₦airaland Forum

nairalandankrah:
No! It is Not!

As host nation, playing multiple matches at a particular stadium is standard.
That stadium for example, hosts key games like the opener, a quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
Home advantage is a deliberate feature of the tournament format.

Prince Moulay Abdellah, was newly rebuilt with 68,000–69,500 seats, it serves as Morocco's national team home and a flagship AFCON site in Rabat. So Its selection aligns with CAF's use of nine stadiums across six cities for balanced distribution.

According to Tournament Norms, Hosts routinely get multiple home games in AFCON, similar to World Cups, to leverage infrastructure and fan support

Yea true, the only time such norm is altered is if the host had come out second or 3rd in the group

chrisooblog:
By popular demand

Best performance of the tournament from the guys considering the level of competition and high stakes of the game.

My player ratings:

Nwabali (7.5) - Practically on holiday. Still not comfortable with the way he punches crosses. Liked how towards the end he switched to using his hands instead of his feet for ball distribution.

Osayi (8.5) - Best game in a SE jersey without a doubt. Defensively astute snuffing out all danger. Did well going forward pressuring the Algerian fullbacks.

Bruno (9) - Also his best game in a Nigerian shirt. Has definitely tied down the LB position for the foreseeable future. Beautiful cross for Osimhen's goal. Like spare change Mahrez was in his pocket all day.

Ajayi (8.0) - Cool, calm, and professional display. Mopped up at the back when needed also made crucial interceptions.

Bassey (8.5) - Uncompromising defending full of energy and grit. Taribo would be proud.

Onyeka (8.0) - The Tank was everywhere as usual popping up here and there to sustain pressure and keep the ball moving. One of our unsung heroes for sure.

Ndidi (8.5) - Good performance from Captain Wilf. Kept possession well and made sure the Algerians didn't have breathing space. Unlucky to get a yellow. Experience will be missed against Morocco.

Iwobi (9.5) - Run out of superlatives to describe his genius. Precise, visionary, and exquisite midfield play. Best performance from a Nigerian midfielder since Mikel in 2013.

Lookman (8.0) - Was also a threat to the Algerian defense. Took a back seat today in favour of his attacking partners who performed excellently on the day. Speaking of attacking partners...

Akor (9) - Plays like someone who has been in the national team for years instead of months. Technically astute and direct. Perfect partner for Osimhen bringing control and deftness to the latter's energy and pace. Goal was the highlight of the game which is commendable considering his poor miss in the first half.

Osimhen (9.5) - Man of the match performance from the leader and legend. A bit quiet in the first half exploded in the second. Algerian defense will be having nightmares about him. Victor is one of those players that is inevitable. You know he's coming but nothing much you can do to stop him.

Subs:

Simon (7.5) - Came on to retain possession and add some defensive cover. Made some attacking forays with his dribbles. Still need him to offer more of an attacking threat to help put away teams on the counter.

Onyedika (8.0) - Kept the midfield ticking effortlessly despite Ndidi's departure. Unfazed on the ball. Banking on him to deliver in the semis.

Fisayo (7.5) - Didn't do anything too risky. Kept it simple and moving.

Awaziem (N/A) - Didn't see much from him. Came in to shore up the backline.


Eric Chelle (10) - Tactical master class. Can it get better?

Akor has the strength of Amokachi and the deftness of Kanu. National team football is in his DNA
Man just took to the team like duck to water.

BankyGee:
Yes. Won on penalties. 2–2 normal time + extra time.

the coincidence on the graphic that came out in december and current semi final line up is eerie i wont lie. Cant remember who i faced in the semi finals but im sure i faced senegal in the final. Senegal's match is by 5. We will know how accurate the game designers were by 7:30

chrisooblog:
Egbon I think it was Iwobi that won MOTM for the Tanzania game.

Nah Ajayi

Kog45:
Oya house best super eagles player so far in AFCON... let's use this Sunday to pick

My pick
1. Iwobi
2. Bassey
3. Lookman/Osimhen

chrisooblog:
Egbon I think it was Iwobi that won MOTM for the Tanzania game.

Nope. It was Ajayi.

I noticed something important in the Nigeria vs Algeria match that goes beyond football.

From kickoff to the final whistle of the Super Eagles vs Algeria game, no player blamed another. Even when Akor Adams missed that clear chance, nobody reacted negatively.

If you watched the Nigeria vs Algeria live match, you would notice how calm Eric Chelle, the Nigeria coach, was throughout the game. Mostly on his feet, focused, composed.

The team followed instructions till the end. That kind of discipline does not happen by luck. It is preparation, emotional control, and leadership.

Chelle took the usual Nigerian passion and hot temper and turned it into organised high press football.

What we saw in that Algeria vs Nigeria match was not just tactics, it was emotional intelligence in action.

Another quiet moment stood when Victor Osimhen dropped the captain band when he thought he was being substituted, only to realise he was still in play. No ego. Just humility and discipline in the Super Eagles jersey.

This again proves something I often say.
When boys and young men are properly guided, they can reach great heights.

Talent is important. Skills matter.
But character, mental discipline, and emotional regulation are what make things work better.

As we look forward to Nigeria vs Morocco, I hope the Super Eagles maintain this level of decorum, discipline, and determination.

Kudos to Eric Chelle and the Nigeria national football team.

Still, like many people checking Nigeria match today and Nigeria live score, I can’t help but wonder, with this level of maturity, why didn’t Nigeria qualify for the World Cup? 😔

And if emotional discipline can change a football team like this, imagine what it could change in our homes and society.

✍🏽 Joseph Adebambo
Counselling Therapist

Copied

chrisooblog:
By popular demand

Best performance of the tournament from the guys considering the level of competition and high stakes of the game.

My player ratings:

Nwabali (7.5) - Practically on holiday. Still not comfortable with the way he punches crosses. Liked how towards the end he switched to using his hands instead of his feet for ball distribution.

Osayi (8.5) - Best game in a SE jersey without a doubt. Defensively astute snuffing out all danger. Did well going forward pressuring the Algerian fullbacks.

Bruno (9) - Also his best game in a Nigerian shirt. Has definitely tied down the LB position for the foreseeable future. Beautiful cross for Osimhen's goal. Like spare change Mahrez was in his pocket all day.

Ajayi (8.0) - Cool, calm, and professional display. Mopped up at the back when needed also made crucial interceptions.

Bassey (8.5) - Uncompromising defending full of energy and grit. Taribo would be proud.

Onyeka (8.0) - The Tank was everywhere as usual popping up here and there to sustain pressure and keep the ball moving. One of our unsung heroes for sure.

Ndidi (8.5) - Good performance from Captain Wilf. Kept possession well and made sure the Algerians didn't have breathing space. Unlucky to get a yellow. Experience will be missed against Morocco.

Iwobi (9.5) - Run out of superlatives to describe his genius. Precise, visionary, and exquisite midfield play. Best performance from a Nigerian midfielder since Mikel in 2013.

Lookman (8.0) - Was also a threat to the Algerian defense. Took a back seat today in favour of his attacking partners who performed excellently on the day. Speaking of attacking partners...

Akor (9) - Plays like someone who has been in the national team for years instead of months. Technically astute and direct. Perfect partner for Osimhen bringing control and deftness to the latter's energy and pace. Goal was the highlight of the game which is commendable considering his poor miss in the first half.

Osimhen (9.5) - Man of the match performance from the leader and legend. A bit quiet in the first half exploded in the second. Algerian defense will be having nightmares about him. Victor is one of those players that is inevitable. You know he's coming but nothing much you can do to stop him.

Subs:

Simon (7.5) - Came on to retain possession and add some defensive cover. Made some attacking forays with his dribbles. Still need him to offer more of an attacking threat to help put away teams on the counter.

Onyedika (8.0) - Kept the midfield ticking effortlessly despite Ndidi's departure. Unfazed on the ball. Banking on him to deliver in the semis.

Fisayo (7.5) - Didn't do anything too risky. Kept it simple and moving.

Awaziem (N/A) - Didn't see much from him. Came in to shore up the backline.


Eric Chelle (10) - Tactical master class. Can it get better?

How does Lookman and Onyedika have the same rating?

forgiveness:
Rest which matter? Most of those players are guilty of what he pointed out but how come he singled out one person? Habamana!!!

Make people no come here dey deceive themselves.

At a time it was Iwobi, he was always the one singled out for criticism in the name of they want him to improve, now it has gotten to lookman. We have seen this pattern play out over and over again

How many of you are watching Nigeria vs Real Madrid live right now?

Abeg on all the Ai's
Which team are they predicting to win the AFCON

Any private Whatsapp group that drop football highlights

Truidstarr:
How many of you are watching Nigeria vs Real Madrid live right now?

As how?

elyte89:
As how?

Be like happiness is truly intoxicating.

9JAMac10:
The Arabs don't have chills, they get easily provoked and violent

They are only violent when it comes to black people, they don't try this nonsense with white people

Abi now 😎

mostob:
For real?

We will gain a lot of points if we defeat Morocco on Wednesday. Currently 8th placed team in the world

Dem go don share update be dat

Goke7:
😂 Oshoala and osihmen na paddy so that one no be problem I sure say collabo Dey already

Spainever:
Nwabali is on yellow card,a second yellow against Morocco will make him Miss the final . I hope he behave well otherwise Uzoho go keep for final lol 😂

Keeper yellow cards are so avoidable, that he gets a yellow card is if he wants to get one

9JAMac10:
Bright Osayi-Samuel has been incredible for us
And then there’s Bruno Onyemaechi.
Both players have completely won our confidence.

People wanted "Zaidu Sanusi" to man our left flank, God forbid

Any news from the grape vine over the DR Congo FIFA case?

solonnachi:
Any news from the grape vine over the DR Congo FIFA case?

Dis is where I miss majoribanks ,baba for don hint us if we don win d case or not 😊

CapitalCee:
We need to start giving these people passports and Capping them. The guy has been delivering MOTM performaces for Celtic.

the guy is doing massively well for Glasgow rangers and even as a cb is one of their top scorers this season

It won’t hurt trying him out as one of the possible replacement for aging Ajayi

solonnachi:
Any news from the grape vine over the DR Congo FIFA case?

fifa is yet to give a verdict and Nigeria hv a strong case.

Papi85:
the guy is doing massively well for Glasgow rangers and even as a cb is one of their top scorers this season

It won’t hurt trying him out as one of the possible replacement for aging Ajayi

Benjamin says hi

BankyGee:
Better view 😜

This is not a realistic rating.

The NFF should try and tie Chelle down with a contract extension if not other nations will swoop him off our hands

Mujtahida:
Akor has the strength of Amokachi and the deftness of Kanu. National team football is in his DNA
Man just took to the team like duck to water.

Deftness of Kanu? Hmmmmm 🤦‍♀️

lbrichman2:
Benjamin says hi

we must not rely on 1 option. It’s good to have a large pool to pick from

Fernandez, Nwaiwu, Benjamin and even Osuji are all options and any can be called upon if the need arises

That’s the same way many of you wrote Bassey off during his early days in the team

mostob:
Be like happiness is truly intoxicating.

He's trying to say that we play like Barca

TheSuperNerd:
TheGoodJoe never rides on agenda when talking about team or player improvements. So when he points out what Lookman should work on, he does not do that as a way of putting him down. He does it as a way of wanting everyone to maintain high standards and keep raising the roof.

So my dear Kog45, TheGoodJoe is not pressing anyone's neck. He just wants the continued improvement of the Super Eagles.

But with that said, I must point out one little thing. The snap shot shared of Lookman having a chance to pass to Osimhen is not exactly fully expatiated. I watched the passage of play 3x. Lookman did try to locate Osimhen with a pass in that same sequence, but was blocked eventually. That snap shot does not show that coz it happens seconds later.

So please, you, TheGoodJoe and Forgiveness should kindly rest this matter. Gracias.

Truth

Subzero0477:
They are only violent when it comes to black people, they don't try this nonsense with white people

smart guy. You understand the real world. Real talk on the global racial hierarchy. Whites are the top while sadly sub Saharan Africans are the bottom . You get the drift