₦airaland Forum

But back to matter's of present.

We need our best players to be on top of their game.

Simon M. Awoniyi. Onyekuru

KC - Aribo

Ndidi

Zaidu Ajayi Ekong. Aina


Maduka Okoye


Subs Onyeka, Iwobi, Olayinka, Ebuehi, Musa and Ejuke. Barring injury. Like to see Aina play LB after Zaidu is subbed and Ebuehi comes on.

Sudan know they are playing Nigeria they will play for there lives. They will be absolutely be aware of the task before them, it's for hard working disciplined players who follow the team strategy and plan.

I expect a 3-1 win Awoniyi to score two goals.

drDoom3:
Please tell him.

Sadiq performed better in 20 mins against Egypt than Ighalo did in an almost full game against Cape Verde. Sadiq pressed four defenders alone and was on hand to tap in the two Ejuke attacks. Ighalo looked totally unfit in that Cape Verde game. He looked like an ex-footballer that was invited for a charity game.

Sadiq was so slow and languid the Egyptian defender were playing piggy in the middle with him.

Stop taking balderdash

Mujtahida:
Osimhen yes, Ighalo no. He's had his time. It gets to the point where you have to rest it or be rested as a player for the NT. Ighalo has gotten to that point. He's not better than any of our present forwards including Sadiq.
Rohr invited him out of retirement for the Cape Verde match and he was atrocious. I did not see you going on at him for his awful display that as you have been carrying on about Sadiq.

Aboubakar who is in track to be highest AFCON goals scorer according to your sense of reasoning has had his time Abe

A player who is arguably not better than Ighalo.

Mujtahida:
Where did I say that you condemned Awoniyi.?

Let me quote you verbatim.


He will cry for those who are absent and condemn those who are present. Real duplicity

Awoniyi is not among the present abe

Mujtahida:
Osimhen yes, Ighalo no. He's had his time. It gets to the point where you have to rest it or be rested as a player for the NT. Ighalo has gotten to that point. He's not better than any of our present forwards including Sadiq.
Rohr invited him out of retirement for the Cape Verde match and he was atrocious. I did not see you going on at him for his awful display that as you have been carrying on about Sadiq.

If Ighalo was playing in Seria A he would be scoring goals if he was in the moi moi Segunda he would be the top goal scorer.

To compare Sadiq with Ighalo is abuse and lack of respect.

Mujtahida:
Here it is in black and white. Always crying for those excluded, failing to recognize that the thing na come and go.

I called for Ighalo and Obagoal in 2019 at that TIME in black and White.

I did not call for Obagoal in 2022

There it blatant prejudice and shameless bias, in black and white.

Mujtahida:
Read my reply to Andrew. That's precisely what he does. He will cry for those who are absent and condemn those who are present. Real duplicity

If Osimhen and Ighalo were here , it would be open to debate and how they both perform. Who is most in form it's difficult to say and they have different attributes.

Osimhen club form doesn't put him at the top in Seria A, but his transfer fee does.

Awoniyi would be in the mix but Sadiq would not even be at that party


And according to you by your proposition I have condemned Awoniyi Do you see how prejudiced you are❓

Mujtahida:
Rest abeg. Not every player will break the mold in 15 minutes. Osimhen that is your favorite now didn't do well in more than 15 minutes he played at the last Afcon. In fact he was given a run of games before he repaid our faith in him
This your here and now can only be used by a wise man as a guide but a foolish man will use it in a rigid way applying it across board to all situation and then use it to kill off the potential of some players who only need just some bit of time to get going.

You think like Rohr. Too formulaic, too doctrinaire. At the end he was booted out.

Actually his first game was very poor, inclusion was based not on club performance but sentiment.

He was not anywhere near as good as Ighalo at the time. And that was just over two year's ago , he had a lot to learn and very lightweight.

But his invitation to AFCON 2019 was anchored on a good club performance in Belgium league.

And he is not necessarily my favourite, l still rate Ighalo very highly and at the time l felt that Obagoal was wrongly excluded.

andrewbaba44:
His market value is now almost at 20 million euros after all the struggles ,that should tell how good he has been .

Market value and what peopl will pay for you are two totally different things.

You can usually tell when you see actual bids for a player. That it's not just newspaper talk.

TheSuperNerd:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....

Ain't no way I just read that first line? Higher than who? You have what??

A guy who once said Osimhen won't break into the U23 teams of Championship clubs suddenly has more expectations than me who foresaw Osimhen's shine right from the grassroots?

Oh my.... say no more... this is the laugh I needed. The rest of your post is garbage as usual.

That's absolutely 100% true AT THAT TIME.

And I advised that he should stoop to conquer. Find a smaller team and league , develop and then progress. If he had stayed at Wolfsburg you will not be celebrating him today probably.

You omitted that constructive criticism.

Dembele chose Celtic over Chelsea because he did not think he would develop. Raheem chose QPR over Arsenal because he would not develop and get opportunity, Gnabry chose to drop to Bundesliga because he was not developing in the EPL, Jadon rejected City in favour of B.Dortmund.

The list is literally endless, so what is your point.

TheSuperNerd:
I left here on October 30. Came back on January 5th.

So please tell me when your nwakali nightmares started?

Because on my return and quick read through the thread, I saw Nwakali still being discussed and still being insulted in my absence so explain how that is connected to me seeing I wasn't here?


Also, Nwakali is also named to the Afcon squad. So why won't he be talked about as regards Afcon2021?


Komekn... you are the shameless one. You refuse to own up to how foolishly wrong you are with your silly statements about me being double standardised and favoritic against Samuel Adegbenro who I have mentioned many more times than you, his "suddenly self appointed announcer"


Run along. Go hatch out another chaos plan with your Kom-Minions.

Double standard and bigotry.

Compare your non stop commentary on Nwakali and accolades and towards Adegbenro , huge Gulf. There's is nothing to discuss.

Indeed compare it any other Nigerian player.

I could open it further and show bigotry, you haven't talked about any of the Nigerian origin players doing well in the EPL and Championship in the same vein as Nwakali.

TheSuperNerd:
I don't even understand why Komekn is attacking Sadiq (actually I do from our history here but for this Egypt game I don't understand).

Sadiq even did more than Nwakali. Does he not know that? Nwakali only had 10mins and his only true highlight was setting up Ejuke in that counter transition move.

On 76mins or so, Sadiq was the one who turned away from the challenges of about two players to feed Ejuke , who escaped a challenge, for his first chance at goal.

Sadiq also did well keeping up with that counter attacking move between Nwakali and Ejuke that ended up with Ejuke reaching the opposition box. He opened up decently enough but the pass from Ejuke did not arrive.

He also did okay holding play up in some instances of play.

But yes, Sadiq didn't exactly maintain the same pressing energy as Awo in that game but he wasn't that bad either. Only that he could do more and this is what Eguavoen spoke to him about after that game.

But I assure you he did more than Nwakali did overall. Yet Nwakali himself wasn't bad.

So it's funny. Really funny seeing Komekn Still chiding Sadiq. It is well.

My expectations are higher than yours .

You may seek to enthrone mediocrity I do not.

When a striker comes on as a substitute he seeks to make an impression and bring quality that's why winning teams have strength in depth. He is supposed to make a difference. In the back of his mind he should be attempting to get the number one slot.

But Sadiq was shockingly languid and unimpressive.

Eguavon himself said Sadiq was DISSAPOINTING along side Nwakali and he was being diplomatic even creating excuses for them. Very few managers will shame their players in public but what he said was enough to know they are not SE quality.

But you have chosen to imagine something else.

TheSuperNerd:
Cc Komekn

Still on October 20, 2021.


My talk on the guy was quite detailed that I needed a second post (click on the above post).

Now apologise (something I know you lack the honor to do after being proven wrong AGAIN).

Compare how many times you have talked about Nwakali who you keep over hyping without shame, who has done nothing.

Samuel is the top goal scorer in the Swedish league and you talked about him once in October.

And you still trying to justify the UNJUSTIFIABLE.

andrewbaba44:
Not a fan of sadiq or Nwakali ,but you need to stop bashing them concerning the Egypt game

They didn’t have time to do much .

Football gives you little time.

That's why we have super subs.

Awoniyi came on and within 1 minute he had set the standard and tone for the game. You don't need 90 minutes , just 15 minutes and you can be the game changer.

He had time but did absolutely nothing with it.

andrewbaba44:
Oga meli

How many long distance volley has Nwakali score for his club or even do try to take ?

You can see that almost no one faulted him in the last game against Egypt ,maybe apart from our Warri guy

Most times Na una Dey set am up for drags

Who is the Babalawo for Nwakali eeeee be like say na only me and u deh go church because the JuJu don't blind so many people eye here.

Give them Holy water to wash their eye's make dem see road.

TheGoodJoe:

I also believe the Ndidi-Nwakali-Aribo midfield can work. Which will mean losing Awoniyi for Iheanacho. However, we need to keep in mind the setup the manager is working with.

So far, we have not built ideally from the back, through midfield to attack. It goes into the Sylvanus Okpala Nigerian football philosophy, we are Rushians.

Due to that, Eguavoen prefers an offensive block. That is, more players in the attacking unit. So we ended up sacrificing a midfielder for this. The gap in the hole between the midfield and attack gets field by players dropping into that space when attacking.

So for now, I doubt Eguavoen is willing to break that shape, unless Nwakali grows into the offensive role. However, it can work as the team progresses. That is with a Kelechi Nwakali-Kelechi Iheanacho attacking pair. With Aribo and Ndidi in midfield.

However, Nacho needs to offer more running forward. Kelechi Nwakali can also drop deep to pick the ball from the midfield pair during attack.

As I said, interesting times ahead.

You are lost my friend in the Nostalgia of times past of U17 football.

I admire your dream team combination.

But thats what it is dream not REALITY or underpinned by with objectivity.

TheGoodJoe:
Awoniyi

My take on this young man is one word. Flawless.

He did exactly what was wanted of him. Keep the Egyptian defenders uncomfortable. When they are with the ball and when they are not. I think it had to do with spotting gaps and creating chances for threats.

This ruptured the shape of the Egyptian defense and created gaps for the other forwards to exploit.

However, he needs to get his finishing game on if we get chances of scoring early and have more gaps to exploit.

Agreed without question guy plays for the team and to instruction.

If you have a game strategy you need players to follow up it with discipline and strict adherence in their work rate in the game.

Awoniyi is central, he has taken his opportunity and SEIZED IT. I hope he scores two goals today.

andrewbaba44:
Chukwueze iwobi and Nwakali together ,meaning iheanacho Moses Simon might be relegated to the bench

This my oga self

Simon has an incredible work rate , plays to instruction and although he has poor end product he defends as well and is crucial to the team.

Kog45:
Sadiq Umar is just like Paul Onuachu so team need to play to their strengths.

No he is not.

Onuachu has Physicality presence and aerial dominance . Sadiq has none of That.

That's why he is winning accolades in the first tier Belgium league.

They are not on the same level

forgiveness:
Playing Nwakili with just Ndidi in the midfield is suicide.

Iheanacho must give way for Nwakali to play then allow Ndidi and Aribo to continue.
Next time we are defending a goal, I think Onyeka
should be considered ahead of Nwakali.

Agreed without any iota of restraint or question not just suicide but MADNESS.

I am shocked but this is Nigeria where Tinubu may become president.

How can a player who had done nothing for 7 season in Europe is an anonymous big mouse with not even indicative stats to show promise. In the moi moi Segunda Division.

Will bench tried and proven EPL players like Iwobi and Onyeka. Nigeria we hail thee.

He is now getting training from the NFF Coaches to help him Wow !!!

TheSuperNerd:
Chisos! Okay Komekn, will you apologise to me if I quote a detailed post I made on Samuel Adegbenro on this thread around last year before my absence kicked in?

And you do realise I returned on the 5th of January right. Plus their league has been on break now.

You like Wahala.

I also talked about him last season too.

We are taking about outstanding performance that's consistent in the HERE and NOW.

You are trying to be diplomatic with your naked favouritism and double standard.

And you defend your position with, I talked about him last season, thats not a defence but an indictment.

Kog45:
That post is a PUZZLE Oga thegoodjoe.......Nwakili should have been a starter but technical crew are still working on his off ball work rate,with ball on his feet cool guy but without ball he need to do more,possibly Ndidi-Onyeka will give Nwakili more freedom to express himself.

We just had a match,hope to see more players as we progress.

SHOCKING Nwakali is coming to learn from NFF coaches after 7 seasons of football in Europe.

I am sorry that's LUDICROUS.

TheGoodJoe:

I think Eguavoen will maintain the same formation. That is an offensive one with lots of players that can contribute to goal scoring and assists.

So I don't think dropping Aribo will work.

I see Kelechi Nwakali playing a more offensive role. He has the capacity of giving tidy through passes and can serve as an asset when we are on counters.

He has no business in the team or on the pitch when you have Ajayi, Iwobi and Onyeka.

Kog45:
Oga meli,are you in to football coaching...okay how do you see this

Nwakili over Aribo

Ejuke over Moses

Iheanacho as CF over Awoniyi

Ebuehi over Aina........and starting Xi

1.Okoye
2.Ebuehi
3.Zaidu
4.Omeruo
5.Ekong
6.Ndidi
7.Onyeka
8.Nwakili
9.Iheanacho
10.Ejuke
11.Chuckwueze.

***Oga meli,pls tell us players who are not suppose to sit on the bench in today's game.

If you take Sudan lightly we will loose.

We need our best players and some players by have shown in they have nothing to be offer that's Sadiq and Nwakali.

Time to give more game time to Onyeka ,and Onyekuru to see what they have to offer. No time for mediocrity.

We know the quality of Iwobi and Ajayi they should not be bench warmers .

TheSuperNerd:
And these two dropped fine Midfield showings indeed.

Obinna had a really Solid outing akin to a MOTM showing while Zuby also had a very solid outing.


▶️Obinna Nwobodo vs Yeni:

1 Assist
1 big chance created
1 chance created
7 tackles
6 recoveries
1 interception
11/16 ground duels won
100% aerial duels won (1/1)
64% passing accuracy (21 accurate passes)
8 accurate passes in own half
13 accurate passes in opposition half
100% dribbling success (4/4) - Game Highest
1 foul committed


▶️Azubuike Okechukwu vs Goztepe:

2 chances created
89% passing accuracy (55 accurate passes - Game Highest)
17 accurate passes in own half
38 accurate passes in opposition half
100% dribbling success (1/1)
6/11 ground duels won
1/2 aerial duels won
2/6 accurate long balls
2 tackles
2 interceptions
10 recoveries
1 shot off target
Was fouled 3 times.
2 fouls committed.


I know it's the Turkish Super Lig. But they are Nigerian football lads in Europe. Na report I dey report. Ejoor

The top goal scorer in the Swedish league is a 26 year old Nigerian.

But somehow not a mention of him Samuel Adegbenro here he has 17 goals in the league this season and counting. However, there is lot of talk about Amoo, who has not done as much as him..

The double standard and favouritism is not even hidden.

safarigirl:
Do you have any example of any country doing this at a tournament or is Liverpool football club your only example?

I'm of the belief that certain drills may not be possible in tournament situations due to shortage of time , as opposed to when the team has been playing or will be playing for an extended period of time

That's why you don't come to the SE to learn but you bring what you have already learned , practised, and have to the SE.

drDoom3:
Since I have been watching SE training clips, I have not seen us do specialized training sessions except maybe for set-pieces.

Liverpool for example holds training sessions only on counterattacking or only on one-on-one finishing. Training sessions on targeted qualities will definitely increase our efficiency on those qualities going into the games to come.

That's not true sorry.

Meliforme:
Pace is included in physicality, Osimhen has more in physicality, from speed, strength and stamina to others like jumping and even agility.

Osimhen is very physical.

Athleticism is different from Physicality.

Physicality in the context of football which is still a contact sport, is about strength, power, the ability to bully your opponent.

Athleticism makes reference to speed, pace , endurance and stamina as well as agility, which include in how high you can jump.

In terms of Brute strength Awoniyi is stronger however in terms of Aggression and fearlessness it's Victor O. this is a dangerous attribute he possesses, but its a two edged sword.

Which is better is open to never ending debate.

They are different players with different be attributesvsnd advantages. I would say Awoniyi is a late developer and he is growing in confidence, l believe and hope there is much more to come.

andrewbaba44:
3 division Spanish teams have beaten Madrid and ATM also

I recall getting beat Real Madrid it was a crazy game.

It was like the other team hired s Babalawo, Real M. peppered the goal but it just wouldn't go in ,very strange by game.

When Arsenal played Nottingham Forest they could not get one shot on target .

andrewbaba44:
Too bad they missed out at promotion twice

Andre ayew was earning more than so many players at the epl while he was at the championship

Getting out of the Championship is not easy , you need some real investment.

And I stand to be corrected but the Championship is the highest quality second tier league in Europe. And part of that is money , players follow the money .

I watched Arsenal get beat by Nottingham Forest and thier left back outpace, out skilled Martinelli, in out muscle and beat three Arsenal players.

He is probably on the radar of multiple clubs in Europe, unfortunately he is not Nigerian.

Meliforme:
Taiwo replaced Osimhen perfectly is what i am debating against.
And then i decided to unleash his poor stats on the day.

If you think it is a berating on Taiwo quality, then that is quite your conjecture.
Scoring 12 goals for his club is a proof of quality.

But even in the midst of his quality, he's yet to become the player Osimhen is.

I would say from a club perspective yes in the HERE and NOW.

But he's climbing and he doesn't have the pace and football intelligence that Osimhen has .

However, he has more physicality but less aggression.

andrewbaba44:
Aubameyang is not playing sir

Korrect correction