₦airaland Forum

Yes you are wrong. As regards Osaze, I was clear to say tagging him finished was disrespectful especially if he is still banging goals in lowly Indonesia. I never called for his recall to the Super Eagles. I'm sure we still have the history of our discussions here.

I never called for the recall of Ike Uche. If posting his goals on here means calling for his recall to some of you, then you are all getting it wrong.
I will post anything Nigerian here. If Yak returns tomorrow and scores a hatrick or even one goal, I will post it on here, that does not mean calling for his recall. The problem here is there are many gray areas between our positions. Let's not be in a hurry to tag people.

Emenike was the only one I clamored for. And that was based on the timing and circumstance. We were about to face Cameroon and some of us were concerned about their physicality. But Ighalo got a recall by Rohr and he proved himself. Since then I never mentioned Emenike.

Icon4s:
I am not among those that have tagged you or anybody #TeamOldlegs.

But correct me if I am wrong. You also recently clamoured for Osaze, Emenike and Ike Uche right?

Names of Rohr's assistants

Name Position

Gernot Rohr ‎ Technical Adviser

Salisu Yusuf Head Coach

DONT MISS ==> EXCLUSIVE: WEST HAM BEAT SOUTHAMPTON,LEICESTER CITY TO SIGNING OF AHMED MUSA
Jean Luc Royer Technical Assistant

Everson Ferreira Technical Assistant II

Nabil Trabelsi Video Analyst

Imama Amapakabo Assistant Coach

Alloysius Agu Goalkeeper Trainer



--OwnGoalNigeria

FLASH BACK: LIST OF 30 PLAYERS PICKED BY MANU GARBA for the U17 AFCON 2013 qualifiers

---

These players had passed the MRI test

Haruna Garba Ibrahim, Mustapha Abdullahi, Adewale Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Mathew, Wilfred Ndidi, Musa Mohammed, Bernard Bulbwa, Success Isaac, Musa Yahya, David Micah, Kelechi Iheanacho, Dare Dede, Asadu Emmanuel, Alhassan Ibrahim Abdullahi, Akinjide Idowu, Izu Omego, Ali Baba Saliu, Itohowo David, Nafiu Bala, Friday Njengo, Ezekiel Emmanuel, Umar Ahmed, Onobun Innocent, Emmanuel Isa, Chidera Eze, Olumide Akufe, Aliyu Aliyu, Zaraddeen Bello, Adamu Abubakar, Wisdom Fernando

Modified
Today Uzoho is eying an SE spot in the expense of goalkeepers that were always ahead of him. That's life. No situation is permanent lol

NIGERIA ALL TIME WORLD CUP SCORERS

---

2 goals each
1. Daniel Amokachi
2. Emmanuel Amuneke
3. Kalu Uche
4. Ahmed Musa

1 goal each
1. Rashidi Yekini
2. Samson Siasia
3. Finidi George
4. Mutiu Adepoju
5. Sunday Oliseh
6. Victor Ikpeba
7. Wilson Oruma
8. Tijani Babangida
9. Julius Aghahowa
10. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
11. Osaze Odemwingie

lol.. reporters ask questions, and they answer. These questions could have well been asked before the qualifiers.

Goke7:
na when we wan go world cup or win something all these small oyinbo children go dey talk say they wan play for Nigeria, as far as am concerned if they are really serious let them come and start playing for us against african sides that will break their leg first, then we can start taking them serious.

You made some some salient points, and I clicked like to it..However, on statistics, your mention as regards hitting the post, on target etc are quite irrelevant variables, as most times we don't go by those in our comparisons.. Considering goals and assists per time logged is very fair and good basis for comparison. Looking at the comparison though, I'm very impressed with Martins. The old leg matched our best CF at the moment.

And yes Kanu Nwankwo on SE shirt had poor stats. In reality also, most our memories of him was more on the club level and the under age categories.

MOD
stats do not tell the full story, but it tells the big story.

mank1234:
Statistically, Ighalo is better.
Take both to same terms:
Ighalo: 13 matches, 7.5 goals, 3 assist
Martins: 13 matches, 7 goals, 4 assist

If you're going by statistics alone, then Kanu Nwankwo was a flop for super eagles.

Statistics does not really tell true picture. An example, a very powerful short that hits the upright is counted as off target whereas a very feeble pass to the keeper is on target. A team with 70% more possession may actually have performed woefully if such possession was 80% in its own half.

Okay, when are we camping in Europe? He needs to meet Balogun. This is another Omidiji

terzurum5:
Operation Capture German Youth Internationals

EXCLUSIVE: Germany-based younsgter ready to play for Nigeria.

International Edition By: Ayodeji Tunde | 25/02/2017
www.nairaland.com/attachments/6166689_midhatjpg_jpeg183e34bc88f041c255b6796c79953eee

At 15 years old, Midhat Bajric is already carving a niche for himself in the round leather game, little wonder he has been nicknamed the new ‘David Alaba’.


Churning out a wonderful performance for the youth side of FC Nurnberg week-in-week-out, Bajric may just be the next big thing on Nigerian football scene as he is already one of the top-rated prospects in German youth football.

Already Nigeria football officials are said to be looking at the direction of Ademola Lookman at Everton and Chelsea loanee, Tammy Abraham

In this exclusive interview with .com from Germany, Midhat through his representative, Kennedy Chukwuodii opens up on his desire to don the Nigeria colours very soon even though he is eligible to play for as much as three other countries.

Excerpt.....

: Can you please tell us about yourself:

My name is MIDHAT BAJRIC, my father is a Croatian and my mother a German with a Nigerian father, possibly from Lagos. I am 15 years old. I started playing football when I was just 9. I was afraid of injury then, but my brother encouraged me to push even harder. It wasn't easy at first, so many young players like me and it has to be competitive. And the training becoming quite difficult at first but now I am very comfortable and enjoying it a lot.


There are reports that you are keen to play for Nigeria, what informed your interests and how has your parents reacted to your planned choice?

Yes, that has been my dream; I am white by skin but Nigerian inside. I am a Nigerian, I like to watch Nigeria football players, like Kelechi Iheanacho, John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and others, so many of them. I want to say that I will be very proud to play for Nigeria and make Nigerians proud. My parents support my choice, though my parents are no more together but they still support my dream of playing for Nigeria. I want to visit Abuja, Lagos one day.


How much of Nigerian football do you know, and who are your role models?

I have been following Nigeria football, recently I watched them in Rio Brazil, I was so proud when they performed well. My role model is Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses, John Obi Mikel and so many of them I can’t remember their names.


What target have you set for yourself... Are you keen to start with the age grade sides or you have a tall dream of giving the Super Eagles a shot?

I would mind starting with the big boys, it depends on where I am called to represent, but if I should be gambled to the senior team, I play the game of my life to pick a place and make the coach trust me. But if I am called to play in the junior team, why not? I can grow from there. But German football is very strong, we are given big training.

Does the likes of Leon Balogun who was raised in Germany and now doing well with Nigeria inspire you in any way?

Yes, Leon is a very good player, in FSV MAINZ, He is quite a strong player, I look at him and I think I have got a chance in the Nigeria team.


What’s your favourite position on the field?

I am a central defender, that has been my position and enjoy it so much. I look forward one day to wear green white green. Maybe they will invite me, I don't know but I am so crazy about it.

Thank you for your time and all the best

The pleasure was mine... Thank you very much.

http://.com/exclusive-germany-based-younsgter-ready-to-play-for-nigeria

lol.. the guy too play..maybe that's what he does to calm tension. So he looks confident always.. WC is serious business, and I'm hoping he ends up as 3rd choice. Anyway not taking anything from him. He was our cover when we needed a GK most. At the end, we will say he had a hand in our qualification, and he deserves to go to the WC at least.

Icon4s:
Now you are beginning to get my point.

I tell you that if Nigeria should lose to that Argentine by as much as 3 -4 goals most fans here would clamor for the disbandment of the team. That's how Nigerian fans have always been.

I am also expecting Nigeria to be on the back foot especially the early part of the game. How we handle the first 20mins would be crucial.
The friendly will really stretch our team and thank God Argentina are coming with a full squad.
No shame if we lose to them but we must not be easily shoved away. I am not tipping Nigeria to win but the boys should play with a winning mentality.

I also agree about Ezenwa. I see him as a goalie that can easily chop up to 4 goals when we face a team like Argentina if the team should have a bad day in office. I said something like about Ezenwa easily conceding 4 goals before that defeat 4-1 to Ghana at the WAFU tournament. But after it happened as usual Ezenwa's faithful came for his defense.

Goalies have their bad days once in a while. But I am not completely sold out on Ezenwa. The only positive I get from him is his level of composer. But some times he over does it. Just look at that penalty we conceded against Cameroon.

On the Algeria tie, considering your selection.
1. Echiejile's injury situation should give Aina the nod to start at LB. And even if Echeijile is fit, it's high time we gave Aina a full debut. Everything else in your backline looks perfect. No need wasting another sub slot in the defense.

2. Iwobi for Mikel is perfect.

3. Moses Simon in LW, and Kayode in RW.

4. Iheanacho for Ighalo as early as the 60th minute or so. Of course I expect that Kayode and Iheanacho can always swap.

On Argentina, considering your selection
1. The GK substitution should happen at half time.
2. Backline, perfect
3. The substitutions should happen around the half hour mark. This na real test for the players.. IT'S NOT A MUST WIN. Let Ogu get more game time.

Modified
How about handing Uzoho a debut against Algeria instead? We've seen much of Ezenwa at this stage. Let's see him more against Argentina

safarigirl:
I think Rohr should find a way to play Nacho as a SS against Argentina.

My line-up against Algeria would be


Ezenwa

Shehu(Ebuehi @ 70 mins)....Awaziem...Balogun...Echiejile (Aina @ 80 mins)

Ndidi...Mikel (Iwobi @ 60 mins)....Onazi

S. Moses....Ighalo.... Kayode (if invited)



Against Argentina

Ezenwa (Uzoho @ 70 mins if invited)

Shehu....Ekong...Balogun.... Aina

Ndidi(Agu @ 75 mins)...Mikel(Iwobi @ 65mins)....Onazi (Ogu @ 80 mins)....V. Moses

Ighalo(Kayode @ 60 mins)...Kelechi


Thoughts?

No we don't disband the team, but we work on our lapses. What top European oppositions may bring could expose other areas we did not see during the qualifiers, and it could expose some players as well -- those we became comfortable with.

Questions. For Example, if Ezenwa lets in a number of goals cheaply, will many of us not call for his head? I'm not even settled about Ezenwa. But that was just an example.

Icon4s:
Are you saying after the series of qualifiers thus far you can't tell the strength or weakness of the team?

Now, don't get me wrong I am not saying the Grade A friendlies are not necessary. Yes they are going to test the team in the different departments.

Rohr knows the strengths and weaknesses of the team and has been working on them all through the qualifiers. But saying we should wait to play Argentina before we know the strength and weakness is not the case. What if we lose 4-0 are we going to disband the whole team and begin afresh?

Besides after this window the next one is in March and we have to play AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles and we may just manage to squeeze in another friendly. And then the next window is for WC preparations/camping. So if you bank only on grade A friendlies , there is no much space for those.

Seychelles is not a grade A opposition but it can also be used for build up for the WC. All games are important, not only the grade A friendlies. That is my point.

haha @ James Brown

komekn:
I remember watching James Brown at the age of 70 dancing and disgracing teenagers.

How old was Taribo West playing right back for Inter without literally missing a game for two seasons.

abi o

komekn:
This is what I like prove your pedigree and quality in your club. Argument no deh, QUALITY IS QUALITY even if you are blind and you can't see it you should smell it.

I'm tired of all these youth players who have done nothing in thier leagues and or in thier clubs of which the league and club quality is questionable and suspect. Being pushed as SE material. Senior football is not youth football first provide evidence by playing and claiming position in your club. No excuse

lol as regards Osaze my argument was that he was not finished like many of you people wanted it to seem. Arguing for his recall? I DIDN'T

soetanoreoluwa:
Not during before the group stage...

Yes I remember you did... Enyeama case is different

Emenike case also different... He retired voluntarily
Osaze.. That one I remember you really lay alot of emphasis on his recall during the WC qualifiers... You know the reason cos he was performing in Indonesia league... And that's the last time we heard from him...


I dunno why dem dey bring am o....

Tank God we no be coach Rohr... If Rohr feels They are good enough with derailing hispurpose and plan for the SE... He should extend his invite to them... Shikkenah

ehen.. welcome! oh.. dont be a stranger here.

damagnificentusb:
lol my us no get virus oo. I must system you guyzz are doing a great job here, keep it up

IS FRANCIS UZOHO THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA'S GOALKEEPING?
Kunle Fayiga
26/10/2017

With the 18-year old impressing for Deportivo, would he already be a good choice for the Super Eagles?

When 18-year-old Francis Uzoho made his debut for Deportivo La Coruna against Eibar earlier this month, he became the youngest foreign goalkeeper in the Spanish First Division. He is also the second youngest player to make his bow in the top flight this term, behind Real Madrid’s Moroccan wonderkid Achraf Hakimi.

It was a memorable occasion for Uzoho, as he was able to keep a clean sheet at the first time of asking, making a number of brilliant saves as Depor took a point.

He made his second consecutive appearance against Olarenwaju Kayode’s Girona on Monday at the Riazor, and while his side lost 2-1, he still put in another good performance.

Could already Uzoho be considered for the Nigeria national team despite his age?
With regular number one Carl Ikeme out with acute Leukaemia, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is left with Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi,

Dele Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu as his current options for the World Cup in Russia. Carl Ikeme
Although Ezenwa kept goal in the double header against Cameroon and against Zambia, it remains to be seen whether he will be between the sticks at the Mundial. Akpeyi's chances of starting appear to be slim following his underwhelming showing in the recent Nations Cup qualifying defeat by South Africa.

Reports of Vincent Enyeama coming out of retirement keeps surfacing but at the time of writing, there’s no concrete sign he’s willing to add to his record 101 international caps.

This is where Uzoho could be presented the opportunity to make his senior bow.
The 18-year old joined Deportivo from Aspire Football Academy in Qatar and was part of the triumphant Nigeria squad at the 2013 U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Ultimately, he didn’t get to taste any action as he was behind Alampasu and Abdulazeez Abubakar in the pecking order.Pepe Mel
He made four apperances for Deportivo B team, keeping three sheets and was drafted in the senior side when regular goalie Ruben Martinez injured his finger. The experienced Costel Pantilimon was available to take over, but recently sacked Depor coach Pepe Mel decided to stick with the young Uzoho.

“A coach has to act according to the things he sees in training," Mel said after Uzoho's debut. "He is only 18 and he can barely speak Spanish but I know what he can offer this club.”

The teenager could follow in the footsteps of the legendary Peter Rufai, who played for the Deportivo between 1997 and 1999 and had an illustrious career with the Super Eagles where he won the 1994 Afcon and reached the last 16 of the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Peter Rufai, Augustine Eguavoen and Stephen Keshi
The final World Cup qualifier away to Algeria presents a good opportunity to test Francis as, with Nigeria having already qualified, there's nothing at stake for the Super Eagles.

Some might say it’s still too early to involve him because of his age, but Kelechi Iheanacho made his senior bow at the age of 19 and has become a key player today.

This is the era where youngsters are making their mark way before their peak and goalkeepers aren’t excluded.
David De Gea made headlines at 19 when he made his bow for Atletico Madrid in 2009. Today he is the undisputed number one for Manchester United and Spain.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is another goalie who, at just 18, is the next big thing in the Italian Serie A, having made his debut with AC Milan in 2015 aged 16, an Italian top flight record for goalkeeper.

The wonderkid has become a regular for the Rossoneri and looks set to take the national tem mantle from Gianluigi Buffon once the veteran decides to finally call it a day. Donnarumma is proof that when you're good enough, you're old enough.

In an African context, it's worth noting that Fabrice Ondoa was just 21 when he excelled during Cameroon's run to the Nations Cup title earlier this year, having also been the Indomitable Lions' starting stopper at the continental showpiece in Equatorial Guinea two years ago.

Francis has the quality to write the same kind of story as these aforementioned keepers, and if he continues in his current vein for Depor, then Rohr may have a big decision to make imminently.

--Goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/is-francis-uzoho-the-future-of-nigerias-goalkeeping/k999pyud0oyz1ubanm8at51qc

I get the sarcasm but it still promotes the "tired legs" idea

Mujtahida:
Can't you detect when something is said tongue in cheek for effect? Sarcasm is a very effective tool in argument. Of course I know Yaks is no longer active as Martins is.

goal.com Nigeria is not dedicated to just Naija football news surprisingly.

But i've seen a story about Uzoho I should post here.

daveP:
You dont source from goal.kom. why?

damagnificentusb I see you oh.. I hope say your usb no get virus o

na modeling e wan do with our new kit.. that's all lol

Mujtahida:
I saw Yak fresh biceps I was like wow Rohr needs this to add muscle to our attack

ehen make she try the dangerous dances na.. make she split.. e get where Okocha go dance reach.

Mujtahida:
Hahahaha hahahaha @Jay Jay. Reminds me of a proverb in one of Achebe's novels about an old woman trying to dance with youths the dance she danced when she was young.

People actually did na.. if you mean during the WCQs

Modified
I clamored for Enyema when Ikeme was comfortable between the sticks, and some people said we should leave Enyeama alone..
I clamored for Emenike at a point in time.
i think I almost made a case for Obasi if I can still remember. I argued that Osaze was not finished after all (that's wasn't clamoring).

Truth is after we qualified, I never cared about any of them.. but why una dey bring the matter sef.? if una bring the matter, I go talk, and I will remain objective.

soetanoreoluwa:
Why cant "people" clamour for these set of players before world cup qualifiers?

Tammy process go be like Aina things.
Yes we need to focus on those two games.. And we will have another exciting round of discussions here.

soetanoreoluwa:
How can we get them.. Esp Tammy.. Long process... All am waiting for is long list of Rohr for Algeria n Argentina that will give us clue what's talking

I only copy quotes from their stories and paste here.. sometimes I retitle their stories and draw everyone's attention to the quotes. When there are not credible quotes, I ignore. CompletesSports is better than those two. But ANS try pass OGN.. OGN be like football version of Ikebe Super haha

soetanoreoluwa:
Typo error... Visit I mean...

Exactly... If you check their headlines you will observed your last three statements... Don't bring their news here... Completesports, ESPN

you say "if that's what we can offer", and you say "we are good to go".. a little conflicting, you know what i'm talking about.

Well for me, I think we should get these players early, so IF they come good, we can start integrating them early. I don't think gatecrashers will do jack. They have to blend with the team and play with the team. We have AFCON qualifiers as well. That's also quite competitive.

soetanoreoluwa:
Good.. For now we don't have access to Tammy...
You are right that's the best we have for now...

Then do we have solid ones?

Onuachu and dessers need to be tested before conclusion...

If that's what we can offer tomorrow that world cup is starting my brother we re good to go...

Good, we've had the arguments and it died down. Even after we qualified nobody talked about these players I think.

you say dem dey pay this thread? I actually think they come here to spy and try to get us talking about their stories. They want to stay relevant..

soetanoreoluwa:
Do you know have been observing that Owngoal?.. Them dey pay this thread...

Think issue of Martin started when Oga Michael want his inclusion to SE plus uche too..

They are the best we have FOR NOW. Solid? that's debatable. So why are we speaking about TAmmy, Onuachu, Dessers etc. if we are good to go? Are you confident in those 3 if there world cup were to start tomorrow?

soetanoreoluwa:
To be sincere ain't scared of anything... That's the fact... I could remember when obagoal was banging goals for inter Milan in Italy... A young champ... Very hot.. I bet a lot of Nigerians. Supported him till very end... They clamour for his inclusion to SE team.. First match for SE.. He banged a goal.. During the friendly I guess...

I have said it before... Everybody is entitle to his/her opinion ain't going to fight that... I love Martins.

But if we believe in Martins Now when we qualified then. That's unfair...

Again if coach Rohr believe he needs Martins ...he should call him if he fits in to his philosophy... He's the coach and he believe in him... No problem... Let see what will happen...


As for three solid CF

Ighalo
Nacho
Larrykay

GBAM
I throway salute. Today you get your Olorogun title.

Modified
I call it "turn by turn" syndrome

tglobal:
One recurring sentiment I think has been a serious setback for african teams over the years, has been this clamour for "new players" at every turn. Keshi was the coach for 3-4 years and up until he left, we still had a feeling that we were "building a team". I can assure you all that going by what I am reading on this thread and past trendss, these same players we are tagging as "fresh" and claiming to raise for 2022 will quickly be discarded and classified as "tired legs" by 2021. It's a cycle that never ends and I have been seeing this in play since our past golden generation of players. We have always been rebuilding and discarding players not based on what they do or do not offer but on perceived need to "inject new blood"...

Onigbinde did it, same with Christian Chukwu, Eguavoen, Siasia, Keshi and Oliseh.

I simply don't understand why the first hurdle for player invitation is age as opposed to performance. It's the National team and not an age-restricted competition! No team gets remembered for how young they are but rather what results they can produce at the time.Aime Jacquet didn't drop Ginola and Co because of their ages. He simply chose players that fit into his game plan.

Whether Martins receives an invitation or not is not my issue (I don't think he has anything better to offer than what we have). However, rejecting the idea of extending an invitation to him based on age alone is what I find puzzling.

oga sir.. let's leave the Martins issue. Rohr is not considering him, and nobody is forcing Martins on Rohr. Ignore that yeye report.

Mujtahida:
Ronaldo was not better than Romario. No be una dey use stats? Romario was playing and in form too for Vasco da Gama. Ronaldo hadn't played football for two years. There was no stats for Ronaldo to compare with that of Romario. If Ronaldo had history, Romario also had history and as a World Cup winner sef. But the coach picked Ronaldo. Point is it goes beyond performance sometimes
Who is Martins better than? Between Martins and Ighalo who is raving in China?

Okay better we change the subject. It should not even be a national debate in the first place. let's not fall to the antics of those lazy reporters.

daveP:
Be like you see boar kon shout in name! You've been objective about the Martins invite with your prev post up there. That's what i want us to understand, and not this age thing. My last post on this Martins issue!! Beta talk- Nacho to face man city in efl cup q/final.

Well seriously I'm tired of the them say news.. You know I use to just copy and post stuff from OGN, ANS etc.. These days I screen what I post. If there is no credible source or quotes I ignore. Because arguing based on just dem say is a waste of time.. Remember how the Tammy issue went..Was I not right? That issue gulped over 10 pages then, just because people ran away with the headline and didn't try to decipher the substance. We are doing this again with this Martins and Oboabona issue.

Is it not even unthinkable that some unnamed people in the NFF are making noise about Enyeama.. and trying to push for Martins? na today Rohr start to hold talks with Enyeama.. yeye news!

junnyjake:
I don't think you get my point.

I never clamored for him. And i'm not now.. but you guys are feeding off of some headlines and are now making it an issue.. if u guys didnt take that stupid report seriously nobody will be talking of Martins.

Mujtahida:
If not for that South Africa loss the man was driving on a fast lane to reduce the average age of the team. Wait ooo did Martins score 10 goal last weekend? I don't understand oo. Why didn't they clamour for him during the qualifiers. At least Enyeama's name has not left our lips since the qualifiers began even before Ikeme's challenge. But I didn't hear pim about Martins then but now trumpets are blaring.

Oboa wetin? well if he like he can come and fight for shirt. I doubt he will succeed haha

Mujtahida:
I hope they know that Oboabona is doing very well in Saudi Arabia. We need him in that central defence