₦airaland Forum

Sugarboyy:
Because you can only use one goal keeper in a match

🤣🤣🤣

lbrichman2:
Lol
Time will tell bros
Benji is destined for the very top

yes but time will tell

No one dey doubt that one

lbrichman2:
Truth
But Benjamin is a generational talent
You no see wetin the guy do Auba against Gabon?
If that was not exposure and experience, then what else?

How many high profile games are we going to play that would be higher than those last few games of the world cup qualifiers?

Love and promote Ogbu, nothing wrong with that
But as far as the SE is concerned, Benji is ahead
And it's only if he flops that others will start before him
Infact if not for match fitness, benji would walk right into our 11 and bench Ajayi

Generational? Bros generational talent na talents like young CR7, Messi, Mikel,Rooney,Neyma etc

Mk Una dey mindful how una tk dey use words abeg 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Aubameyang at what age? Our own young yobo then held his own against almighty weah in ph as a youngster then in a World Cup qualifier game did that made him generational? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

lbrichman2:
I'm sure you're the only one who thinks this way
Benjamin is elite

I’m not the only one but I don’t really make that rush when it comes to hyping players

No doubt benji is a huge talent but Ogbu has more exposure and experience than him in the game. Ogbu have held his own in the UCL and UEL every season. In football experience and exposure matters a whole lot and evident in the bigger stage

lbrichman2:
Chelle was still studying the team then
No way Aina will play LB again

leave mk em dey talk wetin em no know

fabyom:
Chelle prefers it, not me! Examples abound!

on or before afcon?

fabyom:
Ogbu is good, but Benjamin just have that swag of an eilte CB!

for you, for me I will start Ogbu ahead of him any day any time.

fabyom:
And whenever, Ajayi is fit, Benjamin played RB with Aina playing LB when fit. E.g SA away!

so you will prefer to start Benjamin as RB when Osayi is fit?

fabyom:
Ajayi is nearing 33. He won't make it past next AFCON!

his perfect replacement for now is Igoh Ogbu . I won’t say Fernandez nor Nwaiwu because they need more games to prove they will be perfect replacement for ageing Ajayi

The way many of us underrated Igoh Ogbu in this thread is heartbreaking.

To me after the starting duo of Bassey and Ajayi the next is Igoh. Una fit hype whosoever una like as the number 1 before even Bassey but Igoh have really impressed me from the first day he put on the jersey of the super eagles

He is calm on the ball, knows when to jump in and out of tackles and very clean and tidy in doing that, he is dominant aerially, he has pace and a good passer of the ball

The guy is highly underrated here

fabyom:
That was Fernandez! It was clear as day!

Ook

solonnachi:
All I know be say Nwaiwu and Fernandez cannot bench Benji Frederick, Calvin Bassey and Igor Ogbu.

chill fess. Nwaiwu and Fernandez na there fess game be this

Shebi doubters don finally dey notice how good Igoh Ogbu is?

Chuks4041:
yea but I am not comfortable with his passes. Fenandez is more mobile

also Fernandez is very comfy on the ball

Joebie:
I thought it was Fernandez that was there

nooo na Nwaiwu

do4luv14:
No be person wey Dem dey clamour for 😁😁😁

he will come good. I saw a lot of positives in his game

BankyGee:
E get as e be 😂😂😂😂

World Cup camera for make am finer

I swear my guy 🤣🤣🤣

BankyGee:
Na the stupid camera make am be like that 😂

the camera bend? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

CornOak:
Looks horrible.

e be like that training gear wey dem dey use warm up few minutes to the start of a match 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

BankyGee:
This new jerseys too sexy 🫨

I no like the jersey. E be like training gear 🤣

TheSuperNerd:
Michael Olise's pass. 👌🏽 Iwobi-sh

Ekitike Goal.

Olise is left footed Iwobi 😁

The way Italian national team tk die eeeh 🤦‍♀️

yinkeys:
People still mention Nwakaliin 2026
Smh

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The time to arrest this useless man Sylvanus Okpara don reach

Former Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala has admitted that current boss Éric Chelle has done a good job with Nigeria, but insists the team will only reach its full potential under a Nigerian manager, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chelle, who took charge in January 2025, arrived at a difficult moment for the Super Eagles. Nigeria had picked up just three points from their opening four World Cup qualifying matches and looked far from convincing. However, the Malian quickly steadied the ship, organising the team and guiding them to a strong run of results.

Under his leadership, the Super Eagles remained unbeaten in regulation time across World Cup qualifiers, recording four wins and two draws from six matches. That run pushed Nigeria back into contention and secured a place in the CAF playoffs. Although, Nigeria ultimately failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.


Chelle also impressed at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third. His side won five consecutive matches during the tournament and built a solid defensive structure, keeping clean sheets through key knockout games before falling in the semi-finals.

Overall, his record stands at around 14 wins and seven draws in 21 matches, a return that reflects stability and clear progress. His tactical approach has focused on defensive discipline, structured build-up play, and controlled transitions, qualities that were largely missing before his arrival.

Yet despite these improvements, Okpala believes the Super Eagles must look inward for long-term success.

“I am not saying he is not a good coach. He is a good coach,” Okpala told the Punch. “He has his contract to run. I understand he still has about one year left. He has tried his best, and we’ve had fantastic games. But his best is not where we are supposed to be.

“The point here is that from where we are today, and where we need to go, and the height we need to attain, it is Nigerian coaches that will take us there.

“I am not prophesying, I am not a prophet. It is Nigerian coaches that will take us there, and we are here.”


A proud history of Nigerian coaches leading the Super Eagles

Okpala’s comments are rooted in history. Nigerian coaches have played a major role in some of the country’s greatest football achievements, often stepping in during difficult moments and delivering results.

One of the most celebrated figures is Stephen Keshi, who led Nigeria to victory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Keshi made history by becoming only the second person to win AFCON as both a player and a coach, having captained the Super Eagles to glory in 1994. His 2013 triumph ended a 19-year wait for the title and showed his bold decision to trust home-based

Another key figure is Shuaibu Amodu, widely known as a ‘qualifier specialist.' Amodu guided Nigeria to multiple World Cup qualifications, including the 2002, 2010, and 2014 tournaments, even though he was replaced before the finals on each occasion. He also led the team to third-place finishes at AFCON in 2002 and 2010.

Christian Chukwu, fondly called ‘Chairman,' also made his mark by leading Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2004 AFCON, adding to his legacy as one of the country’s most respected football figures.

More recently, Augustine Eguavoen has shown the impact of indigenous coaching. Across different spells, he has maintained a strong record, including leading the team to third place at AFCON 2006 and guiding Nigeria through qualification campaigns. His teams have often played with attacking intent, winning all group-stage matches at both the 2006 and 2022 tournaments.


Even earlier, Festus Onigbinde made history by becoming the first Nigerian to take the Super Eagles to a World Cup, achieving that feat in 2002. He had previously guided the team to a runner-up finish at AFCON in 1984.



These Nigerian coaches consistently delivered success, often under challenging conditions. They understand the local football culture, the players’ mentality, and the expectations of the fans.

However, the last Nigerian coach to handle the Super Eagles is Finidi George, who took charge of only two games – against Benin Republic and South Africa – before vacating the role.

TheSuperNerd:
Tochi will be ours hopefully. As we don bag Fernandez, na Chukwuani and Meghoma go follow from Rangers. Give am time.

correct guy 👊👊👊✌️✌️

TheSuperNerd:
Lesley Ugochukwu starts for France U21s today.

good for him

AndSunGorilla:
Make Chelle invite am?

invite wetin?😒😡

AndSunGorilla:
Another NPFL product.

that have been polished abroad 😁

lol

Sugarboyy:
Someone that's already in the SE camp?

TheSuperNerd:
No Osimhen, No Frederick, No Bassey, No Ola Aina, No Nwabali....

But it gives us a chance to see others in attack like Otele and Sor and especially in Central Defence like Emmanuel Opeyemi Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu. This is good timing.

CB options in camp for Iran & Jordan ties

Igoh Ogbu
Semi Ajayi
Emmanuel Fernandez🆕️
Chibuike Nwaiwu🆕️

Nerdy Mk una push Chelle and NFF to reach out to Tochi Chukwuani. My instincts tells me that if he accept to play for us he will be that CM we all hv been yawning and clamouring for

TheSuperNerd:
E don happen!! Andsungorilla talk say him go use bicycle reach camp as na same turkey dem dey.

my man as u take dey get pics wey dey suit every of ur post eeeh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

opes:
The best thing NFF should be doing is capping the foreign born players before they become stars. If Fernandez signs for a decent club in a top league, the NFF may find it difficult to convince him to commit to Nigeria.

that’s the thing. His team mate Chukwuani is also ripe for the super eagles and the NFF should do the needful by opening talking with the lad