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"The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup - Sports (18098) - Nairaland

Nairaland ForumEntertainmentSports"The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup (17735095 Views)

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Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by chrisooblog: 12:36pm On Oct 24, 2025
Yobo at RB between 2001-2002 was pretty decent. Remember that beautiful cross he gave Aghahowa for his goal against Sweden @ the 2002 WC?

You're right that he was more makeshift but even a lot of the full shift ones we had didn't perform as good as Big Joe in that position.

Ambrose sef na makeshift na lol. Efe was more of a CB but his decent ball handling skills were good enough for Keshi to deploy him in that position.

I think Aina has the potential to be considered the best RB we ever had but he has to achieve something great with the team.

daveP:
Hehehe. Na that backline dey cause wahala. Esp that RB part. Yobo ke? 😂
That is makeshift na. Musa Muhammad had potential to do exploits in that role but he fell off. He had the top talent to be the right side Marcelo with a better defending side. But....
Not suggesting him o. He didn't cook well on fire so..

So I'll put Ambrose cos of that Consistency over those years.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Goke7: 12:38pm On Oct 24, 2025
9JAMac10:
Bought and read Sunday oliseh book. Audacity to refuse. Interesting read. Oliseh head butted sia sia after a lunge during a training session before the Italy game at USA 1994 World Cup . Behind the scenes stories of the national team are juicy details
If these players are still friends till today dem try, na men dem be 😂
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by chrisooblog: 12:50pm On Oct 24, 2025
Your picks are solid however these are my few reservations.

I think Celestine was the more complete LB than Ben Iroha whose injury record like you noted wasn't great.

Keshi in starting Xl? For me it depends on the formation because in a flat four at the back defensive formation he would struggle. A prototype of the VVD type defenders of today, silky on the ball but not as defensively astute. Chairman Chukwu had that perfect blend of solidity and grace on the ball.

I prefer my defenders tough, rough and unyielding like Taribo West who I would prefer over Okechukwu.

Cocony:
My Super eagles all time XI
1 Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama

2.Right back- Efe Ambrose: Defensively and offensively astute with a minimum to zero rate of gifting the opponents dangerous freekicks or penalties.

3.Left back- Ben Iroha: Injury prone but top notch in his performances barring France 98.

4.Center Back- Stephen Keshi

5.Center Back- Uche Okechukwu

6.Defensive Midfielder- Sunday Oliseh

7.Central Midfielder- John Mikel Obi

8.Attacking Midfielder- Austin Okocha

9.Right Wing Forward- Finidi George It's rare to see someone move from Sharks(or was it Iwuanyanwu Nationale)in Nigeria to Ajax and displacing a known Marc Overmars. All these on the basis of National team contribution/significance.

10.Center Forward- Victor Osimhen: Despite not winning AFCON yet but emerging from Serie A as your teams goleador. And replicating it a season later with another in Turkey yet consistent in European main competitions and effect in the National team makes me drop YEKINI for OSIMHEN.

11.Left Wing Forward- Emmanuel Amunike.

If I didn't explain on certain people, to me they were and are still simply astounding to be compared
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by chrisooblog: 12:57pm On Oct 24, 2025
Football back in the day was played with a code of honour that no quota would be asked or given on the field of play.

Afterwards what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch no grudges.

Same way Roy Keane and Patrick Viera who were guaranteed to fight during Arsenal/Man U matches back in the day are cordial now.

Goke7:
If these players are still friends till today dem try, na men dem be 😂
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by BankyGee(m): 1:07pm On Oct 24, 2025
Few months ago, some analysts on this thread said once Osimhen joins Galatasaray, e don finish for am, his energy level will drop because he's not playing "competitive" football and it will affect his position in the national team.

I just dey look them, be like una never still grasp the kind of person wey Osimhen be. Osimhen was in exactly the same situation as Lookman, didn't play football from May till September where he was subbed in for the Benin match last year, 6 minutes after being subbed in, he tear mad golazo. That's for a person that hasn't been playing o 😂

Osimhen no dey lose form, whether he just come back from injury o, or he no play for years o, or he play for Remo Stars wey go still collect another 5 on Sunday o, he's the only beast we have in the Nigerian National Team and the biggest beast of strikers in the world.

See the way Lookman dey struggle to pick form, and e dey pain me honestly. E no go better for Atalanta, he even had €20M chalked off his market value this month, he's now €40M. I hope he picks up soonest.

Boniface too drop from €40M to €20M, make God help my guy too 😮‍💨😮‍💨
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by BankyGee(m): 1:10pm On Oct 24, 2025
🔝 UCL MD3 stat leaders

⚽️ Osimhen on target
🤯 Yamal ballin' out
🎯 Curtis Jones pulling the strings

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 1:12pm On Oct 24, 2025
Why can't we send another team to America like we did before the last world cup?
@ TheSuperNerd
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheGoodJoe(m): 1:13pm On Oct 24, 2025
chrisooblog:
JJ i admire him but if I was the coach when he did that nonsense around the 3 minute mark in that video I for shoot am double barrel.
This is hilarious. Keep in mind Jay Jay was really young at that time and youthful exuberance will always play a part. Either way his quality is undeniable.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Odunayaw(m): 1:16pm On Oct 24, 2025
chrisooblog:
JJ i admire him but if I was the coach when he did that nonsense around the 3 minute mark in that video I for shoot am double barrel.
😆
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheGoodJoe(m): 1:16pm On Oct 24, 2025
Kog45:
Jay Jay Okocha will continue to make eagles all time XI in the next 100 years,only minus in his career was his club career,imagine such a talented player played for Bolton
When I was making the Mikel Obi over Okocha list, I had you in mind because I was sure you will never agree. You really like the classics.

As I pointed out, my preference is from the offensive and defensive package. No doubt, no one can argue a list with Jay Jay Okocha. Mine is a tactical preference.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheGoodJoe(m): 1:18pm On Oct 24, 2025
Kog45:
My Super eagles all time XI
1 Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama

2.Right back-Ola Aina

3.Left back-Taye Taiwo

4.Center Back-Stephen Keshi

5.Center Back-Uche Okechuckwu

6.Defensive Midfieder-Sunday Oliseh

7.Central midfieder-Mikel Obi

8.Attacking midfielder-Austin Okocha

9.Right Wing Forward-Segun Odegbami

10.Center Forward-Victor Osimhen

11.Left Wing Forward-Adokiye Aimeasemeka
Wow. Such a classic list.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by opes: 1:25pm On Oct 24, 2025
Kog45:
My Super eagles all time XI
1 Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama

2.Right back-Ola Aina

3.Left back-Taye Taiwo

4.Center Back-Stephen Keshi

5.Center Back-Uche Okechuckwu

6.Defensive Midfieder-Sunday Oliseh

7.Central midfieder-Mikel Obi

8.Attacking midfielder-Austin Okocha

9.Right Wing Forward-Segun Odegbami

10.Center Forward-Victor Osimhen

11.Left Wing Forward-Adokiye Aimeasemeka
I will prefer;

Chidi odiah......................RB
Findi George...................RW
Amuneke Emmanuel.....LW
Rasheed Yekini ..............CF
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by lbrichman2: 1:30pm On Oct 24, 2025
chrisooblog:
JJ i admire him but if I was the coach when he did that nonsense around the 3 minute mark in that video I for shoot am double barrel.
That's Okocha for you..
Equal ability to excite and frustrate in the same breath
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Cocony(m): 1:30pm On Oct 24, 2025
For me any starting 11 should be as good as their National, Continental and Local league abilities with the 1st two abilities being of greater significance. Note that Continental implies UEFA CL, EUROPA LEAGUE UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE(OR THEIR PREDECESSORS), COPA LIBERTADORES, COPA SUDAMERICANA(OR THEIR PREDECESSORS), CAF CL, CAF CC(OR THEIR PREDECESSORS).
National implies qualifiers for Nations Cup and Nations Cup proper as well as World cup qualifiers and World Cup proper.
Local implies leagues in which the player was/is based in and maybe quality of oppositions
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Mujtahida: 1:32pm On Oct 24, 2025
Goke7:
We suppose flog this Italian team like 3-0 if only our strikers had utilised some of those passes from Okocha
To think that Italy had ace defenders like Maldini and Baresi and others drilled in the Italian science of Catenaccio and yet we broke their lines, disorganized them several times, razzled them speaks volumes of the quality of our players.

Italy went ahead to play in the finals.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by lbrichman2: 1:34pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheGoodJoe:
This is hilarious. Keep in mind Jay Jay was really young at that time and youthful exuberance will always play a part. Either way his quality is undeniable.
Proving my point once again
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Mujtahida: 1:45pm On Oct 24, 2025
chrisooblog:
Football back in the day was played with a code of honour that no quota would be asked or given on the field of play.

Afterwards what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch no grudges.

Same way Roy Keane and Patrick Viera who were guaranteed to fight during Arsenal/Man U matches back in the day are cordial now.
It's not necessarily a football thing. That's how men are. Nobody exemplified this for me more than Mike Tyson. In his prime, he was a marauding beast. He'd talk a lot of shyte trading words with his opponents before the match. But many times during the fight proper, I've seen him lunge forward to pick up an opponent going down under the impact of his blows. At other times, he'd hug his opponents and praise them. He was always gracious in victory. I really admire that quality Even he and Evander are buddies today.

You know that George Foreman, Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier all became friends before their passing.

I love this quality about men. Read the excerpt below.

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 2:01pm On Oct 24, 2025
Kindly expatiate My Dear Marvellous Basco. Kinda head-choked here. Lol

BascoVanVeli:
Why can't we send another team to America like we did before the last world cup?
@ TheSuperNerd
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by semid4lyfe(mod): 2:05pm On Oct 24, 2025
Kog45:
My Super eagles all time XI
1 Goalkeeper-Vincent Enyeama

2.Right back-Ola Aina

3.Left back-Taye Taiwo

4.Center Back-Stephen Keshi

5.Center Back-Uche Okechuckwu

6.Defensive Midfieder-Sunday Oliseh

7.Central midfieder-Mikel Obi

8.Attacking midfielder-Austin Okocha

9.Right Wing Forward-Segun Odegbami

10.Center Forward-Victor Osimhen

11.Left Wing Forward-Adokiye Aimeasemeka
Elder kog45 don come with his nostalgic fondness of the past. If no be say Aina and Osimhen make your team I for talk say you dey stuck in time. grin

Me, I no rate all those oldies. I watched tapes of old naija matches, and I got the impression they were hyped beyond their prowess and ability by Ernest Okonkwo and other ace commentators of that era.

Those were the days when radio commentary used to run simultaneously with the matches on TV, and if you no dey watch the ball and were listening to only commentary, you'd think Odegbami or Adokie was dribbling the entire players of our opponents.

Na hype job all the 80's set be. As far as I dey concerned, the really skillful Nigerian players emerged in the 90's. This is further buttressed by the exodus to Europe of lots of players to play professionally, and the eventual AFCON victory in 94.

I know this kinda thing is subjective so I respect your list but I truly think there's no way any Nigerian player that played predominantly in the 80's is better than those that played in the latter decades.

Adokie Amesiemeka ❌
Segun Odegbami ❌
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Philosopher1979: 2:13pm On Oct 24, 2025
semid4lyfe:
Elder kog45 don come with his nostalgic fondness of the past. If no be say Aina and Osimhen make your team I for talk say you dey stuck in time. grin

Me, I no rate all those oldies. I watched tapes of old naija matches, and I got the impression they were hyped beyond their prowess and ability by Ernest Okonkwo and other ace commentators of that era.

Those were the days when radio commentary used to run simultaneously with the matches on TV, and if you no dey watch the ball and were listening to only commentary, you'd think Odegbami or Adokie was dribbling the entire players of our opponents.

Na hype job all the 80's set be. As far as I dey concerned, the really skillful Nigerian players emerged in the 90's. This is further buttressed by the exodus to Europe of lots of players to play professionally, and the eventual AFCON victory in 94.

I know this kinda thing is subjective so I respect your list but I truly think there's no way any Nigerian player that played predominantly in the 80's is better than those that played in the latter decades.

Adokie Amesiemeka ❌
Segun Odegbami ❌
Wow, some oldies will fight you. Few african players were un Europe in the 80s. Most good afrcan players still played in Africa. The mass exodus reached fully kicked off in the 90s. So in their era going to Europe was not as rampant as now. In fact, it was keshi in the 80s that started it. I think then, he has a quarell with his coaches ir administrators. So you can't say because they did not okay in Europe, they were not better. African teams that played in the world cup in the 80s had a lot of home based players in their trans
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by forgiveness: 2:43pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheSuperNerd:
Another very strong all time XI on paper but...

Tactically, we cant have 2 liberos playing together. One must be the aggressor. Chukwu and Keshi are libero kind CBs. One must drop.

For LB I like that somene includes Taiye Taiwo. He is as good in this all time XI as Babayaro or Iroha. Yobo maintains that RB spot as he originally began there before metamorphosing into a World Class CB. Still a RCB so yes, RB for Yobo.

No changes to the middle. Those 3 are our greatest midfielders of all time. Muda lawal was really good. Ilerika was a dynamite but I agree those 3 are the best.




The attack is where it gets very interesting coz some names will be left out even when they deserve to make it

Odegbami vs Finidi... whoever anyone picks here, I will understand. Both are great. Our greateat RWs of all time. But for me personally, it is "World Class George" all the way. He was called that by some pundits. Best RW in the world no be beans.

Amunike vs Victor Ikpeba vs Adokiye Amiesimaka... Another one. But Amunike edges. Amunike was always clutch and you dont show up in two major finals scoring the match winners and not be considered Great.

Amunike in 1994 Afcon final - Brace.

Amunike in 1996 Olympics final - Matchwinner.

Amunike was the Ultimate Clutch Winger and Big game player in the NT.



Yekini vs Osimhen.... The biggest debate but I will go with Yekini for now. Only because Osimhen is yet to break the Goals record yet. Once Osimhen breaks it, consider my stance changed automatically. 😂

So for the CF role, only 9 goals are left to change my stance. For now, YEKING pls. Lol




BUT WHERE DO WE KEEP THESE OTHER ALL TIME TALENTS?? In a 433, they wont make it. But in a 3-4-2-1 or 442, they likely would.

I speak of GREAT BALLERS LIKE:

- Daniel "The Bull" Amokachi

- Nwankwo Kanu

And

- Samson Siasia



In all, a very strong All time XI by Forgiveness. Will still edge all others on the continent I no go lie including Cameroun's All time XI.
Who will you drop between Chairman and Keshi? For who?

From tactical point of view and modern day football, I will put Odegbami ahead of Finidi because Odegbami can dribble in tight space and score goals.

Besides, Odegbami was CAF 2nd and 3rd African best player. How come "World class" Finidi didn't make top 3?

I prefer a goal scoring winger hence Ikpeba is my pick.

Neymar has already overtaken Pele as the Brazilian national team highest goalscorer but he can't be listed ahead of Pele for obvious reasons.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 2:51pm On Oct 24, 2025
forgiveness:
Who will you drop between Chairman and Keshi? For who?

From tactical point of view and modern day football, I will put Odegbami ahead of Finidi because Odegbami can dribble in tight space and score goals.

Besides, Odegbami was CAF 2nd and 3rd African best player. How come "World class" Finidi didn't make top 3?

I prefer a goal scoring winger hence Ikpeba is my pick.

Neymar has already overtaken Pele as the Brazilian national team highest goalscorer but he can't be listed ahead of Pele for obvious reasons.
Bia, how many times u go quote me talk this thing na? I got your reply yesterday abi dem cancel am?

I can bet I don get like 3 mentions on this from u already. I don hear naa. Chaaiii

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 2:58pm On Oct 24, 2025
Flashback Friday Talk

Now talking tactically in the RW debate... To be honest, Prime Segun Odegbami will be my pick to take on Prime Paolo Maldini in a Nigeria All time XI vs Italy All time XI. Make dem kill themselves for that wing.

But if na Brazil or Spain be the opponent, Finidi straight! Lol

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by Odunayaw(m): 3:07pm On Oct 24, 2025
NFF wan turn Eagles to guineafowl

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by forgiveness:
semid4lyfe:
Elder kog45 don come with his nostalgic fondness of the past. If no be say Aina and Osimhen make your team I for talk say you dey stuck in time. grin

Me, I no rate all those oldies. I watched tapes of old naija matches, and I got the impression they were hyped beyond their prowess and ability by Ernest Okonkwo and other ace commentators of that era.

Those were the days when radio commentary used to run simultaneously with the matches on TV, and if you no dey watch the ball and were listening to only commentary, you'd think Odegbami or Adokie was dribbling the entire players of our opponents.

Na hype job all the 80's set be. As far as I dey concerned, the really skillful Nigerian players emerged in the 90's. This is further buttressed by the exodus to Europe of lots of players to play professionally, and the eventual AFCON victory in 94.

I know this kinda thing is subjective so I respect your list but I truly think there's no way any Nigerian player that played predominantly in the 80's is better than those that played in the latter decades.

Adokie Amesiemeka ❌
Segun Odegbami ❌
Yekini, Rufai and Stephen Keshi were product of 80s. What do you have to say about that?

Segun Odegbami was not hype. The reason he made 2nd and 3rd best African player in 1980 and 1977 respectively.

He was crucial to our first AFCON glory and African league glory by winning the first Africa club trophy. Africa cup Winners cup in 1976. He made world Team of the 20th Century first 11 for Africa in "1998". Why was he included ahead of others?

Most of you didn't know that the 80s set played at the Olympics. It was not under 23 but full football tournament rivaling FIFA.

Adokiye Amiesimaka was a master dribbler better than any left wingers we ever had but problem is he doesn't know how to score goals.

Nevertheless, a fine player.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by forgiveness: 3:09pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheSuperNerd:
Bia, how many times u go quote me talk this thing na? I got your reply yesterday abi dem cancel am?

I can bet I don get like 3 mentions on this from u already. I don hear naa. Chaaiii
E bi like say dem ban me foe am.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 3:16pm On Oct 24, 2025
Yes I noticed it from the first reply. Then I got a 2nd mention so I felt it was reinstated. So na why I dey surprised to still be quoted on same thing this afternoon.

Abeg, My Amiable Semid4lyfe, pls make una free Egbon Forgiveness. Lol

forgiveness:
E bi like say dem ban me foe am.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by forgiveness: 3:17pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheSuperNerd:
Yes I noticed it from the first reply. Then I got a 2nd mention so I felt it was reinstated. So na why I dey surprised to still be quoted on same thing this afternoon.

Abeg, My Amiable Semid4lyfe, pls make una free Egbon Forgiveness. Lol
Lol. Sorry! I no know.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by forgiveness: 3:22pm On Oct 24, 2025
Goke7:
I laughed when someone said Finidi dribbles on the touch line, am not sure the person has watched clips of a segun Odegbami to see what he does on the touch line. It’s a pity the Odegbami and Adokies of this world never qualified for the World Cup all these yeye debate of 94 no go Dey at all!
Well, maybe they were used to Finidi. Odegbami no be fluke.

He was far better than Finidi. Adokie Amesiemeka was far better than all the LW we had in terms of dribbling but baba no Sabi score. That's why he no to get higher ratings.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 3:28pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheSuperNerd:
Kindly expatiate My Dear Marvellous Basco. Kinda head-choked here. Lol
I mean why can't we have separate teams play the World Cup playoffs and the Colombia and Venezuela friendlies? Kind of like we did when we played Portugal and Costa Rica.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 3:33pm On Oct 24, 2025
It is not a bad idea. The problem is if the NFF will agree to do such again. Knowing the NFF, all their logistical attention will be towards Morocco.

BascoVanVeli:
I mean why can't we have separate teams play the World Cup playoffs and the Colombia and Venezuela friendlies? Kind of like we did when we played Portugal and Costa Rica.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2027, 2028 And 2030 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 3:47pm On Oct 24, 2025
TheSuperNerd:
It is not a bad idea. The problem is if the NFF will agree to do such again. Knowing the NFF, all their logistical attention will be towards Morocco.
It would be good publicity in a time they need it grin
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