₦airaland Forum

Thank you sir. I'm humbled by your fine remark

Mujtahida:
You have the gift of being balanced in your judgements. Respect.

Totally different situation. Different stages of the switch process. You just suggested it. It was a little too late for them when they became interested.

Read this link. Educate yourself on Iwobi's case:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/mar/26/arsenal-alex-iwobi-england-nigeria

Let me help you with a few paragraphs from that source on Iwobi.

"Ok, perhaps there is a bit of self-interest here from Wenger when playing for England would mean Iwobi not disappearing mid-season every couple of years for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yet Iwobi said himself in January that he would have “loved” to play for England and it would be intriguing to know why the FA did not try harder to make it happen before Friday’s cutoff point.

Hodgson made a personal intervention to ambush the Republic of Ireland’s plans for Grealish. Iwobi, in stark contrast, appears to have slipped away without anything like the same kind of fight.

It certainly wasn’t a snap judgment on the teenager’s part to look elsewhere given his last appearance for England came at under-18 level in October 2013 and it was almost two years later that he grew tired of waiting, registered with Nigeria and made his first couple of appearances in non-binding friendlies. Iwobi has apparently talked of feeling unwanted by England, though, in fairness to the FA, it did presumably play a part that the player’s uncle is Jay-Jay Okocha, football royalty in Nigeria."

jotey:
those shouting he is under yeye pressure pressure

iwobi was under much pressure even on his first competitive debut against Egypt.I Can still remember the English FA begging him to play for them but yet iwobi snubbed them for us

The World Cup is still 9 months or so away. Many things can happen before then. I'm just saying things as it is. I'm not in #ProTeamTAmmy. Neither am I in #TeamAntiTammy. The reality is TAmmy has potentials and has never turned down Nigeria. Whether he comes good eventually for us remains to be seen. You can't make a premature argument that he is better than Ighalo. Someone that still has much to prove at club level and has not even earned his first SE cap. come on now.. Every position in SE needs competition. I'm comfortable about Ighalo's performance lately. I'm not saying he is the best possible. But at the moment, he is the best 9 I have seen so far under Rohr.

Icon4s:
It means you have not been reading my posts well.

Have we not been discussing on how to improve the attack for the world cup?

Haha you have just conceded there is none at the moment. Nobody is saying we should shut the doors to other strikers. The fact is Ighalo is our best at the moment.

Icon4s:
Is the World Cup this month?

Pinnick cannot force any player on Rohr. The best he can do is aid the process of the switch. However, if Tammy is invited and comes good under Rohr before Russia, nobody can stop Tammy from going. We can shout all we want on NL.

safarigirl:
ehn. You'll be vindicated after the World Cup.

Haha Oya make we beg yekini to ressurect Na.. Just limit your arguments to Pep-led clubs. We talking national teams now and the realities on ground

Modified
That Pep reference was for TheGoodJoe lol

Icon4s:
No fantasy here.

I don't know about you but I have seen better Super Eagles forwards line from yesteryears.

If you are satisfied with the attacking line we have, your opinion. But I am not, my opinion also.

Madam you are missing the point. Tammy had been a member of the U21 team. And he remains a member until a switch is done. Normally, that's how things are done. I'm still waiting for someone to name a player or two that announced that they had switched on the pages of a paper.
The guy is just maintaing good public realation. Maybe some of us don't understand that he remains answerable to the UK public

Pinnick handled the situation badly. And I've said it from the start that the process is on. The latest news buttresses my analysis that he never turned down Nigeria.

The problem is we are like that guy who once got humiliated by a very very rude girl. And that really affected his self-esteem, and made him feel not good enough. From then on he easily reads other girls body language or takes thier every remark as an outright rejection.

I will not speak on this issue again until I'm fully vindicated. Bookmark this

safarigirl:
most of you are not understanding the issue here. I could care less about the interview

My own issue is that he went ahead to line up for England's U21, and you people still insist that he is good to go for the World Cup.

Nigerians are like that girl who is targeting the rich, flashy, handsome guy who sees her as a friend, while ignoring the modest, not so flashy one who is begging for her attention. That is what you guys look like now

The only forward I am interested in discussing as regards World Cup is Dessers, at least he is not tied to any team and he actually has repeatedly said he wants to play for us.

I don't know if you guys remember the last foreign player to do this, but his name is Leon Balogun and he has been arguably our best player this year.

Why we have decided to shove Cyril under the desk and discuss this boy that has equally shoved us under the desk is beyond me.

Cyril has far better stats this season and will be far more dedicated to the team than Tammy....bear in mind he was talking before our WC dreams were right in front of us

Tammy can become whatever he wants to be, but he will not use our World Cup slot to shine.

#TeamCyrilDessers

Team play is your overall contribution. If you want a dedicated 9 who will ONLY score all the time, mention a REALISTIC suggestion and not make projections that may not come to pass. Who is that dream 9? As a coach, you will fail because you want to work with fantasy players. A good coach should be able to get the best of what is available at all times.

Icon4s:
Lol at 'Ighalo classily jumped over' is he not even the one that others should be jumping over for him to score?

Both Iheanacho and Ighalo have received a fair share of my criticism.

I am not in the habit of practicing selective criticism.

jam body goal? haha we go manage am..
Moses cross when Ighalo classily jumped over for Mikel to convert nko. Ighalo is a team player.. I like his all-round play.. if he doesn't score he is very likely to assist. He is our best striker at the moment..The goal Simon scored nko.. he worked so hard for it.. even the one Simon missed with bicycle kick.. Iheanacho can't contribute like that.. That's the kind of strengths Iheanacho don't posses. But Iheanacho also has his that is missing in Ighalo's game. Those calling for his head now forget that Iheanacho also fired blanks for SE sometimes, and they blamed Iheanacho then for this and that. hahaha na wa.. why we like to flip-flop na.

Icon4s:
Even at Watford he was best at scoring the lone ranger (one on one) kind of goals, the type he scored against Cameroon.

We also need a striker that scores from crosses: header, tap-ins, jab ins and so on. No be only jam body goal.

jam body goal? haha we go manage am..
Moses cross when Ighalo classily jumped over for Mikel to convert nko. Ighalo is a team player.. I like his all-round play.. if he doesn't score he is very likely to assist. He is our best striker at the moment.. Those calling for his head now forget that Iheanacho also fired blanks for SE sometimes, and they blamed Iheanacho then for this and that. hahaha na wa.. why we like to flip-flop na.

Icon4s:
Even at Watford he was best at scoring the lone ranger (one on one) kind of goals, the type he scored against Cameroon.

We also need a striker that scores from crosses: header, tap-ins, jab ins and so on. No be only jam body goal.

Hahaha..
I'm sure you see no problem with how Pinnick informed us and everyone.. You do really like to be updated on the pages of papers.. There is another world out there besides the world of a consumer.

TheGoodJoe:
What is announcing switch? The NFF chairman took the liberty of contacting him, meeting with him. Is the form text book? He has not made up his mind. Finito. That means, he is still waiting for Tunde's proposal.

He is even saying he is still focused on the U21. That means, he is not even filling the form. He even said in that post he does not even know what is going on.

That boy should fear God.

Na because I no list wetin I mean by all-round.. Abi didn't Iheanacho come in against Cameroon in Yaounde?
I don't agree with the bolded though.. I think you are a little extreme with your comparison. As Mujtahida rightly said, there are some gray areas.

TheGoodJoe:
I disagree in all round play. Ighalo has power and hold up play. Finish.

Nacho is faster, presses better, a better passer, a better crosser, a better finisher and has more movement in and out of the box than Ighalo.

Ighalo suits a conservative system. Iheanacho suits and offensive one.

thanks my boss

Kog45:
Jobie i always gbadun u

Good. I don't buy into those comparisons of Ighalo and Iheanacho. But I must say all-round play Ighalo has more strengths than Iheanacho. Iheanacho, however, has a better sense of positioning and quick reaction..

TheGoodJoe:
I am not trying to crucify Ighalo. Just pointing out the bias criticism Iheanacho gets. Ighalo worked hard but as I pointed earlier, I am not into that big number nine thing. It suits conservative football but far from the best modern approaches that rain goals.

I know we are not used to that level of professionalism in this part of the world. We just talk anyhow.

Can you give me names of a few players that have announced their switch on interviews or papers?

TheGoodJoe:
What is he under wrapping? Are we under wrappers? Either he wants to play for us or he wants to play for England.

hahaha I remember those situations very well. If you followed my ratings and post match analysis you will notice I mentioned those. That so called half chance, the angle was also limited when the defender challenged. I won't call that a half chance really, and his choices were limited.
Many strikers would have either ballooned the ball like he did ,or the defender would have blocked. Special players though would have converted. Even if you want to call it a half chance, how could you really fault him. The one he scored against Cameroon, was that a clear chance?

The second, he would have had a decent chance to strike with his left foot, than delay.. Most of our players were under pressure to win. Even Rohr said this. Ighalo had a decent match all round.

TheGoodJoe:
43' - Ighalo with a half-chance under pressure from Tembo, but he volleys off target.

71' - A great counter attack for Nigeria, but Ighalo opts to try and cut back rather than shoot first time and the move breaks down!

http://www.nigerianeye.com/2017/10/live-commentary-nigeria-vs-zambia.html?m=0

Unfortunately, I do not rewatch matches to start highlighting times of incidents. However, this will give you a clue.

I actually read this yesterday in another source but didn't want to put it here because some of us dont know how to analyze. But I must say it now since it's here already..
This guy is just being professional about responding to the rumors. Good PR! He never turned down Nigeria. He only said the report wasn't true. And the fact is Tammy never said he had switched to Nigeria. Even Pinnick never said Tammy did. You don't choose a country with mouth, but action. The process is on.

@ first bolded. Keeping it under wraps. I said this yesterday
@ second bolded. The block brackets is suggestive. "Nothing has happened" actually means nothing is official yet.
The following remark after the bolded is feigning ignorance.

soetanoreoluwa:
[img]


England U21's Tammy Abraham flattered by Nigeria interest

11:52 PM WAT
PA Sport

David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images
Tammy Abraham admits he is flattered by Nigeria's interest but vowed to stay focused on the England Under-21s.

The striker is expected to spearhead the Young Lions' attack when they travel to Andorra on Tuesday to continue their Euro 2019 qualifying campaign.

Abraham scored and grabbed an assist in Friday's 3-1 win over Scotland Under-21s having already denied he was planning to switch allegiances to Nigeria.

Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd is wary of losing his players, with Sheyi Ojo and Dominic Solanke also eligible for Nigeria, but Abraham remains happy with England.

"There are a lot of things going on and for me that is a sign you are doing something right, if Nigeria are fighting for you and England want you as well," said Swansea's on-loan Chelsea forward.

"I'm happy right now and I just want to keep playing my football. Nothing has happened [in terms of the Nigeria FA contacting]. I'm not too sure what is going on."

And Abraham is ready to take on Andorra, who lost 6-0 to Ukraine last month, at the Estadi Comunal in Andorra la Vella.

"We're in control of the group but we can't take our foot off the gas. We need to take confidence into every game and make sure we get the results we need," he said.

Boothroyd reiterated the point, warning his side they are not basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters and that they must respect Andorra.

The Young Lions boss wants his team to ensure they have the substance before they turn on the style as they aim to maintain their position at the top of Group 4.

He said: "My players are so skillful and comfortable on the ball that one of my biggest concerns is that sometimes they can be too elaborate on the ball.

"I keep telling them that we are not the Harlem Globetrotters and we are not here to do tricks.

"We can express ourselves by all means, but we are here to play as a team and we know when we come up against the big-hitters there will be no time for all that.

"We have some deadly players up front. My biggest challenge is to turn them into a team and a squad that is bigger than the sum of its parts." [/img]


http://kwese.espn.com/football/england-u21/story/3225023/england-u21s-tammy-abraham-flattered-by-nigeria-interest

Where you there? And it's nowhere online. I remember Rohr saying Agu came in at a time the match was high in intensity... never said Agu had a disappointing match.

Kog45:
Post match interview

Exactly.. We have already made a move for Tammy.. If he continue with the switch process and FIFA approves it, he is free to come and fight for a shirt, if/when Rohr invites him. He needs to show he is as good, or better than either Ighalo or Iheanacho regardless. Else, he should forget Russia.

Kog45:
Jobie to me Ighalo and Iheanacho are good for WC,enough of this that striker is good.If Tammy is ready fine if he is not,no issue.

Rohr NEVER said that. What's your source?

Kog45:
Rohr must be a liar for saying Mikel Agu had a very disappointing match and u must be correct for saying Ighalo had a awful match.

which chances did he miss? oya list the occasions

TheGoodJoe:
Ighalo's had other flaws apart from anticipating a cross. He missed chances too. I repeat, if Iheanacho had that exact performance, he would have been crucified here.

Over 3 games Ighalo have performed really well.
1 goal and an assist is pretty decent.
He could have had a couple more assists, showing he worked hard for the team all round. At a point, I remember seeing him in defense.
Could he have scored more? Yes!
But I can only fault him on one occasion for not anticipating Simon's cross in that direction and reacting quickly. But he barely missed it.

Let's not also forget that the goal he scored he almost singlehandedly made it happen. Can't take anything from him. However, he needs a formidable competition. Competition is healthy in every position in SE.

relaunch wetin? him and he papa never collect form? We have done enough as regards Tammy.

Icon4s:
I am also not pleased with Ighalo's performance in that game.

1 goal in 3 matches is not acceptable for a top striker IMHO.

If we want to go really far in that world cup we need a very prolific number 9.

Tammy Abraham is in blistering form. Pinick needs to relaunch a bid for him.

The angle of the camera in that youtube video most of you are referring to makes it difficult to make a case either way. Most times I go by the replay during the match and it was done so perfectly that the commentators had to concede it was actually an offside after careful scrutiny.
Actually the Zambian was slightly ahead of Ekong. He would have gotten away with it with SOME good referees, and our offside cry would still have fallen on deaf ears. my verdict, a close call, but still an excellent one.

And yes our CB's reaction was influenced by the early whistle.

mank1234:
That your line doesn't consider perspective in drawing.
The farther you get, the line is supposed to be closer to the centre line.

Ekong kept him onside. If we having watched and focused our attention only on offside/onside at that line are still debating, then the linesman's error should be excused as he even had to focus on foul as well. Goal was however scored after whistle had been blown. Probably, Leon would've given him a proper chase to make him miss the goal had the whistle not gone. Hence, no case.

Nigeria 1-0 Zambia Aftermath: Super Eagle Speak

---

Troost-Ekong : Sunday Oliseh Told Me Oyibo Boys Are Too Soft

Published: October 09, 2017
Troost-Ekong : Sunday Oliseh Told Me Oyibo Boys Are Too SoftFormer Netherlands youth international William Troost-Ekong has hinted why he found game time hard to come by during Sunday Oliseh's spell as manager of the Super Eagles.

The Bursaspor central defender made only two appearances for the national team, against Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo, under the stewardship of Oliseh before he was frozen out of the squad.

''The Olympics was like a restart for my international career. I was part of the Super Eagles until Sunday Oliseh took me out because he said Oyibo boys are too soft,'' Troost-Ekong said to aclsports.com.

''I hope he’s watching his TV now and see us going to the World Cup.No ill feelings, I saw him at the Olympics last year and we spoke briefly.

''He didn’t believe in me then but I think Nigerians can see now what I can do.''

Nigeria have kept seven clean sheets in fifteen matches William Troost-Ekong featured for the national team, and he partnered German-born Leon Balogun in central defense in five of those games, against Chad, Mali, Tanzania, Cameroon and Zambia.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

--AllNigeriaSoccer

show me someone who has said here we should approach the boy again. of course I understand you are like a guy who feels rejected because at the time of your asking you did not get a straight up answer.. It's just like a suitor asking a girl to marry him without a ring. Follow due process.
Due process is to just shut up and act professionally, then the girl will respect you. When she even respects you still undeservedly, you claim she slapped you in the face.


So who's fault is it really?

My position has always been the form has been handed to the family. It's left for Tammy and his dad to proceed. Nothing is official.

TheGoodJoe:
Tammy wants us to wait to see if the Queen will call him up. Yet people want us to beg. Crap.

He did not choose Nigeria. He should declare it just because Pinnick put it out there that the process is on? Even Pinnick never said he has chosen us. Then why should Tammy? It's not official until its final.

TheGoodJoe:
Which kind keep on with switch thing going? He just has to declare he has chosen Nigeria. Instead he is still waiting for Tunde's proposal. Sorry, the Queen's call-up.

You don't confirm rumors. you leave it under wraps. that's the professional thing to do in football. He only stated that he is still committed to the U21 team. Or should he have announced that he was no longer interested in playing for the U21? no, you don't do that.. you keep on with your switch thing, and make it formal when it's final... so your analogy does not apply.

Modified
Even if he chooses England finally, it's a personal/professional decision. he spoke professional, we dey vex... what if he had said he don't feel Nigerian enough? hahaha

TheGoodJoe:
Man: Honey I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Hot Chickala: You have to wait, let me see if Tunde will propose to me first. For now I will be rolling with his younger brother until Tunde proposes. If Tunde does not propose then I will later marry you.

Tell me the man who proposed will not feel shame.

People don't understand context. Remain available for selection tells you he is already part of the team and he is still available. So are we talking England Senior team now or the U21?
I'm still waiting for someone to point out clearly how he shamed Nigeria?
Most of us just feel rejected because he did not reject England.

Icon79:
Bro, the young man shamed my country. The way he denied naija was very hurtful. And he concluded his statement by saying "I have informed the FA (English FA) that I remain available for selection". That was the dagger!

I honestly don't want Nigeria to be somebody's second choice. We need the players we would wear the uniform with pride and not because their preferred country couldn't come thru for them.


O pari

Why do people keep saying 27 years as if the world cup is held every year.. Please just say since 1990 or say how many times they missed out of qualifying.

chrisooblog:
the egyptians have suffered 27 plus years of hurt that was just the release of many years of pained emotions. i think losing out to algeria in 2010 particularly hurt them to the marrow. like the great alex ferguson said after manchester united miraculously won the 1999 champions league
''BLOODY HELL FOOTBALL!''

probably an error from flashscore.

realpoacher:
A certain player from Moldova Ionata A. has been yellow carded three times already in the same game against Austria in European 2018 world cup qualifiers



Referees are going haywire

dude is not igbo sha..

kennysville:
What do u mean? Igbo man no dey take money play O! Na im hard earned money. He must to get value for the money na? Haba!

U neva go Alaba international market? Or Onitsha? Every penny na money... Igbo kwenu! Una too much.

That was on a lighter note.

On a serious note, the dude was plain stupid! You are soooo right. What was he thinking? M sure whether he plays weekly or not, money dey roll in. He earns no less than 15000 pounds per week after tax. What was his problem? In a country where women have rights, he was making a scene. When will our players learn? What ended Goddy Opara's career? Was it not alleged rape? Mike Tyson nko? He deserves all the scoldin he got on this thread. At least if you dont knw where u are goin, remember where you are coming from. The old sayin where I come from says " always remember whose son/daughter you are." Which is beta? A life of poverty or a life of Prosperity. He hasnt even amassed enough wealth yet, he is frittering 2000 pounds on Sawa sawa sawale. 2000 pounds that will feed a whole vilage for a month. Yall should never spare a child when issues of discipline comes up