₦airaland Forum

cman77: Where is joel obi? Y wasn't he invited if he is in good form? For the eagles attak,I don't knw y keshi likes dis brown ideye guy.he hasn't lived up to expectation,he is below avrage,nt a world class striker,he misses too many chances almost like yakubu aiyegbeni,passes zero in terms of accuracy.osaze shud have bin used in replacement 4 ideye.

Stop there.

Yakubu was Nigeria's best striker since Yekinni.

I don't know why guys keep underrating this guy.

Some people don't even know he is Nigeria's 3rd all-time highest goal scorer in national jersey.

He returned double-digit goals every season for 10 consecutive years in Europe - from being Nigerian league's highest goal scorer with Julius Berger (1999), to Maccabi Haifa, Portsmouth, Middleborough, Everton, Leicester, Blackburn and now in Xanghi or whatever in China. Everywhere the Yak goes, he scores. Every EPL season, he scored not less than 10 goals.

And this is the man some folks are using as model of bad striker?

Yes, he missed an all-important seater in a world cup, but it could have happened to even the bets striker in the world.

Give the guy a break.


As for Ideye, I still have confidence in him, even if he is firing blank. It is not for nothing that he averages 14 goals every season in European leagues - from Switzerland to France to Ukraine, finishing last season as 2nd highets goal scorer in Ukraine (17 goals), despite missing matches due to Nations cup duty.

Funny stat: Tahiti under-20 lost 5-0 to Nigeria under-20 in WYC Egypt 2009. And - wait for it- that was their best result in that tournament!

And the same team has metamorphosed into their current National team. Good news, isn' t it?

PDPwayoo: Sam okwaraji plays for charity. George Weah spends his personal money for his country football. Where is patriotism? shame on them for making stupid headlines over bonus.
The home based players will take whatever they get but the so called big boys will have elephant and still hunting for mouse and cricket.

NFF abi NFA na the worst. I thought they have fixed price of matches won, draw or lost?

I have never heard Ivroian super stars make news over bonus. Yet, they die on the pitch for their war-torn country.

Drogba plyas even the most meaningless of friendlies. Ditoo for Yaya Toure and co. Despite being bigger stars than our own plyaers they are more committed to their national team.

We celebrate Yekini as our all-time highest goal scorer with 37 goals. Drogba has close to 60 national team goals already.

Brazil, Holland and CIV are national teams I admire after Nigeria's.

So it is only natural for me to root for Brazil today.

But this Brazilian team don't have many world class players as they used to have. Brazil, in the past, used to have at least 6 of their first team players the world best in their respective wing. Their best player, Neymar, is not even among world's Top 5 best players.

maclatunji: It is hard to explain for me too. Let us put it this way... I am multitasking a lot. Doing like 5-6 things that require physical and mental strength at the the same time. If I continue at the same rate or add more, I might just "drop dead" (God forbid) someday from overwork or exhaustion.

You understand now?

Ok. Understood.

No wahala. Will continue the sole spearheading.

He has always been effective on his job.

He was responsible for arresting many pipeline vandals in Lagos last year.

maclatunji: Please don't patronise me and I mean that in a friendly way. If you are waiting for me, the events might not hold O. I don't say this out of arrogance but I have to be honest. My current role set does not help me with organising additional things unless I want to do serious harm to myself.

I will try my best to support the organisation but I should not be the arrowhead. Part of good leadership is knowing when to err... "step aside" not like IBB though.

I'm not sure I understood that bit in particular. Wondering how organizing an event will do 'serious harm'.

They have a moral point.

Wizeboy: Wow! How time fly, so is already a year we had Season 4; Alhamdulillah for sparing our lives since the last Ramadan till now.

I will suggest we use this thread for Season 5, since is the same programme.

@ Jarus and Maclatunji. I think we should think about some new concept we can include in this programme, it shouldn't just be about meeting once or twice during Ramadan every year alone. We can really work out somethings that will be beneficial to all the Muslim brothers and sisters on Nairaland. I remember I raised such issue at Jarus residence last year but time could not let us deliberate on it well.

Let us all think about things that will be beneficial to Islam and everyone of us; so that we can always plan it along with this programme. I believe we can achieve more with this programme.

May Almighty Allah let us witness the forthcoming Ramadan in good health, and also continue to guard and guide us (Amin)

Can we start with:

NAIRALAND MUSLIM COMMUNITY PRE-RAMADAN LECTURE?

Scheduled for the weekend before Ramadan?

I see a tough encounter, with Spain narrowly escaping with a 1-0 or 2-1 margin.

After all, the Catalunya we played 1-1 with last year consisted of Xavi, Ramos and other key members of Spanish national team.

Ejiros4christ: I totally agree with you. I am surprised a lot of us are envisaging a wide score margin. its laughable, because we don't even have 'GRADE A' Finishers. Whats the use creating many chances without being able to convert them.

I don't expect a wide score margin. can't remember last time SE won by wide margin (ok, 4 goals against Mali), but let's face it, these current boys are not as prolific as the Nations cup guys (6 of our 11 goals were scored by Moses and Emenike who are not available).

I don't expect SE scoring more than 3 goals in a match, in confederation cup.

But one character that impresses me about this current boys is never-say-die attitude. For a long time, SE have struggled when they were scored first, but they have come back from behind like 3 times in the last few matches.

maclatunji: I think you should create a new thread and let us look at modalities for this Ramadan's programme God-willing. Thankfully, you have years of experience with this event. Hence, we should build on that. I assume you know you are the Chief Organiser. #Grinning

I'm not sure anything is changing in the old modalities which everyone is familiar with.

Whoever is interested in hosting indicates interest, we all agree and plan on thread.

As moderator, you are automatically the Chief organizer. As my legacy, I'm also a main organizer as well.

yoged: Tahiti qualified for the Confederations Cup by
winning the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup with a 1-0
final victory over New Caledonia to become the first
side other than Australia and New Zealand to win the
tournament since it began in 1973.
Tahiti's squad is comprised almost entirely of
amateurs, including office workers, labourers, school
teachers and salesman, nearly all of whom ply their
trade in the local competition on French Polynesia's
main island.
There is only one professional in the squad - forward
Marama Vahirua, who is 33, a former French
Under-21s international and who has yet to play a
senior international for Tahiti....
Even dou there's no underdogs in soccer again, but its not like Tahiti beating Nigeria. If such happen, make den return the Nation cup back to caf. Shikena.

Na wa o. These guys should be meat for Eagles.

CFCfan: Fun fact: Nigeria's Super Eagles reached the semifinals of the 1995 Confederations Cup. This is the only time, so far, that an African team has reached the semis of a senior FIFA tournament.

No sir.

Cameroun reached final in Confederations cup 2003, narrowly losing to France, courtesy Henry's extra time strike.

damosky12: I tell you, that was the best of Ghana I have watched. I believe, if they had won that match, they probably would have secured the third position spot and you know what that means,, other African supporters are in trouble when they start boasting; I respect them o, they can boast like seriously. Without their senior national team achieving anything for decades now, you and I can testify to the degree of noise they have made still.

Ghanaians get mouth. They are very boastful. So, I don't support them

They are more passionate about their national teams than Nigerians (Nigerians care more for Chelsea and Man U than Super Eagles).

I'll rather support CIV or even Senegal, only because of their bragging. However, they did very well in that World Cup

Nobody how lowly Super Eagles have become, we can't lose to Tahiti in a competitive game. The worst is a draw. That's what I know.

Masha Allaah, another Ramadan is around the corner.

Preparing for season 5. I'm hosting one of the editions this year insha Allaah.

otumfour: You call our performance @ the last World Cup a flop?

Dude, we were the last and only African team in the quarters, watchu on about?

can't believe this guy

No, that performance wasn't a fluke. Your players did very well, the Ayew brothers and other players were fantastic. You deserved even semi in that world cup, although I was happy you lost to Uruguay (so you wont have bragging rights over us )

I don't think we should focus on money donations alone, donations in kind should also be given attention.

I reckon we ask such donors to tell us their location, and ask them to drop with the nearest member. E.g, I stay in Ajah, so I can arrange meeting any donor within Ajah/Lekki for pick-up. Alternatively, they can bring it to the venue.

Primary school - C
SSS - A & F
University - C&D

siddiq202: ^What if someone makes an anonymous donation, how would you know if it's for TEHN or this one?

Nobody makes donation without telling what it is for, even if he/she says you should not mention his name in public, and descrbe him/her as anonymous.

In any case, TEHN doesn't have a fund raising at the moment. So the last we had was about 3 or 4 months ago. I don't expect any inflow for TEHN for now.

tbaba1234: ^ I am talking of an individual account preferably with internet banking.

I use my GTB account for TEHN. I can make it available for this project too.

Modality:

1, I drop my account with Moderators and you
2, The account number will not be publicly published
3, Interested donors will indicate interest and the account number will be PM'ed or sent to them by email or by sms (depending on how they want).
4, I report receipts and update on thread

That's what we do in TEHN.

We also have paypal for foreign donors, which a member living abroad makes available. A trusted brother/sister abroad with a paypal account can also be used for foreign payments.

Good one, ABU SRC.

It's a pity that NANS and SUs of Nigerian universities have lost their bite.

In the 70's to early 90's, Nigerian students played crucial roles in national policies.

My Great Ife, where art thou? Where art thy voice?

tbaba1234: Well, you should looking into the modalities of setting up an account.

You cant set up a bank account without registration and all that.

Even as established as TEHN has become, we use individual (members') accounts.

Fogman: keep living in the fool paradise until it dawn on u big time. In all honesty, do you think Nigerian was the best at nation cup? Was it not Victor Moses penalty that took us pass the group stage? I m not afraid to state that our triumph was a fluke.

Is Victor Moses a Ghanaian?

is it not one player that will do the scoring for every team? Maybe we should say, Spain won World cup by luck, after all, was it not Torres that scored their crucial goal?

Fogman: Face reality, luck can nor play out always. Confed cup will reveal all. Stay tuned.

Thrashing CIV, luck?
Annihilating Mali, luck?
Pipping Burkina Faso, luck?

Come on

They don't need to win confederation cup to prove they are good. Winning Tahiti and a decent show against Spain and Uruguay (even if they lose), is enough. Spain are world champions and Uruguay World Cup semi finalists. Defeating Eagles is not disgrace.

Fogman: keep living in the fool paradise until it dawn on u big time. In all honesty, do you think Nigerian was the best at nation cup? Was it not Victor Moses penalty that took us pass the group stage? I m not afraid to state that our triumph was a fluke.

Stop there.

Nigeria was the best in that Nations cup.

The fact that they didnt start well didnt mean the were not the best. Very few teams will post top-nocth performance in 6 consecutive competitive games. There will always be a couple of games you will struggle with. What matters is posting great performance when it mattered most, and the SE did (make-or-mar 3rd group match, QF, SF and final). You look at overall performance in assessing.

They were the best in ANC 2013. Their match against CIV and Mali were the best in that tournament.

breezy047: No sentiments

Ghana needs to be at the world cup. They have the experience with the ayews, KPB, essien coming back they make a right arsenal for the cup.

I have more confidence in Ghana than in Zambia.
Ideal world cup 2014 should have 4 out of the 5 african teams representing making it to the second round.

Its high time africa started performing very well at worldcups.

I agree with you.

Africa's best feet for World Cup are:

Nigeria
CIV
Ghana
Egypt
Senegal

damosky12: shuo!! How many games did u watch? He played a number of games 4 siasia scoring no goal. I knew he was strong but I never knew he had such prolific goal scoring ability until AFCON.

Since I saw that his goal vs Argentina in a friendly(was it 2010), I have had confidence in Emenike.

damosky12: As far as Nigeria qualifies and does well in tournaments. Which do u prefer?

That is what I'm saying. Just conutering the guy that used CIV as example/model. We don't want CIV model.

VERDICTS

NIGERIA vs TAHITI

First game. No matter how bad Nigeria's team is, they can't lose to a Tahiti in a competitive match. Quote me anywhere. Nigeria to up their game and narrowly win with 1-0 or 2-1 victory



NIGERIA vs URUGUAY

Cavani and Suarez will be handful for Nigerian defenders, and I fear for penalty. But if Ghana can hold Uruguay in World Cup quarters, why not Nigeria. 1-1, 2-2?

NIGERIA vs SPAIN

This will be Nigeria’s best match. Recall Nigeria held Catalunya (which consisted of 80% of Spanish National team players) to a 1-1 draw on their home soil last year. Eagles also historically do well against opposition that play free-flowing football. Unfortunately, no Uches to do this for Nigeria. I see Spain winning 1-0 or 2-1.

Nigeria to take 4 points. But whether that will be sufficient to make it to the semi, depends on other matches.

This is no prophesy though, just an educated guess based on analysis.

Stay close to Jarushub for player ratings after each match.

http://jarushub.com/2013/06/13/nigeria-in-2013-confederations-cup-a-preview/

NIGERIAN TEAM

PLAYERS TO BE MISSED

Nigeria is not going to the tournament with its best eleven, as key players Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike are missing due to injury worries. This analyst also thinks Nigeria will be missing other key players like IK Uche, Kalu Uche and Obafemi Martins.

Kalu Uche, who ended last season as Africa’s second highest goal scorer in a major European league (19 league goals with Kasimpapa in the Turkish first division) would have been a quality addition to this team. He was also Nigeria’s best outfield player in World Cup 2010 and would have been a quality addition to this team.

His brother, IK Uche, even if not in top form in the last Nations cup, is another missing player Nigeria may rue not taking along. He returned to Spain to hit form back in Villareal, helping the team back to La Liga. The Uche brothers ahev proved themselves in Spanish La Liga, and the younger one still doing, and I believe they would have brought some psychological boost to the team versus Spain. These guys have scored against Real Madrid and Barcelona, and have faced the Spanish super stars many time. I believe they would would have been Super Eagles engine room in the match against Spain.

The Super Eagles’ technical team, obviously unimpressed with his performance versus Kenya in Calabar in March, dropped Martins for the Confederations Cup. I believe this is not a wise decision. He did well in that match, to me, but we put too much pressure on him. Martins, take it or leave it, is a big player and he is not spent. I believe Keshi made a mistake not taking him to Brazil.

KEY PLAYERS

Mikel Obi is going to be Nigeria’s most key player in Brazil. The performance of the entire team will depend on Mikel’s performance, just as his performance in 2013 nations Cup played a key role in Nigeria winning the tournament. The manner he anchors the midfield and attack, his leadership role on the field, will be crucial for the Eagles.

Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa are other key players whose finishing performance will determine Super Eagles’ performance. I hope they live up to expectation.



THE DEPARTMENTS

Enyeama can be unpredictable, but he has had more good games than bad ones, so he still remains our best bet in goal post.

Nigeria’s defence is okay, and I see these hungry-for-success central defenders doing what they did to Drogba and Yaya Toure in South Africa to Spanish and Uruguan stars in Brazil. Of course, they will concede, but they wont be disgraced. Ambrose has also come fo age and has improved greatly. Echiejile can be shaky, but he is not totally bad. My only reservation with that defence is that there is no tested alternative if any of the backline 4 gets injured. If I were Keshi, I would have included Yobo in that team, warts and all.

In Fegor Ogude and Ogenyi Onazi, Nigeria’s defensive midfield department also appears okay. Onazi can also score goals.

Something keeps telling me Mikel will come to this tournament with his A-game. Mba has not been so fantastic since Nations cup and I would have loved Keshi bring Nosa Igiebor to give Mba competition in supporting Mikel in the middle.

Our front? I have fears about our attach, as our best legs are not available. Yet I still have some confidence in Ideye. It is not for nothing that he scores an average of 14 goals in European leagues every season. He has the quality, Nigerians just have to be patient with him. I hope he proves me right in Confederations Cup. Musa also needs to do better in terms on crossing ball. Ujah and Akpala are average strikers. Not sure they are the best we can offer, but I wish them the best.



http://jarushub.com/2013/06/13/nigeria-in-2013-confederations-cup-a-preview/