Moye04:
My people abeg shey dey don do draw? Na which country nija dey meet with next?

Draw don de from start of tournament.

We are facing the top third placed team in either group B, E or F.

Group E and F is playing today so after the matches, we'd know our next opponent

Papi85:
With the look of things balogun should just retire from the national team unless em go accept to Dey chop bench

Can’t wait to have osimehn and Dennis back to the team also with the inclusion of uncapped ademola lookman

Michael olise I hope he makes up his mind soon cus he will be a great addition to the team while eze should continue waiting for England. Rangers bassey should also be given a chance. He is versatile and will be a great asset to the team as cover for the LB and CB position

Also eguavoen and the nff should reach out to udinese’s udogie, he will be a good competition for zaidu and better than Collins

Balogun retire lmao.

Who will bench him abeg?

BascoVanVeli:


Sadiq was the match winner. Even if the score was 100-0 he would still be the match winner. If Guinea Bissau had equalised then it would have been Ekong.


We dominated the match from start to finish and even with 8 new players we didn't skip a beat. I think we need to give yesterday's team a little more credit.

Yes Simon was impactful when he came on but it takes nothing away from the countless chances we had before. The only rating I would take back was Kelechi Nwakali's which was a little low but the others to me are about right.

LOL.

I won't even argue, because it is your ratings and you have the right to it

Very generous ratings sha

Things I love to see


Person wey no cry say dem drop them, is that a passionate player?

See how he has come good now that he got the opportunity. This is why I'm a fanboy

safarigirl:


Even the analysts in the studio admitted the Iheanacho incident was a penalty.

One of the men said it was a penalty, but he was happy they did not give it to Nigeria (based on bad belle)

That thing was a clear penalty, Ekong's own could have even been ball to hand, but that Iheanacho deck na clear pen

To be honest, I need to re-watch the Iheanacho incident but on first viewing didn't look like a penalty to me.

safarigirl:


That's the problem with bringing your A-Game all the time; people get used to your brilliance and fail to give you your flowers.

Ndidi has suffered almost the same fate, but I have seen more Ndidi praises so far.

Then you have players that just did averagely, collating praise for sparks of brilliance.

I was on a Space yesterday that Colin Udoh posted, and I so much enjoyed the balance in reviews. Some people no even gree make anybody collect accolades wey dem no hustle for, but this thread.....

It's good to actually get reviews from multiple sources, because this thread na just extremes more often than not.

I think you are reading too much into the calls for Sadiq. I don't think anybody here has praised him.
We must understand context. The context is this: Sadiq is a player that for me and many Nigerians is not pleasant to the eye. It is against that general disapproval that some of us stand to say 'hey guys, yes he's not tidy but he scored.

In fact I believe that even if he scores loads of goals, people will still not take a fancy to him.

He's clumsy and his movement lacks the fluidity that can give our attack bite. But the thing is that he scored. No one can take that away from him. Saying this is nothing extreme, it is fact because like Eguavoen has constantly harped on in most of his interviews, goal is power!

Sadiq distorts our attack: fact. He scored a goal: fact.

Even at the 2016 Olympics, he was playing raggedly and he'd score. I never fancied him then and I still don't fancy him now but just as at the Olympics, if you play that guy, in his higgedly piggedly way he will score.

I just watched Eguavoen's post match interview and he said Sadiq played well. Peterside Idah on Channels Sunrise Daily just now said this: 'a lot of people gave Sadiq stick yesterday but I want to congratulate him for scoring the goal. It's not easy. Sadiq for me yesterday needed a lot of help and support. The goal he scored just changed everything'.

So no one is praising Sadiq. On the contrary we are saying, let's pipe down with the downers.


In the larger scheme of things, I don't think that with Osimhen, Ighalo, Onuachu, Awoniyi, we should bother so much about Sadiq.

TheLoneCitizen:


For those that doubted that Guinea-Bissau deserved a penalty. Jump to 1:17


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwVA2yKLgEc?t=78

Jesus!! He got away with murder A pen and a red. He almost ruined his perfect day.

kingphilip:

Draw don de from start of tournament.

We are facing the top third placed team in either group B, E or F.

Group E and F is playing today so after the matches, we'd know our next opponent

Nice,thanks boss.
So it's either Ivory coast,Algeria,Sierra Leone or Equatorial Guinea we would meet then.

chrisooblog:
Guy what are you talking about it was ball to hand plus Ekong's arm was clearly close to his body, not to mention he was turned away from the ball.

Wasn't turned away.

Wasn't ball to hand, look at the distance ball travelled before hitting his arm. How can you call a free-kick for a player that wasn't in the wall "ball to hand"?

Arm wasn't tucked to body. In an unnatural position.

The arm deflected a goal-bound shot.

BascoVanVeli:



Jesus!! He got away with murder A pen and a red. He almost ruined his perfect day.

Worse thing, a penalty here could have made it 1-1.

TheLoneCitizen:


The one on Sadiq wasn't, which other one, sir.

The one on Iheanacho around 12mins, he was bundled off the ball.

Mujtahida:

I think you are reading too much into the calls for Sadiq. I don't think anybody here has praised him.
We must understand context. The context is this: Sadiq is a player that for me and many Nigerians is not pleasant to the eye. It is against that general disapproval that some of us stand to say 'hey guys, yes he's not tidy but he scored.

In fact I believe that even if he scores loads of goals, people will still not take a fancy to him.

He's clumsy and his movement lacks the fluidity that can give our attack bite. But the thing is that he scored. No one can take that away from him. Saying this is nothing extreme, it is fact because like Eguavoen has constantly harped on in most of his interviews, goal is power!

Sadiq distorts our attack: fact. He scored a goal: fact.

Even at the 2016 Olympics, he was playing raggedly and he'd score. I never fancied him then and I still don't fancy him now but just as at the Olympics, if you play that guy, in his higgedly piggedly way he will score.

I just watched Eguavoen's post match interview and he said Sadiq played well.

In the larger scheme of things, I don't think that with Osimhen, Ighalo, Onuachu, Awoniyi, we should bother so much about Sadiq.

Fair

jihday:
how come VAR didn’t pick it up

Because the Guineans didn't shout for it.

TheLoneCitizen:
Iwobi against Guinea-Bissau

0 tackle
0 interceptions
0 duels won
0 chance created
0 successful crosses
0 successful dribbles
1 blocked shot
3 fouls committed
2nd Worst passing accuracy (among starters)
42 touches.

I noticed at some point his wing became an expressway for passage.

Papi85:
With the look of things balogun should just retire from the national team unless em go accept to Dey chop bench

Can’t wait to have osimehn and Dennis back to the team also with the inclusion of uncapped ademola lookman

Michael olise I hope he makes up his mind soon cus he will be a great addition to the team while eze should continue waiting for England. Rangers bassey should also be given a chance. He is versatile and will be a great asset to the team as cover for the LB and CB position

Also eguavoen and the nff should reach out to udinese’s udogie, he will be a good competition for zaidu and better than Collins

Balogun was the better of the two CBs coming into this tournament, what makes you think he wouldn't have an improved performance like everyone else when he returns.

Look at where Ekong was facing, look at where the ball struck Ekong. Troost turned his body to block the ball which struck his arm that was in a natural position.

Note the word 'natural position' there is no other place his arm could have been other than where the ball struck him.

You will notice in the EPL when such things happen they always look at the position of the player if he could have been trying to deliberately stop the ball. Ekong from the picture you pasted didn't even know where the ball was plus his arm wasn't stretched out which would mean he was deliberately preventing the ball from going in.

Modified on second look watching the replay again Ekong knew what he was doing. He glanced briefly to see where the ball was going and instinctively stretched out his arm a bit so yes you are right he got away with one.

TheLoneCitizen:


Wasn't turned away.

Wasn't ball to hand, look at the distance ball travelled before hitting his arm. How can you call a free-kick for a player that wasn't in the wall "ball to hand"?

Arm wasn't tucked to body. In an unnatural position.

The arm deflected a goal-bound shot.

JohnBullMySon:
Balogun retire lmao.

Who will bench him abeg?

Balogun is a good player

But common he won’t play forever ok

After the World Cup he should retire from international football

dkay51:


Balogun was the better of the two CBs coming into this tournament, what makes you think he wouldn't have an improved performance like everyone else when he returns.

We need to see him first okay .

chrisooblog:
Look at where Ekong was facing, look at where the ball struck Ekong. Troost turned his body to block the ball which struck his arm that was in a natural position.

Note the word 'natural position' there is no other place his arm could have been other than where the ball struck him.

You will notice in the EPL when such things happen they always look at the position of the player if he could have been trying to deliberately stop the ball. Ekong from the picture you pasted didn't even know where the ball was plus his arm wasn't stretched out which would mean he was deliberately preventing the ball from going in.

The clearest penalty, brother.

Deliberate or not, hand was in an unnatural position and deflected the ball off-target.

Even though Ekong was facing Uzoho, clear penalty. Due to the distance from shot to contact. Over 6 yards.

There's something Eguavoen has repeatedly said in most of his interviews: goal is power. He said he encourages our players to score and at the same time prevent the opposition from scoring because goal is power.

That's a unique, simple but inspiring way to think about goals

Yes oo, once you score, you get energized. So score and retain the energy. Prevent your opponents from scoring and deny them the energy.

andrewbaba44:


Balogun is a good player

But common he won’t play forever ok

After the World Cup he should retire from international football

His retirement is his personal decision, as long as he is still playing fine for Nigeria

He's getting older, and I am sure he is looking towards retirement from the national team as well, so, I too, expect him to call time at the end of this World Cup, but still.... it's his decision

I hope Okoye hasn't lost focus

safarigirl:


His retirement is his personal decision, as long as he is still playing fine for Nigeria

He's getting older, and I am sure he is looking towards retirement from the national team as well, so, I too, expect him to call time at the end of this World Cup, but still.... it's his decision

The reason why I mentioned the retirement is just his age and he is injury prone that’s why ,dude Issa good player .

Mujtahida:
There's something Eguavoen has repeatedly said in most of his interviews: goal is power. He said he encourages our players to score and at the same time prevent the opposition from scoring because goal is power.

That's a unique, simple but inspiring way to think about goals

Yes oo, once you score, you get energized. So score and retain the energy. Prevent your opponents from scoring and deny them the energy.

There's nothing unique about this, mate.

As good as Man City is, if Norwich score against them at 81 minute when the scoreline is 2-0, Norwich will automatically outplay them for the rest of the game.

That's why they say a 2 goal lead is the most dangerous in the world.

Don't turn everything the brother says into a poetic masterpiece just because he's doing well.

femianski:
I hope Okoye hasn't lost focus

Ask safarigirl

Moye04:

Nice,thanks boss.
So it's either Ivory coast,Algeria,Sierra Leone or Equatorial Guinea we would meet then.

we are meeting a team from group f


either Gambia or Tunisia


but most likely Gambia

I like this. It's another tactical angle to consider and expand on. Chuks can indeed be dropped and Iheanacho made to operate somewhat from a hybrid role between SS and RW in that right side of the half space in the final third coming in more centrally most times.

I like it especially because it keeps the spine of the team intact.
Ekong-Ndidi-Iheanacho obviously make up the team's spine under Eguavoen’s set-up at Afcon2021 no matter the tactical changes or approach.



Ndidi-Nwakali-Aribo with Simon on the left... Iheanacho in a hybrid RW/SS halfspace exploitation with the RB (Aina) doing the overlaps meaning Zaidu stays back on his own wing & only supports Simon when necessary. This is to keep the defensive shape and numbers at the back when Aina is too far upfield to avoid a 3 on 2 situation against out CBs.

This is applicable and workable against several Non-African sides ofcos. A flexible tactical approach, I admit.

But at this Afcon, 4-2-4/4-1-1-4 (in attacking transitions) and 4-4-2/4-5-1 variant (in defensive transitions when applying our gengen press) is quite a magic wand against teams and should be kept and only tweaked or altered tactically when necessary to achieve the result of a win per game.


Well said, man. Top post.

12large1:


I absolutely agree and we have the likes of Onyeka, etebo and ejaria on the sideline as substitute. Also, iheanacho doesn’t have to be sacrificed instead one of the wingers can be sacrificed. (Chukwueze) we can play
3 midfielders, 1 LW, a SS and ST. One of our fullbacks can compensate for the lack of a RW. I’m only speaking in reference to games vs World class opponents. For now against African teams, let’s continue with the 424

femianski:
I hope Okoye hasn't lost focus

This interview is from 2020

Man is in a relationship now and some news blog decided to resurrect a 2-year old interview to also enjoy from the Maduka largesse currently ongoing.

Dem just dey use the boy for engagements, man is suffering for being beautiful

andrewbaba44:


We need to see him first okay .

Exactly, but he's already writing him off.

Mujtahida:

It's not just Ekong, Ajayi was just slightly late to slot in the first goal. I had to ask at a point: what kind of formation are we playing with defenders, Central defenders attacking

ajayi really impressed me with his forays forward, I'm not really sure who I'm to pick btw him or omeruo in the round of 16

TheLoneCitizen:


There's nothing unique about this, mate.

As good as Man City is, if Norwich score against them at 81 minute when the scoreline is 2-0, Norwich will automatically outplay them for the rest of the game.

That's why they say a 2 goal lead is the most dangerous in the world.

Don't turn everything the brother says into a poetic masterpiece because he's doing well.

I have ears for the poetic and yes to say goal is power sounds poetic to me cos I've never heard it put so pungently before and I've never thought of goals in that manner. And then interestingly Eguavoen keeps repeating it.

Having said that I think you are misreading me. What I said drawing from what I heard Eguavoen say is this: score. It gives you power. Stop your opponent from scoring; Deny them the power. It's simple. No need to put a spanner in the works.

He's doing well. Me, I am marinating in it.

dkay51:


Exactly, but he's already writing him off.

Naa ,not good to write him off ,Na injury e get