₦airaland Forum

Nigeria rise 5 places to 47th in the latest FIFA rankings
6th in Africa

Na wa African athletes dey sky for Australia.. Good thing Naija no fall our hand this time.

Can Alex Iwobi shake Super Eagles out of John Obi Mikel-dependency?
Solace Chukwu
Correspondent


When the realization hit, ahead of Nigeria's two friendlies against Poland and Serbia last month, that leader, playmaker and talisman John Obi Mikel would be absent, a challenge immediately presented itself to Gernot Rohr.

It is no coincidence that, since the German took over the reins of the national team, he has recorded a win in only one of the four games for which his captain has been absent. The pattern of all four games is easily recognizable: disjointed attacking play; a lack of tempo, rhythm or indeed, direction.

The remit, then, was clear enough: Rohr's biggest challenge, heading into the World Cup, was to divine a way to play without Mikel. However, if what was presented in Wroclaw and Barnet was an indication of the breadth of his aptitude, then there is much to worry about in the summer.

It was not so much the predictable dysfunction, but that, right in his selection, there were present the very tools to solve the problem definitively. It brought to the fore a profound paradox, one which centres on Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi.

That paradox is this: for a player whose national team displays seem to dwarf his club performances, the 21-year-old appears to have more trust from Arsene Wenger than he does from Rohr.

With the Gunners' energies and best resources now focused on a Europa League run, Wenger had no qualms handing Iwobi the creative reins at the weekend.

It was a faith that was roundly repaid, as he ran the game: laying on two assists and involved in a characteristic Arsenal move for the first goal; pivotal, stealthy in his movements and taking up splendid positions to transition the ball into the final third.

It was no fluke either, simply the harnessing of the full width of a well-known skill set – quick feet in tight spaces, and the ability to think quickly, all the while using the ball economically.

This leads then to the inevitable question: why was Iwobi wasted on the flank in both friendlies last month?

Alex Iwobi

Instead, Rohr changed the system altogether, first playing a flat 4-4-2 with Kelechi Iheanacho upfront alongside Odion Ighalo, and then a 4-3-3 with Wilfred Ndidi shuttling forward.

Iwobi would often have to receive the ball wide with his back to goal, and while his strength and calmness under pressure meant he often did well laying it off, it seemed a waste to rip up the team's entire shape when a simple plug-and-play would have sufficed.

It is not simply that, having been at Arsenal from the age of eight, Iwobi naturally has more credit with Wenger. There is that element of course, a legacy of the Frenchman's well-known, almost indulgent, faith in young players.

However, when Rohr did trust Iwobi centrally, it led to a rather interesting result.

One has only to cast the mind back to that storming comeback against Argentina last November. Played as a nominal striker, Iwobi produced his best performance for the Super Eagles, scoring two brilliantly taken goals, both finishes in tight areas inside the penalty box.

That, then, is all the evidence needed of his ability to function at a high level centrally.

With Arsenal going all in in the Europa League, there will certainly be many more opportunities for him to shine.

While, for some coaches, the concern in a World Cup year is for their star players to not suffer burnout at the Mundial, for others it is rather the opposite—this significantly alleviates the concern around Iwobi turning up rusty or undercooked.

Rohr may have missed a trick in March, but if he can find it in his inherently cautious nature to trust Iwobi at the heart of the team, it would go some way toward weaning the Super Eagles of its Mikel-dependency.

--goal

The coach will decide eventually. Some of these players deserve to be watched more closely in camp.

Danielnino00:
I'm not against Kalu or any new player being named in the 35 man list.. But it won't stop Musa from making the 23 man list, will it?? Musa might not consistent in the GWG, but there is something about him that's been keeping him in the national team for long...

The likes of Kalu should keep doing their thing... I'm sure they will get a look in post Russia..

One of the ills of Manu Garba. How so?
"there are somethings one know but shouldn't say". Then what then?

He sounds like someone disgruntled.. If he had something to say Simon, he should come out and expose it instead of making a fool of himself with riddle-like news.

As regards Rohr, we are waiting.

edi287:
The "source" that leaked the naija player playing with a fake passport. Now he's come out and said it's Moses Simon. Said he'll expose DFW and Rohr

what is he yapping?

edi287:
Well that pissed him off..

OGN REPORT:

Akpeyi was voted as Man of the Match in their wins over Free State Stars ‎and Mamelodi Sundowns, games they won 1-0 and 2-0 respectively before they were beaten 3-0 by Kaizer Chiefs in their last league game.

REALITY:
Akpeyi actually was on hand to deny Kaizer several times away. Chippa beat Kaizer Chiefs in that game 3-0. Not the other way around.

Musa is not even a starter in the current SE set up.
I wonder who you guys want to make the 35 man list if guys like Kalu should not be invited. The purpose is to give every player in the list a chance to fight for the 23 slots..

Danielnino00:
Musa cross for Moses came against Algeria though....


IMO, he will do better coming in as sub than starting..

depends on what Buffon said to the ref I guess.. I'm not sure of the rules.. but he deserved a caution at least.

Modified
It was a clear goal scoring opportunity but the player was clearly pushed down. would be hard for any ref to look away IMO considering the circumstance

tbaba1234:
Valid penalty... not sure about the red

“Winning the league makes me more excited, it’s the most difficult competition and I also think it’s what the players want,” Zidane told The Sun.
“But if you look at the club’s record in the Champions League you’ll see no-one has achieved what we have.”

Why Ronaldo?!

First Batch Of Nigeria U17 (Golden Eaglet) Invitees Begin Screening In Abuja

April 11, 2018019

The set of players who will likely be in the next Nigeria U17 team have started training under the watchful eyes of coach of the team Manu Garba, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Training commenced today with all of the coaches present and the session took place at the training pitch of the FIFA Goal Project. The players are also camped at the hostel of the the structure where most U17s are usually camped.

Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively report that the players who are undergoing the screening were picked from the national U15 team drawn from every zone of the country by the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) .

They are the first set of players to be assessed by the coaches of the team before the players scouted by the coach and his assistants are invited to slug it out for a spot in the next U17 team of Nigeria.

Their camping is expected to last for two weeks before they will be decamped, and only players who impressed will be called up for the second round of screening which will involve players officially invited by the NFF.

Osas Mahawi

it's a pin point cross, the receiver knows where it would land, and he knows just what to do with it.. I believe it's one of their routines in practice sessions. Why do we lack this stuff in our games?

By the way, it's Madrid 3-3 Juve (aggregate)

tbaba1234:
What is really interesting is the tactical input for both crosses. Mandzukic is positioned in the far post for both crosses, taking advantage of the full backs as opposed to competing with the CBs. This is the kind of tactical genius that people too not always notice.

The person crossing the ball knows to aim for the far post each time.

two fine assists from crosses and a pair of headers from Mario Mandzukic. Goals like this can make a difference, which is why we need players like Samuel Kalu, and a point man that can also finish with the head. We should always have this option our team.

Na Real Madrid turn today? make Juve take time o

And I hope Rohr will not drop Ekong because he declined and rather signed with Steller Group

Kog45:
I don't really trust ANz but for an agency to have 7 to 8 players in a team look somehow,hope it will not have negative effect on the team especially mundial selection.

Gernot Rohr gets our vote of confidence

Anyone knows why Ezenwa was subbed off?

Let me just thank u now. Bye

tips234:
Visit the website on my signature for sure games,

Don't miss out.

Thank me later.

Lol

komekn:
Very funny u don join, I Go Dye and Bovi deh crack joke, I laff eh, no be small.

Bursaspor sack Le Guen

Barca in trouble

Man City kpele

Suarez score?
No Salah just did again

If he meant it? U never know lol

goldfish80:
It was just a banter. Don't take it too serious. You should know when to distinguish a banter from a statement of fact. This thread is a gentleman's club of the footballing tribe.
Do you think I believe he meant it that Moses is better than Salah? Of course I know was joking.
Nobody is reducing anybody

If that argument continue when u return I go scatter this place lol.

andrew444:
Lol abeg i don go....Barca wan play match

No u shouldn't. Neither should u reduce the player. You insinuated that he could be converted to a keeper. How does that sound to u?

goldfish80:
Should I buy into the hype that he's better than Salah because he's one of our best players?
Not giving honor to whom honor is due is a very stereotypical small man mindset.

Musa don start. Na to find new wife o.. if he is not careful he no go see Russia WC

soetanoreoluwa:
Sigh! Saw the video. That's kind rude and the coach is not taking it lightly with him for him to walk down to the bench to talk to him.

What is really wrong with him?

Yes!!

soetanoreoluwa:
Add Ronaldo and Messi to it

Na one of our best players u dey reduce like this? Take time o..

goldfish80:
How are you sure those you listed wouldn't turn him to a centre back or goal keeper?
If Moses was an interesting enough player, why have none of them enquired for his services?
What is feeding your imagination that they will turn Moses to a better Salah?
I want to learn from you.

Sadiq is better than van Persie and Suarez put together. Take it or leave it.

andrew444:
Van persie is never a better player than Suarez take it or leave it.

The highest goal scored in a premier league season is 31 and its between cronaldo alan shearer and Luis suarez,thou mohammed salah will break that record soon

Suarez only spend 3 seasons in the premier league and he scored 69 premier league goals in 110 games.

Van persie spend 11 seasons in the EPL and he did well.

Van persie is 34 and suarez is 31,Suarez is younger and has scored more career goals than van persie,that said it all,if you doubt me check google for stats.

Ven persie is a world class player...But Suarez is a better player than him...take it or leave it

impossible with no exceptions, really?

komekn:
The question ❓ lacks merit because it has to be taken in context.

With the current working permit laws in England it is impossible for any uncapped player in African football to go straight to the EPL more matter how good his is.

Unless he wins some form of international accolade.

However, with Francophone African countries it's quite normal for players to go from Senegalese local league to the French league 2. Indeed some ex Portuguese colonial African nations like Guinea Bissau can access the Portuguese league very easily from local league.

Now these clubs take advantage of Africans in France and Portugal to bring players in on slave wages and sell shortly afterwards for big money transfers.

So in understanding the idea of a club having a better or good scouting programme must be appreciated with the framework they work in.

So the question is simply a waste of time.