₦airaland Forum

hoodedjaystrim:
W are in mourning here

Mourning? Who died?

Famocious:
Breakdowns and Scouting failure: Hot takes from Nigeria's loss to USA

Even as the Flying Eagles routed Qatar 4-0, the warning signs were clear and ominously present. The inexperienced Qatari moved better, passed the ball better, exploited openings better and carved the Nigerians open with ease that was at times embarrassing.
Their only drawback was the lack of efficiency in front of goal. It was clear that the Flying Eagles style would not survive much sterner scrutiny.
And the USA duly proved it on Monday. Here are three takeaways from the game.

SCOUTING FAILURE STARTS COLLAPSE
One of the most important things a coach does going into a game is prepare for the opposition by scouting them to the minutiae. Especially for a tournament where the draws had been made in advance.
Failing that however, the next best thing is to use the opening five to 10 minutes to assess the opposition, how they defend, how they attack and what weaknesses there are to exploit.
The USA played soon after Nigeria’s game against Qatar. Paul Aigbogun and his team had plenty of time to study them. They obviously did not.
Ukraine’s tactics were to sit in a low block and exploit spaces left by the USA when they poured forward. It worked. Aigbogun chose to start with a high press, which left yawning gaps all over the field. It was a gift the Americans were only too glad to accept as they calmly played their way out of trouble, and then pinned the Nigerians to their half, putting particular pressure on the fullbacks who had been the major attacking outlets against Qatar.
Aigbogun failed to react, failed to shut down the spaces as his team attempted to go on a passing toe to toe against a side as well-drilled as the US. The failure was spectacular. At one point during the first half, possession was 66% to the US.
In fairness to the Flying Eagles coach he made an adjustment within half an hour, hooking Tom Dele-Bashiru after a shocking error-strewn play. The Manchester City youngster was hooked for Aniekeme Okon, who brought energy and stability into the midfield.
At least we can’t say Aigbogun doesn’t know when to make a change.


NO BASICS
Aigbogun may have been quick to react, but he was also hampered by the tools he had. His players lack of basics was painfully accentuated by the technical ability and near-scripted execution of USA.
They passed with crisp fitness, moved economically, exploited space and switched play almost telepathically. Their choreography left the Nigerians running around chasing their own tails.
When they did get possession, their touches were so heavy they could barely string three passes together before turning the ball over. Individual breakdowns littered the pitch.
Players appeared determined to forget that football is a team game, preferring to run into two or three-man cul de sacs when it was easier and more effective to pass their way out of trouble.
The second goal was of such embarrassing simplicity it cold only be compared to a chess player falling for Scholar’s mate, an elementary checkmate in four moves. Four US players were involved, starting with the goalkeeper as they ran the length of the pitch without a single Nigerian player tracking within yards!
Thursday is not so far away, but Aigbogun needs to sort these out. Fast.


OKAY, THERE WERE SOME POSITIVES. . .
For all the hysterics that attended the game - and yes, said hysterics were justified - it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
There were a still positives to glean from the defeat. For one, the players did not roll over. Once the coach made the small but significant tweak of bringing on Okon, the midfield stabilised, Kingsley Michael became more influential and the Flying Eagles gradually wrested control. Oh, and they started passing the ball too! Shocker!
This proves that this team can ball, if they set their mind to it and have the right tactics and selection.
Success Makanjuola surely must have done enough over two games to have eared himself a starters shirt over Okechukwu Offia. And impressive as Tom Dele-Bashiru was in the first game, Aniekeme Okon’s energy, passing and vocal authority may just have nicked him a shirt for the next game
Beyond personnel, Aigbogun needs to lay down the law on at least two things. First, players must stay tight and tackle to win and keep the ball. Two, they must look to release the ball as quickly as possible keep passes over 10 feet to the barest minimum. In other works, play as a friggin team!
Not a bunch of Messi-photocopies from a decommissioned copier

Source:http://www.colinudoh.com/2019/05/breakdowns-and-scouting-failures-hot.html?m=0

Excellent analysis from Colin, but I disagree to a large extent on the later part of the first paragraph.

Poor outing from the boys. But I must also give kudos to the highly talented US team.

Aigbogun failed with his tactics, played as though he never prepared for the game. From what I saw from the US team against Ukraine, they are a high ball possessing side. Aigbogun needed to set up his team to play with great pace and counter attacking football.

The boys were too heavy and clueless in the final 3rd only resorting to long shots.

We can only hope they can put their acts together and get a needed result against Ukraine.

andrew444:
Hope you know the population in your country ?

Ordinary Lagos alone has more population than so many African countries

If at all you want to bring in the issue population that will even negate more wealth Ranking.

You cannot compare the poverty level of a man that earns N100,000/month and has 20 children with all their needs and responsibilities to one that earns N50,000 a month and has only 1 child. The one with N50,000 Salary with one child will live a better life and achieve more in life.

Danielnino00:
The term "rich countries" is rather broad... Riches could be measured via GDP ..GDP per capita, Poverty index, inequality index etc..

As per GDP per capita,Gabon and Eq. Guinea are richer than Nigeria.. As per GDP, Nigeria is the richest country in Africa.. However, having a huge GDP per capita doesn't mean lower poverty or inequality rate neither does having a lesser GDP means high poverty rate...
So to some extent, Gabon and Eq Guinea are richer than Nigeria and at the same time,Nigeria is richer than those two countries.. it is relative..
Even DR Congo with the high rate of poverty and unemployment is considered as very rich cus of the abundance of mineral resources there....

So now, based on what index can one regard, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as ''Poor Countries''?

andrew444:
So Gabon is a richer country than Nigeria ?

I need yes or no from you ,I don't need long talk

Is Gabon richer than Nigeria ?

Go to this link as of April this year ,Gabon is not among the 20 richest country in Africa ,even poor Zimbabwe Zambia and Sudan of all people is richer than Gabon so what point are you trying to make ?

https://thebusinessalert.com/richest-country-africa/

That is why I ask you based on what indices? Do you know on the poverty list Nigeria is worse than Gabon and Equatorial Guinea?
Bro you need to first understand the Economic indices on which a country is regarded as being '' Poor'' or ''Rich''.


Yes GDP is a useful variable but more importantly is per capita Income. Base on the later, Gabon and Equotorial Guinea are among the Richest in Africa.


So going back to your initial post. You cannot refer to them as ''poor Gabon and Equitorial Guinea'' when in the same context u refer to Nigeria as a ''Rich'' country.

andrew444:
Afcon that poor Gabon and eq guinea can host

Abeg leave matter my broda

Poor based on what index please?

Well, let me just let that slide so as not to derail the thread.

krattoss:
how do u see the stadium?

Just Perfect for smooth flowing football. Can't wait.

God Rewards the labour of your hands
Pride goes before a fall.

krattoss:
One of the recent photos of stadium that will be hosting super Eagles games in Egypt..

Port Alexandria stadium..

Capacity..20k

I trust Egypt jare.

cc12:
I am just imagining a future Super Eagles front line of Onyekuru,Osimhen and Chukwueze, it looks mouthwatering on paper

That is IF they continue to improve.

ChrisKels:
I have always said it here without mincing words, that smelly thing(komken) is a goofball buh the lowlives in here who go about licking his oozy filthy pilly ass keeps bickering whenever I call him what he truly is. Dude and his asslickers are a total disgrace

Chris, please you have to exercise caution in the use of words here. We are all matured and should always keep our comments civil. This type of comment is not accepted here.

Senegal, Poland and Colombia were in same group at the 2018 WC.

Now all 3 are in same group at the U20 WC.

Remember Colombia eliminated Senegal.

Now it is Senegal vs Colombia. Pay back time up next. Gengen....

I think FIFA needs to review their allocation of slots per continent/Confederation in the U20 WC. How can Africa and North America produce same number of countries? (Four). What are Honduras and Panama doing in the U20 WC when countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Guinea could not make it. As far as football is concerned only USA and Mexico are serious football nations in that Region.

Look also at Oceania, how can they have two? (New Zealand and Tahiti) What is Tahiti doing in a world cup?


Considering the number of serious footballing nations in Africa we need at least two more slots. At this age level we are almost at par with Europe with respect to number of footballing countries and performance at this age level FIFA should take off one slot from Oceania and One from North&Central America and give to Africa jare.

Oasis007:
TB





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKhaK42Vhko

Nigeria were the better team in this game

DrLikita12:
Last match day in the regular NPFL 2019 season.
So far, only three teams have been relagated and only three teams have booked spots in the playoffs.
For a lot of teams, relegation/playoff spots/survival depends on results from elsewhere.
The competition should make for an interesting match day.
Players are to wear black arm bands and observe a minute of silence for Ogbeide, the Lobi Stars coach who recently passed on.

Even Insurance that is 5th place on the table can still relegate with just 1 game to go. NPFL sef

Earthquake3:
I'll not be in it by then

Haha, I know that's ur next line of thought. But then you will still have parents and other family members left behind in the country. My brother what affects them will also affect you if you like relocate to the Sun

Earthquake3:
My prophesy is about Nigeria not my life

U prophecy doom for Nigeria and u believe it will not affect your life?

Earthquake3:
Nigeria is heading for doom

No amount of prayer can restore it

Do not prophecy doom into your life. Have a positive out look and things will get better for you whether Nigeria exists or not.

Humility017:
c'mon oga icon...forget their skin colours..
those guys are south Americans they cheat too..though they often omit 1-3 years from their age...unlike west Africans that do remove 3-8 years.

you know this things na

Is this how we are going to roll through out this tournament?

Rather than analysing games we are busy looking out for players who we think are age cheats. This whole thing is getting boring abeg.

mostob:
well ..I feel the age cheat brouhaha is getting too much and making the thread boring... na wetin make me post am here jare ...

the thing tire me.
Rather than analysing games they are busy hunting for age cheats here and there.

I don't like this VAR thing. It is killing the game. Controversies are part of the game.

realpoacher:
Arg 5:2 SA

So much for Johann Cyruff style


West Africans sure really have a thing for world football

We are Africa's Power house especially at youth level.



Abeg anyone joining me to go take dinner at kickoff.com

BascoVanVeli:
Number one is that I care more about fixing the system than catching age cheats, u fix the system age cheating is impossible. So right now there is a glitch and people are taking advantage of it but what u want to do is go witch hunting and I can never be a part of that. You prove your case I won't let you get away with hearsay.

See, my brother, how to check this age cheat syndrome is what I Crave for, which is why is will always defend the introduction and efficacy of the MRI. What we now need is to go a step further by checking age cheating at our various clubs. Nobody is happy about age cheating but just like you I will not start laying unfounded claims about one player or the other when I dont have concrete proofs. Just based on mere facial looks?

PDPGuy:
No one can convince me that the Argentine #9 is under 20

Oya see dem.

Age cheat hunters

fabyom:
There are some old men in all the African teams.
That SA keeper can never be under 20

I have been waiting for this crew una wey dey take eye sabi person age.

What of Foster and Abrahams both of SA

BascoVanVeli:
He reminds me of Victor a bit. Even the lack of final ball is so Moses

Yeah he is a blend of Victor Moses and Desire Oparanozie.

Earthquake3:
The South African coach went to Johann Cruyff school of football

That's what a coach should be

Yeah u caught that.

ChrisKels:
No wahala buh our team is a shame to youth football bar the few truly young ones amongst the grandpas

Chris, I say shift make I see match joor.

Egbon dey say make I no argue with una again. So allow me enjoy this tournament abeg.

Argentina vs South Africa up next. Let's go there.

ChrisKels:
I'm glad u are seeing this match to understand that ugliness doesn't make one look older than his age. I hope u seeing konate, Konte, Ndiaye, Drame and all the Malians looking 16,17,18,19 and 20 unlike the grandpas u have been trying so hard to defend?

Chris, shift I dey watch match jare.

Chei! Mali why? Panama don equalize