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5 Reasons Why Nigeria Must Not Play a 3-Man Center-Back Against Cameroon
Add Comment 10 min ago by Bryan Efe 19 Views
Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong
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The Cameroonian senior team is quite a predictable team, going by their line up and formations considering their journey to the AFCON title, their AFCON qualification matches so far, and their FIFA Confederations Cup outing this year.

The Indomitable Lions have either lined up a 4-3-3 formation or a 4-4-2, and have maintained — almost entirely — the same starting line-up throughout the aforementioned period.

Going by our neighbor’s exploits especially on African soil, it would be foolhardy for Nigeria to line up a 3-man central defense in a 3-4-3, or 3-5-2 formation.

Let’s consider 5 reasons why Nigeria must not thread this risky path:

1. Would Limit Our Attacking Threat.
Should Nigeria adopt a 3-man defense formation, it would mean we would have to rely on our wingers to do more defensively. As it stands, Nigeria has only two defensively minded wingers in Victor Moses, and Moses Simon — and maybe Oghenekaro Etebo, who has only been seen operating from the midfield for the Super Eagles. Giving these trio more defensive duties, will reduce our attacking capability. Nigeria cannot afford to loose the attacking steam Chelsea’s Victor Moses have always brought while donning the white and green. He remains the only player with an unwavering forceful presence charging forward, if our recent games is anything to go by. We cannot afford to reduce the effectiveness of a man who brings steel and skill, and can not only match the Cameroonian Full-Backs pound for pound, but can also get past them with his trickery. We need this king of forward presence all-match long if we are really serious about getting the maximum points.

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: #SuperEagles Radar Titbit: Victor Moses Injury Doubt as Chelsea Face Man. City
2. A Case Against Benching our Full-Backs
A 3-man center defense Super Eagles team, could mean there would be no need for throwing in an experienced Left-Back in Elderson Echiejile, and an untested but solid Right-Back in Ola Aina. The latter has very strong attributes in providing timely crosses, making key passes, and getting past markers. It will take these attributes for any defender to handle the likes of Benjamin Moukandjo (his likely match-up) — who has little or nothing to offer Cameroon defensively. Hence, Aina would be able to get the better of him man to man, and should be able to limit the 28 year old’s attacking threat. We cannot afford not to take advantage of this upper-hand this this likely match-up presents.
In the case of Echiejile, he is the most experienced in the Nigerian back-line. Although Balogun’s presence have been very assuring of recent, one cannot underestimate the need for a more experienced player at the back in this all important encounter.

3. The Balogun-Ekong Partnership
With the return of Leon Balogun, Nigeria has a familiar center-back partnership in Leon Balogun and William “King Kong” Troost-Ekong, that has proved solid in recent times. There would be no need for a third center-back especially as Nigeria is blessed with defensive midfielders that cannot only provide cover to the center-backs but can also play as center-backs themselves. With the likes of Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, captain John Mikel Obi and John Ogu in Super Eagles’ midfield set up, adding another center back to the line up would be a waste of resource, and can interfere with good distribution of roles in the midfield. The center of the back-line is already covered and solid this way — with Balogun-Ekong working together.

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4. Our Opponent’s Wide Forward Formation
As earlier stated, Cameroon would likely line up again in thier familiar formation. But their most recent formation is 4-3-3, which means they could resort to playing wide with skillful wingers that have been known for capitalizing on leaky flanks with dribbling and crossing. With this in mind, our full-back positions will have to be at least manned, and at most fortified with defensive wingers we already have. Playing without dedicated full backs would be risky, and could prove counter-productive.

5. Doing the High-risk Unfamiliar
Nigeria last played a 3-man central defense under the tutelage of the White Witch Doctor (as he was commonly known), Phillipe Trousier, 20 years ago. Even down to this Gernot Rohr era, Nigeria has never tested a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation, competitively. To try something new in a crucial encounter like this, is tantamount to shooting oneself between two toes and hoping that one would miss either toe entirely. The first leg tie in Uyo, is a must win. However, Cameroon will be playing the game as if it were in Yaounde. They are more desperate for the maximum points as they are behind Nigeria in the log. Rohr must do everything to stay comfortably ahead, and that means he must adopt what has worked in the past — a 4-man defense line.

http://spotkik.com/2017/08/24/5-reasons-why-nigeria-must-not-play-a-3-man-center-back-against-cameroon/

good news.. I heard of his trials with Leicester City after being released by Chelsea.. it took a while before this announcement.
This is a young boy who already dreamed of being the best in the world in a couple of year. He had great dreams, and great talents as well. One of the youngest of the U17 Class of 2013.

Daninya11:
I recalled reading an article where ex- eaglet coach,Manu Garba averred that if he can properly channel his juggling abilities he can be as good as jay jay or even better.

I hope he progresses and make an impact in the round leather game.

Welcome back. I almost forgot you moniker after your absence lol.

Kog45:
Good to be back on this thread,well let see how everything goes coz I see Aina starting.On one on one situation,Aina belong to d class of defenders that read d game very well.

Hence, from your analysis, Moukanjo wins. But I beg to differ. Could you provide Aina's one-on-one stats?
I will come with my analysis later

Mickael2:
I can bet my house that Aina won't start, however let me just dissect what we have here.

Watch Moukanjo's stats, this is not the kind of guy that stays on the wings trying to stretch play. He is always coming inside, looking to shoot or picking up loose balls. I think the remedy to this guy is to operate a very compact right side and that's where Victor Moses has to be utilised as the proper wingback he is. Moukanjo is going to be running inside, we need Aina to keep an eye on his piercing runs so Moses has to operate as a fullback when that happens.

Forget this stuff, Aina has a poor one-on-one stats, if he approaches this guy one-on-one he may get roasted, so we need him to be covering the guy, instead of marking him one-on-one, again VicMo comes in here because he will be assisting as the second RB

What you just said does not dispute what I earlier said.

Modified
Omeruo has not tested the EPL. His parent club is Chelsea. That's all

komekn:
That's not really entirely true.

Very few top premiership strikers will drop to the championship unless they are on a downward trend.

Britt Asombolanga left Nottingham forest fc to Middlesbrough for £15 million and a reputed £60k a week. There were EPL clubs that interest but he chose the championship.

Other players may drop for a top Championship club that looks like it's on its way up to the premiership. For instance Burnley is a premiership club but will struggle to compete with Newcastle and Fulham with regard to finances and following which are bigger clubs. Furthermore you would not bet against of these us giving Burnley a football lesson in a match.

The championship is a stepping stone to the EPL for the best players in the division. in the same vein it's a step down for average players in the EPL.

Where are the analytical minds? -- going by these stats

2. Don't be arrogant. Know your opponents. Let's play match-ups

Benjamin Moukandjo (LW) Versus Ola Aina (RB)

MOUKANDJO
club: Jiangsu Suning (Chinese Super League)
whoscored rating: 7.94
appearances: 5
goals: 4
assists: 3
yellow: 0

Style of Play

Likes to dribble
Gets fouled often
Plays the ball off the ground often
Likes to play long balls
Does not dive into tackles

Strengths
Finishing --> Strong

Weaknesses
Defensive contribution

AINA
club: Hull City (English Championship)
whoscored rating: 7.62
appearances: 4
goals: 0
assists: 1
yellow: 0

Style of Play

Likes to dribble
Likes to play short passes
Likes to tackle

Strengths

Crossing --> Very Strong
Key passes --> Very Strong
Dribbling --> Very Strong
Ball interception --> Very Strong
Holding on to the ball --> Strong
Passing --> Strong
Tackling --> Strong

Weaknesses
No significant weaknesses

UCL Draw: Victor Moses, Onyekuru, Others Get Opponents
Add Comment 4 mins ago by SpotKik Taker

Victor Moses’s Chelsea has been paired with Atletico Madrid, Nura Abdullahi’s AS Roma and Qarabag in Group C, at the just concluded Uefa Champions League Group Stage draw staged in Monaco, France.

The Blues find themselves in one of the two toughest groups. The other being Group H, which comprises defending champions Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspurs, and APOEL.

Henry Onyekuru also got to know his opponents, as he hopes to help Anderlecht in their continental quests with Celtic, Bayern Munich, and PSG, in Group B.

Aaron Samuel Olanare who is expected to be joined by Anderson Esiti soon at CSKA Moscow, were drawn with last year’s Europa Cup champions Manchester United, Basel, and Benfica in Group A.

Emmanuel Emenike’s Olympiacos which qualified through the play-offs, will need a miracle to overcome any two of Barcelona, Juventus, and Sporting CP to qualify from Group D.

Liverpool will unleash their Nigerian pair of Dominic Solanke and Ovie Ejaria when they tackle Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, and Maribor in Group E.

Groups F and G are without Nigerian representatives.

We will be keeping tabs with the performances of Nigerians as the Champions League begins proper. Here is the schedule:

12/13 September: Group stage, matchday one
26/27 September: Group stage, matchday two
17/18 October: Group stage, matchday three
31 October/1 November: Group stage, matchday four
21/22 November: Group stage, matchday five
5/6 December: Group stage, matchday six

11 December: Round of 16 draw
13/14 & 20/21 February: Round of 16, first leg
6/7 & 13/14 March: Round of 16, second leg

16 March: Quarter-final draw
3/4 April: Quarter-finals, first leg
10/11 April: Quarter-finals, second leg

13 April: Semi-final and final draw
24/25 April: Semi-finals, first leg
1/2 May: Semi-finals, second leg

26 May: Final

http://spotkik.com/2017/08/24/ucl-draw-victor-moses-onyekuru-others-get-opponents/

Championships club go for players that have at least tested the waters in the EPL or have proven themselves elsewhere.

An outright move to Turkey is good enough. Let him get lots of game time and probably move to a bigger league from there. There is football life outside England. EPL and the Championship should not be a do or die affair. So many players still languish there without progress in their careers

komekn:
Considering his very young age there is still a possibility.

But it's extremely slim indeed.

Not even one championship club came in for him that's not a good sign.

Now relegated and to the backyard of European football Turkey. That's not the kind of progress he needs if he wants to progress.

Turkish Club Kasimpasa Win Race For Super Eagles Defender Omeruo
Published: August 24, 2017
Turkish Club Kasimpasa Win Race For Super Eagles Defender OmeruoAllnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo is on the verge of joining Turkish Super Lig club Kasımpaşa S.K. on loan for the entirety of the 2017-2018 season.

As previously reported by this website, the central defender had attracted interest from Göztepe S.K, Sivasspor and Yeni Malatyaspor, but Kasımpaşa have won the race for his signature.

It would be Omeruo's second spell at the Istanbul-based club, having defended the colours of the Apaches during the 2015-2016 season.

The 23-year-old has also played on loan at ADO Den Haag, Middlesbrough and Alanyaspor.

The Super Eagle has yet to make his first-team debut for Chelsea since he joined the Premier League champions in 2012.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

--ANS

Chelsea's group is quite tough too.

junnyjake:
Man!

Tottenham find themselves in the toughest group.

Real Madrid
Dortmund
Tottenham
Apoel

UEFA Champions League Draw and Awards LIVE
SuperSport 5

But Aina's appearance is in doubt. Rumors have it that he has not been fully cleared by FIFA. I remember reading it in one of our sports websites that he was just called up to train with the team.

komekn:
I suspect we will most likely play 4-3-3.

The club understanding that Aina has with Victor will free him up to attack comfortably with Aina over lapping when needed.

I have watched Aina play for years that has been his position since he was 15. I don't think he has anything to learn than perfect his ability from games.

Considering what options we have at RB who do you think is better more experienced yes, but better

Further, most of our RB's in recent times are improvised it's not thier most comfortable position. Efe, Omeruo, etc. Add to that some of these guys will struggle to get into the youth teams like Chelsea where Aina has come from.

CSKA Moscow Launch N2.57 Billion Bid For Nigeria International Midfielder
Published: August 24, 2017
CSKA Moscow Launch N2.57 Billion Bid For Nigeria International Midfielder Russian Premier League giants CSKA Moscow are hoping to complete the signing of Nigeria international Anderson Esiti before the transfer window slams shut.

Championat.com claims the Muscovites have bid six million euros (around N2.57 billion) to secure the signature of the central midfielder.

Since joining Gent in the summer of 2016, Esiti has been a regular for the Belgian First Division A club and featured in the Europa League last season.

The 23-year-old wore the jerseys of Leixões S.C and Estoril before moving to The Buffalos.

Super Eagles striker Aaron Samuel is on the books of CSKA Moscow, having penned a permanent deal in January 2017.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : kaagent.be

--ANS

Roma’s Young Nigerian Talented Right-Back Injured Again
Add Comment1 hour agoby SpotKik Taker91 Views
Nura AbdullahiASroma.com
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Roma’s talented left-back who was expected to make his Serie A debut this weekend has been ruled out of action for six to eight weeks.

The medical update was released in the Italian giant’s official website, asroma.com, just yesterday. It read:

“The club’s medical staff have issued the following bulletin on the condition of defender Nura Abdullahi:

On Tuesday defender Nura Abdullahi left training after suffering an injury to his right leg.

Medical tests conducted on Wednesday morning revealed evidence of a muscle injury/tendon issue in the femoral biceps of the right thigh.

His recovery is expected to take between six and eight weeks.”

Abdullahi’s rise to stardom have been hindered by frequent injuries, which has seen his market value fall recently.

The 20 year old, who has not featured for any of Nigeria’s underage team, was an instant hit while with Spezia’s youth set up in the 2014/15 season, making 24 appearances at the Primavera youth league, and scoring 7 times from his natural right-back position.

The player was diagnosed with a heart condition early in November 2015, which kept him out of action for 61 days. Later, in May 2016, he was sidelined again due to cruciate ligament surgery, which kept him out for another 263 days in the 2015-16 season. However his limited appearances of 11, for AS Roma in Primavera Group C that season, saw him notching 3 goals and making 2 assists in that number of appearances.

After his promotion to the club’s senior team just before the start of the current season, he was an unused substitute in their 1-0 away win at Atalanta. Bruno Perez who is Roma’s first choice Right-Back, was forced out due to injury during the match, leading to speculations of Abdullahi’s impending debut — but not with this sad medical update.

http://spotkik.com/2017/08/24/romas-young-nigerian-talented-right-back-injured-again/

I agree, he is a better threat at attack than defense. Should he be more defense minded, do we have the forwards that are good enough to do the job? That's the situation in Chelsea. However, our full backs are not dependable in terms of helping us protect our goals. So either way, i'm not comfortable.

komekn:
I want Mikel pushing up as far front as he can go threading passes to attacking players and defending from the front not back. But with his focus on attack.

He should go back to La Liga

ToluOlDavies:
Isaac Success staying put at Watford? http://itsagoal.ng/isaac-success-staying-put-watford/

not bad, as long as Awaziem is solid. But can Etebo handle Basogog. Unless you want to switch Moses to the Left. We have not seen Etebo at the right though.

pyrex23:
Just decided to try a formation with 3 at d back.....
Its wide open for critism nd support

@bolded. And that applies to BOTH club and country

Modified

e.g Ajagun now playing in right midfield for Kortrijk.
e.g Mikel as DM at Chelsea, maybe because he was not seen as the BEST AM threat compared to other midfielders at the time, or he was seen as the one who could do the Makalele job BEST.

The mistake some of us are making in our argument is that club/coaches don't make different decisions as to where a player plays. It applies to clubs just as it applies to countries. Just because Etebo is seen on the LW at Feirense, does not mean that is his natural position. Club coaches have to make decisions based on conditions (players they have available and the various positions they can play) as well.

Icon4s:
Two factors you mentioned: " according to their strength and the position they play for in their clubs".
You can only play players according to how they play in their clubs if the team is sufficient in all departments.

I think playing them according to the strength of the players and the team holds more sway in the national team setup.

Typically national teams put players in make shift positions because of lack of depth in quality in some departments.

Eg Efe Ambrose featured at RB for Nigeria for many years because of lack of quality RB options.

John Utaka and Osaze Odemwingie were featured more in wing positions because of then lack of quality wingers.

Nani and Christiano Ronaldo were strikers for Portugal in the last Euros. Also David Alaba featured as an attacking midfielder for Austria.

Mikel is playing as an AM for the Super Eagles because he is the most suitable for that position for now.

The ideal is to have players playing in their natural positions but when the ideal condition is not attainable at a material time the available conditions are considered.

Let's be objective.
Bassogog wins. He is rated very strongly in dribbling. I don't think Echiejile can handle that.

maidaboi:
good to go

OwnGoalNaija don start again o
Exclusive – Ilechukwu Favourite For U17 Job, Finidi & Maikaba For U23, Manu Returns As U20 Coach
August 23, 2017061

A member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sensationally revealed the early contenders for the national team jobs of the Nigeria national team.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity our source who was part of the panel that screened coaches interested in handling the various youth teams of Nigeria revealed the top contenders for the job.

” The process was thorough and demanding but we were able to do a good job in deciding on the potential coaches for the various national teams after yesterday’s screening and interviews “, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” For now we Fidelis Ilechukwu of MFM FC is the favourite for the U17, while there’s every tendency of Manu Garba and Nduka Ugbade ‎returning back to their post as U20 coaches.

” Finidi George and Abdul Maikaba are the favourites for the U23 job. We have forwarded our recommendations to the relevant authority and in few days time the official decision will be announced “.

DONT MISS ==> Eagles Watch - Top Marks For Onazi & Chelsea Loanee Omeruo, Mikel Shines Again, Etebo Still Missing


Ade Emmanuel

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No solution in sight. I hope our present options do the needed. Else, it appears we will continue to be jinxed at the full back positions

do4luv14:
joebie come see news oooo

9 more match-ups to go..
What's ur verdict on this one?

Joebie:
Don't be arrogant. Know your opponents. Let's play match-ups

1. Christian Bassogog (RW) Versus Elderson Echiejile (LB)
BASSOGOG
club: Henan Jianye (Chinese Super League)
whoscored rating: 7.45
appearances: 18
goals: 7
assits: 5
yellow: 2

Style of Play
Likes to dribble
Plays the ball off the ground often
Counter attack threat
Likes to play long balls

Strengths
Dribbling --> Very Strong
Key passes --> Strong

Weaknesses
Aerial Duels
Holding on to the ball

ECHIEJILE
club: Sivaspor (Turkish Super Lig)
whoscored rating: 7.13
appearances: 2
goals: 0
assists: 1
yellow: 1

Style of Play
Likes to play short passes
Indirect set-piece threat

Strengths
Holding on to the ball --> Strong

Weaknesses
Crossing

Don't be arrogant. Know your opponents. Let's play match-ups

1. Christian Bassogog (RW) Versus Elderson Echiejile (LB)
BASSOGOG
club: Henan Jianye (Chinese Super League)
whoscored rating: 7.45
appearances: 18
goals: 7
assits: 5
yellow: 2

Style of Play
Likes to dribble
Plays the ball off the ground often
Counter attack threat
Likes to play long balls

Strengths
Dribbling --> Very Strong
Key passes --> Strong

Weaknesses
Aerial Duels
Holding on to the ball

ECHIEJILE
club: Sivaspor (Turkish Super Lig)
whoscored rating: 7.13
appearances: 2
goals: 0
assists: 1
yellow: 1

Style of Play
Likes to play short passes
Indirect set-piece threat

Strengths
Holding on to the ball --> Strong

Weaknesses
Crossing

Possibly. But that's why it's my take.

jerrythafinisher:
Nah, I don't think Rohr would ever risk starting team rookies like Nwakaeme and aina

Patella rupture
Return expected on Dec 31, 2017

EEGA:
Any news on Ambroise Oyongo?

Cameroon's line up have not changed much from their line up against Egypt at the AFCON final to their AFCON qualifier against Morocco, and even their Confed. match versus Germany.

Hence, here is their likely line up should Matip make a return:

Kelechi is SS

Famocious:
Lovely formation but I would have preferred Iwobi at the CF instead of Kelechi..
Kelechi can come in as a substitute in the second half.

I like to see versatile forwards and midfielders. Considering match ups, it would be easy for the players to switch positions and be unpredictable.
Both Nwakaeme and Etebo can plays LWFs. Both can also play as CFs. Etebo can drop defensively as well at the midfield. And switch to RWF. Moses can play in both wings. He can even cut in while charging forward. That's dynamism. Between Ndidi and MIkel, we would need a dedicated holding midfielder. Our center backs need that cover. With Etebo and Moses at the wings, I think our not too dependable (defensively) full backs will get some support.

In Alampasu, we are see our own version of Donnarumma -- well, hopefully. And that would be the end of our era of average benchwarming goalkeepers..

oya make una come fight

Geestunnar:
lovely!!

I would like to see this formation in play!

My take

Now we have a goalkeeper trainer -- a second opinion. I can't help but believe that who ever is chosen this time around among the three is the best. But we can't rule out the pressure factor as it has to do with the young Alampasu.

Personally, Alampasu is my choice. But the team psychologist can come in and say someone else is more ready.

TheGoodJoe just need to say he has a new position at least for now. At least he has a stronger character than some of us that will stick to our argument come rain come sunshine. The day we stop learning, we stop growing. He has his reasons for his current shift in stance. As long as he clarifies his case, let's forget about the past.

AIG07:
Good folks are churning out their starting eleven not excluding TheGoodJoe himself...

I'm so suprised that TheGoodJoe now TheFunnyJoe has also decided to drop his favorite laundring business of 'pressing' for athletism. But why did it took him so long to know that the pressing gadget he has always fancy was never designed to press.

Chai what a great victory for our man THEGOODJOE winning his old self(laughs). Thank goodness he has finally seen the light.

*runs outta thread before he kicks me with his new kongfu shoes*

I love the direction you are going with this. Let's talk match up considering the likely Cameroon starting line up. That's how strategists think.

EEGA:
fluttering?How?

He is not Messi or CR7 but I will start him in Uyo and if his position requires physicality,I will change to a 4-4-2 with Nwakaeme.Our major concern should be "can Echiejile cope with Bassogog? We need V.Moses in LW to help him out.