₦airaland Forum

chrisooblog:
The Gabonese have another decent forward in Bounga. Eric Chelle and co to take note.

Here, we eat 'Bonga' fish
No fear brotherly

QueenJazz:
Olakunle wasn't terrible per se. For me, he was just... there really.

I'd rate him a 6 or a weak 7 over 10. He didn't mess the bed, but didn't really stand out either.

that guy wasn't a 6. A 6 would be semi Ajayi. That guy was a 4 at the most generous rating and that's for him running around

Kog45:
I think we're okay with Nwabali and Okoye but Nwabali get serious anger issue o, yesterday he nearly fought Ndidi

That's cap. It was Nwabali and Bassey and they were only shouting at each other. This was about players holding each other accountable, it had nothing to do with anger.

We have been over this again and again on this thread. And I am convinced 4-3-3/4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2 is our best chance to put out a more tactically balanced side that will defend, attack, control the tempo and close games out making only the tactical changes that matter based on what the result says.

3-4-3/3-4-2-1 is the best when we want to utilise a 2 man midfield and play counter attack football. At least, with this we can have 6 defending. Not 5. Count the more defensive of the 2 CMs. JPes used this at the Afcon and we went all the way. Africa had no answer to that setup up until the final where we caved because we didnt have another plan apart from that.

To execute these 2. The personnel differs slightly.

Diavolo:
what in your own opinion is our most balanced formation and tactics

BankyGee:
😂

Finidi Ten Hag George

Well said. Let us not overblow it. It is about a fire lit in their hearts to do well. Just each seeing it a little bit differently and talking it out. In the end, it boils down to accountability.

BascoVanVeli:
That's cap. It was Nwabali and Bassey and they were only shouting at each other. This was about players holding each other accountable, it had nothing to do with anger.

Ppogbae:
If you knew how the table looked like prior to the point deductions from Mokoena and the Eritrea situation, you would be stupified at the possibility of even smelling a playoff spot.

Heck, take a look at the 2nd place table on Google which doesn't account for the Eritrea point removals. Now take in how we were able to score 4 unreplied goals against a Beninoise team that had all the momentum and a chance to qualify.

This is truly a miracle.

Benin just needed a draw, a win (by any scoreline) or a Nigerian winning scoreline less than 3 goals to still qualify, they had EVERY favorable odd to play for yet got demolished almost so easily, did they even park the bus?

His directness and quick thinking. So Game changing. Chuks came to the party and gave no one room to criticise him. Lol

BascoVanVeli:
Samu Chukwueze vs Benin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPAf4s1Yqc

Sir Kog45... read this. ⤵️

TheSuperNerd:
Calvin, Nwabali faceoff: Fire in their bones

Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali had a small run in with each other at half time on the pitcj before they all retired to the dressing room. Now I dont know what transpired but my guess is Bassey telling Nwabali to cut his unnecessary acts and focus on the game and a cleansheet (probably referring to the first half action where Nwabali faced a Benin player for pushing him, with Ndidi coming to talk to him to let it go and Nwabali brushing Ndidi off).
Nwabali obviously would defend himself and let Bassey know that he too wants the ticket but had to defend himself against the Beninoise.

Like I said, just my guess. because I cant think of anything else they would be having a little argument over.

But it is good. They cleared each other and moved on and won the game together. I like that the fire is back in the team and they are holding each other accountable. Not only Osimhen doing the accountability check.

Meliforme:
All these digs at Nwabali should stop.
I don't want his confidence to take a dig.

Someone is already clamoring for Arthur Okonkwo to deliver us from Nwabali.
Is this blindness or just plain ignorance.
How much of Arthur Okonkwo does this person know. (I am not taking anything away from Arthur)

Could it be that Nwabali's composure and confidence is intimidating the timidity of some people.
They cannot just come to grip that someone can be as confident as that.

We have over the years clamored for a goal keeper like Nwabali.
Nwabali is very good.
Please appreciate him.

Are you insinuating that his confidence is fueled by his arrogance and lack of regard for authority on the field of play? He's meant to do a job and at an emergency time and he's failing woefully at it. Appreciate him? Abeg abeg abeg!!

semid4lyfe:
Bro, are you O. O. of Nigerian Football Weekly Podcast?

Nope.

The world cup draw will hold by december. If for any reason the winners of our play off will fall into argentina's group, i recommend that we sabotage the playoff match in march. This bondage with argentina has continued for too long.

BascoVanVeli:
That's cap. It was Nwabali and Bassey and they were only shouting at each other. This was about players holding each other accountable, it had nothing to do with anger.

That's arrogance on display. What about the Semi Ajayi one? Let's call a spade a spade and stop downplaying what we all saw abeg. You prefer we modify the grammar to "holding each other accountable" abi?

daveP:
That's arrogance on display. What about the Semi Ajayi one? Let's call a spade a spade and stop downplaying what we all saw abeg. You prefer we modify the grammar to "holding each other accountable" abi?

My brother, the ideology of downplaying bad behaviour is disgusting and appalling as if we watched a different match entirely.

I have been a campaigner for NWABALI but for that Lesotho flop plus the time wasting when we were only 2:0 up was a red flag for me.

SymphonyRad:
Benin just needed a draw, a win (by any scoreline) or a Nigerian winning scoreline less than 3 goals to still qualify, they had EVERY favorable odd to play for yet got demolished almost so easily, did they even park the bus?

We didn't give them that opportunity to park the bus, with that early goal.
The early goal was what Nigeria needed and it set the tone for the rest of the game. That assist from Chukwueze to Osimhen brings to mind their deadly combo at the 2015 U17WC

chrisooblog:
The Gabonese have another decent forward in Bounga. Eric Chelle and co to take note.

The only team I fear in this paly-off is DR Congo

chrisooblog:
Loss of form and injuries.

Taiwo just never quite grabbed his opportunity when he was chosen to start.

In 2021 he was our main striker at the AFCON yet he didn't make an impact. Hasn't scored much in other matches.

Seriously one of the forwards has to step up to ease the burden on Osimhen.

Even during Yekini's time Amokachi, Siasia, Amuneke helped out with crucial goals.

We should not forget Osimhen struggled to score in the first 5 matches he played but was still given chances upon chances before he picked up.

How many goals did he score in AFCON? He scored once and assisted 3 times.

The problem with Nigeria is, once you are a fan favorite, no matter what you play, you will still be given chances upon chances.

Awoniyi didn't enjoy the grace Osimhen enjoyed when he was inform.

For Osimhen, the patient eventually paid.

TheSuperNerd:
Well said. Let us not overblow it. It is about a fire lit in their hearts to do well. Just each seeing it a little bit differently and talking it out. In the end, it boils down to accountability.

Like I asked one of my guys today, would u rather they not care?

TheSuperNerd:
His directness and quick thinking. So Game changing. Chuks came to the party and gave no one room to criticise him. Lol

Once I saw the headband I knew he was coming with something

Amedino99:
Since we only need to win the semi final in the intercontinental play off to pick a ticket, why is the final still necessary for us to play. E go come with trophy?

I thought only 2 slots are remaining.

There are 2 finals. Only the winners of each finals will qualifier.

Mujtahida:
The search for Osimhen's partner in attack is on.
Moffi
Adams
Appear to be the best candidates. Arokodare is out as a partner though still can come in as a sub. We tried Boniface. Didn't work. Seems to be out pata pata

Osimhen's best partner is still Lookman

TheSuperNerd:
Okay, now I know how. Adams posted it himself firstly via instagram but the Sevilla Admin picked up on it and brought it to Twitter/X.

Just Beautiful

oh my... It's the onion I promise... It's the onion

This is so emotional.
Akor is such a humble lad... I hope the football universe continues to smile at him.

From the last 2 qualifiers Osimhen's best striking partner is Akor Adams. Any other resolution reeks of some primitive sentiment.

Icon4s:
The only team I fear in this paly-off is DR Congo

Exactly, we always struggle against those Congolese teams. I'd hope Cameroon beat DRC so we can meet Cameroon at the final, we know how to beat Cameroon these days.

lbrichman2:
Osimhen's best partner is still Lookman

The Chukwueze of yesterday changed my mind about that yesterday, but a physically and psychologically ready Lookman will always give us a different type of quality with Osimhen as well.

Cocony:
From the last 2 qualifiers Osimhen's best striking partner is Akor Adams. Any other resolution reeks of some primitive sentiment.

From the qualifiers, Yes.

But I think the person who complements him best overall in that second striker role is Ademola Lookman.

SymphonyRad:
Exactly, we always struggle against those Congolese teams. I'd hope Cameroon beat DRC so we can meet Cameroon at the final, we know how to beat Cameroon these days.

We should avoid Cameroon o, na die be that one, dem go break our players leg tire! I prefer Congo, our top players can still squeeze us through them with their A game!

BascoVanVeli:
Samu Chukwueze vs Benin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPAf4s1Yqc

Chuks was too sweet to watch, damn!

I think Gabon will be trickier than either DRC or Cameroon.

daveP:
That's arrogance on display. What about the Semi Ajayi one? Let's call a spade a spade and stop downplaying what we all saw abeg. You prefer we modify the grammar to "holding each other accountable" abi?

Arrogant because he argued with somebody? Arguing now equals arrogance? U learn something new everyday.

I have not seen Nwabali do anything that Osimhen hasn't done. Anyone complaining better show their receipts of Osimhen complaints or they are just hypocrites.

One team from Africa will go to the intercontinental play-off to decide a World Cup 2026 spot. This team is the winner of a four-team playoff among the best runners-up from the African qualification groups.

African Qualification Playoff: The four best runners-up from the African groups compete in two semifinals and one final match in November 2025 to earn a single spot in the intercontinental playoff.

Intercontinental Playoff: The winner of the African playoff will then compete against teams from other confederations for a final chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Gemini AI response

forgiveness:
I thought only 2 slots are remaining.

There are 2 finals. Only the winners of each finals will qualifier.

All of them go tricky

mrwilliams9:
I think Gabon will be trickier than either DRC or Cameroon.