₦airaland Forum

AndSunGorilla:
Hmm, fear dey catch me o. Make I zip am.

I would really love to be made happy on Saturday but............

No fear. We go win them.

Akkin:
Nigeria 2--Algeria 0 Ft

Osimehn to score a header and lookman to score

3-1.

Kog45:
Meliforme no just wan replied you..baba dey look with one kind eyes

He reply oo. He said he's not the coach

Cocony:
What about Akinsanmiro?

I don't think he's good enough yet but I'm happy that him, Nnadi and Fago are part of this team. They are learning. Tomorrow, when they are good enough, this experience will come in handy.

Kog45:
Why are you pulling Meliforme legs nau

No mind me and Meliforme. Na my guy

ChrisKels:
This was the same thing I said as we dey drink for village, his cousin brother begin fold face. E come be like say I dey jealous my own younger kinsman. I just kuku lock up, drink my palmy/chop my bushmeat enter house.

😂😂😂. He always sabotages himself, that Ejuke.

zicky:
See the beauty of team work in that goal. Iwobi took his time, knew exactly where he want to put the pass. Osimhen run dragged the defenders, creating space for Lookman.

It's beautiful thing to see. E dey sweet

elyte89:
Ejuke has played his last match as far as chelle is concerned…he was lackadaisical in d last game against Tunisia 🇹🇳 when he was introduced after 70 something minutes ,he couldn’t track back to support osayi ,playing as if he has been on d pitch since first half …he was too poor

He was never even part of the team if we want to be real.

Let me acknowledge the wonderful work Akor Adams has been doing. His runs, his strength, his vision has added another potent arrow to our attack.

We praise Iwobi for that sword pass, but that pass was made possible by the fact that Akor Adams anticipated it and started running before Iwobi laid the ball to him.

Watch:

That defence shattering pass by Iwobi for Lookman's goal against Mozambique is out of this out#NIGMOZ pic.twitter.com/Sx9CUtnKt2

— Ityclety (@Itycletylove) January 5, 2026

forgiveness:
How can claim Osimhen is the target man in an obvious 4-3-1-2 formation? What is Akor role in this formation?

Between Rashidi and Amokachi, who was the target man?

E come be like say Ejuke no dey this team. Meliforme what's happening?

Danielnino00:
He will definitely surpass that record..
The way I see Iwobi, he still has a few more years to play at the top level and will still keep getting invites to the SE... He is currently on 94 caps... By the end of this year, he should be on 100, if the NFF can organise friendlies for us in March and during pre world cup friendlies, that's if FIFA verdict on the DRC issue doesn't go our way .

Another thing I like about Iwobi is his fitness level... Maybe due to his style of play, he is hardly injured

The boy na kura. E no dey injure

Kog45:
You are complaining about team work and you already have two goals,so what's team work.

After the match against Uganda, Osimhen was asked if he was concerned about not scoring. He said his concern is for the team to win. The guy is a total team player through and through.

Against Mozambique, while others were seeing 3-0, Osimhen was seeing 10-0.

And then you must factor in how quickly things change in football. We were here when Sierra Leone came back from a four goal lead against us.

Bannedlargejr:
There’s a reason why Nigeria is universally Known as a Sh!t Hole because we have Sh!t Hole mentality. A player publicly disrespected his Country and Teammates hold no one Apology because things didn’t go his way. The same standards must be kept for everyone because I will personally Pounce on anyone that calls Nwabali rude here again for Shouting. As a matter of Fact, every super eagles player has the Right to display petulance if things go their way and anyone that says otherwise will personally Collect. As for Politicians, everyone universally know that our Politicians are Sh!t hole and only Sh!t Hole people will accept their politicians.

Yes it's a shit hole. You are demanding public apology. I say he does not owe you any such apology.

Lookman did not demand such an apology. Who you?

He has apologized to his teammates and the coaching crew. That covers for everything. If he decides, willingly to offer public apology, that is fine. My point is that you, I mean you cannot demand for it.

Kilishihunter:
South African presenters on super sport are tipping us to go through and meet Morocco in the semis. One of them said "using my head" baba was probably afraid of being cancelled by his people

I watched that podcast.

The playoff put fear in me. That's why I'm a bit cautious.

zicky:
this guy prediction just dy sweet my belle.

You just have to believe oo

Bannedlargejr:
This is 48 Hours post incident and the main culprit hasn’t publicly apologized to the super eagles for his disrespect to his teammates, Fans and player’s and we have people supporting this nonsense. Mind you, we have failed to Qualify for two world cups nor won any Nations cup with these overrated Players. Anyway, it’s only a Sh!t Hole that will accept such disrespect without repercussions. I just hope we keep the same Standards for everyone because any player that displays petulance, we must call it as PASSION. and anything contrary I will lash on everyone

He does not owe anyone any effing PUBLIC apology. If he offers it, fine. What is material is for him to apologize to his team and the coach and the news is that he's done so. Ademola did not make such a demand. He took it in his stride.

This demand for apology is just another sleek way to pile on Victor, to bring him down, to "humble him".

You accept big time fuckery from our politicians who stick it up our asses, yet you offer nothing even as much as a whimper.

Enough on Osimhen!

TheSuperNerd:
A finely detailed analytical video. He literally said everything I have been saying across various posts all tournament since Chelle deployed that dynamic 4-3-1-2 vs Tunisia.
It is no surprising it was the same I expected Chelle to deploy once the KOs began after he changed things up vs Uganda.

The only thing we slightly defer on is the formation shape but it's not actually a difference if one notes that the 4-3-1-2 is actually similar to the 442 diamond, shape-wise.
In both formations, there is a triangle in the middle with this triangle shaped like a diamond or even a Christmas tree or you could say Isosceles (using maths terms).
And in both setups, a CDM, 2 CMs and a "10"/Trequartista (what he calls false 10) are utilised.

The reason why I prefer it called 4-3-1-2 is because this specifically supports the onfield shape that I see when the team is in "rest formation" when the opponent is about building up from their rear. I believe even Oliseh pointed this out vs Mozambique.

Additionally, the explanation of Onyeka double-pivoting while also RCMing is better depicted in a 4312 explanation than in a 442 diamond explanation as Onyeka would seem to sit diagonally upwards away from Ndidi when in fact he begins the game right-flanking Ndidi but more narrowly. Same as Iwobi on Ndidi's left before we begin to see Iwobi's deepseated movements as a deep RCM mostly within the middle third zone.

So be it 442 diamond, or the 4312 Christmas tree/midfield diamond/isosceles.... the personnel is the same and shape is similar. It is just the micro interpretations.

You should be doing something like this too bro. You'd do well. All you need is consistency.

There are few channels I must watch pre and post our matches.

The hindsight podcast
Football fans tribe
Eagles tracker
Victor modo
Victor Ademola
Gaant football
Naija football bias (our own BascoVanVeli's)
Soccernittygritty

And many more. They enhance and enrich the viewing experience

I have a little confession to make. I am not given to superstitions at all. But when it comes to crucial tournament games, I tend to start believing in prophecies (I still reason things out sha oo), animal and human predictors.

And of course, it's the predictions that favors us that I accept. Confirmation bias abi

When you love something, this kind of thing can happen to you.

Check out this one
https://youtube.com/shorts/kNns9AWBhKE?si=oVg7e5kz5xzzrMJr

We have spoken a lot about Iwobi's qualities but let me add that Iwobi is one of the most selfless player in the team.

For his sake, I just pray we win this AFCON. He needs to have at least this one trophy in his cabinet. Getting close to a century of caps is no mean feat.

Kog45:
I disagree with your first paragraph,any player would have said the same thing to Osimhen to calm down.

My question do you guys wanted to beat Mozambique 10-0?when things are going our ways we intended to underrate teams,like someone labeling Tunisia a mumu team, check out Mozambique in group stage,solid team,having it easy over them doesn't mean they're that poor...football is about tactics now if you get it right fine and if you failed your team would be punished for it.....our performance against Mozambique does not deserve that drama,all these happened in 63 minutes of the game,Osimhen would have got his hat trick with ease but his reaction killed it

Fact,player should have a way to connect with his mate in a very mature way that won't have any negative effect on the field of play...if we're just a goal up I bet it with you Osimhen wouldn't have reacted that way,asked to be subbed out on top wetin.

All I know we're beating Algeria and winning Algeria would be possible with how Ndidi, Onyeka and Iwobi would react to the game not Osimhen or Lookman..... Onyeka is the key.

It's not Lookman telling him to calm down that's wrong. Of course any player can tell another player to calm down. It's Lookman telling Osimhen that he has scored two goals that doesn't sit well with me.

I agree with you that Osimhen's reaction was too strong. We hope that lessons have been learnt.

Let them use Algeria to reconcile by killing each other with passing and goals.

elyte89:
In law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, until the case is concluded, the Congolese players remain eligible.…contact my lawyer (dlaw) for more explanation

This man 😂😂. Well said

Goke7:
Morocco is gonna win I know some folks wants Cameroon in the semi final but I doubt the host go Dey look Cameroon to stroll past them. The Cameroon team is young and experience at this stage is beginning to count

Those Cameroun, they are hosts slayers oo
It's in their DNA. They are cold assassins. I won't be surprised if they defeat Morocco.

Cocony:
Bia BankyGee, Minfelix, Mujtahida etc don't we think we are taking the words exchange a.k a. Subtle insults on each other a little far? In as much as I will like to jump and pass these statements I would rather plead we air our views on the Eagles strictly irrespective of anyone agreeing or disagreeing with our opinions because we can't all reason the same.
Please sheathe your swords of verbal attacks!

You know passions are high. Sometimes people have a go at each other here. It's normal. Na men we be. No too reason am. I appreciate your concern sha. You are a good man.

TheSuperNerd:
Yes, Bennacer was rightly noted but below is the difference.

-Bennacer is key to their rhythm in the middle but he was also onfield for 49mins vs DRC and Algeria didnt have any progressive sequence. So in essence, Bennacer was key to them keeping the ball but not exactly progressing the ball or hurting the opponent vertically.
Even against Burkina Faso, Bennacer played 87mins but only dropped 3 final third pass entries. Most of his passes were backward or sideways.


-In Iwobi's case, he is a high volume progressive passer. And it would be bad strategy for the Algerians to have 2-3 players on Iwobi constantly bcoz he plays deep and it would mean them leaving gaps in behind which our other midfielders and a Lookman or Akor can easily take advantage of.

It is difficult double/triple-marking a player playing a bit deeper on the LCM channel and who can also pop up meters short of the final third, especially knowing you would be conceding space and giving up a lot of gaps that a Quick Nigerian offensive transition can utilise.



Now, on the Ndidi or Onyedika question. Yes, it is okay Ndidi continues his role especially for the sake of Team Chemistry already at a high with the personnel executing the 4-3-1-2 setup. I guess you ask this because of the yellow Ndidi has. Well, that brings me to my next point.

Onyeka and Ndidi are on yellow cards, yes. I understand the risk but this is why we must begin the game on the front foot which I know is Chelle's plan and is Nigeria's style so far at this Afcon. Let the Algerians be the ones on the backfoot with need to defend and try stop our forays... it is the team that is on defence constantly that is more likely to commit fouls. I repeat "more likely". An attacking team commits fouls too and could be carded if there is a dangerous turnover in possession resulting in having to scramble back due to a poor "rest defence" setup.

Onyedika and maybe Nnadi or a winger can come in when the game looks "safe" to protect Onyeka and Ndidi from picking up 2nd yellows ahead of the semis. Akinsanmiro was reported ill as at last training report so I cant count on him now.


In finality, Blueelf, you seem more concerned than usual about how we approach this game. Oga, can you please continue in your negative work? Abeg.

Blueelf, TheSuperNerd has touched all the vital points. For added emphasis on the Iwobi point you raised, watch this analysis


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098DZOLi5xw?si=RD8fcmKRAgB0-E7G

Meliforme:
Regarding Osimhen and Lookman's saga

Lookman's behaviour towards Osimhen is like administering Paracetamol (an analgesic) as a cure for Malaria.

Lookman should have joined in the cautioning of Bruno and the entire team, instead of providing a dissent making it look like Osimhen doesn't know what he is saying.

Lookman did not attack the real problem. This made Osimhen more upset.

Osimhen's emphasis was on teamplay. Lookman's was leaning towards glory hunting.
The number of goals Osimhen has scored should not banish teamplay.

Lookman's words lacked compassion and real comfort.
He is more deserving of the stick.

I believe that every professional should be educated in the principles of conflict resolution, so that they can settle conflicts without exacerbating it.

You don't understand why Lookman told Osimhen to calm down. He felt guilty because he too did what Bruno did.

It's a good thing Ademola stood up to Victor. Yes, na men all of them be. People like that Ademola who are quiet are sometimes also stubborn oo.

Like Mikel said, I like the fire. It shows our players are madly driven to get something out of this Afcon. They are not running like a Rolls Royce, they are moving like HOWO Truck

Goke7:
Dude is the most hated player in that squad when he does well those haters who come for him when he slips never comes out to even commend his efforts that’s how bad it is. If you observe many monikers who aren’t regular here all came out in droves to heap all sorts on him for that spat with his teammates and they will never change. Already he’s going to be scapegoat if Afcon is not won. They are just waiting 😂

I rarely attribute malice or hatred to people's motivations but on this, I agree totally with you that he's the most hated. Not just because of this incident but I have observed it especially on X on other occasions. He is hated with a passion. It's baffling but I think it's because he has circle of friends and those who are outside that circle are envious of those within the circle, so they direct their malice towards Osimhen with the aim of crushing his spirit. Human beings are wicked oo.

Nothing concerns them with his footballing contributions to Nigeria. Naaa. That doesn't matter. What matters to them is that they are outside his circle and they hate it.

It hurts.

Truidstarr:
Super Eagles vs Algeria: What to expect Saturday https://scorenigeria.com.ng/super-eagles-vs-algeria-what-to-expect-saturday/

Make Una see better analysis.

Too many golden gems in that write up. It felt like a song reading that piece.

benji93:
@Mujtahlda, it's been a while. However, what goal were you trying to achieve with the bolded? I hope that's just a joke or an exaggeration of your thought. How would i be able to defend myself when someone of a different race throws it in my face and reminds me that my brother thinks the same?

That's my opinion which I reached after long reflection and if needs be I'd repeat it again. You might not find it palatable but it won't change my mind.

minfelix:
walai, na me go first scream for viewing centre if Victor scores against Algeria.
I need Victor and Lookman to and 2more goals in this Quarterfinal and maybe enter 5goals each…e no bad if we beat Algeria 4-2…2goals from Osimhen and Lookman

I think he will score. I pray he scores. I just hope all of the issues of the past days does not weigh him down.

minfelix:
in all of this sef, even hope we pound Algeria and make them an Ekuke team…this is simply becos we are beastly in this tournament….i wish we can tear them apart…but pre-match meetings shows they are a real test coming our way…..way way tougher than what Tunisia brings

just like Brazil 2014 world cup….football punters and analysts knew Germans were gonna face a stern tough test in brazil…but the invincibility of Germans came to play and they tore the Brazilian apart with 7-0…..thats what i wish for super eagles in saturday

If we tear this Algeria apart, we will send a tremor throughout Africa.