₦airaland Forum

1. Wilfried Ndidi
2. Alex Iwobi
3. Moses Simon

Will Eric Chelle do a quick replacement for these players before AFCON?
These are the current Super Eagles problem but many don't see it.

joelsteron:
1. Wilfried Ndidi
2. Alex Iwobi
3. Moses Simon

Will Eric Chelle do a quick replacement for these players before AFCON?
These are the current Super Eagles problem but many don't see it.

All d midfield


Iwobi shld be played where he’s been played at his club , like I use to say any coach still relying on iwo I for his creativity hub is a lazy coach

Truidstarr:
Like I said sir, Please do your research before posting.
1. Michael Folorunsho is currently playing for Cagliari on loan from Napoli. Not Bari as you stated in your post.
2. Michael Folorunsho has been capped by Italy in a Friendly ( His heart has been set on playing for the Italian National team) and he is not an option for us as you erroneously stated in your post.

If it was a friendly match, he is still eligible to play for Nigeria.

Sarsaparilla524:
Midfielders who can add depth and quality to the Nigerian midfield

Faustino Anjorin (Empoli, England): Chelsea academy graduate, currently at Empoli. He has represented England at youth level but remains eligible for Nigeria at senior level

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal, England): Rising Arsenal star, England youth international, and eligible for Nigeria. He hasn’t played for England’s senior team, so a switch is still possible.

Tim Iroegbunam (Everton, England): Former England youth international now playing for Everton. Still eligible for Nigeria and has a profile similar to Wilfred Ndidi.

Michael Folorunsho (Napoli/Bari, Italy): Italian-born midfielder playing for Bari on loan from Napoli. He has not played for Nigeria yet and remains an option.

Malik Olayiwola (Everton, England): Has featured for England youth sides but remains uncapped at senior level, so his eligibility for Nigeria is intact.

Adeyemi Adewale (Germany): German youth international with Nigerian heritage; expressed openness to representing Nigeria at senior level.

Nwaneri is the big deal on this list. The last 2 are kids.

forgiveness:
Nwaneri is the big deal on this list. The last 2 are kids.

Do you know the whereabouts of Ovie Ejiara?

Sarsaparilla524:
Do you know the whereabouts of Ovie Ejiara?

I just checked now and I realized he is playing in Laliga. That's interesting.

elyte89:
All d midfield


Iwobi shld be played where he’s been played at his club , like I use to say any coach still relying on iwo I for his creativity hub is a lazy coach

Please sire, I beg you, don’t make excuses for Alex Iwobi. To do what exactly in the position he plays for Fulham?
If he can’t adapt to other roles, then honestly, I wish I were Eric Chelle.
Is Benjamin a dog, or is Chukwueze a monkey, that they can adapt to new positions but he can’t?

Zero marking.
Zero shooting.
Zero take-ons or 1v1s.
Zero aerial presence.
Zero ball protection.

Only those “sexy” penetrating passes… to where? To whom exactly?

If not for Osimhen constantly showing up, we would have kissed qualification goodbye long ago.

I hope Onyedika slots in peacefully and give us better penetration pass, shoots and ball protection in our midfield.

MetalJigsaw:
Which fact? ...Oga na lie, na coach we no get, simple.

No dey talk day kind thing bros.

Baba, you cant beat that Congolese team with Iwobi and Ndidi as your midfielders.

forgiveness:
Nwaneri is the big deal on this list. The last 2 are kids.

What is wrong with you Nigerians sef? This is so annoying. Why would Nwaneri ever agree to play for Nigeria? Dont you see the state of your nation abi you blind? Aside that, did you groom Nwaneri for you to be expecting him to wear your green white green. Go back to your disgraced country and enjoy the morons you voted for. You think this is a joke. No serious player with great potential born abroad will ever be stoopid enough to play for Nigeria.

terzurum5:
Mr. You that have players plying their trade only in your home league, how many AFCON and FIFA World Cups has your country won?

DR Congo’s football success was built at home.
Nigeria’s football success has mostly depended on players raised and developed abroad. Without this “foreign aid,” nobody would even mention Nigerian football internationally. Meanwhile, Congo’s local league has produced local stars, attracted foreign talents, and even supplied players who represent the national teams of other countries.

DR Congo’s local players have won the CHAN (African Nations Championship) twice, while Nigerian local players have never won it.

Look at the club level:
Congo’s TP Mazembe is one of Africa’s greatest clubs.
– They won multiple CAF Champions League titles.
– They qualified three times for the FIFA Club World Cup.
– And in 2010, they made history as the first African club to reach the final, losing only to Inter Milan.
No Nigerian club has ever come close to that achievement.

Look at the players:
Congo produced world-class talents locally. One example is Mputu Mabi Trésor — a superstar developed entirely in Congo who never went abroad. He won the Best Local African Player award. He was so good that major European clubs, including Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal, tried to sign him, but Mazembe refused, as he was too important to the team.

Recent proof on the pitch:
In the last Congo vs Nigeria game:

Meschack Elia, who scored for Congo, initially joined the national team from the local league and was later recruited by a Swiss club.

Chancel Bemba, captain and scorer of the final penalty, also rose from the local league to the national team before moving to Belgium. Today, he is one of the well known stars in Europe.

Kalala Mayele, whose two goals were disallowed, also came to the national team from the local league before signing in Tanzania. At the CAF Awards 2025, he was named African Inter-clubs Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, a kid growing up locally cannot realistically expect to join the Super Eagles unless he first develops abroad. This is the Nigerian mentality. Even Nigerians themselves often show little respect for their local league and clubs. On sites like Nairaland, there is a tendency to prioritize European clubs, as if Nigerian clubs and leagues don’t exist. In contrast, visiting a Congolese forum reveals pride in the league and in local players.

I could go on, but I’ll stop here: Nigeria has no better track record than Congo. Only those with low self-esteem who believe anything from Europe is inherently better than what Africa produces would think otherwise. Nigeria relies heavily on foreign-trained players for its football success, and without that “foreign aid,” its football would barely be noticed internationally.

Could this be true?

TheCongo2:
DR Congo’s football success was built at home.
Nigeria’s football success has mostly depended on players raised and developed abroad. Without this “foreign aid,” nobody would even mention Nigerian football internationally. Meanwhile, Congo’s local league has produced local stars, attracted foreign talents, and even supplied players who represent the national teams of other countries.

DR Congo’s local players have won the CHAN (African Nations Championship) twice, while Nigerian local players have never won it.

Look at the club level:
Congo’s TP Mazembe is one of Africa’s greatest clubs.
– They won multiple CAF Champions League titles.
– They qualified three times for the FIFA Club World Cup.
– And in 2010, they made history as the first African club to reach the final, losing only to Inter Milan.
No Nigerian club has ever come close to that achievement.

Look at the players:
Congo produced world-class talents locally. One example is Mputu Mabi Trésor — a superstar developed entirely in Congo who never went abroad. He won the Best Local African Player award. He was so good that major European clubs, including Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal, tried to sign him, but Mazembe refused, as he was too important to the team.

Recent proof on the pitch:
In the last Congo vs Nigeria game:

Meschack Elia, who scored for Congo, initially joined the national team from the local league and was later recruited by a Swiss club.

Chancel Bemba, captain and scorer of the final penalty, also rose from the local league to the national team before moving to Belgium. Today, he is one of the well known stars in Europe.

Kalala Mayele, whose two goals were disallowed, also came to the national team from the local league before signing in Tanzania. At the CAF Awards 2025, he was named African Inter-clubs Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, a kid growing up locally cannot realistically expect to join the Super Eagles unless he first develops abroad. This is the Nigerian mentality. Even Nigerians themselves often show little respect for their local league and clubs. On sites like Nairaland, there is a tendency to prioritize European clubs, as if Nigerian clubs and leagues don’t exist. In contrast, visiting a Congolese forum reveals pride in the league and in local players.

I could go on, but I’ll stop here: Nigeria has no better track record than Congo. Only those with low self-esteem who believe anything from Europe is inherently better than what Africa produces would think otherwise. Nigeria relies heavily on foreign-trained players for its football success, and without that “foreign aid,” its football would barely be noticed internationally.

All this epistle is just for winning two Chan, please your one minute fame is over allow us to discuss important issues.

solonnachi:
Could this be true?

My Ai just told me that he is ineligible, that FIFA did not clear him.

Justice505:
All this epistle is just for winning two Chan, please your one minute fame is over allow us to discuss important issues.

Ah yes, let’s reduce decades of Congolese football history to “just winning two CHAN trophies”—because clearly, producing world-class players, winning multiple CAF Champions League titles, qualifying three times for the Club World Cup, and sending talents to Europe is nothing compared to… what exactly?

But by all means, let’s focus only on what you consider “important issues” while ignoring the fact that Congo builds champions at home and Nigeria relies mostly on players trained abroad. Truly, we wouldn’t want anyone to get distracted by facts, right?

And yes, let’s focus on the British league—since that’s apparently where Nigeria’s “local talent” is supposed to grow. Meanwhile, Congo develops players in its own league, and they still make it to top European clubs. National pride clearly only counts if it comes with a British apprenticeship, right?

In short: Congo builds champions at home; Nigeria borrows them. Facts are stubborn like that.

solonnachi:
Could this be true?

lol... lol.... 😂 😂 😂 😂

And seriously — how can a nation that calls itself a “football powerhouse” not feel even a little ashamed for constantly trying to exploit back doors?

Winning on the pitch, earning it the hard way, is what builds true respect. Chasing imaginary shortcuts only shows entitlement, not strength. If Nigeria wants to be a real powerhouse, the first step is learning to lose gracefully and stop looking for loopholes.

Here is something similar

Emilio Nsue, the top scorer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was indeed sanctioned by FIFA for playing for Equatorial Guinea without clearance. He was banned for six months from national team games and fined CHF 150,000. The reason? Nsue had previously played for Spain's youth teams, making him ineligible to switch to Equatorial Guinea under FIFA rules.

FIFA ruled that Nsue was never eligible to represent Equatorial Guinea throughout his 11-year international career. As a result, Equatorial Guinea was stripped of two World Cup qualifying wins, and their opponents were awarded 3-0 victories.

Nsue had played 26 competitive games for Spain's youth teams from Under-16 to Under-21 levels, including the Under-21 European Championship in 2011. Despite FIFA denying his eligibility change in 2013, he continued to play for Equatorial Guinea.

Justice505:
Here is something similar

Emilio Nsue, the top scorer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was indeed sanctioned by FIFA for playing for Equatorial Guinea without clearance. He was banned for six months from national team games and fined CHF 150,000. The reason? Nsue had previously played for Spain's youth teams, making him ineligible to switch to Equatorial Guinea under FIFA rules.

FIFA ruled that Nsue was never eligible to represent Equatorial Guinea throughout his 11-year international career. As a result, Equatorial Guinea was stripped of two World Cup qualifying wins, and their opponents were awarded 3-0 victories.

Nsue had played 26 competitive games for Spain's youth teams from Under-16 to Under-21 levels, including the Under-21 European Championship in 2011. Despite FIFA denying his eligibility change in 2013, he continued to play for Equatorial Guinea.

Instead of posting important issues, you’re busy spreading spam disguised as “news.” Please, carry on—your creativity in misinformation is truly impressive.

TheCongo2:
Instead of posting important issues, you’re busy spreading spam disguised as “news.” Please, carry on—your creativity in misinformation is truly impressive.

Do you now speak on behalf of FIFA as their spokesman?
South Africa also fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho.
If Aaron was ineligible ,then DR Congo will lose their slot to Nigeria.

Loopholes is what every clever lawyer leverage on to win difficult cases .

Sarsaparilla524:
Do you now speak on behalf of FIFA as their spokesman?
South Africa also fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho.
If Aaron was ineligible ,then DR Congo will lose their slot to Nigeria.

Loopholes is what every clever lawyer leverage on to win difficult cases .

Ah, of course! Let me grab my official FIFA badge and press release while we’re at it.

Yes, clearly DR Congo is just trembling in fear over Nigeria’s “clever lawyers” and secret loopholes — never mind the fact that FIFA hasn’t said a single word about any suspension or match award.

By all means, keep building that fantasy world where backdoors and imaginary rulings replace actually winning on the pitch. It must be exhausting trying to qualify without playing football.

TheCongo2:
Ah yes, let’s reduce decades of Congolese football history to “just winning two CHAN trophies”—because clearly, producing world-class players, winning multiple CAF Champions League titles, qualifying three times for the Club World Cup, and sending talents to Europe is nothing compared to… what exactly?

But by all means, let’s focus only on what you consider “important issues” while ignoring the fact that Congo builds champions at home and Nigeria relies mostly on players trained abroad. Truly, we wouldn’t want anyone to get distracted by facts, right?

And yes, let’s focus on the British league—since that’s apparently where Nigeria’s “local talent” is supposed to grow. Meanwhile, Congo develops players in its own league, and they still make it to top European clubs. National pride clearly only counts if it comes with a British apprenticeship, right?

In short: Congo builds champions at home; Nigeria borrows them. Facts are stubborn like that.

im under the impression these metrics you have laid out are for comparison against countries like ethiopia, benin republic, rwanda right? I sure hope you are not comparing your dusty ass country whose only main achievements are 2 afcon and 2 chan trophies to NIGERIA? Your built champions, what has been their highest achievements? 9 nigerians (male and female) have won the african player of the year with a total of 20 wins. How many has your built champions won? Dont take the lack of opposition to your posts as acceptance. The mood here is down because of the world cup qualifier. That is why you have been running around with little opposition. Better go and do your dick measuring with your little countries in central africa. You've never even been to the world cup so where is all these audacity coming from?

#Sportivation

Super Eagles Players Abandoned Me After South Korea Miss - Yakubu


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKzKNQRs2w?si=9r0rKkt2d_MioJyS

TheCongo2:
Ah yes, let’s reduce decades of Congolese football history to “just winning two CHAN trophies”—because clearly, producing world-class players, winning multiple CAF Champions League titles, qualifying three times for the Club World Cup, and sending talents to Europe is nothing compared to… what exactly?

But by all means, let’s focus only on what you consider “important issues” while ignoring the fact that Congo builds champions at home and Nigeria relies mostly on players trained abroad. Truly, we wouldn’t want anyone to get distracted by facts, right?

And yes, let’s focus on the British league—since that’s apparently where Nigeria’s “local talent” is supposed to grow. Meanwhile, Congo develops players in its own league, and they still make it to top European clubs. National pride clearly only counts if it comes with a British apprenticeship, right?

In short: Congo builds champions at home; Nigeria borrows them. Facts are stubborn like that.

You are not a sincere person, you criticize nigeria for using foreign born and your country is following the same foot step. All the players you use during the playoff are either born in Dr Congo or outside Dr Congo just like nigeria but you are criticizing nigeria. It's because it's not working for you guys it's that why you are hating on us.

This are some of the foreign born players who played against nigeria, I know they are more.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a right-back born in England


Michel-Ange Balikwisha, a midfielder born in Belgium


Mario Stroeykens, a midfielder born in Belgium


Matthieu Epolo, a goalkeeper born in Belgium


Axel Tuanzebe, a right-back born in Belgium

Chancel Mbemba, a centre-back born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has played for Belgium's youth teams


Why don't you use players from your local league since you guys have the best league and have won the caf champions League six time in fact your country could have just use Tp mazembe players since they have more international exposure.

TheCongo2:
Ah yes, let’s reduce decades of Congolese football history to “just winning two CHAN trophies”—because clearly, producing world-class players, winning multiple CAF Champions League titles, qualifying three times for the Club World Cup, and sending talents to Europe is nothing compared to… what exactly?

But by all means, let’s focus only on what you consider “important issues” while ignoring the fact that Congo builds champions at home and Nigeria relies mostly on players trained abroad. Truly, we wouldn’t want anyone to get distracted by facts, right?

And yes, let’s focus on the British league—since that’s apparently where Nigeria’s “local talent” is supposed to grow. Meanwhile, Congo develops players in its own league, and they still make it to top European clubs. National pride clearly only counts if it comes with a British apprenticeship, right?

In short: Congo builds champions at home; Nigeria borrows them. Facts are stubborn like that.

rasheed yekini, kanu nwakwo. Victor ikpeba. These are nigerians that played in the nigerian league, national team and europe. And they were listed because they have a special feature between themselves. they all won the african player of the year award. What example do you have from your bob the builder country? You do not possess enough star pedigree to be in a competition with Nigeria. Your country has achieved nothing to be in a comparison with nigeria. If you do please share them against our successes lets talk. You claim to be better at building talents but i still outrank you in under age football tournaments. Your only world cup participation was 51 years ago as Zaire so where is all these big talk coming from? Atleast beat your play off opponents first before giving lectures you were not asked

Amedino99:
rasheed yekini, kanu nwakwo. Victor ikpeba. These are nigerians that played in the nigerian league, national team and europe. And they were listed because they have a special feature between themselves. they all won the african player of the year award. What example do you have from your bob the builder country? You do not possess enough star pedigree to be in a competition with Nigeria. Your country has achieved nothing to be in a comparison with nigeria. If you do please share them against our successes lets talk. You claim to be better at building talents but i still outrank you in under age football tournaments. Your only world cup participation was 51 years ago as Zaire so where is all these big talk coming from? Atleast beat your play off opponents first before giving lectures you were not asked

You listed Rasheed Yekini, Kanu Nwankwo, and Victor Ikpeba — great legends, no argument there. But you conveniently skipped the part where their era was 30–35 years ago. Nigeria hasn’t produced that level of homegrown talent consistently in the modern era. That actually proves my point: your football today depends mainly on players developed abroad.

When it comes to proving local football quality, Congo has receipts. Nigeria doesn’t.

Justice505:
You are not a sincere person, you criticize nigeria for using foreign born and your country is following the same foot step. All the players you use during the playoff are either born in Dr Congo or outside Dr Congo just like nigeria but you are criticizing nigeria. It's because it's not working for you guys it's that why you are hating on us.

This are some of the foreign born players who played against nigeria, I know they are more.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a right-back born in England


Michel-Ange Balikwisha, a midfielder born in Belgium


Mario Stroeykens, a midfielder born in Belgium


Matthieu Epolo, a goalkeeper born in Belgium


Axel Tuanzebe, a right-back born in Belgium

Chancel Mbemba, a centre-back born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has played for Belgium's youth teams


Why don't you use players from your local league since you guys have the best league and have won the caf champions League six time in fact your country could have just use Tp mazembe players since they have more international exposure.

The whole argument summarized:

Congo has a local league of its own to show for it.
Nigeria doesn’t. Without foreign aid, Nigeria wouldn’t even exist on the football map.

TheCongo2:
DR Congo’s football success was built at home.
Nigeria’s football success has mostly depended on players raised and developed abroad. Without this “foreign aid,” nobody would even mention Nigerian football internationally. Meanwhile, Congo’s local league has produced local stars, attracted foreign talents, and even supplied players who represent the national teams of other countries.

DR Congo’s local players have won the CHAN (African Nations Championship) twice, while Nigerian local players have never won it.

Look at the club level:
Congo’s TP Mazembe is one of Africa’s greatest clubs.
– They won multiple CAF Champions League titles.
– They qualified three times for the FIFA Club World Cup.
– And in 2010, they made history as the first African club to reach the final, losing only to Inter Milan.
No Nigerian club has ever come close to that achievement.

Look at the players:
Congo produced world-class talents locally. One example is Mputu Mabi Trésor — a superstar developed entirely in Congo who never went abroad. He won the Best Local African Player award. He was so good that major European clubs, including Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal, tried to sign him, but Mazembe refused, as he was too important to the team.

Recent proof on the pitch:
In the last Congo vs Nigeria game:

Meschack Elia, who scored for Congo, initially joined the national team from the local league and was later recruited by a Swiss club.

Chancel Bemba, captain and scorer of the final penalty, also rose from the local league to the national team before moving to Belgium. Today, he is one of the well known stars in Europe.

Kalala Mayele, whose two goals were disallowed, also came to the national team from the local league before signing in Tanzania. At the CAF Awards 2025, he was named African Inter-clubs Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, a kid growing up locally cannot realistically expect to join the Super Eagles unless he first develops abroad. This is the Nigerian mentality. Even Nigerians themselves often show little respect for their local league and clubs. On sites like Nairaland, there is a tendency to prioritize European clubs, as if Nigerian clubs and leagues don’t exist. In contrast, visiting a Congolese forum reveals pride in the league and in local players.

I could go on, but I’ll stop here: Nigeria has no better track record than Congo. Only those with low self-esteem who believe anything from Europe is inherently better than what Africa produces would think otherwise. Nigeria relies heavily on foreign-trained players for its football success, and without that “foreign aid,” its football would barely be noticed internationally.

DR Congo called up 23 players for their last round of qualifying against Nigeria and Cameroon, 19 of those players were born and raised in Europe including the 3 goalkeepers they called up.

Tuanzebe was born in Congo and raised in England. Only 3 out of 23 players they called up lived in Congo from the ages of 5 upwards. Their success wasn't built in Congo

The thing about the home based Nigeria call ups is that they'll call up carpenters and bricklayers instead lf actual footballers.

Karlovych:
DR Congo called up 23 players for their last round of qualifying against Nigeria and Cameroon, 19 of those players were born and raised in Europe including the 3 goalkeepers they called up.

Tuanzebe was born in Congo and raised in England. Only 3 out of 23 players they called up lived in Congo from the ages of 5 upwards. Their success wasn't built in Congo

The thing about the home based Nigeria call ups is that they'll call up carpenters and bricklayers instead lf actual footballers.

when push came to shove, when the opportunity for a world cup spot became real, they did not look to the side of their home grown champions.

Amedino99:
when push came to shove, when the opportunity for a world cup spot became real, they did not look to the side of their home grown champions.

That still doesn’t change the fact that Congo has put itself on the football map through its local league and — something Nigeria simply can’t claim. It even makes you wonder sometimes if Nigeria still has a functioning local league at all.

TheCongo2:
That still doesn’t change the fact that Congo has put itself on the football map through its local league and — something Nigeria simply can’t claim. It even makes you wonder sometimes if Nigeria still has a functioning local league at all.

Guy,
Calm down..
You cannot come here and run your mouth anyhow against nigeria..
We congratulate Dr Congo for their success and for beating Nigeria.
Don't come and add salt to injury.
Kindly stay in your lane pls.

TheCongo2:
The whole argument summarized:

Congo has a local league of its own to show for it.
Nigeria doesn’t. Without foreign aid, Nigeria wouldn’t even exist on the football map.

No! you are wrong, please go back and do a little research about nigeria local league. We have always produce fine players from our league who have go on to become great players. Some of the players that took us to our first world Cup are all from the local league, even the last Afcon we won is a combination of both foreign and local players.

As bad as you want to paint our local league it may intrest you to know that Nigeria has won both silver and bronze in the CHAN championship, Eyimba won the caf champions league twice, even heartland got to the final losing narrowly to TP mazembe. But we have been coming on a very very slow pace which I agree.

The international playoff schedule is set. I feel really sad and heartbroken😥

DrYa:
Guy,
Calm down..
You cannot come here and run your mouth anyhow against nigeria..
We congratulate Dr Congo for their success and for beating Nigeria.
Don't come and add salt to injury.
Kindly stay in your lane pls.

Guy, take it easy. This is a global forum — anyone can speak here, not only Nigerians. If ordinary football talk is “running my mouth,” then the wound is clearly still fresh. I’m in my lane, don’t worry… it just happens to be the lane where my team qualified by beating yours.