₦airaland Forum

This CAF playoff is going to be brutal.

Right now, and based on form, either Gabon or DR Congo are our biggest threats in this CAF playoff. Especially DR Congo. Those guys are ferocious and physical. Their star player Yaone Wissa is also very clinical in the final third. However, one good thing about our recent squad is that even on our worst days, other teams still struggle to beat us.

It also helps that for the past couple of games, we have scored at least 1 goal per game. I can't remember the last time we didn't score in a game.

If we lose to any of these two teams (Gabon/DRC), it would probably be through penalties or a single goal difference after a hard fought battle.

We need to lock in and go to war in these next few games.

Cameroon have poor form and structure presently, but when it comes to individual talents in their squad, I think they are the only team that can match us to a certain extent. Thankfully, they suffer from the same casual and lethargic performance our players put up occasionally as well. I'd argue they're even worse than us in that regard. If they come into the playoffs with the same energy they used to play in their group against Cape Verde, Mauritania et al, we'll beat them handsomely for the third time in a row. But if they come with a change of heart: prepared, focused and bloodlusted, they are the most likely to defeat us in this playoffs, or at least, give us a good run for our money.

I'm calling it now, if we can secure the CAF ticket, we're going to the World Cup. 100%.

realpoacher:
The nerd,

I am not going overboard with my Praise of Chukwueze... My accolades on him is based on extensive analysis of his game play since 2015 U-17s.

De nerd, you know what I am saying. Look at him with your trained eyes. Chukwueze has mastered the art of playing 3 solid positions on the field. He started with 11 at the U-17s to Villarreal and even his early days in the SE. Later switched to 7 and inverted RW. Now Chelle mistakenly played him as a 10 against Jamaica and he shoned like he was born for that role.

His wing play either as a LW or RW can be erratic but I promise you, his midfield role will not be the same.

You people forget that Chukwueze has more Assist in that Team than any other players, yet he played less than most of them.

He has been giving Osimehn assist back to back. He was the one who assisted Osimehn with the second goal away to Rwanda.

Playing him as a 10 with a free role means that he can be seen anywhere on the pitch and he will do well with the ball, LW, RW, AM, CM etc just name it, he will always wiggle his way out.

In the process, the issue about his on & off performance won't even arise.

If you are making Iwobi sit deep with Ndidi, then by all means allow Chukwueze sit and roam just ahead of them.

Another person Chelle is not utilizing is Uche, Second half, Uche can come in for either Iwobi or Chukwueze. Having a versatile player like Uche is always a blessing most coaches pray for, someone that can play DM, CM and AM comfortably is who you are rooting to the bench.

This squad is more than capable of putting aside all teams in the playoffs including Cameroon, Bolivia or Costa Rica. It doesn't matter who we meet.

We have been given a lifeline here, let's not blow it.

Let them approach this playoff as our own World Cup before the main world Cup. Whatever display we are hoping to do at America should start from the playoffs.

U dey scatter my head u sabi ball die!.
As i read ur post it seems like im the one posting them.. because u say a lot of things i have in mind to say but i camt say them because i dont have that patient to type lenghty stuffs.

Kudos to you

Mujtahida:
You ignore something crucial which TheGoodJoe often emphasizes - keep improving and with time the results will come.

Morocco hasn't won anything yet but the whole world acknowledges that they are onto something.

Yes, I agree with that. Morocco is onto something truly, her teams are reaching the highest levels across all age and gender grade competitions. CHAN, U20, u17, Women etc.

Do we see any of such things with SA? Leapfrog because of WC ticket?

QueenJazz:
This CAF playoff is going to be brutal.

Right now, and based on form, either Gabon or DR Congo are our biggest threats in this CAF playoff. Especially DR Congo. Those guys are ferocious and physical. Their star player Yaone Wissa is also very clinical in the final third. However, one good thing about our recent squad is that even on our worst days, other teams still struggle to beat us.

It also helps that for the past couple of games, we have scored at least 1 goal per game. I can't remember the last time we didn't score in a game.

If we lose to any of these two teams (Gabon/DRC), it would probably be through penalties or a single goal difference after a hard fought battle.

We need to lock in and go to war in these next few games.

Cameroon have poor form and structure presently, but when it comes to individual talents in their squad, I think they are the only team that can match us to a certain extent. Thankfully, they suffer from the same casual and lethargic performance our players put up occasionally as well. I'd argue they're even worse than us in that regard. If they come into the playoffs with the same energy they used to play in their group against Cape Verde, Mauritania et al, we'll beat them handsomely for the third time in a row. But if they come with a change of heart: prepared, focused and bloodlusted, they are the most likely to defeat us in this playoffs, or at least, give us a good run for our money.

I'm calling it now, if we can secure the CAF ticket, we're going to the World Cup. 100%.

i have the belief that we will qualify through the caf playoffs. The team might be playing below expectations but then they are strong enough to beat gabon or DRC currently. Even South Africa had to take us to their backyard pitch in other to stand a chance at nicking a point from us because if they were really confident, that pitch they played Rwanda should have been used to play the match. I'm predicting 2 goal margin victory for our two caf matches. We just have to wary of bounga rather than aubameyang. Aubameyang statpadded his goals mostly against Gambia (5) and 2 against Kenya throughout the qualifiers. It's the other Guy we need to really focus on or we just attempt to outscore them.

QueenJazz:
This CAF playoff is going to be brutal.

Right now, and based on form, either Gabon or DR Congo are our biggest threats in this CAF playoff. Especially DR Congo. Those guys are ferocious and physical. Their star player Yaone Wissa is also very clinical in the final third. However, one good thing about our recent squad is that even on our worst days, other teams still struggle to beat us.

It also helps that for the past couple of games, we have scored at least 1 goal per game. I can't remember the last time we didn't score in a game.

If we lose to any of these two teams (Gabon/DRC), it would probably be through penalties or a single goal difference after a hard fought battle.

We need to lock in and go to war in these next few games.

Cameroon have poor form and structure presently, but when it comes to individual talents in their squad, I think they are the only team that can match us to a certain extent. Thankfully, they suffer from the same casual and lethargic performance our players put up occasionally as well. I'd argue they're even worse than us in that regard. If they come into the playoffs with the same energy they used to play in their group against Cape Verde, Mauritania et al, we'll beat them handsomely for the third time in a row. But if they come with a change of heart: prepared, focused and bloodlusted, they are the most likely to defeat us in this playoffs, or at least, give us a good run for our money.

I'm calling it now, if we can secure the CAF ticket, we're going to the World Cup. 100%.

When Cameroon faces us just like Ghana they become more charged. It’s gonna be a rivalry clash, forget all those lethargic stuff, they gonna die on that pitch once they see the GWG

9JAMac10:
Chief even at the Afcon where lookman shone for Nigeria without Osimhen selfless effort he would never had scored 3 goals . Be honest .

Did Lookman not score 3 at a europa final? Abi na another player

Goke7:
When Cameroon faces us just like Ghana they become more charged. It’s gonna be a rivalry clash, forget all those lethargic stuff, they gonna die on that pitch once they see the GWG

They weren't really charged though when we met them in the last AFCON. Lol. I remember that game well, and we frustrated the heck out of them. I don't think they even had a single shot on target.

I agree that they are a dangerous team when focused and charged up, and I even noted this in the comments you quoted. I don't know if you read it to the end.

Goke7:
Did Lookman not score 3 at a europa final? Abi na another player

Oga club soccer is different from international duty. Since that hat trick what has he done that’s exemplary. Lookman is not indispensable but Osimhen is.

people get rivalry ... Cameroun, SA , Ghana ,Egypt ,Morocco , Tunisia are our rivals . they are always very fiery when it comes to playing against SE ...

QueenJazz:
They weren't charged when we met them in the last AFCON. Lol. I remember that game well, and we bullied the heck out of them.

I agree that they are a dangerous team when focused and charged up, and I even noted this in the comments you quoted. I don't know if you read it to the end.

my thoughts exactly. No be same Cameroon rohr use do barbeque for WCQ. even during that afcon that we did remontada on their head during ighalo's time. Gone are the days of Cameroon's supremacy. Let's just take each game as it comes but these teams are quite beatable. We just have to be on our A game and hope all our players are fit and ready.

Goke7:
Again you guys be careful what you wish for. It’s because chuks is in form we are saying this. When Lookman was in form doing great things for us we didn’t feel this way o

y


they forget so quickly .... the Chukwuze everyone is talking about about now used to be one of the rejected because of his style .... all these plastic fans . i tire

9JAMac10:
Oga club soccer is different from international duty. Since that hat trick what has he done that’s exemplary. Lookman is not indispensable but Osimhen is.

Don't just go there. Lookman has been the star of his club, even after his Europa heroics, right up until he started having issues with his coach and the transfer saga, which has led to the psychological downturn currently affecting his form. The same happened to Osihmen until he found joy again in Turkey. We also know all sorts that were said about Osihmen right on this thread when he was going through all his travails.

If Osihmen's goals dry up again, so we will go back to what we are trying to do with Ademola now, abi. Nigerians na wa for una. Fair weather people!

lexyman:
y


they forget so quickly .... the Chukwuze everyone is talking about about now used to be one of the rejected because of his style .... all these plastic fans . i tire

It's terrible, bruv, what kind of humans are we?

QueenJazz:
This CAF playoff is going to be brutal.

Right now, and based on form, either Gabon or DR Congo are our biggest threats in this CAF playoff. Especially DR Congo. Those guys are ferocious and physical. Their star player Yaone Wissa is also very clinical in the final third. However, one good thing about our recent squad is that even on our worst days, other teams still struggle to beat us.

It also helps that for the past couple of games, we have scored at least 1 goal per game. I can't remember the last time we didn't score in a game.

If we lose to any of these two teams (Gabon/DRC), it would probably be through penalties or a single goal difference after a hard fought battle.

We need to lock in and go to war in these next few games.

Cameroon have poor form and structure presently, but when it comes to individual talents in their squad, I think they are the only team that can match us to a certain extent. Thankfully, they suffer from the same casual and lethargic performance our players put up occasionally as well. I'd argue they're even worse than us in that regard. If they come into the playoffs with the same energy they used to play in their group against Cape Verde, Mauritania et al, we'll beat them handsomely for the third time in a row. But if they come with a change of heart: prepared, focused and bloodlusted, they are the most likely to defeat us in this playoffs, or at least, give us a good run for our money.

I'm calling it now, if we can secure the CAF ticket, we're going to the World Cup. 100%.

On the contrary..it's gonna be a breeze for us. Easy peasy.

realpoacher:
The nerd,

I am not going overboard with my Praise of Chukwueze... My accolades on him is based on extensive analysis of his game play since 2015 U-17s.

De nerd, you know what I am saying. Look at him with your trained eyes. Chukwueze has mastered the art of playing 3 solid positions on the field. He started with 11 at the U-17s to Villarreal and even his early days in the SE. Later switched to 7 and inverted RW. Now Chelle mistakenly played him as a 10 against Jamaica and he shoned like he was born for that role.

His wing play either as a LW or RW can be erratic but I promise you, his midfield role will not be the same.

You people forget that Chukwueze has more Assist in that Team than any other players, yet he played less than most of them.

He has been giving Osimehn assist back to back. He was the one who assisted Osimehn with the second goal away to Rwanda.

Playing him as a 10 with a free role means that he can be seen anywhere on the pitch and he will do well with the ball, LW, RW, AM, CM etc just name it, he will always wiggle his way out.

In the process, the issue about his on & off performance won't even arise.

If you are making Iwobi sit deep with Ndidi, then by all means allow Chukwueze sit and roam just ahead of them.

Another person Chelle is not utilizing is Uche, Second half, Uche can come in for either Iwobi or Chukwueze. Having a versatile player like Uche is always a blessing most coaches pray for, someone that can play DM, CM and AM comfortably is who you are rooting to the bench.

This squad is more than capable of putting aside all teams in the playoffs including Cameroon, Bolivia or Costa Rica. It doesn't matter who we meet.

We have been given a lifeline here, let's not blow it.

Let them approach this playoff as our own World Cup before the main world Cup. Whatever display we are hoping to do at America should start from the playoffs.

🔥🔥🥂 Well said. Absolutely nailed analysis for Chuks and Uche.

Morocco's Men Football History:

1 Afcon (1976)
1 U20 Afcon (1997)
1 U17 Afcon (2025)
1 U23 Afcon (2023)
3 CHAN titles (2018, 2020, 2024)

As you can see, they dont command a scary history but why I began fanning them early as a kid as my second favorite African team after Our Super Eagles is coz of their uniform colors and talents. Morocco always produced top North African talents since their first WC appearance in 1970 WC and their breakthrough as Africa's first side to top a WC group and reach the knockouts round in 1986.

They are doing well but I would like to see how they fare again at the Upcoming Afcon as they were quite a disappointment for me last time out despite the 2022 WC form they took into the Afcon tournament.

Joebie:
I wanted to say something about Morrocco. How many AFCON have they won? I mean from senior to junior levels. But they are knocking the door seriously when it comes to the world. This is the approach I've always wanted Nigeria to take. You don't make much progress as a nation if you are fixated on being local champs in Africa.

Curtis Jones has suddenly come out to say he's Nigerian. Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

Yes the African playoffs are going to be an intense battle. Gabon will be tough but we have the wherewithal to beat them but we absolutely have to bring our A-game.

It's imperative that Osimhen is fit for those games since he brings the X-factor.

Like you rightly noted bar the CHAN eagles the main team under Chelle has scored in every game meaning the defense has to tighten up.

Let's just take it one game at a time before we start worrying about other teams.

QueenJazz:
This CAF playoff is going to be brutal.

Right now, and based on form, either Gabon or DR Congo are our biggest threats in this CAF playoff. Especially DR Congo. Those guys are ferocious and physical. Their star player Yaone Wissa is also very clinical in the final third. However, one good thing about our recent squad is that even on our worst days, other teams still struggle to beat us.

It also helps that for the past couple of games, we have scored at least 1 goal per game. I can't remember the last time we didn't score in a game.

If we lose to any of these two teams (Gabon/DRC), it would probably be through penalties or a single goal difference after a hard fought battle.

We need to lock in and go to war in these next few games.

Cameroon have poor form and structure presently, but when it comes to individual talents in their squad, I think they are the only team that can match us to a certain extent. Thankfully, they suffer from the same casual and lethargic performance our players put up occasionally as well. I'd argue they're even worse than us in that regard. If they come into the playoffs with the same energy they used to play in their group against Cape Verde, Mauritania et al, we'll beat them handsomely for the third time in a row. But if they come with a change of heart: prepared, focused and bloodlusted, they are the most likely to defeat us in this playoffs, or at least, give us a good run for our money.

I'm calling it now, if we can secure the CAF ticket, we're going to the World Cup. 100%.

Joebie:
I wanted to say something about Morrocco. How many AFCON have they won? I mean from senior to junior levels. But they are knocking the door seriously when it comes to the world. This is the approach I've always wanted Nigeria to take. You don't make much progress as a nation if you are fixated on being local champs in Africa.

With our natural talent, if we add some bit of systematic framework, we will achieve great things. But we have become accustomed to this any-howness because in spite of it, we still win trophies (local, as you say)

If Morocco continues on this same trajectory, it's a matter of time before they win a major trophy. In fact I desire that they win this present u-20 tournament and the next Wafcon

Make them leave Afcon for us sha

Link please. Something we have known here for years but he himself never admitted it. Abeg linkkkkk to his confession.

semid4lyfe:
Curtis Jones has suddenly come out to say he's Nigerian. Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

Next Wafcon ko. Our Girls are on Mission XI. We no dey gree.

Mujtahida:
With our natural talent, if we add some bit of systematic framework, we will achieve great things. But we have become accustomed to this any-howness because in spite of it, we still win trophies (local, as you say)

If Morocco continues on this same trajectory, it's a matter of time before they win a major trophy. In fact I desire that they win this present u-20 tournament and the next Wafcon

Make them leave Afcon for us sha

Someone asked me this morning, if we would make it out from the African play offs. I said yes. This is because we tend to raise our game when the stakes are high and the opponent has pedigree.

On the other hand we bring down our game when we meet the so called minnows while the minnows raise their game. This is the reason why whenever we meet minnows they play like Barca and we play like Burnley. This is a terrible behavior. We need to be ruthless to the point where teams shudder at the prospect of playing us.

Yeah Lookman is just going through a barren patch I'm optimistic he will come out of.

I won't lie Ademola hasn't been assisting Osimhen that often lately which is detrimental to how the team plays.

If by November Lookman is still struggling then I hope Chelle won't let sentiments sway him but choose what is best for the team.

Goke7:
Don't just go there. Lookman has been the star of his club, even after his Europa heroics, right up until he started having issues with his coach and the transfer saga, which has led to the psychological downturn currently affecting his form. The same happened to Osihmen until he found joy again in Turkey. We also know all sorts that were said about Osihmen right on this thread when he was going through all his travails.

If Osihmen's goals dry up again, so we will go back to what we are trying to do with Ademola now, abi. Nigerians na wa for una. Fair weather people!

TheSuperNerd:
Link please. Something we have known here for years but he himself never admitted it. Abeg linkkkkk to his confession.

Its on Liverpool page on all their socials and its trending. Here's a link

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP3h2Dvjae9/?igsh=aXRwdDZid3Zyenl6

Edit: He said he has a Nigerian background as well

Omo he talk am ooo. To Celebrate Black History month with Liverpool's first black player, Howard Gayle, Curtis actually spilled it. "I'm Nigerian as well..."

Anyway, make we dey watch.

Thanks Top Mod.

semid4lyfe:
Its on Liverpool page on all their socials and its trending. Here's a link

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP3h2Dvjae9/?igsh=aXRwdDZid3Zyenl6

Edit: He said he has a Nigerian background as well

TheSuperNerd:
Next Wafcon ko. Our Girls are on Mission XI. We no dey gree.

Leave small for them.

I'm sure they will disappoint (not win it) again at the AFCON. But that WC, dem go play like say they believe they can win it. And when you look at their football development , you see the connection. Until we start taking some things very seriously we will keep failing at the world stage.

TheSuperNerd:
Morocco's Men Football History:

1 Afcon (1976)
1 U20 Afcon (1997)
1 U17 Afcon (2025)
1 U23 Afcon (2023)
3 CHAN titles (2018, 2020, 2024)

As you can see, they dont command a scary history but why I began fanning them early as a kid as my second favorite African team after Our Super Eagles is coz of their uniform colors and talents. Morocco always produced top North African talents since their first WC appearance in 1970 WC and their breakthrough as Africa's first side to top a WC group and reach the knockouts round in 1986.

They are doing well but I would like to see how they fare again at the Upcoming Afcon as they were quite a disappointment for me last time out despite the 2022 WC form they took into the Afcon tournament.

Ihenzy:
To be honest anyone canvassing for Awoniyi is just playing double standard. Cos there is no difference between him, Onauchu, Sadiq, Simmy, Victor Boniface.

Even Moffi is more reliable than him

How can you claim Moffi is more reliable than Awoniyi with 4 goals in 799 minutes after 19 matches?

Awoniyi on the other hand played 426 minutes and had 2 goals in 10 matches. Do that stats look like Moffi is more reliable than Awoniyi?

You are also wrong about Awoniyi being on the same level with Boniface andOnuachu

Boniface with 655 minutes in 13 caps score only 1 goal. How does that look same?

Onuachu own worst pass. Only 3 goals in 25 matches with 797 minutes. How are they the same?

Simmy didn't get more chances though.

TheSuperNerd:
Omo he talk am ooo. To Celebrate Black History month with Liverpool's first black player, Howard Gayle, Curtis actually spilled it. "I'm Nigerian as well..."

Anyway, make we dey watch.

Thanks Top Mod.

Nerdy, I go lie for you?

I think Nigeria has this pull and it's become attractive to identify with Nigeria these days so I'm not really surprised.

Of course, playing for Nigeria na another thing entirely.

Mujtahida:
Leave small for them.

Taaaaaa!!! We go again!

You can be sure they will compete well in ANY tournament. NO respect to any team.

Mujtahida:
With our natural talent, if we add some bit of systematic framework, we will achieve great things. But we have become accustomed to this any-howness because in spite of it, we still win trophies (local, as you say)

If Morocco continues on this same trajectory, it's a matter of time before they win a major trophy. In fact I desire that they win this present u-20 tournament and the next Wafcon

Make them leave Afcon for us sha

N:B nobody is clamoring for Awoniyi now. I am just debunking lies.

I watched the Benin match again but I no see the otuniness wey dem talk about Olusegun.

Of course, I am not clamoring for him ooo. Though I noticed he he won the Russian league with his team last season to get the attention but I don't know his contribution. I will find out myself because I don't believe some people here.

Moreover, when Iwobi moved into the attacking midfield after Onye entered, he was poor.

His ball control and passes were atrocious.

We need a better AMF with good ball control and an eye for tailored passes.