₦airaland Forum

Icon4s:
Abeg make una leave TheGoodJoe o. I come dey feel for the guy sha.

Let me analyze our chances of qualifying for the 2019 AFCON.

We are in group E.

Nigeria
South Africa
Libya
Seychelles.

Firstly, I would start by saying congratulations to Nigeria. This group is a reward for our improvement in FIFA ranking as we were the first seeded team in that group. Had Nigeria not been ranked within the top 12 we would have stood a chance of being pitted against any of the very strong teams in Africa just like how we got Egypt the last time.

Comparing this group with our last AFCON qualifying group opponents:

Egypt> South Africa
Tanzania=Libya
Chad>Seychelles

We have a much easier group

May I also mention here that the top teams in each group and 3best second placed teams will qualify for Cameroun 2019.

Lets look first look at our opponents:

1. South Africa. This by far are our major rivals to the top spot in this group. One of their major strength is they are often unpredictable. They typically blow hot and cold so u do not know when they will blow hot and hit you hard. Another strength of theirs going into this qualifiers is Nigeria often underrate them. Our last match with them during 2015 AFCON qualifiers is one we would want to forget in a hurry. We were already celebrating AFCON qualification prio to that match. Thank God for Sone Aluko's late brace. Our last 3 games have ended in draws. The gap seems to have closed up we need to be wary of them.
Another strength of theirs is they play better away. Nigeria is hosting them in the group opener we need to be wary.

2. Libya. The civil war ravaged country for the last two years have been playing their home games in neighboring Tunisia and Algeria. That has not really favored them. Their only ever cup title was the CHAN in 2014. They play some descent tactical football just like their North African neighbors but they are not as blessed with players with individual quality. Going by our pedigree and our recent rising profile in football we should collect all 6points from Libya.

3. Seychelles. A country of about 90 thousand inhabitants, though can be adjudged the weakest team in the group but have seen a continued rise in profile. All thanks to their continued involvement in U17 and U20 qualifiers. They hardly win games but they keep participating. They have also taken part in the last 3 editions of the COSAFA Cup. They finished 3rd in their group in last AFCON qualifiers, ahead of Lesotho. They were also drawn-by from the first round of AFCON 2019 qualifiers. So they are not completely at the bottom of the food chain.
Nigeria should get 6points from Seychelles.

6points from Libya and Seychelles each means 12pts already. I can tell you that irrespective of what happens between Nigeria and South Africa with 12pts we should be finishing among the best 3 second placed teams. But we know we cannot lose to South Africa home and away. It means AFCON 2019 is almost guaranteed for us ON PAPAER.

I believe Rohr and his troop will deliver the goods for us.

Kog45:
If Guardiola is doing wonder then Conte is doing what!I don't want to come in coz u always look for a way out and i always respect u for that but something is cleared Guardiola is not getting it right at d moment.I hope he w not be sacked at d end coz d heat is already on and he need to find a way out.

goldfish80:
How about Kevin De Bryn? The buzz around him seems to have died down. He looks off pace for awhile now. Is he aging too?

otezu5:
Nigeria Football Chief Rule Out Approaching Everton Rave Of The Moment Lookman – We Don’t Stand A Chance

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/image-68-1024x752.jpg

The Nigeria Football Federation have ruled out any immediate approach or plans to meet with Everton highly rated wonderkid Ademola Lookman.
Yes, too early and just because he scored a goal does not mean we invite him, so sad super eagles don turn lace for anyone even those that rejected Nigeria in the past. All in the name to go to the world cup

Lookman is born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to represent Nigeria even though he has represented England at various youth levels.


Nigeria have been scouting players with dual nationality for possible call up to the national team as they aim to retain top spot in their World Cup 2018 qualifiers group.


The new Everton man announced himself on the big stage with a goal on his debut against Manchester City to round up a 4-0 victory for his new side.


” We don’t have a chance, so we won’t go on a wild goose chase. Lookman is on the rise and after coming through the youth system in England, he will most likely want to break into the main team”, NFF vice President Seyi Akinwunmi told Owngoalnigeria.com.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/16/nigeria-football-chief-rule-out-approaching-everton-rave-of-the-moment-lookman-we-dont-stand-a-chance/

otezu5:
I’ll end my career in China - Mikel

[img]https://4.bp..com/-rooTbdRD9EI/WHQSQa9arzI/AAAAAAAACow/y2sgTiQk-8IwULFEOmC_wOejUi3KCOq0ACPcB/s1600/john-obi-mikel-1.jpg[/img]

Super Eaglescaptain John Obi Mikel has hinted that Tianjin Teda will be his final bus stop in football, if all things go on well with him in China.


Mikel signed a three-year deal with the Chinese Super League club currently training in Malaga, Spain after being frozen out at Chelsea, where he spent close to eleven years winning titles.


“Of course, I want to stay in a team for a long time, I left Chelsea after eleven years, I hope to stay in TEDA for a long time, not one or two seasons, “ Mikel was quoted as saying by Netease Sports.


“If the club will not let me go, I hope to stay until the end of my career, TEDA will be my last stop.”


Mikel scored his first goal for his new club in their 6-2 loss to German side St. Pauli yesterday.


His goal came off a header from a well delivered free kick, which left the goalkepper of St. Pauli stranded in goal as the ball flew into the net.

www.soccernet.com.ng/2017/01/ill-end-my-career-in-china-mikel.html

otezu5:
Super Eagles Coach Rohr Caught On Camera Taking Notes During Cameroon Clash Against Burkina Faso

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/image-63-225x300.jpg

Coach of the Nigeria national team Gernot Rohr has started his scouting mission in Gabon at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, which Nigeria missed out after failing to qualify for the tournament before Rohr took over.


Rohr is working as a pundit at the games but he has also mentioned before hand that he will do a check on Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 group rivals during the tournament.


Yesterday during Cameroon’s 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso, the Franco-German coach of the Super Eagles was caught on camera taking notes during the game as Cameroon are Nigeria’s next opponent in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers.


Cameroon who are scheduled to face the Eagles in back to back games were very poor in the game, a sign which will gladden Rohr especially if they fail to improve before September when they clash against Nigeria.


The Super Eagles are presently top of their World Cup qualifiers group, four points ahead of Cameroon after two victories in their opening games, with Algeria and Zambia stuck in the bottom of the group.

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/01/15/picture-super-eagles-coach-rohr-caught-on-camera-taking-notes-during-cameroon-clash-against-burkina-faso/

ChrisKels:
Please those of you who have seen Henry Onyekuru play, how good is he compared to Zim's Karma Billiat? They have same body frame and operate from same wing. Does he have feet as quick as Billiat''s, does he posses same trickery, dribbles, close control, composure and accuracy as Billiat?

I saw a sweet young (20) full back in Bouanga of Gabon, quick feet, full of running, good passer of the ball, intelligent crosser and of course clinical tackler. Please compare Tyrone Ebuehi to Bouanga if uv seen Ebuehi play mbok.

Tbaba, goodjoe, forgiveness, BascoVanVeli, bigblangston, goldfish80 et al

BascoVanVeli:
Name the goal conceded that u would have stopped for a fact? Where were u when Czech took 4 against Liverpool.

BascoVanVeli:
Even Enyeama can't help that defence. Hart is having an average season in Italy btw.

goldfish80:
Is Otamendi getting old too? Dude is just 28... He should be in his prime.
Most of Man city players are dipping in form including Iheanacho.

BascoVanVeli:
Can u compare this Man city to Bayern or Barcelona? John Stones is single handedly trying to end this man's career.

onirugbon:
The eagles profile is gradually rising. Just yesterday (2013) when we won the afcon, we barely had Mikel only playing in the EPL and we struggled against lesser teams.

Now we have Iheanacho, Ndidi, Alex, Musa etc and more rising prospects. (Yes I regard EPL as the best/most difficult league in the world). We thank God.

However for that golden generation, I no longer have high hopes on following players for obvious reasons.


1. Isaac Success (Will he ever be injury free? Reminds me of Joel Obi. May God help him).

2. Obinna Nwobodo (Talented but just cannot make it to a bigger league. He is gradually getting old.

3. Musa Yahaya (Was my personal favorite in the U17, above Iheanacho and Success. Where is he now? I believe he scammed me. Right now I would rate little Kelechi Nwakali above him.

4. Taiwo Awoniyi (Was never really sold on him. But at a point in his performance I thought he deserved a look in. Right now I believe water has found its levels.


Under probation:
1. Victor Osimen
2. Etebo Oghenekaro
3. Moses simon
4. Keneth Omeruo
5. Henry Onyekuru (Showing flashes but not sold yet.Michael Olaitan showed flashes seasons ago, where is he now?)

goldfish80:
Watched the Cameron Burkina game last night. In all honesty, the indomitable lions were very very impressive. They kept their shape well and played through Burkina with precise passes. They possess very athletic/mobile players and they seem to have stamped out their usual robust/dirty jam body football,thanks to the absence of the likes of Song and Mbappe, although they still managed 4 yellow cards.
I hope Rohr was taking note of their game last night because I see these guys giving us a fight to the end.

If we are to get anything from the games against this side, our wingbacks need to have an excellent game because the Cameronian's are potent down the wings with Moukanjo , Bassogogo and Clinton N'jie. Imagine if Mbappe chose to represent Cameroun.. Hmm
Also, we must avoid giving up free kicks in dangerous areas. Moukanjo can burry those in like he did last night.

If we can get 4 hard points from this guys and 6 points from Zambia, we will be home and dry.
Let's not make mistake thinking Cameroun will be an easy ride, they played the best football so far in this tournament.

tbaba1234:
The bolded is the problem. You think, Pep is 'doing wonders' even till now.. The so called old players are not slouches by any means.

TheGoodJoe:

Clichy is an aging left back. Simple. Also, Rojo is more versatile can also play as a Central defender. His is better than Clichy. There is no debate there.

Silva gets into the Spanish squad based on his history. Not current form. Anyone watching footie lately will know Mata is a wrecking machine compared to Silva. Gundogan's rating there is history, not current form. From Dortmund to this season and the season before, Mikhytarian is better.

The Man City team is as bad when you have five defenders over thirty and two defensive midfielders over thirty. That is bad. Silva is also over thirty. It is an aging team.

goldfish80:
Silva is getting old and Mata is getting young abi? I've seen David Silva own games this season.
If you feel Mata is in better form than Silva, that should tell you the manager at Man city is not doing a good job. He simply cannot get the best out of his players.
Guardiola is being exposed in England. He had it easy at Barcelona and Bayern. The true test of his managerial acumen is in the Epl. In his post match interviews, you could read from his body language that he's fed up and bored.
It doesn't look like he wants to be at Man city anymore. He's just knackered.

goldfish80:
The heart beat of that Dortmond side that dominated Germany was Guondogan. When he was a year out of action due to injury, Dortmond escaped relegation by the whiskers
The new midfield lynchpin Tuchel have groomed is Julian Weigl. Watch out for that boy.

Mata can't get into the Spanish national squad ahead of Silva or even a fit Carzorla.

Otamendi/Bailey. I rated Otamendi greater or equal to Bailey. I domt need to tell you about Otamendi's reputation from his days at Porto and later Valencia.
His role at the 2014 world cup with Argentina making a final appearance.
whatever Bailey brings to the table, Otamendi brings alot more.

I would rather have Clichy at left back than Rojo.

This man city team is not as bad as your making them out to be.
They have simply regressed under Guardiola. These are world class players.

Segadem:
Whaaaat?
You need to give unreserved apology to Man City FC for belitling their team.
Man city team has the best players in every department more than any other team In EPL, even their reserved (or second team) team can still compete and chanlege for the title if properly managed

Some of us knew that this will happen ( to Pep's man city team) it's a matter of "when not if" ,when he sent Joe Hart away from Etihad, now we been vindicated to those who criticised us then

I have said it before and I'm saying again, pep will regret for letting Joe Hart go


BTW,it is only Pogba and De Gae that can bench first eleven in man city team ( dis is not to disrespect man u team) OK let me add Mikhytarian join


...and the question i want to ask u are, is this not the man city team that won ten matches straight up?
...so the players suddenly became aging when they start loosing?
Abeg we no go buy dat one
Next.. .

Orkpekyandega:
Super Eagles Will Stop Bafana AFCON 2019 Dream - Babaginda

[img]https://3.bp..com/-7Xe66ansMLM/WHoJs8kIePI/AAAAAAAAAPI/eHbKPgR53TsWBp4s0HnXHuAwNyDqPyghgCLcB/s1600/Babanginda.jpg[/img]

By Augustine Akhilomen

Ex international, Tijani Babanginda has said that the Super Eagleswould dent Bafana Bafana of South Africa's dream of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation.


The Super Eagles of Nigeria will challenge Bafana Bafana, Libya and Seychelles in Group E, with the top team in each of the 12 pools and the three best runners-up advancing to the finals. Both Nigeria and South Africa failed to reach the 2017 Cup of Nations tournament, which kicks off in Gabon Saturday with a fixture between the host country and Guinea-Bissau.


South Africa edged Nigeria in the 2015 qualifiers at the start of now sacked coach Shakes Mashaba’s tenure, and may fancy their chances again with the Super Eagles having also failed to qualify for the 2017 event in Gabon that starts on Saturday.


The former Ajax winger told Soccernet.com.ng that the team would pick the automatic ticket ahead of South Africa.


"I am quite sure the Bafana of South Africa will be waving their heads regards to their team's chances of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The current Super Eagles are hungry and battle ready to dent their quest of qualifying for the tournament," Babanginda told Soccernet.com.ng.


"It was so sad that they stopped us from qualifying for the 2017 AFCON edition that will be kicking off today, however, they will be unlucky this time around considering the fact that the Super Eagles players will be hoping to correct the wrongs of the past.


"We shouldn't also forget that teams like Libya and Seychelles are not push-over and it would be good if we can pick the maximum points from them just as the team is doing in the World Cup qualifiers. Definitely, Nigeria will beat South Africa to win the automatic ticket for Cameroon 2019 Nations Cup," he said.

www.soccernet.com.ng/2017/01/super-eagles-will-stop-bafana-afcon.html

TheGoodJoe:
Ahmed Musa

Did not get the chance to influence the attack line like he could. Down to the timid approach of Ranieri. The reliance on long balls to create chances looked myopic, especially when Chelsea had three defenders in the back line.

During the game, Musa showed speed, stamina and direct play. With the little chances he got, he showed quality. He drew a nice save from Courtois. Although it was a tight angle, there was a big chance the swerving ball could have crept in. What was also nice was his play down the flank to create that chance.

Hope Musa gets more run of games to show what he can do. He worked hard for his team and deserves a chance to continue serving the foxes.

TheGoodJoe:
Alex Iwobi's ball control is pure class. Fun watching him when he is having a brilliant game.