₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
Lemme take a cue from the thread's arch-guardian of experience, Sir Icon4s himself...

On Nwakali Kelechi, I have always said that he is the future of our midfield and most likely heir to Mikel's throne as Super Eagles midfield generalissimo. But for now, I think he should wrap up his season with maastricht firstly as there's no need to rush and we are well covered in Midfield. After his first professional season, we should start giving him major invites for official games.

But for friendlies, well... He can still be called up even before the season is over. I foresee Nwakali and Osimhen breaking into the Super Eagles shortly before Russia 2018.
Thank you

TheGoodJoe:

Trying to force his way through. Russia to Onyekuru while Celtic is on the table is equivalent to refusing to sell him. The club tried to sideline the agent. Left the young man with no choice but fight the only way he knows how. The window is closing.

Icon79:
Wynchi

TheGoodJoe:
Iwobi = 10
Iheanacho = 9 (Pace against Algeria was blistering.

I say we invite Aluko as a sub for the ten role.

I still pick Musa Mohammed for the right back role. He was impressive under Salisu Yusuf.

The left back role is the problem but Echiejile did well on the last game and I think merits to play the 3 role.

Icon79:
I think Senegal would win this AFCON. I was most disappointed with CIV but the Senegalese are finally getting it today.

I can't wait to see them dominate the "indomitable" Lions on Saturday

TheSuperNerd:
Don't let theGoodJoe pick up those legendary gloves because of you oooo.... Loollll

TheGoodJoe:

Onyekuru is trying to force his way through. The transfer window is closing. If he keeps quiet at this time, the time will pass. He can not miss the opportunity with Celtic's offer on the table.

The club should respect themselves and do the right thing. Why help another agent steal him?

BascoVanVeli:
What is Iwobi doing playing golf with Ola Aina?

TheSuperNerd:
To be honest Sir.... I'll say that Nigeria would have possibly made the semi-finals.

I am not too sure of the trophy had Nigeria showed up but our WCQ form would have continued to a large extent at this Afcon. DR Congo is a case study though they are a little more cohesive while our team is still young but definitely one of the strongest in-form teams in Africa.

At this Afcon, only few teams are better than our team for now and would have stood in ouir way at the semi-finals stage and these include DR congo, Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt.

Cameroun duelled in a less tougher group hence their qualification for the quarters but can also go all the way as you cannot tell with the indomitable lions sometimes.

Ghana.... Apart from Andre and Gyan, the rest don't cut it for now. Never write them off completely shaa...

Cote d'Ivoire... They are back to that "just a good team, nothing spectacular" tag. They lack firepower upfront but have a really "strong midfield" of "physical monsters" like Serey Die, Franck Kessie and even Seri... Not surprised they crashed out.

So in conclusion, I don't think the afcon inexperience of Nacho, Iwobi, Simon and Balogun would have mattered. They would have made great impressions and ended up in the top 3 at least.

But we aren't there so... I'm just waiting for who will be crowned Kings of Africa.

And I am keen to know if Senegal can overcome Cameroun. (A lot at stake in this game coz of the Joseph1013-Safarigirl-Lakesidepapa business deal...)

TheGoodJoe:
I doubt Onyekuru will feel bad if Eupen wanted to use his agent (note history if trust) and send him to Everton.

Eupen wants to send him to Russia against his and his agents wishes. They want to go to Scotland and there is a good offer. He is not raising his shoulder but concerned about his career. At Scotland, he is close to the EPL.

TheSuperNerd:
“I'M GOOD AND I'M GETTING BETTER” –
SUCCESS NEARING WATFORD RETURN




Watford’s Isaac Success is nearing a return to
action from a hamstring injury, the forward has
confirmed.

The Nigerian who joined the Hornets from
Granada for a club record fee has made just two
substitute appearances in the last 15 matches
and has only started one game this season
(against Middlesbrough), no thanks to a
troublesome hamstring.

He is hoping to impress for the Vicarage Road
giants having endured a torrid time on the
sidelines.

"I'm good and I'm getting better," Success told
club website. "I'm hoping to train with the team
on Monday.

“It's frustrating as I'm trying to make my name in the Premier League.

"I haven't had the chance to impress. Everyone
knows my ability but I've got more to offer to the fans and the team.”

He also dismissed insinuations that his injury
worries was caused by some African curse.
"I heard that," he continued. "I'm a Christian and I really don't believe in that.

“Injury comes when you are a professional and
most of the time hard work can help prevent it.

“I've really started working harder than before to prevent injuries. I believe I'm coming back
stronger and stronger than before."


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/4055/main/2017/01/26/31978592/im-good-and-im-getting-better-success-nearing-watford-return

TheSuperNerd:
Ohhh... You didn't notice the "shoulders-up" thing after that goal where he refused to pass to any of his team-mates but went messi-like solo? Loolll

I see a strong hint of ego and pride in Henry's game at Eupen. He knows he is their best player followed closely by sylla so I am not surprised about the "shoulders-up" attitude.

I hope the matter is resolved shaa... He does deserve a better league but he's going about things kinda wrongly.

Kog45:
Yes truly coz Iheanacho but if i may ask who is real poser of Nigeria football between Iheanacho and Iwobi.

Kog45:
Yes good defenders,not only on d bench but good ones that w give d regulars tough competition.

I always like to re watch most Nigeria matches,i can say from Algeria match,w still have a long way to go in our defence,good right full back needed and work need to be done with our central defence especially Ekong who has to build his confidence,not forgetting most experience Eagles defender Elderson Echiejele,who need to always show consistencies in his game.

Lazyerudite:
I initially pointed it out and it is not one but two nations cup, however they will get there. The game against Cameroon will show us a lot, I also want us to remember that we need defenders on our bench just in case someone gets injured

Icon79:
Based on what I have seen at the AFCON, my top 5 would be (in this particular order):

Senegal
DR Congo
Ghana
Egypt
Tunisia

The jury is still out on Nigeria. I will find it difficult to rank a team that didn't qualify for the AFCON amongst the top 5 teams in Africa. Two games does not a team make.

O pari

ucheo:
Can u people stop this nonsense Guadiola and mancity talk and focus on the essence of the thread. Super eagles and Russia world cup.
Of a thruth people don't have time to read all these needless arguments that derail the tread and portray us as jobless people.
Let's stick to the super eagles.issues. this thread has help us to follow them closely

chrisooblog:
i'm saying even in missing 2 back to back AFCON one cannot conclude our team is not there without looking at extenuating circumstances. cameroon failed to qualify for 2012 and 2013 AFCON but qualified comfortably for the world cup in brazil. yes our team is still growing but at this moment we match up favourably against the best on the continent if and when this generation of players reach their potential we will be talking of them matching if not surpassing our 90s golden generation

zicky:
you did not answer his question, he asked is Togo, guinea bussau, Gabon are better than Nigeria because they are in Afcon, Yes or No

chrisooblog:
@lazyerudite i think you are underestimating the current strength of the super eagles. yes we failed to qualify for this year's AFCON but like icon said we were slightly unlucky against the egyptians a last minute loss of concentration cost us a win in kaduna. mind you these same egyptians beat a highly fancied ghana in the WC qualifiers. yes congo and sudan beat us but you didn't add that we later rallied to defeat them. don't let failure to qualify for AFCON be the main determinant of our team's level remember we didn't qualify for the 2012 edition but went on to win the next one

Icon4s:
You are judging with just one encounter. That is what I am trying to point against. We need a general assessment. Recall that same Egypt beat Ghana 2-0 in November.

Morocco beat Ivory Coast last night you would now rate Morocco higher than Ivory Coast right?

Icon4s:
I am sure u know Chad's withdrawal dealt a great blow to our qualification. We lost only one game which was against Egypt and you recall how we conceded the equalizer to Egypt in Kaduna. Nigeria were simply unlucky in that qualifiers.

That is why I have not made my judgment based on AFCON and AFCON qualifiers alone. Ok, Algeria and Ivory Coast are out of the quarter finals of the on-going AFCON would you now say they are no longer among the top 8 rated teams in Africa?

Icon4s:
We are not there yet. I agree. But being there is a function of where you expect to be.
Going by where we expect to be we are not there yet but going by countries we are competing with along the line to being were we expect to be we are there among the top 5.

Yes, we have missed the last 2 AFCONs, henn but other African nations would not wish to be put in the same group with Nigeria in any competition.


Nigeria missed the last 2 AFCONs but we were never down the ladders in African football. Name your top5 teams now and I would analyze the strength of those teams against Nigeria's. I am not just talking about individual talents but the TEAM as a whole.

Icon4s:
So Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Zimbabwe are better than Nigeria ba? Because they are good enough to play this year's AFCON abi?

Icon4s:
I am sure Algeria will make your top 5.

But did we not beat them 3-1 in Uyo?

I am sure you know why Nigeria didn't make this AFCON.

Icon4s:
I am sure Algeria will make your top 5.

But did we not beat them 3-1 in Uyo?

I am sure you know why Nigeria didn't make this AFCON.

Icon4s:
Are you saying that countries like Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Zimbabwe are better than Nigeria? That's why I said general assessment. Eg Algeria and Ivory Coast are out of the AFCON but they remain on my top 10 list.

And it is not an issue "we must include Nigeria". AFCON or no AFCON Nigeria remains a power house in African football. We are assessing the teams based on their capability and strength. Eg forget that Algeria and Ivory are out of the AFCON they are still teams to be feared as far as African football in concerned.

Icon4s:
How can you replace Nigeria for Mali? What has Mali achieved in the last 15 years or even in the last 3years? They don't have the kind of quality we have. Sentiments aside Nigeria is in top 5 in Africa.