₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:


In my post, I picked Azubuike not only based on game time alone but also his ability to stay deep.

Onazi makes a lot of reckless runs. It is like a nightmare sometimes. This is due to his trust in his ability to fall back and clean up the messes he creates.

With Iwobi, we do not need much forward thrust from the midfield. We need cover for Iwobi to play more creatively.

Onazi is a strong pick but I will go with Azubuike-Mikel partnership in front of the defence. Just like towards the end of the Alexandria game.

One thing u guys may nt know is those runs Ambrose and Onazi make are the coaches instructions. You made a similar phrase like 'reckless runs' about Ambrose too.

That is where understanding and Team play comes into play. The DMF position is next to being very critical in the Team after the CB.

You saw how Mikel was placed just in front of Ambrose and Obaobona in the Egypt clashes. Why didn't Siasia play Azubuike in that role?

We all have our team set up philosophies. For me, when it comes to Forward roles, my choice of players hinges a lot on current "form and Game time.

As we move back to the DMF and CB positions I rely more on experience and less on recent game time.

Ambrose and Obaobona haven't been featuring much in their clubs of late, yet they were Siasia's preferred starting CB? Why didn't he invite Awaziem that has been featuring frequently for club of late?

However, I still know when to draw the line between selection based on club game time and experience. When a player stays away from active club action for too long then I may have to drop him.

Ogenyi Onazi may nt be playing regularly for his club of late bt he has nt lost steam.

Ogenyi Onazi is still Nigeria's best DMF.

If you go with Mikel-Azubuike partnership then Mikel should be the DMF and Azubuike the box to box midfielder. Which is still ok by me.
I jst need experience in that DMF position.

I always see names like:

Holuwadhamilolah Hogunkoyah
Holuwasheyi Hafolahbih
Hadehtohkumbor Hadehmorlar and the likes.

That thing pisses me off. If I was that interviewer, I would have done same.
He was right, people like that are unserious. They take life too casual.

TheGoodJoe:

Even if it was low, it is not as bad as what Onazi is facing.

Mikel in 2013 - 2014 season had 11 starts and came as a sub in 13 games. He played in 24 Chelsea games.

Onazi so far has 8 starts and no sub appearances. Playing in only 8 games this season.

Onazi's game time is too low.

For a tourney like the Olympic football event his wealth of experience stands him tall. You and I know Ogenyi Onazi's capabilities on the field of play. What matters most is his ability to bond effectively with the team. Game time is good bt not the only criterion for selection of players.

forgiveness:
Sir, kindly, pinpoint to the "inexperience player" and "some grandfather" on this list.

We are learning every day and today i want to learn from you. But make you provide details and facts or in Icon4s voice "technical facts" . Thanks

NRIPRIEST, You think you've got the energy to argue with forgiveness? You better arm your self with "technical facts" else na knock-out u go receive.

forgiveness:
@bolded is the point they failed.

Same mistake he made against Egypt. We were 1-0 up rather than sealing the result with a more defensive change he was busy experimenting with like-for-like substitutions. He has nt learnt not to underrate opponents. He thought Egypt was dead and buried.

forgiveness:
How come he and NFF was crucified by the public and media? An article was written by a journalist about our chances of qualifications with just a win.

Even before the match ended that day, report already came that we have chances of qualifying at 2 goals to one.

NFF and Siasia were aware a one goal win was enough. Because of our "pedigree" then they just felt Guinea must nt finish ahead of us.

BascoVanVeli:
That would be unfair to me because how could i teach the master when it comes to Nigerian football history?

But some say Youtube videos and Wikipedia can cover-up for all the missed historic aspects of football.

So go watch all the olden days games on youtube and read all the Wikipedia articles and come back lets box.

NRIPRIEST:
Well,let it be known to you that tribal sentiments has been dragged into this great thread.....Somebody evenly openly said a part of the country is being marginalized.

God Bless you my brother.

forgiveness:
But how come Siasia didn't know then that a draw was all we needed to qualify for AFCON in 2012?

I don't thrust dem all.

Bros dnt get it mixed up. We needed to win by 2goal margin to top the group.

At commencement of that game against Guinea, We were nt sure whether a one goal margin win could see us through cos all the matches were being played simultaneously. We needed to win by 2 goal margin to be sure of qualification. It was after we drew the match that we then found out that 2-1 win could have been enough after-all. We drew 2-2.

Besides, there was this slogan then that "if u cant beat Guinea by 2 goals then u dnt have any business being in the AFCON". Siasia was trying to prove he and his boys were good enough to beat Guinea by the required margin.

But come o. Siasia is fond of conceding very painful late goals.

I developed a sharp head ache from screaming after Guinea equalized.

I was never used to Nigeria crashing out of AFCON qualifiers since I have been following the tournament in 1988. In 1996 and 98 we were suspended not tht we failed to qualify.

forgiveness:
is ya conscience pricking you?

Remember, you only pointed a finger but 4 is pointing back at you.

You are always the one pointing out tribalism when there is none.

bigblangston:
Wonderful debate coming from these two titans, Anyone trying to bring in tribal issues into these should check himself if he's not tribalistic himself, no where was it written in the debate that ethnicity was made a yardstick for preference, This is how wonderful analysts are known. Good job guys. Icons vs Bascovanveli tagged LEGEND(icons) versus ICON (basco) next on the list

Will the topic of argument be on "Henry Nwosu versus Friday Ekpo; who was the better number 10?"

forgiveness:
@bolded means Siasia said it. Some of these Coaches and NFF don't know anything about football rules. They just go there to.....

But you know some of these journalist can be over zealous.

Samson Siasia is going to the Olympics for the second time so he should know d rules as per number of players to make the final squad.

I dnt trust these journalists. They cook up things to add flesh to their stories.

forgiveness:
Hehehe! Thanks but you never answer my questions ooooo.

Which question again na?

forgiveness:
Hehehe!

You are laughing. Check ur self in the second sentence of that biglangston's comment.

forgiveness:
SIASIA PROPOSES COLOMBIA, HONDURAS FRIENDLY MATCHES


April 5, 2016

Dream Team VI Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has submitted his programme for the Rio 2016 Olympic football event after his adventure with the Super Eagles failed to qualify Nigeria
for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The coach, whose fate will be tabled before the expanded meeting of the board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung today, told reporters that his Olympic blueprint incorporated proposal for friendly matches to be played with Columbia and Honduras.



If ratified by NFF, the matches will he played in Brazil, where Nigeria will camp for one month after an extensive training in Europe.

Siasia said he planned to open a training camp in Nigeria with a legion of home-based players as soon as the federation approves his programme.

“We will go into camp with some home-based players the moment we get the green light from the federation. The exercise will allow us assess the boys to determine if some of them can be included in the final 23-man squad for the Olympic Games . We hope to camp in Europe and spend one month in Brazil, where we will play friendly matches with Honduras and Colombia,” Siasia stressed.

While he was away as the caretaker coach of the Eagles, Fatai Amoo was put in charge of the U-23 team which stunned Brazil 1-0 in a friendly match, organised by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) at the Estadio Kieber Andrade in Caciacica Vittoria.


https://www.google.com.ng/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/04/05/siasia-proposes-colombia-honduras-friendly-matches/&ved=0ahUKEwjuod3o2fnLAhVHzRQKHZNOBaUQqQIIHDAB&usg=AFQjCNHgM90qKXXBMnWNlzNzrbswedmAiQ

Was the bolded statement made by Siasia or the journalist that made this write up? Final 23 man squad?

Meaning the NFF and Siasia have nt seen this article:http://www.rio2016.com/sites/default/files/users/rio2016_files/fifa-football-en_0.pdf

TheGoodJoe:


Onazi's playing time is reduced at Lazio. So I think Coach Siasia should go with a player he is familiar with than Onazi who is not seeing much games now.

Why did we take Mikel to the 2014 World Cup when his game time at Chelsea was almost at all time Low?

CFCman:
Last year, I had Onazi as a potential over-aged member of the squad due to his past senior performances. I think if he is deployed as an AMF, he could still be useful to the Dream Team.

Leon Balogun could be another overaged choice in defense too.

Yes, Onazi's experience would be vital in a competition of this nature.

Another reason why I would like Onazi and Balogun to be in that squad to Rio is because they also belong to this generation. Omeruo, Onazi, Ajagun, Ramon Azeez all played U17 together. Leon Balogun is pretty young too and his game seems to be on the rise. Victor Moses is 25 and would likely be around for many more years to come, he is my 3rd over-age pick.

I would like the New look Super Eagles to be built from Rio.

That cannot work in Nigeria. No way.

joseph1013:
I don't know if others think like me but I believe some of these arguments spice up the house. For someone like me who has become incredibly busy these days, it's good to get here and see 5 pages unread.

These threads always have a way of going back to normal regardless of the arguments. It's a plus.

You are Right bro.

Some times it is good to sit back and watch 2 or 3 guys argue a course and learn a lot of things. Kudos to TheGoodJoe and forgiveness. You guys rock.

ucheo:
These thread has been derailed by petty and jobless argument.we are meant to be reading about dream team not bony, pelle, Dutch league.
Forgiveness and Co please you can open a thread for argument and leave this place. This is more like secondary school days talk. Please forgive me if my words but we can't continue like these

The thread has not been derailed in any way.

The arguments have been on our U23 prospects. And don't think any body here is jobless.

sportfolder:
Alex Iwobi has been handed a new long-term deal by Arsenal following his impressive performance in the past days.

The 19-year-old has agreed a new contract that will see him stay at the Emirates Stadium until 2021.

The new deal for the Nigerian international will see him earn three times his previous wages. Iw..................Continue Reading click SOURCE

[url]9JABET.COM[/url]

This is good News for Arsenal fans and Good News for Nigeria.

forgiveness:
In football condition is never permanent. Today na Vardy, yesterday was Aguero.


If Chidozie Awaziem plays today again for Porto, he will surely get my nod to play for the Super Eagles ahead of the bench warmer Ambrose.


So, you mean Iheanacho deserves to be called to the National team as at that time Oliseh selected him after scoring just 2 league goals?

I see "it took some good club performance before Oliseh considered him for a call up". You mean with just two goals?

While Sadiq Umar who also scored 2 goals in 3 matches is not worthy of invitation into the Olympics(i am not even talking about Super Eagles ooo)?

If you have your way, you will replace any somebody with Chidozie Awaziem to make sure he makes the list of the Olympic team which i am not against but i just want to point out something. You know what I mean.


Now, moving to Ramon-azeez, so, do you mean he has never rising before?

Because i know he played regularly for his club in the la liga prior to the World Cup. Now, tell me, who should have replaced him then?

Besides, Keshi no know em work? Playing Ramon Azeez as an attacking midfielder and not his favourite CMF or DMF proved he knows nothing.

First get my point. I was never against his invitation. What I was against was the slogan of he being the best natural midfielder in the team - a team he has never featured in.

At that point in time Michael Babatunde and even Rabiu Ibrahim were ahead of him. Not to even mention Mikel Obi, Nosa Igiebor and Ogenyi Onazi. Ramon just had a fairly good 6months of consistent club football going into the world cup.

Forget that story of say "he was played out of position". Do you know how many positions I have seem 'Karo Etebo play of which he did creditably well.

forgiveness:
I no bi like you na.

but how you differentiate the sound of this name?


Pls, answer those questions i asked u lately

Which questions?

Pls remind me.

modified: answered below:

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
Goal Scoring Defender Ganiu Ogungbe Rues Draw With Aris
[/size]
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/21852Ganiu.jpg
Ex-Nigeria U20 international Ganiu Ogungbe has declared that Ethnikos Achnas were unlucky not to get the maximum points in their Cypriot First Division clash away to Aris Limassol on Sunday.


The central defender put his team 2-1 up in the 35th minute,only for Mathew Boniface to restore parity for Aris in the first minute of stoppage time.


Ogungbe has blossomed into a goal scoring defender since his arrival at Ethnikos Achnas,with his strike against Aris his seventh in the league since he debuted for the club in 2014.


“I am a central defender but I also play as a central midfielder but all my four goals (this season) came from the defensive position,” Ogungbe told allnigeriasoccer.com.


“I think my team deserves the three points but unfortunately we were unlucky.All thanks to God.”

The ex-Omonia Nicosia stopper has played 22 games in the top-flight so far this season, and has been yellow-carded eight times.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel
http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=18552
[/b]

Forgiveness oya onje ti de (food has come). The name sounds like one of those names you like defending.
Adjust your Olympics team list sharperly

forgiveness:
In football condition is never permanent. Today na Vardy, yesterday was Aguero.


If Chidozie Awaziem plays today again for Porto, he surely get my nod to play for the Super Eagles ahead of the benched Ambrose.


So, you mean Iheanacho deserves to called to the National team as at that time Oliseh selected him after scoring just 2 league goals?

I see "it took some good club performance before Oliseh considered him for a call up". You mean with just two goals?

While Sadiq Umar who also scored 2 goals in 3 matches is worthy of invitation into the Olympics(i am not even talking about Super Eagles ooo)?

If you have your way you will replace any somebody with Chidozie Awaziem to make the list of the Olympic team which i am not against but i just want to point out something. You know what I mean.


Now, moving to Ramon-azeez, so, do you mean he has never rising before?

Because i know he played regularly for his club in the la liga prior to the World Cup. Now, tell me, who should have replaced him then?

Besides, Keshi no know em work? Playing Ramon Azeez as an attacking midfielder and not his favourite CMF or DMF proved, he knows nothing.

Tribalism? Hahaha. We all know who is more guilty of it on this forum.

You compare Sadiq Umar with Kelechi Ijeanacho?

Bros, in terms of development Kelechi is far ahead of Sadiq.

Besides looking at the positionsthe 2 players play, Iheanacho stands a better chance of being invited to the Super Eagles.

Sadiq Umar at best for now can fight for a place at the next U20 where he still has the likes of Victor Osimhen, Chdera Ezeh, Taiwo Awoniyi and some fuure rising players to contend with.
The U23 Strikers positions may be far from him for now not to talk of the Super Eagles.

And I know nothing is definite in football as I keeping mentioning that some players progression may be Arithmetic while others can be Geometric. Sadiq Umar rise quickly and over take the other striking options we have in future.

TheGoodJoe:


If Iheanacho had seven goals in Seventeen stats, Icon4s will tell us, "HE IS NOT THERE YET." Very few to none will argue.

Fortunately, he is the most Lethal Marksman in Man City. There is no way you expect Coach Siasia to leave him out.


Statistically at least, the teenager is by some distance Man City's most lethal shot-taker.

Conversion Stats for City's attacking stars

Player Shot conversion rate (excluding blocks)

Kelechi Iheanacho
42.86%

Sergio Aguero
22.54%

Kevin De Bruyne
19.23%

Raheem Sterling
17.14%

Samir Nasri
14.29%

David Silva
12.50%

Yaya Toure
12.24%

Wilfried Bony
11.11%

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2015-16/mar/260316-talking-tactics-teenage-stars-kelechi-iheanacho-manchester-city.html

So fortunately, he is there and endorsed by Sir Icon4s.

Talking about Iheanacho, I am always so conservative when Rating young players. Most of them turn out to be "a flash in the pan".

I saw Iheanacho progress from the U17 to U20 and from ManCity academy to the Senior Team. I watched most of his 2 seasons pre-season games.

I knew he was so much talented and held so much promise but I refused to go in the way of peeps here rating him with d likes of Aguero, Silva, Sterling,Nasri. Even saying he was better than Navas and Bony and what have you.

My take was Iheanacho is work in progress he is nt there yet and it was too early to rate him that highly even before he kicks -off his debut season. And after some few 5mins introductions. People thought I had something against him.
People often allow sentiments/patriotism to affect there rating of players. It is normal everywhere in the world. As an English man can always tell u David Beckham was the greatest footballer of his era. A Real Madrid Fan will always say Ronaldo is better than Messi.

8months into his new season and I have been able to size him up and know his capabilities and where and how best to utilize him. It took some good club performances before Oliseh considered him for a call up.
See another case of Chidozie Awaziem. Some peeps here even said he was our best CB option jst bc he has just been promoted to FC Porto A Team. Always too quick to hype young players.

Sadiq Umar featured in 3 games and scored 2 goals for AS Roma. And the next thing: "O he has replaced Edin Dzeko". Always too quick.

I know the kind of argument I had with peeps on Ramon Azeez prio to 2014 World Cup. The then popular saying that "he was the best natural midfielder in that Super Eagles team". In which Super Eagles Team? A team he had never been invited to play for? How do you know he is the best in that position when he has nt even been featured?
You saw his below per outing at that World Cup. Where is Ramon Azeez today?

I take my time to rate young players.

terzurum5:
Good list Sir Forgiveness. Congratulations too. This will be the first time friends here have to some extent come to agree with you on such an important issue. I was almost asking what has this Forg..... done to deserve this king of opposition?
cc: Safarigirl

He has learnt to shift grounds. "We are not there yet". We are getting there. He has removed Uche Agbo. Next would be Dominic Solanke and finally Abdul Forgiveness Ajagun.

enomakos:
I have gone through must of the lists you guys have post but to be frank 80% of the players been mention will not make the list

i said something here a while ago that siasia hads "his boys"

emmanuel daniel
dele alampasu
stanley amuzie
sincere seth
oduduwa segun
usman mohammed
azubuike okechukwu
etebo
junior ajayi
taiwo awoniyi
victor osimhen
the following players are sure banker for Rio

don't be surprise if isaac success and kelechi iheanacho did't made the list

Nops. These were the players available to Siasia during the Qualifiers. You saw the caliber of players he invited for the Brazil friendly. And abt 7 members of the U23s featured against Egypt still under Siasia.

I dnt agree with u my brother. The list would be far better than the one u put up their.

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
IMOH EZEKIEL INJURED ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY WITH NIGERIA U-23s
[/size]
https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image-9.jpg?resize=300%2C169
Imoh Ezekiel’s season has come to an end after the Nigerian broke his jaw in Nigeria U-23 0-1 win over Brazil in a friendly game just over a week ago.


Ezekiel had surgery on the broken jaw on Wednesday and is reportedly set to miss the league title playoffs in Belgium for his loan side Anderlecht.


The injury setback is the latest disappointment the 22 year old has suffered since joining Anderlecht on loan from Al-Arabi of Qatar at the start of the season.


So far he has just one goal in the league from the 18 games he has played for them his worst tally in a full season since he moved to Europe in 2012.


His next destination will be decided by his Qatari side Al-Arabi who have kept him on loan the last 18 months after he failed to settle in Qatar six months after moving to the oil rich nation from Standard Liege of Belgium.

He reportedly turned down a move to a Chinese Super League side before the close of the transfer window in China.
http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/04/03/imoh-ezekiel-injured-on-international-duty-with-nigeria-u-23s/
[/b]

I am not happy with this boy's progress.

bigblangston:
You guys should take it easy with names, so because Awaziem plays for porto he deserves a place in the squad? How about him been invited first, let see him slug it out with his contemporaries. Let's see if he can fit into the playing pattern of the coach... Club football is not the same as national team football, odion ighalo and nickolas bendtner taught me that while one was prolific in the club and less goal ratio in the mins he has played for country while the other one was prolific in the national team but wasteful in the club.... I have watched Awaziem played for Porto and he's just like an ordinary defender to me, I'm sure new names will also be generated today.... No one has mentioned Akinjide Idowuu

Bros I am one of those who kicked against his inclusion in the Super Eagles squad to face Egypt.

But as for this U23, he and Kenneth Omeruo seems to be our best options. I will only exclude Awaziem if Leon Balogun is called up.

As for Akinjide Idowu, going by the abundance of quality DMF we have now he doesn't stand much chance.

forgiveness:
Bros, prove with technical facts. No bi you talk about technical facts.


I no wan hear this player is rising or falling without technical facts. No bi so. Abi technical facts na sentiments again.

Baba Ajagun I dnt mention any player as falling. You did.

I only said Ajagun's mates have reason faster than he has done. That's all.


Forgiveness:
False. Ramon Azeez is languishing in the third tier of Spanish football.


Omeruo is also playing for one obscure league in Turkey. From Eredivisie to Championship, from Championship to Turkey. Decipher grin

Onazi has been relegated to the bench this season.

Uche Nwofor. Nowhere to be found.

Kingsley Madu ; plays in an obscure league in Europe.

Shehu Abdullahi; so so

Wilfred Ndidi; lost for years before he found his footing this season after Ajagun don win trophy for Europe.

Ahmed Musa don rise even before he left the shores of Nigeria.

Moses Simon grin


Etebor Ogehnekaro : clubless


See your rising stars falling. grin

adrainuche:
Make una nor vex do we really need any over aged player in Rio Who says MIKEL are you serious ONAZI for what Abeg we have many young untapped talent lets discover them or see what they cant do ... please we already know these players abeg we have very exciting prospects ... maybe i can manage ONAZI but mikel God Forbid !!!! Na now messi go olympic Where he dey when he mate go

Herez my list one guy i would love to watch out for is our Goalie that guy has all it takes he just has to be given a chance i thinks hes better than Akpeyi and Ikeme ...

GK

Daniel Emmanuel
Alampasu

DEFENDER

Ndidi
Umeruo
Musa Muhammhed
Leon Balogun
......
......
......

Abeg i nor wan hear any name like Amuzie or anything i use God beg una

MIDFIELDER

ONAZI (maybe)
I. Matthew
Musa Yahaya
Sadiq Papoolo
ETEBO
IWOBI
SIMON MOSES
Victor Moses (Maybe)

ATTACKER

IHENACHO
IMOH
SUCCESS
CHIKATARA or Awoniyi


Make una leave oshimhen and nwakali abeg ... somebody will now say we should carry Musa SMH

I dunno about these guyz below

EFOONG
SOLANKE

abeg that umar make una go troway that boy ... he dey use gra gra dey blay ball, and to be sincere i for nor put awoniyi for this list ... i nor wan hear okonkwo abeg ... siasia dey behave like keshi i dunno what is wrong with him these days ...

Micheal Olaitain
Babatunde Micheal

We also have alot more abeg make un stop all this Mikel and ish abeg ...

I like your list. It seems most of us are on the same page on most of the players. More than 5 seasoned analysts here cannot all go wrong.
Siasia's chief media officer take note.

But bros why you no wan hear abt Amuzie? Though he is nt my first choice LB (Madu is) bt dnt you feel we need a back up left Back? As you'll observe the team is nt much gifted with left footed midfielders hu can be converted to LB if the first choice LB is out on suspension or Injury.