₦airaland Forum

Mujtahida:
The problem with Nigeria is that NFF no good but the shocking but hard to admit fact is that those complaining and condemning NFF too are no good. Put them there, they will do the same thing!

So whatever NFF does really doesn't bother me if not that this touches on the players welfare. Any body who has followed naija football, knows that perenially this issues of ineptitude and corruption, of unpaid bonuses and scandals dogs every administration of the NFF which proves my point.
I was in Secondary school reading newspapers and the complaints were the same. Presidents come and go yet the same problem persist. Does this not tell us something about ourselves which we often don't like to admit - namely that it is we ourselves - you, me, everyone else, without exception - who are the problem of Nigeria?

Someone will soon come and counter me now by saying me oo, I'm not corrupt.

Don't make the error of opining that everyone else is evil.
Do not hold on to that lie.
Do not be deceived, not everyone is corrupt.

lexyman:
I ve watched different highlights of Gabon matches , its seems they are not as good as what the paper make them look .... this match will end in 4-1 in Favour of Nigeria .... these Gabonese guys couldnt spring 2to 3 passes together . also a very bad defence ., not as bad as what Nwabali and Ekong made SE defence to look ... but in all ... SE is better off and we will be a very difficult nut to crack .


On paper and on the pitch, Nigeria is the stronger side. Gabon struggle with ball retention, defensive shape, and transitions — all things SE can punish them heavily.

Very good.

I know their coach was playing mind games when he emphasized ball possession against the Super Eagles.
If ball possession win games, then Gabon is no problem.
Their motives are to hit us with counter attacks or capitalise on errors, and then lock their defense.
They have players that can sprint.

We are coming to win the game, not to grapple for who will have the ball the most.

Cocony:
Whichever formation Lookman should be on the bench going by what he has gone through emotionally and somewhat form-wise at his club.

Okay.

If we are using 4-4-2, Ademola Lookman should pair Victor Osimhen. This is the best combo from my perspective and understanding of the players in camp. Another good combination is Alex lwobi and Victor Osimhen.

Alhassan Yusuf should pair Wilfred Ndidi in the middle.

if Eric Chelle intends to implement 4-4-2, Ejuke and Chukwueze should start on the left and on the right respectively
If Eric Chelle intends to implement 4-3-3, then Moses Simon and Lookman should start.

In a 4-4-2, you need wingers who can also slot in as midfielders. who: have good control of the ball, can progress the ball, can make good passes of the ball and can provide good defensive cover.
In the qualities mentioned above, Ejuke, Chukwueze and Iwobi are the top picks.

Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman are arguably our most lethal wingers, they are most lethal when played in the final phases of an attack. They do not have the level of control of the ball when compared to Ejuke, Iwobi and Chukwueze, to be fully involved in a patient build up to goal.
This is very easy to see and one of the reasons why we should not prioritise possession based football if we are to win a game.

If we are to utilise 4-3-3, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman must start, supported by three midfielders who should be creative enough to know when to release the ball to them to finish the move or assist in finishing the move.

mekabuachi:
One of the keys to this match lies in the ability to control not only the game but also the midfield," Mouyouma explained at a press conference monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"I would be more focused on our ability to hold onto the ball, have more possession, not just possession for its own sake, but to dominate in our half of the field and progress together as a team."

Mouyouma added that his side's tactical plan involves forcing Nigeria to chase the game and play out of their comfort zone.

"It's because in possession, there's a phase where when the opponent does not have the ball, the opponent tends to get frustrated. It is important that we control the ball, that we control our opponent's emotions.

"You have to dominate possession, you have to get the opponent to run after the ball and play behind their lines because in reality what this team wants to do with their players is to find spaces behind us.

"We have to solve this problem - control of the game or almost all of the game into the opponent's half."

With qualification on the line, Mouyouma made it clear that efficiency in front of goal would be decisive.

"That brings us closer to their goal because, for this match, we only need to score one goal to qualify.

"That is the tactical approach from the technical staff of the Gabonese national team."

Which coach discusses his tactics before a game.

We should draw a line where we won't allow them to move past or do anything purposeful with the ball.
They can dilly dally with the ball in their own half, and we capitalise on errors or loose balls to steal the ball and then move the ball descisively towards goal scoring.
Every single instance of ball possession is an opportunity to score.
We can't scramble for possession of the ball with anybody, they can have it to their fill just that it won't matter where it needs to.

We came to the party to win with decisive blows, and to prevent the opponent from scoring.

comodo:
My bro stop engaging those folks. What u get from peeps that have not kicked the round leather. A player at full flight. Inside the 18 with a gap at the near post to just tuck in the ball. No obstruction and they expect him to square the ball to a player he doesn't even see how he positioned. Or to the ones behind him that he doesn't even see . Ejuke did the right thing. Period. He was just unlucky. For those who care to know, with the speed and the position where he was, you cannot see anything again. Why do most crosses and squared balls don't result to goals??

Thank you.

If Eric Chelle implements a 4-4-2, he has little use for Christantus Uche.
Who will he displace, and in what role.

If our approach would be a bit conservative, then that further diminishes the need for Uche.
If we intend to press the opponents in their own half, this approach we raise the need for Uche. Uche is a pressing machine.

For those of us criticising the invitation of Alhassan Yusuf.
Alhassan Yusuf Is a genuine central midfielder, he ticks every attribute.

Procashtips:
What a selfish player.

3 guys all opened and in better positions.

There are possibilities you are not considering.

What if the pass get's intercepted.
To prevent interception he may have to loop the ball.
In looping the ball, the ball might take a longer time to reach the recipient of the pass.
In looping through such a short distance, there are chances that the ball might fell some distances away from the intended target.

What if the pass recipient fails to control the ball, or delays his shooting, the whole foray will still amount to nothing and he takes the blame still.

mostob:
I agree passing may not be a good option here but he should be scoring that.

He was just unlucky.

Bossoflife25:
This Ejuke has not change one bit! Just pass to Akor to score no, he preferred to shoot off target with only the keeper to beat. Yeye!

If you were the player with the ball in that situation, what would you have done.

Eric Chelle brought variety to his choice of wingers.
The fact is any of the invited wingers can start (with the exception Olakunle whom i don't know much about) depending on formation and game plan.
These wingers are not exactly the same.

Let's watch keenly at his game plan, his choice of wingers and the right complement of midfielders to support them.
He has the wingers for a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 setup, some will do better in a 4-3-3 than in 4-4-2.
White some will do better than others in a 4-4-2.

TheSuperNerd:
Chidera Ejuke is a good recall. I only hope we get to see the more teamwork-oriented Ejuke I have seen this season so far. Truth is on his day, he can change the momentum of a game.

No Christantus Uche is justified. The gifted lad has not been getting the sort of gametime that earns invites for such big games. Also Chelle still has not figured him out.
Frank Onyeka doesnt get much gametime too but still has 80 more EPL mins than Uche this season plus he has the merit of being an integral part of the team especially a key player at the last afcon before Chelle showed up.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro would have made the list but for the injury he picked up yesterday. Really miffed at this but his time will inevitably come.

GK dept is okay. No complaints.

Defence has everyone I was expecting to see. Good to see Awaziem back. Pls Semi misses the Gabon game. I am sure the technical crew has taken note.

Midfield has 5 names including an Onyedika who gave us an injury scare in the UCL. Good to see it is not so serious. The midfield are all regular faces and with injuries to FDB and potential Akin, no complaints.

The Attack... Solid.
3CFs.. Osimhen, Akor, Tolu
LW... Simon
RW... Chukwueze, Olakunle
LW/RW... Ejuke
SS/LW... Lookman

And I hope Chelle considers Ejuke ahead of Olakunle Olusegun as one of the wing options off the bench. I cap not when I agree with Meliforme's analysis on Ejuke being a genuine game changer and a winger capable of producing chances-creating actions and shots-creating actions.

In all, nothing surprising on the list. Just the squad that should get the job done.

Happy weekend.

Thank you, TheSuperNerd.
The list looks good.

oloriooko:
NFF must just do their show of shame in everything about football in 9ja

NFF projects ethnical inclusion in list of players, making the coach include northern names, eastern players and western players instead of choosing the best players he deems fit

until NFF is overhauled and cleansed we keep going round same issues, much activities but no improvement

Give us the names of the players that should have been invited, but overlooked.

Mujtahida:
Contrapuntal - Hmmmm. I never hear this English before oo.

Congratulations, I see your man Ejuke in the team.

It is for the benefit of the team.

EEGA:
Nice to see Childera Ejuke on the list.

Ejuke is one of those players who can operate as a CAM, with his take-ons and abilities in one vs one situations.

Top quality addition.Hope we get to see him play.

Yess oo.

semid4lyfe:
Source is the Super Eagles verified X handle. So its genuine.

Again. midfield is too lean with only 5 midfielders - Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Onyedika, Alhassan. 7 midfielders is the ideal number.

Maybe Akinsanmiro was initially on the list and the injury last night necessitated his removal but still, he ought to have been replaced by another midfielder. Chrisantus Uche, Anthony Dennis of Goztepe and David Moses of Slavia Prague are the obvious choices.

8 forwards is excessive. At least one of the spots should have gone to the midfield.

Happy with the inclusion of Chidera Ejuke. He gives us options as he can play on the right or as in inverted winger on the left.

Olakunle Olusegun has done nothing both at clubside and the National team to warrant being in the squad. The fact his name is always last in the squad list when it is released speaks volume. His spot should have gone to a midfielder.

All in all, it's not a bad list but it could have been much better and balanced with more midfield options cause that's the engine room of a team, and where play is dictated, and battles are won and lost in matches.

Looks like he will be implementing 4-4-2.

Mujtahida:
This Alhassan godfather strong oo.

Who should have been invited in his stead?
The brief answer is None.

If your view is contrapuntal, then state it.

Mujtahida:
God don answer Meliforme prayer oo. The ball is in Ejuke's court now. That's how COOL10 prayed for Cyril Dessers. He got the chance and blew it.

Chidera Ejuke is quality. It is left for his minders to believe in him and be patient.

Emmy450:
chidera Ejuke has been invited for the playoffs,
I hope he delivers same way yamal does for Spain since he's supposedly better than yamal

Defending has evolved so much that implementing passing sequences alone may not be enough to create the needed gaps or spaces for shooting at goal.

You need players of skill who can shoot from outside the box and whose movements with the ball can take out players.

Chidera Ejuke and Lamine Yamal are such players.

Truidstarr:
He is most likely going to miss this playoffs due to a shoulder injury.

This is not good.

I will like to see a midfield that has Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, with Wilfred Ndidi serving the DM role.
With these players plying the middle, we can confortably switch from an all-attacking approach to a very conservative approach and still be very effective.

When we are without the ball, I will apply Onyedika and Ndidi in ways that will frustrate the opponent's moves.

Iwobi is a pressing machine, he should be played as a forward, he is needed in more advanced areas. Iwobi will serve us more as a forward that can drop deep to orchestrate plays and then move to the winger position to help in the final phases of an attack, he is such a player, we will be so effective.

With Iwobi on the left, Chukwueze on the right and with a good composition of play we will score goals. When players like Onyedika and Akinsanmiro are helping to support the attack we will be effective, we have the wingers and center forwards that can do the job.

TheSuperNerd:
Akinsanmiro Baller joor! Again in the left halfspace zone but deep in midfield, he presses, wins the ball, turns sharply and feeds a one time pass into Nzola who had unfortunately moved a step too early so his goal was ruled out for offside.

That quick release and visionary eye to spot the pass immediately after ball winning is part of what makes this kid one to reckon with. Always thinking forward and vertically in his gameplay.

Akinsanmiro should be starting in our midfield when available.
I see no reason why he shouldn't

Elock1:
Good evening all the chiefs in the house

elyte89, ChrisKels, chrisooblog,TheSuperNerd, Kog45, Charlesemeka85, Odunayaw, mekabuachi, mostob, BankyGee, MetalJigsaw, forgiveness Truidstarr, Joebie, COOL10, Meliforme

(Including those I no remember)..hope say everywhere good?


Omo na today I know say I love Super Eagles pass my club Barca. Even for work I no fit concentrate

My head just dey do me gbigidim gbigidim.😤😤
Make Gabon no surprise person oh

I no sure say I go fit chop for 2 days oh😭
Because this our super Eagles can surprise somebody both positively and negatively.

Na just OSINACHI current form dey gimme hope.

Let's hope for a miracle.

In football anything is possible.

TheSuperNerd:
With or without the prayer, Italy produce great defenders and in truth, Ahanor and Kayode are no leftovers.

In an overflowing bowl of candies, some do spill over.

Whatever makes you happy.

TheSuperNerd:
I hope a fine combination of circumstances, time and factors favour and enable us to bag Honest Ahabor (Atalanta) and Michael Kayode (Brentford).

May Italy keep having great talents in those roles to enable these 2 to keep getting overlooked . NFF and Chelle, talk to Kayode! Pressure Onyeka to follow am bumper to bumper and then una, make the move and offer him the first choice shirt at RB. Habamana!!!

Delete this prayer, Please.
Or You can pray that we get great talents so that we can overlook rejects or not good enough from other nations.

How can we be feasting on leftovers.

Starboytwo:
🥵🥵 you want to kee Ejuke abi.

Has Ejuke ever curled one from outside in his career...

Yes he has.

Starboytwo:
Baba, good afternoon....

You are putting Ejuke in a conversation with the best player in the whole world...

Ejuke can only dream of Yamals right leg(weak foot)

This was the kind of response i got when i argued that I will pick Osimhen over Haaland.

Starboytwo:
Baba, good afternoon....

You are putting Ejuke in a conversation with the best player in the whole world...

Ejuke can only dream of Yamals right leg(weak foot)

Sentiments everywhere.

I said that there is no single move or dribble that Yamal pulled yesterday that Ejuke hadn't in the past.
Ejuke emerged the best dribbler ahead of Yamal only for injuries to place him just one place below him in the just concluded season.
Defensively Ejuke is better. What Ejuke needs is game time to show what he can do.

There is nothing that Yamal can do that Ejuke cannot. Absolutely nothing.
Ejuke's problem is just the mentality to assert dominance and secure a place for himself.

He needs to contend.

Ejuke sometimes plays like someone who is afraid of blame.

Risk is part of the game. Players like Osimhen or Yamal don't care much about your criticisms of their play.
Without risk no player can stand out.

There is no single move or dribble that Lamine Yamal pulled yesterday that our own Chidera Ejuke cannot perform, none.
Yamal had his good moments, and his errors.

What Ejuke needs to add to his game is the mentality of a super star. He needs to demand more of the ball. He needs to make it easier for his teammates to give him the ball by placing himself in positions where the ball can easily get to him.

He needs to assert dominance on the field of play. He needs to make things happen and sometimes he needs to force it. Leadership is needed to stand out. Iwobi is what he is at Fulham because he provides the needed leadership on the field of play, he is part of almost everything that happens on the field.

lbrichman2:
And they say he's not technical
😂😂😂

I refuted that claim a lot on this thread.
I knew their interpretations were coming from a place of not knowing how technique is defined.

When i said I will pick Osimhen ahead of Haaland, some thought that my stand was motivated purely by patriotism.
It is well.
We see what we see