₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
"Iheanacho isn’t the same player he was once. His confidence has taken a hit, I think he plays with lot of pressure as he is unsure what could happen next unlike when Pelligrini was in charge, He is surrounded by players he knows have the trust of the manager unlike during Pelligrini’s reign where he has the trust of the manager and knows it, he has regressed under Guardiola. He is under pressure”.

Michael Owen

I completely agree..

I don't agree with this statement.

Players (strikers in particular) have their off days.

Though I also agree he is under pressure.

You can't say because he missed two glaring chances that he has regressed or is regressing. Are goal keepers there for decoration?
That aside, Iheanacho was a new boy to the premier league last season and he shocked most pundits even himself. Defenders have now gotten wary of him. You don't expect them to give him plenty of breathing space any more.

The thing is it is even the Nigerian fans that are the ones putting Iheanacho under pressure more than any others.

Alex Iwobi had a series of poor outings with the climax of scoring an equalizing own-goal against PSG in the UCL. None of you here said he should go on loan.

Kelechi Iheanacho is doing quite fine for me. I totally disagree with Owen on the 'regression' issue.

If Owen says Iheanacho has regressed what will he say of Martial and Rashford?

Iheanacho should stay at ManCity and fight to keep his position. That will bring out the best in him. If Pep feels Gabriel Jesus would replace Iheanacho let us see the Gabriel Jesus start playing first.

For some years now we have decried the lack of Nigerian players in top clubs. We have one there now and you say he should go on loan to where? Somebody even mentioned Watford.

Happy New Year all!

My first comment for 2017: Alex Iwobi is a "number 10" and not a winger!

I have long waited for this day that Ozil would miss out and allow Iwobi play his natural position. The boy na real baller. Plus even scoring.

Mickael2:
if you can't qualify ahead of Ecuador then you are not good enough

Do u think Nigeria would easily qualify ahead of Ecuador if we were in that group of qualifiers.

BascoVanVeli:
Uruguay now or in 2006? Cuz Uruguay is at the top of their log and won't need playoffs to make the world cup. Argentina is currently 5th but we all know that's a fluke.

Your list of Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq and Thailand is it now or in 2006?

Petrobros:
Baba u be badt guy o.

Wetin me do na?

BascoVanVeli:
By a mile and a half Asia is tougher. They have to play Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq and Thailand . So that is at least with Japan and Saudi, 4 big matches to make the world cup instead of 2 with Oceana.

Which of these is(are) tougher than Uruguay?

BascoVanVeli:
I don't see it as that far, we are talking purely football and u are making it harder by bringing in logistics especially since my point is based on the fact that if Nigeria were a south American country like Peru we would also gain from being around the big dogs. Nigeria won't gain anything by deciding to play in south america so that seems more like the sun falling.

Well...

BascoVanVeli:
That is not my belief of Nigeria. Plus we don't have to be the ones to send them packing every year but this continent has gra gra that they don't witness until they maybe play Uruguay. Are u sure their players will make it through a full Afcon?

At least one of them must always make the final. The title would just be rotating between Brazil and Argentina.

Mickael2:
why don't you compare Argentina's last six matches too? the lost to Brazil and Chile, they only top teams you mentioned, they lost to Uruguay and Colombia too, the other top teams. Ecuador lost to squarely to a French team that defeated us by eliminating our engine room.

Look at the list of countries you are rolling out: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador (6 already). Tell me why teams like Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela would not find it difficult qualifying when only 5 would qualify from that group.

BascoVanVeli:
We are talking about 'what ifs' and then u start trying to prove that my 'what if' is not possible, i mean who cares they both are just things being tossed up.

There are some 'what ifs' that are more possible than the others. I am sure you know that.

For instance, you are planning a picnic during the rainy season. One of the major 'what ifs' is 'what if it rains'. And not "what ifs' like 'what if' the sun falls from the sky?

Don't get it twisted my brother. We are just joking and having fun here.

BascoVanVeli:
So u feel Asia is a cake walk abi?

Asia has 4 automatic slots.

Going through a 5th placed S/American team is a more difficult and dicey route. Worse still that they'll have to play the likes of Tahiti, Solomon Island, Fiji, New Zealnd in the build-up to the difficult play-off. Its Just like practicing with common entrance past questions in preparation for the WAEC exams.

Australia needed more competitive matches and more assurance of qualifying.

BascoVanVeli:
What does that mean? Australia beat them in 2006 to make the world cup. Asia still has an 1/2 spot so they might still end up needing to beat a south American team. They left to get better competition and to give Oceania teams a chance to also grow.

But you mentioned Oceania only get play-offs against a North American team.

I still tell you that that difficult play-off was also part of reasons why Australia left to join Asia.

BascoVanVeli:
So thats how u plan on winning ur arguement with technicalities? Ok let me say it another way, if Argentina and Brazil like you say chose to play in Africa then South America would be average.

Do you mean technical fact?

BascoVanVeli:
So thats how u plan on winning ur arguement with technicalities? Ok let me say it another way, if Argentina and Brazil like you say chose to play in Africa then South America would be average.

Then Nigeria will never win the AFCON again.

WC sef fit be once in 3 editions.

BascoVanVeli:
They didn't have to play South American teams, it was North American. I just told u that Mexico Played New Zealand for a spot in the 2014 world cup.

Who is talking about 2014? Do u know when Australia migrated to join the Asian Federation?


2002 WC qualifiers: AUSTRIALIA VS URUGUAY (PLAY-OFF)
2006 WC Qualifiers: AUSTRALIA VS URUGUAY (PLAY-OFF)

http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html
http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2006q.html

BascoVanVeli:
If thats the case both are impossible, or are u planning to help the NFF plan flights to Brazil?

Who helps Australia plan flight trips to China or Saudi-Arabia? Or who helps Israel plan flight trips to England?

Nigeria can chose to apply to play with the South Americans if they so wish. That is very realistic.

But saying "If Nigeria were a South American Country"

BascoVanVeli:
Who would want to stay in that kind division? Oceana sucks, they wanted better competition. Oceana plays North America. Last time New Zealand played Mexico but that was a fluke becos Mexico will rarely need playoffs to make a world cup. Australia just wanted better competition than Tahidi. Asia was the best move for all parties involved especially the hapless teams Australia left behind.

"Last Time" you mentioned. I am talking about qualifiers before Australia shifted to Asian Confederation.

I am telling you that having to play that tough play-off against a S/American team was a major reason y Australia joined the Asian confederation.

BascoVanVeli:
Lets not say chose becos things will be to complicated, i mean if Nigeria was a south American nation .

The bolded is not a realistic assumption.

A more realistic assumption is a switch in Federation to South America( CONMEBOL). Isreal and Australia did same. So it is possible.

Mickael2:
there you go with FIFA rankings again. do you think that Peru will stand a chance against Nigeria? or Algeria?

I have just copied you in an earlier post.

BascoVanVeli:
If Nigeria were a south American country we would have a world cup by now.

If Nigeria chose to play qualifiers with the South America Federation you mean?

It is very possible. After -all Israel an Asian country plays with the Europeans while Australia an Oceanian country plays with the Asians.

BascoVanVeli:
If Nigeria were a south American country we would have a world cup by now.

Do you know why Australia chose to join the Asian federation?

It is because then the winner of the Oceania group would have a play-off against the 5th placed South American Team. And that had always been a difficult nut to crack.

BascoVanVeli:
There is nothing special about that.

Is that all you can say?

BascoVanVeli:
When u play top teams ur ranking goes up. Peru wouldn't be a top 10 team in Africa.

If Nigeria were in that South American group u think say we for dey smell World Cup?

BascoVanVeli:
When u play top teams ur ranking goes up. Peru wouldn't be a top 10 team in Africa.

Peru's last 6 matches starting from most recent:

Peru 0:2 Brazil
Paraguay 1:4 Peru
Chile 2:1 Peru
Peru 2:2 Argentina
Peru 2:1 Ecuador
Bolivia 0:3 Peru

They only lost to Brazil and Chile. Even drew Argentina. Which African team can beat Brazil or Chile in a competitive game?

Nigeria has even lost to Argentina all the 4 times we have faced them at the World Cup.

Peru is ranked 19th in the World. CIV, Africa's best Ranked team is 34th.

The South American WC qualifiers IMO is the most difficult.
Teams like Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela would have done better if they were part of African, North & Central American or Asian Federation.

cc: Mickael2.

terzurum5:
Ndidi Cooling Off In Dubai With Cute Girlfriend Ahead Unveiling At Leicester Next Week

Leicester City January signing Wilfred Ndidi has embarked on a holiday trip to Dubai with his girlfriend after playing his last game for his Belgian side Genk.


Ndidi lasted the entire duration of Genk’s 2-0 win over Gent two days ago, and subsequently said goodbye to the fans of the team as well as his teammates after the game.


His deal will be made officially on the 1st of January when the transfer window reopens, in a deal that reportedly cost the English Champions £15m in transfer fee.


Comfortable as a centre back or defensive midfielder, the 19 year old who can also play as a full back is however expected to fill the void created by the departure of French star N’golo Kante.


” Wilfred Ndidi is now enjoying a short holiday in Dubai with his girlfriend. Next week, he’ll travel to Leicester City”, well respected Belgian journalist Sven Claes wrote on his twitter handle.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/12/29/ndidi-cooling-off-in-dubai-with-cute-girlfriend-ahead-unveiling-at-leicester-next-week/

Why no pix na?

Mickael2:
I didn't include Paraguay as you may have noticed because they are good though not.great either, but Peru and Bolivia ?! no nah, Bolivia?! please no

I repeat, you have not followed South American football well enough.

Do you know Peru is ranked higher than all the African Teams?

After it dawned on you that you cannot make the US national team abi?

Anyways, you are still better than all those male naija footballers wey England, Germany and Italy used and dumped.

All the same welcome back home but be ready for placards carrying like your would be naija female compatriots. Hope u don't mind sha.

Mickael2:
that's the beauty of it for me. you included Senegal, Tunisia and Morrocco, do you think these teams are better than the ones Africa presented? they were not good enough so the natural order of selection eliminated them. what positive impact would Peru and Bolivia add to the world cup if not to give the English team an easy opposition so that they can maintain their second round consensus? the idea makes me sick and we should not even consider it, unfortunately if everything goes according to plan, it will be Amaju Picnick who will be voting for Nigeria and I am not looking forward to that one bit

You obviously do not follow much of South American football. What about Paraguay?

comradefamous:
My fear about the 48 -team world is that players especially those making it to the semifinals and finals would be overworked particularly after a long season of club football

No. Same number of matches would be played. 16 Groups of 3 teams means 2 group matches as against the current format of 3 group matches. A knock-out round of 32 will reduce the teams to 16, which is equivalent to the current second round. So, still same maximum of 7 matches.

But can FIFA just please leave it the way it is?

Not every change is positive.

forgiveness:
So, the 16 seeded teams get two heads, ba?

I am not against the increase to 48 teams as long as substantial numbers of slots are allocated to Africa.

What I understand from the source I provided below is that the 16 countries that finish highest in the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup would automatically make the group stage of the global football showcase, then the other 32 would play in a preliminary phase, in the country where the World Cup is being played . After what seems as a playoff, the 16 countries that won will qualify to play in the group stages with the other best 16 countries that finish highest in the qualifying rounds but the other 16 losers will go home. It means we continue with a normal World Cup for 32 teams, though 48 teams go to the party.


This is where I do not understand. Will they divide into 12 groups of 4 teams or 16 groups of 3 teams?

But I think FIFA wants the former because you don't expect a team to play playoff and 3 matches before proceeding to the round of 16.


Well, It depends on where we want to look at it.

Since, it is not about seeding based on the useless FIFA ranking, I will consider it.

First of all, how do they know or choose the 16 countries with the highest qualifications? That one needs to be spelt out first before I proceed. Because FIFA fit do mago mago take favor European teams.

I dey observe.



Source: https://thewhistler.ng/story/world-cup-fifa-to-increase-number-of-teams-to-48

I have read about the bolded too and that is nonsense. They better leave the thing the way e dey.

Everton expect to complete a £10m deal for Charlton's 19-year-old forward Ademola Lookman early in the January transfer window.


https://www.nairaland.com/3542987/everton-expect-complete-10m-signing

Nice building.

But this your packing space......na Papa Efe come comot your moto let me go out o.