing Iheanacho at City has understood that the only way to stop him from playing is not to allow the balls to get to him. We saw that happen several times at City this season. Iheanacho rides on the back of good Atracking midfield and wings play. He is still our most lethal finisher.

Kayode substituting Iheanacho was when the game ended for Nigeria.

Let me analyse Rohr's thinking before the substitution: We were on a 4-3-3 formation and under sparadic attacks from SA. Depleting the midfield further by removing either Iwobi or Simon would spell more doom. In the balance of play SA was having the upper hand in the midfield at that point in time. He left the two wingers and pulled out Iheanacho with the expectations that Kayode who is more of a natural striker than Iheanacho would have been able to use his pace and skills to outwit the SA defenders on a one on one basis. Alas it turned out that Rohr over estimated Kayode's abilities. At a time in the game I asked if Kayode was still on that field.

Musa's introduction was to introduce more direct play as Iwobi was practically kept wide and we made more incursion into the SA defense as he was even able to combine well on one or two occasions with Kayode. But the player to finish those moves was not there. Had Iheanacho been kept in the game.... who knows?

Osimhen, was the final trow of the die. We were 2-0 down already and so he just had to gamble by pulling out Simon. Osimhen made some good touches and edge of the box moves but not good enough to make anything happen.

Mikel and V. Moses would have obviously made the difference. What the SA defenders did was to keep Iwobi and Simon in wide positions something Moses would have been able to break with his dribbling skills, pace and direct play.
Mikel would have been able to break down the organised SA defense with his dribbling skills, ball holding and shielding abilities plus timely release of the ball for Iheanacho.

If it is doable I would have pleased with God to take Mikel's age back to at least 25!. We are not ready to move on without him.

All these wahala was bc we met a very organized defense.

Then also I think Rohr spent more time focusing on our strength and not much on SA's weaknesses while reverse was the case for SA.

I have the belief that we still qualify. We can also beat SA away.

I wish Ikeme, Balogun, Mikel And Moses quick recovery. They are the back bone of the team. August in not far away again.

EEGA:
Super Eagles lack quality upfront - South Africa coach, Baxter mocks Nigerian players
dailypost.ng Jun 11, 2017 9:03 PM
Stuart Baxter, coach of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, has mocked Nigerian Super Eagles after their 2-0 loss in Uyo on Saturday in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Englishman said that much as the Super Eagles controlled the match, especially in the early stages, the team lacked the required quality upfront.

Speaking to South African media on Sunday, Baxter noted that with good cutting edge in front of goal, the score line would not have been bad for the Super Eagles.

“We are still relishing that result and it is good that we win. I am so happy because I just joined the team back and it is good we start well for the AFCON qualifiers.

“I will still say kudos to the Nigerians because they stretched us and made some dangerous movements. But if I may sound very respectful and modest, their attack was not the very best they could have presented.

“They were without quality frontline, otherwise, they could have scored in the early exchanges but like I said earlier, it is good that my players responded very well in the match,” he said.

Nigeria is currently third in the qualifying group behind leaders, Libya, and South Africa and will play Seychelles, who lost 1-5 to Libya in their next encounter.

*clears throat. Tries to comment but short of words*

*Wants to shed tears but changes mind and walks out of thread*.

forgiveness:
Oga don't misbehave else I will show the world your report card.

Because I criticised Onigbinde's selection of Adepoju and Opabunmi?

Humility017:
just leave him....He is not someone that should be engaged in a discussion.....
I read....his comments when he said that
the truth is people often accuse others of doing what they're guilty of

You have accused him of being a Tribalist. Does that mean you are a Tribalist?

Na wa.

forgiveness:
The icon of tribalism. Kedu!
I will open a thread for you soon.

This comedy is not funny any more.

Humility017:
mr tribalist I hear youuuu

But he said I am the tribalist here.
Chai. Na wa.

oyindare:
Out wide is pace merchant Ahmed Musa. 15/16 Premier League champions Leicester paid a huge club record £16.6 million to secure his services and it’s safe to say it hasn’t worked out. The Nigerian has found it very difficult to hold down a starting berth for The Foxes, with the physicality of the Premier League being a major issue. He’s one of the symbols of a pretty disastrous transfer window under Claudio Ranieri last summer and we’d be surprised if he’s still at the King Power next season.

TheGoodJoe, I think this thread will be of interest to you.

forgiveness:


Is that not... Jesus!

I have said it before you are the icon of tribalism and nepotism. You know I have many facts to back it up. Ntor

E wan cry. God don shame am.

Sorry, ndo!

Komekn has advocated for Obafemi severally, why not give him a name to hang him? Bhuuuhahaha!

E pain am!

If Obafemi is banging in goals left right and center in the NIGERIAN NATIONAL TEAM, he deserves to be called AS A LEGIT CITIZEN OF NIGERIA.

This man, carry this your comedy show go abeg. Make I enjoy my Sunday evening.