₦airaland Forum

Zaidu Sanusi , the most vilified player in the team for his poor decision making in the final third, his poor crosses and poor abilities with giving the final ball has been heavily criticised by everyone! This is not without merit as he has been shambolic in the final third . So why does the gaffer keep starting him?
- He is a decent and unyielding defender who plays religiously to instructions
- He is very experienced and helps Calvin Bassey in the left side of defence where they have formed a strong bond and partnership
- He is a regular for Porto in Portugal and has many years of UEFA champions league experience. Remember our coach is Portuguese and he must have been seeing him week in week out
- He speaks Portuguese fluently and can better understand the coach and transfer his ideas to the other defenders
- No coach changes a winning team especially the defence hence Zaidu will always play
- His mistakes are upfront and not at the back so the coach will believe he can work on it with some pep talk.
- He was injured for a while before the tourney and I think he is not yet in top form and that’s why the coach is cutting him some slack
- Lastly he is a very diligent and committed player who gives his all in training and a nice guy with good relationship with the other players . Coaches love players like that

Snr man Kels and Moffi will unfortunately not see minutes in this tournament if Nigeria goes all the way to win.
The 3-4-3 formation will not allow for these supremely talented players because defending is not their strength unlike Moses Simon and Lukman. JPES is doing a Mourinho here in Afcon and will sacrifice anybody he feels cannot fit into his desire for ‘all attack and all defend.
Kudos must go to the players , they have worked their socks off and I pray there are no injuries.
I believe if they continue like this, we will win afcon and get to the final of the World Cup in 2026.

Sanusi really amazed me last night.

Infact he took the criticism very well and has really really improved his game. He just needs to manage his decisions more better upfront.

The guy is solid 🪨

Moffi won't play becasue he was never in the coaches plans. Senior man won't play because he started the tournament injured and now it's too late for him to settle into a winning team.

However, Zaidu will almost certainly be dropped soon because Yusuf is back and yusuf was always in the coach's original plans. Bassey, if you recall, started the tournament on the bench but I don't see how Peseiro can possibly drop Bassey now. Zaidu well likely be the one to make way for Yusuf.

SmartyPants:
Moffi won't play becasue he was never in the coaches plans. Senior man won't play because he started the tournament injured and now it's too late for him to settle into a winning team.

However, Zaidu will almost certainly be dropped soon because Yusuf is back and yusuf was always in the coach's original plans. Bassey, if you recall, started the tournament on the bench but I don't see how Peseiro can possibly drop Bassey now. Zaidu well likely be the one to make way for Yusuf.

If u knw Portuguese coaches and how tactically disciplined they love setting up their teams you`ll knw Zaidu will never be benched for anyone. If u introduce a new player into the fold now you`ll need to destroy the current set up in order to accommodate the new player.

SyrusdeHansome:
If u knw Portuguese coaches and how tactically disciplined they love setting up their teams you`ll knw Zaidu will never be benched for anyone. If u introduce a new player into the fold now you`ll need to destroy the current set up in order to accommodate the new player.

That's the point. Yusuf is not a new player to the system so there's no destruction to any system. On the contrary, that is why someone kike Onyedika may not feature again. Because he doesn't fit into the current system at all.

Yusuf in for Zaidu maintains the same system.

SmartyPants:
That's the point. Yusuf is not a new player to the system so there's no destruction to any system. On the contrary, that is why someone kike Onyedika may not feature again. Because he doesn't fit into the current system at all.

Yusuf in for Zaidu maintains the same system.

Onyedika is an integral part of the system. Yes, we knw he struggled at the begining of the tournament and i was one of his critics in those matches he struggled but he has been able to adapt and he`s doing excellently well. Mark my word, this coach will not bench any of those players for anyone exception of injuries. If u knw how that Zaidu de vex me eh.

SyrusdeHansome:
Onyedika is an integral part of the system. Yes, we knw he struggled at the begining of the tournament and i was one of his critics in those matches he struggled but he has been able to adapt and he`s doing excellently well. Mark my word, this coach will not bench any of those players for anyone exception of injuries. If u knw how that Zaidu de vex me eh.

Raphael Onyedika not Frank Onyeka. Well lets see how it goes

Anyhow it is, Kelechi should get some minutes, even if its just 10mins

He's our most talented player for Godsake

SmartyPants:
That's the point. Yusuf is not a new player to the system so there's no destruction to any system. On the contrary, that is why someone kike Onyedika may not feature again. Because he doesn't fit into the current system at all.

Yusuf in for Zaidu maintains the same system.

That is not going to work as they play different positions. Yusuf is a midfielder and Zaidu is a wing back so how is that going to happen? Yusuf can only come in for Iwobi and I don't see that happening either.

parcydrix:
That is not going to work as they play different positions. Yusuf is a midfielder and Zaidu is a wing back so how is that going to happen? Yusuf can only come in for Iwobi and I don't see that happening either.

It's outlined in previous posts.

Peseiro right now uses Bassey as an extra defender, either occupying the LCB spot at the ack or the second DM spot in the midfield. Yusuf should take the second DM spot and Bassey should take the LB spot in our traditional 4 - 3 - 3 formation. Simple.

EmperorCaesar:
Anyhow it is, Kelechi should get some minutes, even if its just 10mins

He's our most talented player for Godsake

That's just sentiments. This is one of the things Keshi did that if you feel too big, he will off you.

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has stated that Leicester City star Kelechi Iheanacho has not gotten minutes at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations because he resumed camp late.

I remember the coach

He is the Garba Lawal of the team.

Zaidu is a workhorse and very good defensive wise. He is a sure starter for a coach that is defensive minded.

Kelechi, Musa and moffi can only play if we are down with a goal and desperately needs a goal. They are defensive liabilities and doesn't fit the primary tactics of the coach that is working.

EmperorCaesar:
Anyhow it is, Kelechi should get some minutes, even if its just 10mins

He's our most talented player for Godsake

What ever is working for the team, let them continue. Even if it is to make Osimhen Goal keeper

EmperorCaesar:
Anyhow it is, Kelechi should get some minutes, even if its just 10mins

He's our most talented player for Godsake

5 years ago maybe he was our most talented, not anymore

Daejumong:
Zaidu Sanusi , the most vilified player in the team for his poor decision making in the final third, his poor crosses and poor abilities with giving the final ball has been heavily criticised by everyone! This is not without merit as he has been shambolic in the final third . So why does the gaffer keep starting him?
- He is a decent and unyielding defender who plays religiously to instructions
- He is very experienced and helps Calvin Bassey in the left side of defence where they have formed a strong bond and partnership
- He is a regular for Porto in Portugal and has many years of UEFA champions league experience. Remember our coach is Portuguese and he must have been seeing him week in week out
- He speaks Portuguese fluently and can better understand the coach and transfer his ideas to the other defenders
- No coach changes a winning team especially the defence hence Zaidu will always play
- His mistakes are upfront and not at the back so the coach will believe he can work on it with some pep talk.
- He was injured for a while before the tourney and I think he is not yet in top form and that’s why the coach is cutting him some slack
- Lastly he is a very diligent and committed player who gives his all in training and a nice guy with good relationship with the other players . Coaches love players like that

Snr man Kels and Moffi will unfortunately not see minutes in this tournament if Nigeria goes all the way to win.
The 3-4-3 formation will not allow for these supremely talented players because defending is not their strength unlike Moses Simon and Lukman. JPES is doing a Mourinho here in Afcon and will sacrifice anybody he feels cannot fit into his desire for ‘all attack and all defend.
Kudos must go to the players , they have worked their socks off and I pray there are no injuries.
I believe if they continue like this, we will win afcon and get to the final of the World Cup in 2026.

one last thing...quota system.. you must have a Yoruba Igbo and hausa in your first eleven... So make Everybody rest.. this team is superb

SyrusdeHansome:
Onyedika is an integral part of the system. Yes, we knw he struggled at the begining of the tournament and i was one of his critics in those matches he struggled but he has been able to adapt and he`s doing excellently well. Mark my word, this coach will not bench any of those players for anyone exception of injuries. If u knw how that Zaidu de vex me eh.

Well, you were wrong

SmartyPants:
Well, you were wrong

I wasn`t wrong bro. I heard Zaidu had health issue.