₦airaland Forum

Kog45:
Oya pick the best LB.

Taiye Taiwo in my opinion, he was a good defender robust physical, fast and exceptional dead ball ability puts him above the rest for me.

zicky:
Bro can you remember all the players that went for that u-17 tournament. But you can remember Omeruo then he's a stand out from that tournament. I believe they all played the same u17 tournament. If you want to mention star for 2015 u20, you mention Messi, you still mention Mikel. So I don't what you are trying to say.

The proposition presented is based on the 2009 U17 tournament. That proposition presented the notion that so many stars were created, found, discovered from the tournament.

I disagree completely with the entire notion.

With regards to Nigeria Omeruo was classed as a star alongside Neymar, Coutinho, Casemiro, Allison, etc by this particles contributor.

Let me first of banish this notion that the U17 World cup is somehow the place that footballs best and most talented players are discovered. That's a nonsense in the context of world 🌍 football ⚽.

The best youth players are discovered playing in football teams across the globe and after outstanding performancescin club and league selected for national age grade teams. Not the other way round.

For instance Obi Arsenal most prolific 16 year old striker playing for both U18 and 21 has played for both Denmark and England age grade teams. His performanced in club and league got him noticed not selection for age grade national youth teams.

England had only recently taken U17 national football a bit more serious.

We should not be talking about age grade competitions prior to 2015 . Where we had confirmed Uncles like Stanley Okoro, Fortune Chukwudi, Sami, Onazi, etc but of course Omeruo was actually 15 if you want to believe.

Finally, maybe we should redefine what we mean by stars, because at every level there are stars. Village stars, local stars and world class stars like Neymar, Allison, etc.

zicky:
they are 22 players on the list and I believe they all went on to play for their national team. So they are all stars from that very u-17 tournament

So playing for your national team automatically makes you a star. 🤔

You put Omeruo on the same list as Neymar, Coutinho, etc

mostob:
He very well understand what I'm trying to say but man would rather feign ignorance since a naija born player is involved.

I gave Pep and Arteta as examples of coaches who once played with false 9 but are now moving for traditional 9. Which means Liverpool might be doing same going by their transfer rumour involving Osimhen.

Where is Arteta looking for a traditional number 9 please. ❓

Haaland is an enigma and is not a good example with regards to team strategy change.

Longneck:
So you know ACL is a near career ending injury but you belittled it when Samson Tijani was the one involved

You talking balderdash and Codswallop with no iota of substance. Your making a comparison between Tega and Tijani that's utter nonsense.

Must everything be seen in the darkness 🌑 of your own prejudice and bias.

Before Tega had his ACL tear on the last game of last the season in June he was already a confirmed outstanding top player.

In 2019/20 at age 20 he was the 🔝 goal scorer for Chelsea with 15 goals in the EPL.

He had been playing in the Championship/ EPL Since 16 he was a top goal scorer in the Championship as a teenager for Aston villa and Bristol city. His CV is exhaustive with outstanding quality. That was all priorto his injury over 7/8 month's ago.

Tijani gained notoriety before kicking a ball when it was discovered he had a godfather in the NFF and was signed to his agent and all the contention that followed.

He has been in Europe for four years without anything of substance playing in the lowly Austrian league. He got tibia / fibula fracture injury in July 2022. He has played two seasons since then after recovering completely.

I did ask what he had done before the injury and what is he doing after but nothing of substance offered. This all came about when somebody called him and excellent top level midfielder in Europe I retorted if he was he would not be in the Austrian Bundesliga.

It seems from the Wolfsburg official site he never had a ACL but fractured tibia and other related. And you are comparing two different things.

chuks404:
oga are you saying osihmen won't succeed in Liverpool? Be bold with your assertion. No dey use English hide intentions.

I have been intrinsically clear in plain spoken English, objectively detailing the team patterns, playing style and football ⚽ strategy as well as the team player dynamics.

Having given all that information, how would conclude that VO is going to do if he goes to Liverpool.❓❓

Please don't just I know ,but give us your reasons in an objective appraisal , considering all components and variables please.

ChrisKels:
We are over relying on our current forwards while doing nothing to breed their possible successors because I don't understand why we have not called up a striker like George Ilenikhina. This kid is wanted by Inter Milan

Wanted and paying the transfer fee are two different things.

Is he the top goal scorer in club and league or among the top 10 at least.

zicky:
i hope I'm not wrong if I say this very tournament produce the highest number of stars compare to other u-17.

At the top of that list is Omeruo would you by comparison call him a Star ⭐.

comodo:
This Ibrahim Olawoyin is really doing great with Rizespor. Maybe it's time to have him in the mix.
And I wonder why the maestro Fisayo Bashiru cannot pull his team out of relegation zone.

What league is Rizespor and if he is any good give him time he will be in a top 🔝 team next season. You used the word GREAT.

mostob:
Well..if you say so.
Just read Liverpool are also considering Tega Abraham. Not sure if it is true though. Do you think he is the ideal forward for Liverpool?

NOT AT ALL

First of all over the past 15 years Liverpool have not played with a quintessential number 9 striker. It's not a club for a quintessential number 9.

Tega has just recovered from a near career ending ACL rupture and rebuild. He may never get back to his former level. That's very doubtful.

Liverpool play with three forwards of Which two are inverted winger's, for example Diaz and Salah.

Arnot Slot incoming Manager has taken the philosophy ever further with interchange of forward positionings without a clear cut number 9.

So I think it's just paper 🗞️ rubbish talk.


I have changed my mind in Arnot Slot though , considering he was head 🗣️ hunted by Director Edwards it may be an upgrade on the Klop philosophy.

comodo:
A cursory look at the EPL table just showed that Nottingham forest will be dragged into relegation zone if Luton wins today. That is scary for Aina and Awo

You have three Nigerian uncapped playing for Luton

Adebayo
Osho
Onyedinma

Not sure who I can support to stay up Nottingham or Luton although on football quality it's Nottingham for me. They deserve it more on quality they just been very unlucky with a few dubious referee decisions.

humility33:
So when Suarez and Torres played there they didn't play as 9

Oga just go forward state your biased and lopsided statement on why you don't want him there.

Don't act as if you know football tactics and the club playing pattern. Most especially with a new coach on board

Do u know how Feyernood plays ?

Dessers was their striker last season they played conference final with this man as coach

He some times play point man

Liverpool supporter that knows nothing about Liverpool.

I put it to you that you are so emotively and sentiment led by your perception albeit misguided you can't be OBJECTIVE.

Go back and read again the specifics of my comments and stop 🛑 being blinded by your prejudice.

You are anchoring your view on football ⚽ played by Torre's 14 years ago. Indeed Torres had only two good seasons before he was washed out and passed on eventually to Chelsea where he became an embarrassment.

Napoleon55:
Don't u think is because they've not been able to find someone like Suarez and Torres?

Osimhen will succeed and score lots of goals in Liverpool, or Arsenal.

u are not just comfortable for him to play for any of the big clubs in EPL because he might prove u wrong.

You haven't appraised one issue objectively just go into history and emotive nostalgia.

Torres played for Liverpool over 14 years ago. I don't know if you have noticed football 😞 has changed A LOT.

mostob:
Let's ignore the motive behind your post.

Pep is one of the coaches who was so obessed with this false 9 tactic. He was so invested in it that he benched Aguero (a prolific scorer) for Gabriel Jesus. Months back, he went ahead and signed Haaland. Arsenal and Arteta were towing this path until realisation dawned that there is still a place for the traditional 9 in modern day football. Fortunately, Havertz saved our blushes. Signing Nunez should tell you Liverpool might be moving away from the false 9 era. Osimhen is one of the hottest striker currently and he will be a perfect fit for them.

Nunez is struggling and he is not playing as a number 9 but as an inverted winger. Liverpool paid €100 million for him. But did not change their style and strategy to accommodate Nunez.

Many a hot striker has come to the EPL and failed.

Harvertz is technically astute and Arsenal is not Liverpool, in addition he doesn't play like a quintessential number 9. That's not a good comparison.

You are being optimistically assumptive, Liverpool will change their football ⚽ style to pyramid structure to accommodate one player 🧐. Do you really believe that.

You think Jota, Diaz, Salah (?) no guarantee Salah is leaving, will all play for one player called VO, because he is Messi.

I don't see that .

TheGoodJoe:
I like his style of play and looks a solid choice. However, in recent times, Dutch passing master coaches have hit brick walls and can't seem to transcend their philosophy to other leagues.

Good examples have been Ten Hag, Peter Bosz and Frank De Boer.

Arne Slot seems a gamble for me and one that seems also a gamble move if Osimhen is going there. If he does not flourish, Osimhen gets trapped if the next manager does not like him.

Add to that list Koeman didn't do well at Everton and with regards to Frank de Boer he signed a three year for Crystal palace.

Frank de Boer lasted 10 weeks and was sacked.

A lot of changes at Liverpool they will be in transition if it goes south VO will become the fall guy.

Because next season there will I suspect be no Salah and all eyes on VO.

This is why I don't see 🙈 it happening.

lbrichman2:
Liverpool interested in Osimhen
I've been expecting this news
I think he would be a good fit for them..

Whaf do you think guys?
Let's discuss

Not sure about this.

First of all Liverpool have never played with a quintessential number 9. They don't have a pyramid structure and have not for a long time. The number 9 is almost an appendage a kind of AM.

Firmino was the perfect example, the majority of goals 🥅 came from the inverted winger's or rather forward players coming from the wings. For example past and present, Mane, Salah, Diaz, Jota , Nunez, etc

Nunez has been struggling he is more of a number 9 but has found himself as an inverted forward coming from the wings.

VO has many attributes but being technically astute and playing on the wings is not one of them, IMO.

In addition there are two new Directors not Klopp guys Edward one of them comes from the mindset of not playing with a quintessential number 9. The other Director Hughes will follow the lead of Edwards.

In addition the new Dutch coach as is rumoured, Slot is not going to do dramatic changes in my opinion. I personally don't think he is a good fit for Liverpool and this could be there own Achilles heal.

Consider all the quintessential number 9 bought by Liverpool apart from Torres none have been able to have an impact. Players like Benteke, Carroll,
Balotelli, Nunez, etc

Having all this in mind l don't think going to Liverpool is a great fit for VO.

aicon4s:
TheGoodjoe and Thesupernerd, we appreciate all your contributions here. We have together been on this Journey for well over 10years. It can only be passion that has kept us coming back here to read and contribute to discussions. We respect you and all other regulars here.

Sugarboyy if only you know some of the personalities behind these monikers..... if you say these persons are jobless I am equally jobless because I was for so many years very active here, I only, lately, reduced it to mainly reading of posts and I still make contributions to certain issues.

We have treated each other with utmost respect even despite our arguments here. For me, THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL THREAD ON NAIRALAND and I have a million and one reasons to say so. This thread can boast of some of the best football analysts in Nigeria.

Sugarboyy, abeg, desist from the insults. TheGoodjoe and TheSupernerd are two of our best men here, and any insult thrown at them is an insult thrown at the rest of us.

Please let's follow peace with all men, and continue with our discussions and analysis.

You are being one sided.

TheGoodJoe is a gentleman most times and you will not see gutter language and vitriolic rhetoric coming from him.

However, TheSuperDelusional one is completely different his over inflated ego and style of consistent abuse to anybody who doesn't agree with him his there for all to see.

Abuse and lies should not be served here continuously by some.

Sugarboy is not exonerated but you cannot be accusing somebody of abuse and denigration in isolation. And then pretend others are saints.

That's selective and biased and far from fair, bad 😔 behaviour, abuse and gutter language should be condemned irrespective of who does it.

TheSuperNerd:
It has reached the point to now call TheGoodJoe dull just because you don't agree with his angle on sensitive issues like the Super Eagles job and the events around it. How interesting.

Just so you know, [b]unlike Komekn who spews garbage and deservedly gets labelled for his hate towards Nigerian born lads, [/b]TheGoodJoe is way different and upholds the potentials of the Nigerian football space. Yet, just because his angle on the SE coaching job is not pleasant to your eyes, he is dull. Funny. Very funny.

Here comes TheSuperDelusional one ☝🏿With his over inflated ego .

Hypocrite bigoted double standard self righteous attention seeking foul 👄 mouthed LIAR.

You are condemning somebody for vitriolic rhetoric and downright abusive unguarded gutter language and disrespect. A big black 🖤 pot calling the kettle 🫖 black.

You are the number one chairman for that kind of behaviour.

What you do is the , "illusory truth effect"

“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth” - Joseph Goebbels, Nazi propagandist. That's exactly what you are trying to do. You have no iota of honour or integrity.

First remove the log 🪵 of wood from your eyes 👀 before you take out the sand ⏳ from somebody elses. You are the quintessential hypocrite supremo.

Sugarboy you are not exonerated denigrating a selfless contributor and senior one for that matter is unacceptable. Abusive language a big NO no. Please disagree but dont go so low please and any others should keep the discourse honourable without abuse and lies.

typicalgamer:
Some will come out and say we’re giant of Africa lol 😂

Comparing Nigeria to South Africa in terms of sport is comparing epl to NNL2

The only thing we have in Africa is natural freak athletes i mean we have people who can beat the odds with little or no training due to their genes and our natural strong head

But in terms of unearthing and shaping foundation for our athletes we’re a joke

Agreed 💯%

Meliforme:
After watching Victor Boniface at USG, i came to the conclusion that he is the best strike partner to Osimhen.

I disagree.

He is not a partner to anybody they are in competition.

Cecco90:
Still on Finidi George

I have been seeing all these funny comments; “He will be controlled by the NFF.”

Finidi didn't lobby for this job. He didn't call anyone or beg people to give him the job, he applied just like many other coaches. Even after the last friendly games, he didn't engage the NFF, he went back to his job at Enyimba.

The majority of you people don’t know Finidi. Ask about him in Enyimba and the management will tell you. Also, because he is calm and he doesn't do PR stunts.

You all don’t even know, Finidi will only do things that satisfy his conscience and professionalism.

He’s one of the few ex-players without baggage and controversy.

People should also stop the blackmail of the NFF, the coaches get free hands to work, and they make their decisions and all.

There are other issues with the NFF to discuss, controlling a coach is not even their priority.

It's unfair to sit in your room and conclude Finidi is a Yes Man when you know nothing about the man and his personality.

Finidi is not a broke ex-player, he invested properly when he was playing.

- Adepoju Tobi Samuel.

If you are in PH you will know that Finidi is not doing this job for any money 🤑 he is doing it to make a name.

Finidi is the quintessential gentleman.

typicalgamer:
Beht Watin finidi need the uefa pro license for ?

Exactly last time i remember he was coaching Nigeria and not Austria 🇦🇹

He’s not coaching a European team

And the license is not needed for afcon or World Cup so i no understand what’s going on here

You’re saying nff gave an unqualified client the job ?

You’re saying nff didn’t do a background check ?

Bruf you’re better than this

Gareth Southgate had no UEFA qualifications before he became manager at Middlesbrough.

joelsteron:
We desperately need to get it right at the middle. Football is played in the Midfield especially when everywhere on the field are blocked and covered.
Watch Madrid first goal that's a proper central middle man.

Our defensive midfielders are exactly that defensive they have no creativity and struggle to move from defensive to offensive.

They are essentially water 💦 carries who will run all day but offer very little offensively.

The top DM have become playmakers going from defensive to offensive seamlessly. Rodri, Luiz, Rice, etc

humility33:
Oga just reduce your hate or how you chide this innocent players who toiled their arse off here in Nigeria day and night....and their hardwork eventually paid off they move abroad.

Reduce how you disparage this boys potentials all because they're Naija groomed and born. It is not their fault that they were born in Nigeria and raised here

You lack knowledge 😔 and you have no depth to your understanding in addition you are very parochial.

Football is a global sport the standard will not be shifted, put to one side and or compromised because you are coming from Nigeria.

When it comes down to it nobody's cares whether you were born in Ajegunle or Ikoyi. Nobody is going to give you a soft landing 🛬 or create a double standard because you had it so hard and difficult in Nigeria.

Wake up from your delusional double standard dream.

Nigerians are coming out of the most socio economically deprived situations and areas. But against all odds have come into the university here across the globe 🌎 and thrived.

They excell in the most thought after and knowledge led professions. Against all odds they get up and get going and exceed expectations.

In the UK children of West African 🌍 origin have a higher attainment level than upper class caucasian white kids. Why 🤔 they fight against all the odds to succeed.

They didn't come here and say to their lecturers, "can you just pass me we didn't have any computers in my high school in Nigeria , so I really am handicapped. So appreciate my deprived circumstances and give me a pass mark please " .

No double standard will be created for you in the West because you are Nigerian.

The reality there is a negative double standard and it's called institutional wide spread and ingrained RACISM.

So when you see black kids in the UK don't assume they have had it easy.

Please Stop 🛑 this pity me mentality 😭

I respect VO so much my advice is what he took to the letter. He didn't complain that oh I am being discriminated against I've had a hard start in Life. You need to take it easy with me.

This Dude is an enigma he got up and could see a life of poverty staring 👀at him. He became relentlessly determined to learn advance and develop. He used sheer never say die will power. VO overcome not because he is technically great, because he humbled himself and and with blind rage and diligence overcame all odds.

humility33:
Komekn na case
He nor even know the dude just because he is not a Brit he quickly pass judgement

Sorry Belgium league

TheGoodJoe:
Story. Amunike has higher that UEFA A certificate. They should stop this PR to force Finidi down our throats. Finidi is loved and has a brilliant footballing history. They should stop trying to paint someone black and back with lies.

UEFA Pro license is different from UEFA A license. Finidi has UEFA A license and it is not the same thing. By the way, Amunike has even the UEFA Masters Coaching certification that is bigger than these.

They should stop these blackmail and get to business.

Once again having a PhD in software engineering doesn't make you an IT Guru. You can consider the small example of Microsoft boss and university drop out Bill gates.

UEFA badges are a competency test not a measurement of application excellence. I've said this several times before.

Max Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut on March 15, 2015, he had not passed his driving test and did not have a driver's license.

Amunike is the product of historical corruption, godfatherism, alliances & clicks, favouritism, under that table under handed deals, etc he was birthed by the NFF and part of the problem.

Finidi is the RIGHTEOUS CHANGE we have been waiting for literally decades.

Kog45:
Aribo damn too poor recently in eagles colors so I don’t care having Nwakali and let’s us see wetin dey.

When a player is outstanding in club and league that's the only basis for national team selection.

When a good player comes into the national team and is underperforming, the first question ❓ is why 🤔

Iwobi has been excellent all season for Fulham but the negative structure and format made Iwobi arguably our most creative player almost impotent. A round peg in a square ⬛ hole.

Aribo came on in this overly negative set up he also is an attacking creative player, as a consequence, he also became unable to express his ability and was impotent.

The water carrier's the run around non stop 🛑 defensive work engine players devoid of creativity and attacking ability became the noticeable ones.

You cannot do more that what you are doing in your league week in and week out. Nwakali could not get into Porto B youth team as a regular. Had been playing for four seasons in dead relegation zone teams and earning 🥜 peanuts in football ⚽ terms. Is too poor quality and ability to be in the SE.

ChrisKels:
Him and Bassey will hold down our defense for years.

He has a lot of hurdles to overcome at U18 & U20 levels before he can get into Brentford first team.

Comparison to Bassey is premature in the extreme.

Joezinho:
I pray he succeeds. Some of us wants the best for Nigeria football.. But he should never try the rubbish he did during the friendly games.
Kept Lookman, our best player on the bench for the two friendlies. Was loosing and brought him 15min to the end of game. No Tella, Yusuf ,Dele. These guys were having good season..

Yusuf is not having an outstanding season he is just there almost anonymous in the Eredivisie sorry Belgium league

joelsteron:
I wan to understand something in super eagles midfield.

I know Wilfred Ndidi is a defensive midfielder
Frank Onyeka also is a defensive midfielder
Raphael Onyedika a defensive midfielder
Yusuf Alhassan a defensive midfielder
Alexander Iwobi is attacking midfielder


Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If not, then we lacking and we need proper Central Midfielders and attacking midfielders in Super eagles.

Some thing's are blatantly obvious 🤔 but somehow many cannot see 👀 it .

robosky02:
Finidi George remains to me an amazing player

But as a coach he hasn't started well
Just the 2 friendly games we've started hearing "Finidi George doesn't like me"

Imagine in the game we lost to Mali, we had tested strikers yet he never used them

Lookman was on the bench that day, a player that lifted Nigeria when Osimhen wasn't.
Yet never saw a game time.
No injuries,

And we allowed Mali trashed us 2-0

I hope man- management will not spoil the party

NFF is corruption ridden and anchored ⚓ on favouritism, nepotism, godfatherism, alliances & clicks, etc, etc.

Do you really think 💭 that Finidi had complete control to make choices and decide who should play it not 🚫. Particularly coming in as an interim coach, in order to not upset the status quo ,he will have to play along.

Now that he is officially made the National coach he will have to be brave, courageous, and completely upset 😭 the apple cart 🛒.

He must impose the highest standards of probity and quality it cannot be business as usual.

The next coming weeks will be interesting 🧐 there is going to be in fighting the old corrupt brigade against the new. It's going to get bloody .

I want Finidi to unafraid, be wise, Fear God and take the SE to the next level. Without fear or favour.

We know there are players who have been selected for the SE not in merit, players sponsored by NFF officials etc

It's time for RIGHTEOUS CHANGE

robosky02:
Hmm what more can be said

Without sentiment Amunike is the most qualified

In terms of
Experience he has grown from the ranks.. coached in and out of Nigeria

As per certification he has all the papers. We even learnt Finidi George does have some of the papers CAF standard expect

Amunike has the toughness to inforce discipline after all he has played the game lake Finidi George and even this boys who he can take them... Apart from Osimhen who among the current players can boast of African footballer of the year award


Anyway NFF wants somebody that can do their bedding without saying no to some underhand practice we all know


They say Finidi George won NPFL
I just laughed, if not for the super 8 when all the teams were tired expetially Rivers United on the continent and Bendel insurance

Amunike is part of the problem, he lived it and became it he is CORRUPT and there must be for a new Nigeria zero tolerance of corruption.

He grew up with corruption and all the unethical practices, godfatherism, favouritism, personal interest over national interest.

Finidi is not hungry for 🤑🤑🤑but hungry to make a name for excellence.