₦airaland Forum

Oh, I see. I am not that familiar with their players. But I knew that they kept saying how the captain - Mweene - and about 3 other players were injuried and another player on trial, and I was quite ready for us to play the Zambian B-team


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nelszx:
Only Mweene started the rest are truly injured. Maybe Daka may be introduced in the second half (though report has it he has a knock, maybe that's why he isn't starting).

Exactly. When we played Ndidi as a RB in Ndola, it almost cost us the match. Hopefully we can finish the job today so we can experiment against Algeria.


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Danielnino00:
@bolded. I think I gotta agree with u.. Echijele is probably the worst player in the team now but how sure are we that Aina can play the LB role well??
So far I've not see any game in which he played the role.. Rohr isn't underrating Zambia that's why he isn't taking any risk.

Hopefully we will get to see Aina play the role after we clinch th world cup ticket today...

These Zambians and their mind games sha. See how all those players that they told us that they were injured are suddenly fit to start?


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nelszx:
Zambia Starting XI

Of course, if you convince them that it's a long term plan - for them to take over the reins once Rohr leaves. As a matter of fact, this would've been done a year ago with the idea that Rohr would hand over to Siasia and Amuneke after the World Cup.


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eitsei:
the question is will those ones even be ready to be understudies for Rohr

Yes, I will definitely wanna see Iwobi, Nacho, and Aina introduced in the game today. I think Nacho and Iwobi has the skillsets to hurt Zambia. The two of them were arguably the best players in our first game against Zambia. In addition, I wanna see how Aina is gonna perform in the green and white. However, I would prefer if he plays in his natural position so we can see him at his best.

I am not a big believer in making people play the positions where they are not comfortable. We that that mistake by playing Ndidi as a RB in Zambia and it almost cost us.


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Mujtahida:
Yes substitutions will be made possibly along the lines you have suggested. Even Iwobi said what's important is for the team to win not him playing.
If we are winning comfortably Aina will get his debut by substituting either Echiejile or Shehu.

Let's guard that Shehu. Everybody would be thinking Echiejile while that Zambian Coach decides to spring a surprise through Shehu's position.

If Nigeria is a country with visionary leaders, Siasia and Amuneke would be the coaches drafted to assist and understudy Rohr. Those two are the future of Nigerian coaches. But in naija, we specialize in putting square pegs in round holes.


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terzurum5:
Nigeria vs Zambia: What Super Eagles need to qualify for 2018 World Cup – Siasia
Ifreke Inyang

https://dailypost-ng.cdn.ampproject.org/ii/w680/dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/samson-siasia_1g928.jpg
Siasia

Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has said he is in Uyo, to support the team as they take on Zambia, in a crunch 2018 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.


Siasia, who led Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team to the last Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil where they won bronze, arrived Friday evening from Abuja, where he has been focusing on his Academy.


“I am a Nigerian and I have decided to travel to Uyo just like every other Nigerians, to support the Super Eagles in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.


“I believe the Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup, if we can all give them our support and believe in them,” he told CompleteSports.


Nigeria top Group B with 10 points from four games and need an outright win over Zambia who are on seven points, to qualify before the last day of the qualifiers.

https://www.google.com/amp/dailypost.ng/2017/10/07/nigeria-vs-zambia-super-eagles-need-qualify-2018-world-cup-siasia/amp/

Well said. I am not happy that Alex Iwobi isn't starting this match either but I can totally understand why Rohr should still with the same team that has delivered - tried and tested.

Personally, I would make 3 changes if I were in his shoes: Iwobi for Simon; Etebo for Onazi (then I will move Ndidi and Mikel into the DM slots and let Etebo bump forward), and Nacho for Ighalo. I will leave Elderson because I am not 100% sure that Aina is a natural LB. This game is too crucial to experiment players into makeshift positions.

All in all, Rohr makes the calls and he knows best. He trained the players and knows them better than everyone of us.


Having said that, I am predicting nothing less than a 2 goal margin of victory today.


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Mujtahida:
Heyyyy!! In this very crucial match you expect him to go radical? Haba na. Is this not the line up that secured 4:0 against Cameroun? Rohr's first assumption is to believe that this same line up can get the job done. If it does not then he can switch. Iwobi and Aina dey pepper una for body baa? Omo, to qualify is more important to me now that fancy experiments oo. If he does pem and anything happens they will say why did he go change the line up. It's not conservatism, it's wisdom.

Take out Akpeyi and I would concur with your line up .... even though I would prefer to have Iwobi start in place of Simon, and Kelechi in place of Ighalo. But I can live with those. The only thing I can't live with is seeing Akpeyi manning the post tomorrow.


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junnyjake:
I'm 97% sure of seeing this lineup tomorrow.

Never heard of those companies. But let's hope that they can shell out big money.

Not just the Super Eagles but the naija league needs a serious infusion of funds.


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adegwurulez:
BREAKING: NFF announce TGI Group as Official Food Partners and PayPorte as Official e-Commerce Partner #BigMoneyMoves

Well, I don't know sha. I am just glad that it isn't me who's gonna make that decision.


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Mujtahida:
That's what I am saying. He can't be a member of the squad. The medical guys here have analysed his situation and the consensus is that he's not likely to be fit for the World Cup cos of the leukaemia. So as painful as it is I don't think Ikeme will be at the Mundial

Me too! But he too is injury prone. The last time I checked, he had a long term injury. I don't know whether he's back playing tho. I haven't watched the championship is a while.


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forgiveness:
Moses Odubajo could challenge for the RB position. I rate him highly.


Uzoho is yet to make De LA coruna bench. Hope he does.

I don't see how he would be match fit before the world cup, so the chances of him starting is slim to none. However if the team decides to invite him and keep him on the bench, as a third goalkeeper, I won't have any problem with that. He has earned the invite. I would definitely be happy to have him replace Akpeyi.


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Mujtahida:
Are you suggesting that Ikeme goes as a member of the squad just for moral support? If so I don't think that would be wise. Consider that though the world cup is glamorous, it's also stressful.
The team would play for him not he playing (through your suggestion) for the team.

I agree. Ikeme would be going with us for moral support, I don't really expect him to return to full fitness before the current season ends.

As regards to Felix and Torunarigha, I have already warned Amaju Pinniki not to feck this one up. I don't wanna hear any ranting to the media and/or any useless photo ops. But let's hope he's listening.


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Mujtahida:
Ikeme is not likely to be in full health for the world cup. Nura is injury prone. If we secure Felix and Torunarigha it would be great.

Oh my, oh my .... I wish that this line up pans out tomorrow:

Team A – Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ola Aina, Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, O‎genyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo.

Ola Aina at LB for Elderson
And Iwobi for Simeon

If that happens, then we'll win the game easily.

FYI - I would've like to see KC start ahead of Ighalo but those two changes are more important to me.

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blueto:
Owngoal at it again. Well, it seems Iwobi wll be starting ahead of Simon who was replaced by Iwobi in Team A probably following an unimpressive performance

Close Door Session – How Eagles Lined Up Plus Substitutions Made By Coach Gernot Rohr

The close door training session of the Super Eagles of Nigeria ‎gave a bit of hint as to how the team could line up against Zambia on Saturday in their penultimate World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie.

Nigeria need a win to progress to the World Cup 2018 in Russia while Zambia will haveep alive their hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

Yesterday coach Gernot Rohr had his first close door session with the Super Eagles and it lasted for one hour, and during the course of the session the coach made some substitutions moving players from the Team A to B, and some from B to A.

The session ended 3-2 in favour of Team A thanks to a brace from Odion Ighalo with Alex Iwobi who was moved from Team B to A netting what ended as the winner, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Anthony Nwakaeme got the goals for the B team.

Here is how they lined up, including the substitutions made by the coach during the training session at the mainbowl of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.



Team A – Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Elderson Echiejile ( Ola Aina), Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, O‎genyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Moses Simon (Alex Iwobi), Odion Ighalo.

Team B – Daniel Akpeyi, Ola Aina ( Echiejile) , Chidozie Awaziem, Oghenekaro Etebo, Mikel Agu, John Ogu, Uche Agbo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Anthony Nwakaeme, Alex Iwobi ( Simon).

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/10/06/close-door-session-how-eagles-lined-up-plus-substitutions-made-by-coach-gernot-rohr/

I can't wait to see the Super Eagles putting on those Russia 2018 World Cup T-Shirts .... it would be happening LIVE around this time tomorrow, as you see the Zambian team weeping like there's no tomorrow.


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Let's just say: they would squeeze just by and then pull a surprise by winning it all.
Now, howz dat

Seriously, the god of soccer should issue an apology to all the soccer fans in the world if the greatest footballer of all time fails to kiss the biggest prize of them all. That's not fair and shouldn't happen!


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safarigirl:
Argentina will not qualify. I want a Messi-less world cup. Since they began their abysmal performance in the WCQ, I have been praying for them to not qualifu,

Messi can watch CR7 in Russia next year , dem no for kuku win WC, why waste semi-final slot?

I will support Messi


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forgiveness:
Hahahahahah! Argentina vs Nigeria for final, who you go support?

Yup. One of the cleanest and most organized country on the planet. The city/country is very congested but still very clean and very organized.
I stayed there 20 days but I couldn't get a seat on their commuter train even one day. It's always standing room only because of the crowd. And the train comes about every 3 mins, so you can imagine the crowd.

All in all, I love the city so it's a little too expensive for me.


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lalanice:
wow! must be an organised country, even their traffic looks organised.


Nigeria!

Na wa o for naija. I have never heard about the US Supreme Court judges coming to the White House to meet with the President of the United States.


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I totally agree. They didn't have an easy time qualifying in 2014 either but they nearly won it all.

And I can't wait for that to happen this time around as well


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forgiveness:
How do you know my mind?

That's why I don't want dem near that World cup because I if they eventually qualify, the finals dey sure for Argentina. Forget the struggle to qualify in South America.

I don't think it would come to that, if they win. Unless Brazil tries to punish Argentina by letting Chile beat them at home. But if the Argies win in Ecuador, and Brazil beats Chile then the lowest they can go is 4th regardless of the result of Peru/Colombia. So the two big keys here are:
1. The Argies to win (but I agree that this isn't a given considering that they couldn't beat both Venezuela and Peru)
2. Brazil to take care of business against Chile at home (this ought to be easy, but you never know)


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do4luv14:
what about head to head, and goal difference

Great! We're on the same page, bro.

In fact, after Nigeria the next time I need in the World Cup is the Argies. Messi deserves one more chance to try his luck on the big prize.


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Mickael2:
I never said they do not have any chance, I merely pointed out the fact that there was no reason for you to call him a 'mugu'. It's gone though, I too want Argentina at the world cup

Omo, let's be sincere, you were celebrating their downfall. Personally, I don't care about Brazil but I do care about Messi. He deserves to win the World Cup and I am sure that every true soccer fan agrees with me/


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krattoss:
if my memory serves me right. ..I only said these..
"Argentina is going down"...meaning unlike the Argentines I knew would have sealed the mundial ticket alongside Brazil with like few matches remaining. .so if a team performs badly unlike them. .that means they 're gradually diminishing and going down...

I would like the Argentina's not to qualify...

I never said Argentina have failed out neither did i say they don't have chance of qualifying. ..

Now who is the real mugu??.. quoting me out of context

No worries, bro. Name calling ain't my thing but I just take it personally when people try diss Messi
That man is the GOAT and deserves more respect!


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Mujtahida:
Guy you are more refined than calling someone a mugu na. Last time you called someone a clown. If they get pissed off and jab back it won't be nice. Please I enjoy reading you. Desist from using foul words.

Despite Argentina being our perpetual bogeyman I still want them to qualify. They are one of the best team in the world. They will add a lot of ummmph to the show.

Omo, they have TWO chances of qualifying. One is by an outright win and hoping that the other results favor them. The second is with a draw and hoping that the other results favor them.

It's definitely not gonna be an easy game in Ecuadorian capital Quito but, considering the talent they possess, I will take them getting a result there over Chile getting a result away in Brazil and/or Colombia getting a result away in Peru. It's a dicey situation for all the three teams but I can put my money on Messi and his men.


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chrisooblog:
guy it's not that straight forward o! they are playing away to ecuador a country with high altitude. the argies haven't won their last 3 away matches against them. getting a draw won't be enough (i think) but can they win? yes but if you were a betting man i wouldn't advise you stake your life on it

Brazil rest players in the final world cup match at home? Did you watch Brazil yesterday? They played their first team and did everything humanely possible to win that match, but were just unlucky coupled with fantastic goalkeeping. Trust me, Brazil would like to finish the qualifications match at home with a big send forth so Chile better be prepared to lose that match. And in addition, players like Neymar is playing for history so he would like to score especially at home.

Is it gonna be an easy match for the Argies in Ecuador considering that they would be playing in an altitude but I think that they would be prepared. Of course anything is possible but I still think that they have a better chance of qualifying than Chile, and even Colombia and Peru (expect a bloodbath on this one). And even if the Argies can only secure a draw, they might still make the playoffs depending on the results of Brazil/Chile and Colombia/Peru.


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Mickael2:
so you called him a mugu for saying the truth? Do you know the meaning of that word? Argentina are not in the same position with us, if Chile beats Brazil(highly possible because Brazil will rest players) and Peru beats Colombia then Argentina can kiss the world cup goodbye because Colombia is 3points ahead with a far superior GD, so the bottomline is that you are the actual mugu for letting your 'love' for Messi blind your sense of reasoning

They may still win it even if they have to qualify via the playoffs. It doesn't matter how you qualify.

The god of soccer would be mad if the best player that ever play the game fails to win the World Cup. And 2018 is his last chance, so they have to qualify



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forgiveness:
If Argentina no go World cup, one obstacle to winning the world cup is out.

As per Algeria, they have other issues that made them not to perform. So that result is a fluke. Their problem started after playing draw at home with Cameroun and they never recovered.

Like I said, the South Africa's loss would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Now, our team (both the players and technical crew) know that we can't take any chances. Trust me, they would be all business tomorrow. They were too casual in approaching the South Africa game, that's what happened. And they won't make that mistake again.

I predict a quick start in tomorrow's game.


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Kog45:
Good points,but thank God Moses V,Mikel,Balogun, Ighalo are in d team,nothing more we are winning.

Based on player to player,remember Algeria,Cameroon are ahead of Zambia but d same Zambia are in forefront to disturb us from qualifications.

Despite having better players than South Africa,hope u remember what happens.

The major point i value so much in your comments was that of experience of Walker and Kane that made England beat Slovena.

I know d same experience w come to play against Zambia coz availability of Moses V,Mikel,Balogun,Ighalo w surely make d difference.

You're a fulltime mugu! How exactly is Argentina going down? Or you do swallow everything you hear from the so called pundits on TV?

Right now, Argentina has exactly the same chance of qualifications as Nigeria, OK. They just need to beat Ecuador (who incidentally are out of it) to qualify .... the same way we just need to beat Zambia to qualify. We can qualify tomorrow and the Argies can qualify on Tuesday, that's just the bottom line.

The truth is, only one country (brazil) has qualified in the South American group. Four places are still open - that mean, even the second placed Uruguay can still miss out, same with Chile, Columbia, Peru, and Argentina. Tuesday would decide who goes to the world and who stays home amongst the 4 nations.

If I am a betting man, I would put my money on Argentina ahead of countries like: Chile who are playing Brazil away and/or Colombia who are playing Peru away. So my prediction is that the Argies would finish the job by beating Ecuador, but if the worse comes to the worst and they fail to beat Ecuador, they can still qualify via playoffs - depending on the results of the other fixtures. So the talk of Argentina's demise is very premature, IMHO.

As a matter of fact, they were very unlucky not to win yesterday. Lionel Messi hit the post in the second half and created numerous opportunities that his team-mates were unable to convert. Sergio Aguero would've probably buried some of those chances, if he were available yesterday.


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krattoss:
Argentina is going down...

Their finishing is below average..messi is going down...

I expect him to cry me an ocean after they must have missed out on the mundial proper

God bless you, my broad!

If I hear about Zambia's young talent again, I will puke. You don see naija wey get old talents. Yup, Ekong, Simon, VicMo, Nacho, Iwobi, Etebo, Ighalo, Ndidi .... they are all old cargos, on their last legs of their journey. I can't wait for tomorrow to arrive so we can put this game to bed.

Is it possible we could lose tomorrow? Absolutely! Football can be a funny game, sometimes 2 times 2 doesn't always give you 4. Think how Venezuela almost beat the Argies last month. However, what pisses me off is all these prophecies of doom. I am confident that we'll beat Zambia and I will tell you why:
First, we're playing at home and would defend the home court
Second, we've learned our lessons from the SA game
Third, player to player, we're better than the Zambians
When two teams are both playing well at the same time, the better team would prevail
Player to player, we've more experience than the Zambians
And it may come down to experience
If you watched England vs Slovania yesterday, it all came down to experience
Slovenia was totally outplaying them at Wembly, but inexperience cost them the match
Slovenia made one mistake and England (Walker and Kane) capitalized
Nobody is saying that this is gonna be an easy game
But the cream would rise to the top in the end

Mark my words!


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Joebie:
Nigeria was up 2-0 by half time...

Women are insatiable. If you have a smallish one na trouble, but when you show them king size version, you'll scare them away.

What's a guy to do, eh?


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flawlessT:
E better make she leave the marriage rather than to cheat sha... Na she dey wear the shoes so she know whr e dey pinch her

Don't mind them.

Meanwhile, my biggest joy is that Bein Sports plans to carry the match LIVE. I have already set a reminder on my DVR


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Daejoyoung:
We even played Ndidi out of position last year and still we won.