₦airaland Forum

Mickael2:
i didnt know the national team is reserved exclusively for some. David Villa was recently recalled to the Spanish national team, are they lacking potent strikers? If Ike Uche or Martins or even Osaze has what we need then we should call them back

elyte89:
....anoda section will start calling for ike uche inclusion to d team

Humility017:
to be honest wit you...my brother.
Alhassan stands a better chance to be called into the SE as an AM...Than Ajagun...
reason because rohr already knows the first and even assessed him in training...
ajagun will have to get involved in close to 20-25 goals this season to get rohr's attention

Icon4s:
For those calling for Mikel to be moved to the DM or CM position, Mikel is our biggest asset in that midfield and we need to use him optimally.

Mikel keeps the AM role for me and let Ndidi and Onazi continue doing it in the midfield. Onazi is a work horse in that midfield and thank God the technical crew recognize that.

Iwobi can play from the winds and should occasionally drift to central positions swapping with Mikel (just like against Zambia in Uyo).

Some have again called for us to play Victor Moses as a wing back. *In Chief Zebrudaya's voice* Fa-fa-faa foul!
He maintains his wing forward position.

We need to maximize our potentials in the best positions.

TheGoodJoe:
Please. The same Mujtahida who just highlighted jabs on Iheanacho because of in his words, my exaggeration. Let us face facts. Not because of someone's admiration of a player (mine is always based on football reasons) people should make bias analysis.

That is my simple point. Comprede?

Mujtahida:
He doesn't want to see that because to see it would destroy his romantic vision. If Iheanacho had movement and mobility against Algeria like the way Ighalo did against Zambia, trust me I'd say so. Yet I'm not saying Ighalo had a blast of a game against Zambia. But he wasn't poor.

For eg against Algeria, Iwobi wasn't fantastic(he had a fair game) , against SA, he was outrightly poor but against Zambia he was superb in bringing verve, pump and urgency to our attack. Nobody exaggerates on him and that's why he gets his due here. And so it is in football. Not everyday is your day and that's why it's a team sports. On a given day when one player is off, another might be on. On another day, the whole team might be on and on another day all of them go off. These things happen.

But when a player plays poorly and you say he was the reason his other team mate shone, that's problematic. Just say he had a poor game. If you are crawling and I am running it doesn't mean your crawling helped my running. It's like saying it is the poverty of the poor that made the rich, rich.

tbaba1234:
Players Guaranteed a place if fit

1. Ezenwa
2. Iwobi
3. Mikel
4. V. Moses
5. Onazi
6. Balogun
7. Ekong
8. Shehu
9. Ighalo
10. Simon Moses
11. Elderson (perhaps not as a starter)
12. Ola Aina
13. Ndidi
14. Enyeama (if he gets himself fit and ready)
15. Iheanacho

Shaky places

Musa: needs a club ASAP!! With Sarenren Bazee returning to full fitness, the coach will be forced to reconsider Musa's role. Onyekuru continues to score too. He would still be valuable if he can get himself fit and playing.

Agu: The coach has given him a lot of chances to impress, so far he has not been great.. Needs to start showing something.

Every other person can lose their place in the team between now and the world cup.

jotey:
bros for real?

aiyenugba?

Oasis007:
I would like to suggest a 23-Man Squad for the World Cup solely based on personal observations.

Goalkeepers;

(1) Dele Aiyenugba; I pick him as my first Choice Goalkeeper because he's currently with a Club, he's the Number 1 Goalkeeper for the Club, he's a good Penalty Saver, and he's the most experienced aside from Enyeama.

Sometimes it baffles me why Aiyenugba is being snubbed for the Call up. He's ready to heed the Call and I think he deserves to be tried to prove himself.

I would have picked Enyeama first, but it's unfair to select him based on past Glory. Enyeama needs to get a Club in January and proves himself fit and ready for the World Cup.

Also, another Reason I couldn't choose Enyeama is simply for the Team's sake. Is he coming to dethrone Mikel as the Captain, or Dudes think Mikel could relinquish the Captaincy to him?!

(2) Ikechukwu Ezenwa; he's definitely gonna be an outstanding and reliable Deputy. I think he's a good Lad, he's ready to learn and he's really improving, and I believe he's the next to take over the No. 1 Position after the World Cup.

(3) Dele Alampasu; I pick the Rookie simply to understudy the Senior Colleagues for Future's sake.

Naijaphobia:
Please don't go the Akpeyi way, 80% of SE fans understand what I meant.Ajiboye was outstanding for Plateau united 2016/2017 NPFL season, he had represented both U17 and U20 national teams with little or no flaws and was outstanding in the single game he was in goal at WAFU.

You need to watch Tiago Ilori to see his ingenuity, he is a class any day. Ajagun right from is playing days and career movement has always been repelled by the bench. He is a play maker, with eye for passes and goals. Watch his performances in Greece, Holland and Belgium and you would have a rethink.

Azubuike with all objectivity can stroll into the Eagles midfield. Currently one of the best DM in turkey and his display at the Olympics merits him being in the fold but lack of quality agent that can plead his course is greatly working against him.

Everton may likely recall Onyekuru. Watch him closely and you see the 'henry' instinct in him. Skillful, fast and unplayable on his days.

You can as well make adjustment to the squad and try to justify. You are everly welcomed.

Naijaphobia:
My 23 man list that will conquer the world no doubt.

GK

1. Carl Ikpeme/Vincent Enyeama(On availability)
2. Ikechukwu Ezenwa
3, Dele Ajiboye


DF

4. Leon Balogun
5, Elderson Echiejile
6, Troost Ekong
7, Awazeim
8, Shehu Abdullahi
9. Ola Aina
10. Tiago Ilori



MF

11. Mikel Obi
12. Abduljeleel Ajagun
13. Onazi Ogenyi
14. Wilfred Ndidi
15. John Ogu
16. Azubuike Okechukwu


Attack


17. Alex-iwobi
18. Henry Onyekuru
19. Odion Ighalo
20. Victor Moses
21. Simon Moses
22. Kelechi Iheanacho
23.Kayode Olanrewaju

forgiveness:
Wow! You just took the bull by the horn by listing the 14 players that should be considered in the team list and listing players that must fight the remaining slots.


However, there are some players you didn't include on your list.

Players like Joel Obi, Onyekuru, Abdul Ajagun, Dennis Bonaventure, Cyriel Dessers, Peter Olayinka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Josh Onomah and Brain Idowu.

And I think Joel Obi should be added to your 14 man list.

Please, forget Nosa Igbiebor, Aaron Samuel and Kenneth Omeruo.

Fringes:
It didn't start in Brazil. In USA 94, the Italians, after falling one goal behind very early - and the world had woken up to learn the Nigerian?African unusual style of physical and beautiful play, simply - and tactically - ensured that Amokachi and Amuneke were injured and substituted very early in the game. They got no red cards on their way to achieving this. Zola, who was red-carded (and they still beat us anyway!) much later in the game, earned the red for a totally unrelated occurrence.

Of course, Thompson Oliha, of blessed memory, and my big friend, Mutiu Adepoju who came in for the Nigerian wingers were no perfect matches for the Bull and the flying left winger in Amokachi and Amuneke respectively. That left Rashidi Yekini (God rest his soul) all alone with an Italian Mafia defence, Rashidi could only huff and puff without any results. I have watched that game over and again and even protested about it on FIFA.com!

Yekini was so disillusioned that when now-Chelsea FC Chief, Mike Emenalo, playing as a left back in place of Benedict Iroha and donning jersey 19, eventually cut through from the left and made Yekini a marvelous pass from heaven in the late stages of the second half of extra time, with Nigeria 2-1 down and facing exit from the World Cup, Baba Yekini apparently had forgotten how to take a hot shot first time and blast it into the yapping net. He attempted to 'dress' the ball first to get into a more comfortable shooting position.

That was the end of the story. You don't try that in the face of a storm. The Italian defence recovered in a twinkle of a second and snuffed Yekini and danger out. The Super Eagles crashed and Nigeria's maiden World Cup appearance came to a stuttering end. NIGERIA was later named the second most entertaining team at the USA 94 Mundial, second only to eventual champions, Brazil.

I understand Yekini was awarded something for "Best Behaved Player" at that World Cup. I am not sure.

Bottom line: Europe would NEVER EVER allow Africa to have the best opportunities that can stand in their way. For as long as our players continue to seek 'greener pastures' in Europe for the lucre, and our local leagues are nothing to write home about in terms of officiating and organisation, we would never rule the world of football - and global success in the game of football MAY continue to be a mirage.

safarigirl:
it's like you guys on this thread either don't rate Cyril Dessers or you just don't like him.

How can you even put Tammy that is still tied to England on your list, but no Dessers that is happily unattached?

Is it because the Press is not shouting about him up and down? Is it because he's not in EPL and so, he doesn't seem as attractive as the English boy? I get that some of you are fully influenced by what you read, which is actually not a very good thing, but come on!

Somebody please, explain to me why all of you are pro-Tammy, but are all acting like Dessers does not exist?

I feel really bad for the guy the way you people simply refuse to see him

komekn:
Question mark on Tiago.
I would like to replace him with Dominic Iorfa, I'm going to watch Dom play against Burton Albion in a few weeks see Hope Akpan, and I'll give my opinion conclusivey then.

Yes I'll put my foot in it for once publicly.

One addition Seyi Ojo as left wing back? Leave out Echiejile his time is over

One other question Is Mikel Agu better than Tega Onomah?

forgiveness:
It seems Rohr doesn't trust some of the players in the team but somehow he had to invite them. Why and how is what I don't know.

That was why he said he was going to bring in better players

forgiveness:
First of all, we need to know the position Onazi played before he was injured and who should replace him in that position.

Onazi Ogenyi was the CMF and also played the box to box role while Ndidi played in the DMF to role.


Who was the natural and perfect replacement available for that role? John Ogu and no one else because he was the only natural CMF on the bench.


However, John Ogu coming in as a direct replacement for Onazi would have been a very bad choice.

1. He is slow and we already have another slow player in the mold of Mikel Obi on the field.

2. He is only offensive and his defensive ability is poor compared to Onazi.

3. His tackling about is not as good as Onazi hence the need to bring some one who can defend, tackle and do the dirty job in the midfield.

In regards to the obvious reasons stated above, it would have been unwise to bring in John Ogu.

Bringing in Aina for Shehu Abdullahi to move to the DMF position is a big game and is equally out of the equation.

That was why bringing in Agu who is a natural DMF was the best option based on the options on the bench.

What the did was to bring in Mikel Agu to Wilfred Ndidi' position and move Ndidi to the CMF position. It was very easy to decide like that based on the situation on ground.

That's was why I wasn't not worried about Mikel Agu when he came in to replace Onazi. I even demonstrated that when many here panicked and kicked against him by saying 'make una no worry....'.

Mujtahida:
Kog45 when you say Rohr is conservative do you mean in terms of strategy or personel? Let me give you heads up:

On personel I trust you see that Rohr is bringing down the age limit of the team to the extent that we have one of the youngest teams in Africa? He is not radical yet he has thrown Agu into the mix three times ahead of Ogu

On tactics:Do you know that after we trashed Cameroun, Bassagog said that they knew how we used to play and they were set up to play us that way but that on match day we adopted a different strategy that confused them? And how come we scored 11 goals in a group called group of death.
Cc goodjoe, Icon4s, mickael2

Mickael2:
i thought I was the only that saw it. A brilliant coach whilst sitting down on the touchline already knows how things can go wrong and how to sort it out but when Onazi was injured, Aina, Agu and even Ogu stood up and the coach didn't even know who was going to come into the game and there was a period he looked back and I think it was one of his nigerian assistants that said let's put Agu and we saw just how great that idea was. Rohr is not a tactician, Keshi, Siasia, Amuneke and even John Obuh would outclass him tactically, not to mention Westerhof

Mickael2:
in the game against SA we totally dominated the midfield, there goal was either a lucky break or a corner kick gone bad for us, pulling out Iheanacho made no sense whatsoever. The problems were with the final balls, at a time like that the coach will decide if he still wants to sub in a midfielder who can play defence splitting passes or sub in an attacker who can carry the ball from midfield to attack, Nacho had no business leaving that field

Icon4s:
See, the principle is same all across. You don't tamper with the set up of the team at random. If the team is not getting results you can chose to overhaul but when the team is getting results you try as much as possible to maintain shape so as not to lose balance. This is a simple principle in coaching.

I have worked with Westerhof (I learnt coaching from him) and I know what I mean by he not being much different from Rohr in terms of tactical approach to games and team selection.


If the NFF wants to get any of those coaches you listed then they should be ready to shoulder the huge financial responsibility. I have said it that Rohr, tactically is not amongst the bests but the other things he brings to the team have carried the team thus far.

Then also remember that Club football is different from national team football. And remember also that it took Westerhof 5 years to build that team that featured at the 1994 World Cup and I completely disagree with you that the current crop cannot dominate African opposition. We are working towards that and we will get there but remember also that football has generally progressed in Africa. You can hardly dominate for too long.

Mickael2:
Ok I have to strongly disagree here.

There was a game we were playing, I think it was against Algeria in 2005? Westerhof was in the NTA studios, immediately the team sheet was released he analysed the games and told us how it would pan out and the number of goals Nigeria would score in the first half and bam it happened. In the second half too he said he expects Martins speed to be a bonus plus other things he said and there we go it happened that way.


Westerhof after 4 years built a team that was easily outplaying Bulgaria and most of the teams on the African continent, trust me after 4years our team would still be dragging with Zambia. German coaches as a matter of fact do not dwell on team spirit/maintaining the same team etc etc (cc Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsman and Klopp), these people depend on their tactical nous and their ability to get players to play to their formation, that is why teams like Germany and USA under Klinsman can field an entirely different 11 and still maintain the same identity, the only day we failed to name 3 of our starters we were playing kick and follow football.


I applaud Rohr for his all round man-management skills but comparing him tactically to Westerhof is just not true

masseratti:
lol you deliberately left Benue,and plateau is not 50-50 its 70-30 with Christian majority. Middle belt is majority Christian.

lilcashking:
Pls who is Davido because here in Biafra we dont know him? Somebody Help

Banter1:
Uncle Dele will be laughing now. According to Davido and i quote, life is all about the Money ey. Well thats not true Davido.

oladeebo:
status quo.
personally, what is my concern about status quo?
That concern the politicians, especially the ruling party.
and the main reason for ruling and opposition party in Democratic system of government, why noise about status quo concern Afenifere?
During Gej what is the real status quo position that Afenifere got for Yoruba nation?

oladeebo:
can you stop non-sense?
why Afenifere didn't change to political party, and see if anybody would quarrel about their aligned with igbo?

oladeebo:
It is of no doubt that the leadership of Yoruba nation under Afenifere and CAN, Some political jobbers in Yoruba land were selling Yoruba nation to igbo, disregarding Yoruba interest and totally abandoned the vision of the past Yoruba nation that worked with either Hausa/fulani or igbo to defend Yoruba interest.
Afenifere had camped to the side of igbo to sabotage Yoruba national interest.
Politic had no permanent friend but interests any where in the world,
The worst part of it is these elders follow the interest of igbo while closed eyes on the violation of Yoruba interests... It's total sell out.
Lots like Odumakin, olu falae, etc were never hide their interest on pdp, and use Yoruba name to follow, follow the looted party, likewise they follow follow Nnadi kanu that never left anything Yoruba with out denigration!
it is sad.
The worst of it is that they were buying igbo region fanatic and infecting Yoruba nation with it now, where going our region tolerance?
Awo never play religion politics.
Yoruba nation didn't have eternal enemy between hausa/fulani or igbo, for Afenifere to think he will formed permanent relation with igbo or buy igbo religion vision cannot work in Yoruba nation, also they mustn't think they can lured Yoruba nation into permanent enemy of hausa/fulani it's impossible, so they must desist!
Southern Unity is scam to Yoruba nation
Religions interests protection christian/Muslim is another scam to Yoruba nation!
Am assure Ibadan summit is well sponsored by igbo... if not why it wasn't condemn ipob hate speeches against Yoruba nation?
There have never been the Unity between the Southerners before Nigeria Unity, why now?
Yoruba with out unify to Igbo can fight for their own right in Nigeria!
Enough for the sell-out.
We didn't had blood feud with hausa/fulani, and it's not Igbo that will lead us into it, God forbidden
Oladeebo on current affairs!

Joebie:
Pinnick and Tammy's father grew up together. Didn't you read that earlier?

Joebie:
How do you mean extra miles?
Have we made another approach on Tammy? I'm not aware of that. If we have, that would be "extra miles".

Joebie:
How do you mean extra miles?
Have we made another approach on Tammy? I'm not aware of that. If we have, that would be "extra miles".

Joebie:
Let's say it as it is. I only remember Ekong and Balogun showing interest before we approached.
Otigba, Alaba, Dessers, Torunarigha (but for his dad), Sennenger also belong to that class.
Iwobi and Aina would have "loved" to play for England. Granted they talked about playing for Nigeria as children. In both cases, invites stopped coming from England, and that factor contributed in us getting them to play for us.

Even Balogun said if Germany came for him it would have been hard to make a decision. And I've been saying this on this thread.. It's not a matter of patriotism at that stage but important difficult professional decision. It's not easy to turn down big countries for Nigeria outrightly. And some of us expect these boys to turn down other countries (when those countries are showing interest in them) for us at the preliminary stage.

Uduokhai's case is no different. If Germany shows seriousness it will be very difficult for us to get him.