₦airaland Forum

Sessegnon scored a hatrick. He was actually the MOTM after it was later modified by Whoscored.
Very impressive!

komekn:
That's quite impressive.

What do you think of Ryan Ssegnon supposed best young LB in England? A bid of £30 million from Liverpool rejected.

I’m still Super Eagles’ material, says Oboabona
By Tolu Olorunmoteni - November 22, 2017 49 0

Nigeria's midfielder OBOABONA Godfrey Oboabona listens to his national anthem before the Nigeria vs Cape Verde friendly football match in preparation for the CAN 2013 tournament at Algarve Stadium in Faro on January 9, 2013 .

Super Eagles’ defender, Godfrey Itama Oboabona, has said he still possesses the top notch quality in demand by the Gernot Rohr-led team.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champion last played for the Super Eagles under former Coach Sunday Oliseh in 2015 but believes in his quality despite playing in the Saudi Arabian league.

“I don’t agree my quality has dropped just because I play my football in Saudi Arabia. We have quality stars in the Saudi league like Xavi Hernandez, Denilson, Kenwyne Jones, Royston Drenthe, Moussa Sow, Modibo Maiga and many others,” the former Rizespor of Turkey defender told AOIFootball.com.

The former Sunshine Stars of Akure player has featured 44 times for the Super Eagles and has been a consistent performer at Al Ahli this season, featuring in all games this season for the club.

Ahli have been top of the 14- team table since Match Day 3.

--aoiFOOTBALL

Akpoguma's rumored earlier response to Rohr's interest.

"I feel honoured, of course, but I am German. I was born here, so I should play for Germany too."

My question always is who asked the question? That's the world for us. The reality is most people will respond depending on PR.
The above response is a typical answer to a German media.

My earlier stance was wait until Rohr makes the call or whatever then we will hear Akpoguma's decision. It's not official until it's official

Person that Rohr went to watch at the stadium, and Rohr was convinced.. Wetin again?

tbaba1234:
He is just recovering from a career threathening injury and has just started playing in the bundesliga as a result of injuries in the Hoffeinheim team

He has posted some good performances this season though.

He was a good youth international though

OGN the U-Turn masters.

SerVik:
Akpoguma Makes U-Turn On Snubbing Nigeria For Germany Says Anything Can Happen

---

https://i1.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/9EDEAF0F-237A-4F58-946B-AD0D8BAFB9DA-15891-000004518501E175.png?resize=271%2C542

German-Nigerian defender Kevin Akpoguma has left the door open over a potential switch of allegiance to Nigeria, few days after saying he wants to focus on progressing through the ranks of Germany.

He has already represented Germany at various youth levels, but coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr was hoping to convince him to switch allegiance to Nigeria at senior level.

Rohr is in Germany and he confirmed that he will hold talks with Akpoguma soon to have a chat with him on playing for Nigeria, but the 22 year old immediately responded by saying he wants to play for Germany.

However reports from Germany monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com has it that he granted an interview on a sport programme in Germany, where he confirmed he is open to the idea of playing for Nigeria.

Roland Mark said Akpoguma even confirmed talks will be held with Rohr who handles the Nigerian team, referring to him as a coach he respects a lot right from his days as director of youth football in Germany.

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/11/22/akpoguma-makes-u-turn-on-snubbing-nigeria-for-germany-says-anything-can-happen/

Seems like someone saw that German journalist's tweet

Cc: chriskels

Although I liked your earlier post, krattoss
But this is what jerseys do.

kingphilip:
if it is this I'm going to get one for myself


Cc: safarigirl

I don't know why but he's always been listed as a Nigerian(ONLY). Born in Lagos.
Still a Premier League 2 player though.

SerVik:
Is it true that tosin Kehinde of Manchester United has picked Nigeria ahead of England?

Cc: forgiveness tbaba1234 Joebie

Sheffield United 4-5 Fulham
Sheyi Ojo (Fulham) WhoScored MOTM
2 goals & 1 assist
Rating: 9.39

Yes, Victor Moses and Simon usually switch positions during matches. This can also confuse the opponent. Yes Iwobi is good with both feet as well.

MetalJigsaw:
You're totally spot on bro. I just hope Rohr or the technical crew sees this post.

O would suggest Moses plays from the left since he's dual footed... I think Iwobi is also dual footed.

Well yes and no, as wingers usually switch positions these days. That's the beauty of dynamism.
So yes wingers cut in as well, and they also cross.

MetalJigsaw:
Take note bro, Iheanacho playing from the right flank is actually the appropriate position for him, as he's left footed.

A left footed winger plays from the right while a right footed winger plays from the left.

But for Fullbacks and Wingbacks the reverse is appropriately the case.

Thats okay bro.

Mujtahida:
Joebie I couldn't grade those you posted their names earlier because I have not watched or followed most of those players so it would be dishonest of me to start grading them even though I have watched some but the ones I have not watched are more.

We've had only Echiejile as a natural left footer for a while.. Don't forget that Iheanacho is also a lefty, but hardly played on the left wing, a position I believe he will excel. Now we have John Ogu, and hopefully soon, Joel Obi.
I actually think the goals have come more from the right not because of the lack of natural lefties but because thats where we've found more opening. In this age where wingers usually cut in, it shouldn't be much of an issue (Think Onyekuru).
Some of our players are also pretty good with both feet.

Mujtahida:
I feel our team is not balanced. We play more to the right than to the left. Fact is we have too many right footed players than left footed players in this team. As a nation we seem to be predominantly right footed hence our difficulties in producing LB and LWF. Since Amunike I'm not sure we've had a natural LWF.
An analysis by Solace Chukwu on medium (@oddsolace you guys can check him out) posits that 8 out of 12 goals scored during the WCQ (he wrote this before our last WCQ against Algeria) came as a result of build up from the right flank, 2 from the middle and two from the left.
This is not too healthy in my estimation. Yes a team should play to its strength but at the same time our strength is too obvious and that can possibly make it easy for tactically astute teams to dismantle us

Please let's analyse this issue
Cc Mickael2, Kog45, MetalJigsaw, elyte89, Icon4s, tbaba1234, Joebie, goodjoe, Taliban, forgiveness, komekn, soetanoreoluwa, safarigirl, Icon79, Napoleon55, realpoacher and all on this thread

Chidiebere Nwakali nominated for goal of the season in Norway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSYLND1Dsuo

terzurum5:
Where is the goal?

Ebuehi is clearly Edo State.

jotey:
never knew ehizibue,echijile and ebuehi are from delta state

they are anioma blood so they won't make ur list

haha badt guy!

forgiveness:
I know you want Onomah there because of your bond with em. Don't I will continue to vigorously clamor for him despite your .... because my love is beyond tribes but based on performance.

Migwo!

before. We've already established that many of these players would have gone the other way had the other country made the move then.

MetalJigsaw:
Meaning Nigeria is second choice. just asking o

to talk true most times i talk about those young players I am already thinking post Russia.

Icon4s:
Lol! Bros anything we discuss here will still point down to the Super Eagles.

Of what use is the rating if it doesn't reflect the value they can add to the national team?

He's made his choice. He is with us now. Why the suspicion? Did he insinuate he is still considering Netherlands? So why the question. He only expressed his desire to play for Nigeria at the World Cup.

MetalJigsaw:
Loyalty to whichever nationality you choose. That's what I'm rightfully pointing at. In what way am I wrong?

This will rather be my team hahaha

Kalapizim:
haba Senior men ! we should go pass this level of tribalism na.
The fact is not every player will make it into the national team. so we should move pass this abeg :-


But if anyone brings up tribalism again ehnn I will have no choice than to shout for the inclusion of my all Edo/Delta super eagles team below.

make una calm down abeg !

How do you remove the Nigerian in him? Likewise the other country. And what makes you more Nigerian to say you don't need him?

MetalJigsaw:
Players who are still tied to other countries despite choosing to represent one
We don't need such folks.

haha.. I knew that's where you were going..
We can't read "their" motives..
We should expect these players to have ties to other countries just as they have ties to Nigeria.
But at the same time we should expect they would put 100% in, every time they don the GWG.
That's what really matters. Or are you saying he won't play for Nigeria post Russia IF he goes to Russia.
Just as Tammy is to England, Ebuehi is here NOW and his is 100% focused on the Nigerian project.

MetalJigsaw:
And I have a feeling he joined SE just for the WC. If he doesn't go to Russia he's likely to dump SE for Holland.

We are not talking about the Super Eagles now.
My question has nothing to do with SE and Russia.
Look at the original question lol

Icon4s:
You see why you cannot rely solely on statistics in the rating of players?

So why do you think Rohr didn't dump Iheanacho and settle for Dessers against Cameroon, Zambia, Algeria and Argentina?

Okay I've come with something so far:

Let's rate them based on their club careers alone within this current season.
We need to have a standard. This is a suggested one:

5 goals in Grade3 == 3 goals in Grade2 == 1 Goals in Grade1
Same as assists
Same as clean sheets (GK)
1 match-day squad appearance (GRADE1) == 1 assist (GRADE2) == 1 goal scored (GRADE 3)
1 clean sheet (GRADE1) == 1 Goal (GRADE1) and it follow accordingly

GRADE 1 (1ST TIER)
Germany
England
France
Italy
Spain

GRADE 2 (1st tier)
Russia
Portugal
Ukraine
Belgium
Turkey
Austria
Netherlands
Czech
Greece

GRADE 3
MLS
Germany (2nd tier)
England (2nd tier)
France (2nd tier)
Italy (2nd tier)
Spain (2nd tier)
Other 1st tiers

junnyjake:
Well, this is where Komekn's logic comes to play, if you find yourself in a lower league, strive to be one of the shiny lights there, so you can get attention of teams from the bigger leagues. As a midfielder, scoring 5 goals already is an impressive stat, and if you end the season with 15, then you've done well. You also need to look at the quality of goals as well.

When you have limited time to play in the Serie A and that doesn't deter you from scoring, then you're special. Don't forget, you can't compare the quality of defense in the Serie A to that of Norway. So if you're playing against serious opponents, your mind would tilt towards the Serie A player.


If a striker in Serie A isn't scoring, and he's playing regularly, you ask, does he wastes chances? how clinical is he? How many assists does he have to his name? What's his contributions to the team? Has his positioning been great? Has he been unlucky with the bars or brilliant goal keeping? if your answers are in the -ve, then it'd be a no brainer embracing your goal scoring Belgian league player.

yes, we could have still arranged a friendly at least. There is no way we will not beat Seychelles ( was it? ) capping Ebuehi, Dessers and Idowu

Icon4s:
I still feel we needed that Seychelles game so we cap all the capable foreign borns.

Ebuehi is still available for Holland.

Going by this season alone at the club level I will rate Dessers higher.

Icon4s:
Joe-joe, hahaha. You just want to cage me. As I said before it is not just about statistics.

Who has scored more goals and given more assists between Dressers and Iheanacho this season?

But who do you rate higher?

It's still hard to make a case for someone who is yet to score.
What if we said (in addition):

1 match-day squad appearance (GRADE1) == 1 assist (GRADE2) == 1 goal scored (GRADE 3)

Icon4s:
It is not just all about statistical ratings.

For the times I have watched Osimhen play and the few times I have seen Bonaventure I tip Osimhen as the better player.

Statistics is good quite alright. in fact it is the easiest way out. But, it doesn't tell the entire story.

The WC is the immediate thing.. No one is thinking beyond that for now. The world cup has it's excitement and fever. Even players who have not been invited are hoping they will gatecrash. Mind you SE spokesman Ibitoye had said Ebuehi has been doing what he did against Argentina in camp both at the right side of the pitch and the left side of the pitch. This is more than an international outing. He has been part of the team, it's only natural for him to be hopeful.

MetalJigsaw:
He said he performed well on the pitch in 45 mins and he's already talking about going to Russia.

What do you think will run through his mind if he doesn't make the squad?

Doesn't it seem to you this guy isn't looking past the WC.

The coach has the final decision; that should be his point of speech and he'll support the team in the tournament weather he makes the team or not. This should be his point of speech.

Let's rate them based on their club careers alone within this current season.
We need to have a standard. This is a suggested one:

5 goals in Grade3 == 3 goals in Grade2 == 1 Goals in Grade1
Same as assists

GRADE 1 (1ST TIER)
Germany
England
France
Italy
Spain

GRADE 2 (1st tier)
Russia
Portugal
Ukraine
Belgium
Turkey
Austria
Netherlands
Czech
Greece

GRADE 3
MLS
Germany (2nd tier)
England (2nd tier)
France (2nd tier)
Italy (2nd tier)
Spain (2nd tier)
Other 1st tiers

Icon4s:
I rate Osimhen ahead of Dennis

that's even in-depth
Nice one!

Mujtahida:
''I did have some excitement indeed. It was a dream come true,'' Ebuehi was quoted as saying by NOS.
''I did not contribute that much, I think it went well.
"I have a lot of speed and I try to use it, I think I left a good impression, it would be nice, the World Cup next year."

---

While speaking(to NOC as reported by allnigeriasports. com) on how Troost Ekong acted as a go between he said the following (take note of the bolded)

---

''He (Troost-Ekong) is an international and now plays at Bursaspor, I played well at ADO and he approached me,'' Ebuehi was quoted as saying by NOS,''
With the path clear, Ebuehi received a phone call from Gernot Rohr and the German was able to convince him to pledge his international future to Nigeria in the end.
''I was shocked by that, why do they want a right back from ADO Den Haag, where they have footballers who play in the top leagues in Europe.
''All of a sudden you play against world stars, normally you see them on TV or you play them with FIFA on the computer.''

---

Does the bolded sound like a young man who'd strut about saying he deserves a place in Rohr's World Cup team?

CC MetalJigsaw

okay sir, I just threw out names, and I believe I put "etc" at the end. It will be better to leave out the Ejarias.
How do you get to put Osimhen ahead of Dennis?

Icon4s:
Due mainly to the poor performances of the last U17 and U20 we don't have a large pool of teenagers doing it in Europe. Unlike what we had 2-3 years ago.

To avoid creating an hiatus the NFF needs to ensure we have an excellent representation at the next U20 and U17.

Firstly I don't know exactly why you included Tega Edjaria and Fikayo Tomori on the list without also including Ademola Lookman. I personally will not rate them on my list since we are not sure of their internal future.

My list of top 5:

1. Orji Okonkwo
2. Kelechi Nwakali
3. Francis Uzoho
4. Victor Osimhen
5. Dennis Bonaventure

Ehen most times the headline already puts something in our heads. so we hardly ever critically analyze the quotes.

Mujtahida:
You too much. I didn't read your exposition before I replied his mention but you expressed it same way I saw Ebuehi's statement as a statement of hope shared not just by him but by every footballer whose country has qualified.