₦airaland Forum

DR Congo coach on facing Nigeria in the World Cup playoff final: 'We beat a good Cameroon team who took a lot of risks at the end of the match to score. And then there is Nigeria, which remains one of the best in Africa," Sébastien Desabre said during post-match conference after win against Cameroon.

"These are teams that are ahead of us in the Fifa ranking and we know we have room for improvement as we showed tonight."

"We [DR Congo] must move forward, we're making progress. We took a good step today and we will have another opportunity against Nigeria to show what we are capable of,"

"That will be another match and whatever happens we will throw ourselves into the game,"
Sébastien added.

Ejuke, Awaziem, Simon, Benjamin all Kaduna born and bred.

Kog45:
Kai so Awaziem Chidozie na Hausa boy...the boy dey blow Hausa language o....just like the way Osimhen dey speak Yoruba

Currently listening to Segun Odegbami and Osasu on Eagle 7FM on YouTube

If/when Osimhen scores tomorrow the record is going down in the AFCON I'm fairly confident.

mrwilliams9:
Osimhen might break Yekini's goal record by the time AFCON is over...but let's be honest, 37 goals as the highest goal scorer for a nation like Nigeria is quite low. Eto is Cameroon's highest goal scorer with 51. Salah is on 61 goals for Egypt, Drogba had 65 by the time he retired.

I think SE has had an issue in building teams with longevity. From tournament to tournament, things are always changing.

Honestly, Osimhen can break the African goal-scoring record (79 goals) held by Godfrey Chitalu from Zambia. Between AFCONQ, AFCON, WCQ and WC, games dey.

Games like this we need the likes of Uche. However this game will be won tactically, not by physicality.

caprikon:
CMR vs DRC was like an audition for Senegalese wrestling (Lamb).
DRC have these big tall players and appear to pose a threat with set pieces. We conceded too many corners against Gabon in the second half.
Sunday promises to be an exciting but physical game. I hope we come home with the victory and hopefully no injuries.

It's like there are many hausa speaking guys in the team , I noticed Chidera Ejuke speaks Hausa too, as well as Benjamin Fredrick, the others I'm not surprised about are Moses Simon , Akor Adams and of course the two Norther players Zaidu and Alhassan .

Kog45:
Kai so Awaziem Chidozie na Hausa boy...the boy dey blow Hausa language o....just like the way Osimhen dey speak Yoruba

BankyGee:
I swear, and he's good o, but omo he doesn't inspire confidence to me like Zaidu or Benjamin.

That Gabon goal, it was his clearance back to the Gabonese that gave them that second shot + his deflection.

If Nwabali seff dey active, he for save that thing, even with the deflection.

It was all Nwabali. The deflection was so slight.

The Gabonese goalie saved a even stronger deflection I think from Ndidi.

The game against Congo will be a replica of the 2013 AFCON final against Burkina Faso

TheSuperNerd:
Not insanely. But Japan is actually good. No caps.

My Doc, that insanely has to be there o. I remember Japan beating Germany and Türkiye in 2023 friendlies with two different squads, they score 4+ goals in both games.

They good die. I watched them against Brazil na, from 0–2 down to win 3–2.

lexyman:
please who have a full match of yesterday , i want to watch again

Go to Sporty TV on YouTube, under the live section.

TheLoneCitizen:
It was all Nwabali. The deflection was so slight.

The Gabonese goalie saved a even stronger deflection I think from Ndidi.

I got to find out there was a deflection on this thread TBH. Nwabali should be saving that.

BankyGee:
I swear, that equalizer demoralize me finish, then Osimhen's miss.

But I knew they'd fight back in extra time. The fire in these boys is just growing, plus they love Éric Chelle and he loves them too. He found a way to make them play as a team and this is just the starting phase o, because we've not even blended 100% as a team. Imagine if we do.

We just need two or three more players for everything to gell. Once we have that midfield bomber and co-ordinator and then the team spends time soaking Chelle's tactics in camp, I fear for what the eagles will become.

This journalist is saying Ndidi is eligible for the final.

Joebie:
Games like this we need the likes of Uche. However this game will be won tactically, not by physicality.

If Uche plays this match he go collect red card. I'm sure of it.

Mujtahida:
We just need two or three more players for everything to gell. Once we have that midfield bomber and co-ordinator and then the team spends time soaking Chelle's tactics in camp, I fear for what the eagles will become.

Fixed 😃😃


After we beat DR Congo, make them bring Brazil come 🫴🏾 I wan check something.

BankyGee:
Fixed 😃😃


After we beat DR Congo, make them bring Brazil come 🫴🏾 I wan check something.

Why Brazil? We played a draw with them in a friendly few years ago and their team was not depleted then we held them to a draw.
Good idea though.
However, I will prefer a friendly against Argentina, Morocco, Croatia, Belgium and Spain if/when we eventually qualify for the World Cup Proper.

Cecco90:
This journalist is saying Ndidi is eligible for the final.

Abeg if he is eligible let him play oo!!!

Ndidi under Eric Chelle is a whole new beast. I've been greatly impressed with his recent NT games.

ETA: If confirmation is not given by CAF/FIFA by tomorrow, make we just start Onyeka to avoid stories that touch.

TheLoneCitizen:
It was all Nwabali. The deflection was so slight.

The Gabonese goalie saved a even stronger deflection I think from Ndidi.

You see am be that.

And to set things straight bah, this same Nwabali is like the best goalkeeper in Africa, no jokes.

Strengths: Throwing, reflexes, ball distribution, physique, penalty saving, anticipation - he's strong in all these aspects.

But:
Weaknesses: Discipline, anger issues, drama queen, lessing balls 😂

I also saw them vs Paraguay and USA. They drew and lost. Insanely is a stretch. Spain is insanely good. France is insanely good. Same as Argentina (Champions). These are genuine world cup contenders. Can we say same of Japan?

Yes, they beat Brazil but we all know they are still adjusting under Carlo Ancelotti and today vs Senegal (that disgraced England in June) we will see just how far Brazil have come under Carlo.

BankyGee:
My Doc, that insanely has to be there o. I remember Japan beating Germany and Türkiye in 2023 friendlies with two different squads, they score 4+ goals in both games.

They good die. I watched them against Brazil na, from 0–2 down to win 3–2.

mrwilliams9:
Osimhen might break Yekini's goal record by the time AFCON is over...but let's be honest, 37 goals as the highest goal scorer for a nation like Nigeria is quite low. Eto is Cameroon's highest goal scorer with 51. Salah is on 61 goals for Egypt, Drogba had 65 by the time he retired.

I think SE has had an issue in building teams with longevity. From tournament to tournament, things are always changing.

Honestly, Osimhen can break the African goal-scoring record (79 goals) held by Godfrey Chitalu from Zambia. Between AFCONQ, AFCON, WCQ and WC, games dey.

Also, Nigeria hardly utilised international window. Those players you mentioned played many more games to reach those numbers

Cocony:
Why Brazil? We played a draw with them in a friendly few years ago and their team was not depleted then we held them to a draw.
Good idea though.
However, I will prefer a friendly against Argentina, Morocco, Croatia, Belgium and Spain if/when we eventually qualify for the World Cup Proper.

I like the idea of Morocco. Make NFF run am.

This kind match, lasers go sell out three weeks before Matchday 😂

TheSuperNerd:
I also saw them vs Paraguay and USA. They drew and lost. Insanely is a stretch. Spain is insanely good. France is insanely good. Same as Argentina (Champions). These are genuine world cup contenders. Can we say same of Japan?

Yes, they beat Brazil but we all know they are still adjusting under Carlo Ancelotti and today vs Senegal (that disgraced England in June) we will see just how far Brazil have come under Carlo.

I get you but in my own opinion sha they are insanely good. That's my third national team after Nigeria and Türkiye, then Argentina 4th. 😎

Osasu is a journo I take seriously on fifa rules so I hope he is right.

So if indeed the playoffs yellows are counted different from the regular WCQs yellows, then thanks goodness.

Just that the rule that is available to us is the normal 2 yellow cards rule throughout a qualifying campaign or a tournament. The confusion has always been about whether cards accumulation at one stage of qualifiers carries into a fresh stage.
If only the specifics of the WCQs playoffs suspension rule was laid out or made publicly available, there wont be this much confusion, hence the reference to the general suspension rule.

Cecco90:
This journalist is saying Ndidi is eligible for the final.

chrisooblog:
It's almost a criminal offense that a DEFENDER is that comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Can't remember ever in my history of watching the SE seeing a CB that's so comfortable on the ball with accurate passes to boot. Looks like someone who can also do a job in the DM position if called upon.

Top exciting talent. Deserves to feature in the big leagues.

Bros you can't say this nah.

Fredrick is very good.. but can you say he's more comfortable on the ball and plays more accurate pass than the injured Ola Aina?

Let's learn not to be quick to forget

We have a higher chance of getting the Swiss young international, Zachary Athekame (20), of AC Milan than Michael Kayode. The latter indicated early this year is that his dream is to achieve big things for Italy senior national team.

When did Turkey become a fav NT of yours ehn this man? Osimhen joined Gala in 2024. Na dia the Romance start eh?

Anyway, mine remains:
- Super Eagles (and all other Naija NTs)
- Netherlands
- Morocco
- Brazil (Senior team only)

The End.

BankyGee:
I get you but in my own opinion sha they are insanely good. That's my third national team after Nigeria and Türkiye, then Argentina 4th. 😎

The talent has always been there.

haha.. all the gidigbo when we see between Congo DR and Cameroon, who collect?

BankyGee:
If Uche plays this match he go collect red card. I'm sure of it.

Ndidi has received a great deal of flak on this thread but when I watched that interview Chelle had with Odegbami, the kind of praise the man heaped on Ndidi ehn.

Truth is that there are things coaches see, that we the fans don't see and there are things that the fans see, that the coaches don't see.

Benjamin must remain in CB on Sunday, coach shouldn't be tempted to bring on Seyi and push the latter to the RB. ABEG don't change that back four. Osayi will never repeat those silly erros that almost cost use the game.

Onyeka replaces Ndidi (Onyedika can come in to replace him)

Leave Iwobi, Lookman, Adam, Osimhen and Chukwueze as they are.


Simon Moses and Ejuke can come in 2nd half to traumatize Congo and make them regret. What do you think guys

If the ruling is true obviously Ndidi will continue in his role.

This also implies that Iwobi, Bassey, and Nwabali's yellows are also cancelled.

TheSuperNerd:
Osasu is a journo I take seriously on fifa rules so I hope he is right.

So if indeed the playoffs yellows are counted different from the regular WCQs yellows, then thanks goodness.

Just that the rule that is available to us is the normal 2 yellow cards rule throughout a qualifying campaign or a tournament. The confusion has always been about whether cards accumulation at one stage of qualifiers carries into a fresh stage.
If only the specifics of the WCQs playoffs suspension rule was laid out or made publicly available, there wont be this much confusion, hence the reference to the general suspension rule.

TheSuperNerd:
Osasu is a journo I take seriously on fifa rules so I hope he is right.

So if indeed the playoffs yellows are counted different from the regular WCQs yellows, then thanks goodness.

Just that the rule that is available to us is the normal 2 yellow cards rule throughout a qualifying campaign or a tournament. The confusion has always been about whether cards accumulation at one stage of qualifiers carries into a fresh stage.
If only the specifics of the WCQs playoffs suspension rule was laid out or made publicly available, there wont be this much confusion, hence the reference to the general suspension rule.

Go with what's on Wikipedia. Though it updatable by the general public, the info there is 99% accurate.
It's better to play on the side of caution. Ndidi is suspended