₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
Progress the ball and beat the press is one... but there is a third element. Physical aggression. These midfielders must be badass aggressive as well as technical.

I know I am a brain over brawn football lover but I prefer a player that can do both with immaculate balance. Even if the balance is decent, I go still manage and build on am.

This is why it hurts seeing Christantus Uche used as a striker at Palace. That is one guy to put in the middle and come up against such a system. BEASTLY strong, technical, progressive, and also not slow. A Yaya profile.

Being Progressive and Technical like Onyedika is no longer enough. If you are not Physically aggressive, na minus be that.

This is where Onyedika really failed today. He should have stepped up his "aggression meter" to ensure his other qualities shone through against the press.

No way that Moroccan press will bully or push back a midfield of Powerhouse yet technical midfield players.

We need to work extremely hard on that midfield before the next AFCON chief cause if care is not taken we will gradually lag behind at the top cadre of African football. We need to go into next year's AFCON as a do or die affair to win. Let me ask you do you feel Chelle will stay with the Tunisian and many offers on the table especially with the way NFF has been useless as usual?

But shebi na same Chelle eagles beat Jamaica on penalties at Unity cup….why is his head no longer winning pk shootouts again

lbrichman2:
If they release money for hosting, wetin go remain to take buy votes and the institutions?

We can win the trophy in Tanzania
Neutral ground

lbrichman2:
Even if we host, we are not wicked enough to intimidate referees to be biased towards us
We go dey do yeye big brother and fair play..

Morocco in this AFCON, they do not even send anybody Papa
They are desperate to win it by all means possible, and only God can stop them now

This is where the Jagaban of Africa comes in....

NIGHTMARE0O7:
Chukwueze is a better dribbler than lookman they are 2 different people.
Lookman is more selfish he wants to score too..but Chukwueze focus more on assist than goals.

Chukwueze is better than lookman on 1 v 1

Interesting that you are defending Chuks now
The same Chuks we know?
This is Morocco oh, that got to semi finals of the world cup!
Not Uganda oh..

Anyway, na here we dey
I will remind you someday

TheSuperNerd:
Progress the ball and beat the press is one... but there is a third element. Physical aggression. These midfielders must be badass aggressive as well as technical.

I know I am a brain over brawn football lover but I prefer a player that can do both with immaculate balance. Even if the balance is decent, I go still manage and build on am.

This is why it hurts seeing Christantus Uche used as a striker at Palace. That is one guy to put in the middle and come up against such a system. BEASTLY strong, technical, progressive, and also not slow. A Yaya profile.

Being Progressive and Technical like Onyedika is no longer enough. If you are not Physically aggressive, na minus be that.

This is where Onyedika really failed today. He should have stepped up his "aggression meter" to ensure his other qualities shone through against the press.

No way that Moroccan press will bully or push back a midfield of Powerhouse yet technical midfield players.

That's what I kept shouting!!
Assert your physicality boys!
Ride them!
Bully them!

Only Bassey was doing it

Iwobi and Onyedika, too soft
Onyeka tried but was being targeted with kicks
Same for Osayi and Bruno

Akor was getting into good positions but was always crowded out, so he repeatedly lost the ball

We will be back

Mujtahida:
Please say something else. I'm showing you tweets and comments from regular people, you say that these are banger boys?


All the banger boys had a meeting and reached the same conclusion regarding the body language of Chukwueze? Is this lady too a banger boy?
https://x.com/i/status/2011575371645534213

Na me say make you screenshot Oku account to prove your point? It's on you if you don't know him on X streets.

Why are you trying to famz the lady? Is she saying "Chukwueze has malice in his heart" like you?

lbrichman2:
Poor coach with just 2 losses in 17 official games?
And those losses were even PKs

We just have a knack for scapegoating

Becoz he neva met strong physical teams. His lacks streght in making good decisions on sub. I have been singing this right from wolrd cup qualifiers. That e good team will expose his weakness.

Remember he was forcing un unproductive and match rusty lookman during the world qualifers when chukwueze was on the bench. It took lookman yellow card to sideline him before the coach agrees to use chukwueze. Then entered and got 2 assist.

Same chukwueze got anoda 2 assist in a match in this competion.. yet coach started benching him again after that match and instead using simon.

If chelle isn't bribed to sideline chukwueze then he is poor in decision making.
Becoz i dnt get it.

lbrichman2:
Interesting that you are defending Chuks now
The same Chuks we know?
This is Morocco oh, that got to semi finals of the world cup!
Not Uganda oh..

Anyway, na here we dey
I will remind you someday

Are u serioserious t now.. chukwueze ?
2 assist in 1 game yet ur coach benched him over simon ?

yinkeys:
We can win the trophy in Tanzania
Neutral ground

Exactly

Odunayaw:
Grow up

This is a public forum. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you don’t like mine, stfu and scroll past. Don’t come throwing insults like a lunatic.

yinkeys:
Insecurity
Politicians will not want to release $5 billion to do this lol

$5bn say na Olympics?

Even CIV that had to build new new things spent $1bn.

Insecurity is a light thing

Like you said, I'm entitled to my opinion on how your opinion sounds. It is your opinion that I attacked.

Leave the mud, I have no time for it

Joezinho:
This is a public forum. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you don’t like mine, stfu and scroll past. Don’t come throwing insults like a lunatic.

TheSuperNerd:
He was seen playing deeper to avoid the Moroccan press in his original position. Onyedika could be faulted for many things but is it Onyedika's fault that Iwobi could not handle the press when Onye gave him the ball??

Did you not see how Ndidi operated?? You think Ndidi took up distribution to the final third all on his own? No, most of his went through Iwobi. Ndidi majorly fed Iwobi... this is what Onyedika was doing.

Iwobi was the reason for 2 dangerous posession turnovers for the moroccans in that first half alone. A thrid one came through again later in the game. because of those turnovers in the first half, Iwobi had to leave that choked zone and withdraw to where he would not be triple or double marked much.

This is simple as day but you just want to pin it all on Onyedika when both lads lost nearly the same amount of duels today and even possession.

How many times was Iwobi involved in duels during the matches that had Wilfred Ndidi.
Raphael Onyedika's poor game reading placed Iwobi in difficult situations.

The most painful part was his poor positioning and movements that made it difficult for him to receive passes from the back.
He was just lost.
He was supposed to be free in order to receive passes, He was supposed to drop deeper to receive passes.

If Iwobi dropping deeper was to escape the Moroccan press, Why was he dropping even deeper than Onyedika.
The act was simple, he was helping another who failing woefully.
Onyedika wasn't helping to progress plays.
He was now looking up to Iwobi to deliver passes to him, and even at that he wasn't identifying free spaces to move into.
Dude killed our game flow, simply put he was missing.

I appreciate your support for him, but his performance was abysmal.

I agree wholly. That Moroccan press has done me strong thing. Technical and Progressive CMs or CDMs are no longer enough... you must have Mass, strong center of gravity.... your physical aggression chart must be tops.

There is a way your midfield will look from a physical POV ehn, and when u are pressed, it is them who will be bouncing off you due to not just your press resistance but your physicality to hold or body them off and escape the press to now let your technical quality shine through.

Akinsanmiro gives me hope but he needs to bulk up more. Christantus Uche is just perfect. Chelle have got to bring him back in and begin showing him the ropes of his diamond formation blueprint.
Ndidi and Onyeka have got the experience, the blueprint and are midfield powerhouses physically.

Iwobi is still key from a "Toni Kroos/Pirlo CREATIVE sense" but he still struggles in physical battles.

Onyedika needs to go step up his physical aggression meter. You cant have that body and not know how to use it in physical battles to ward off pressing opponents.
Even Alhassan Yusuf wey dey small is more aggressive than Onyedika and both have similar technical quality. So that is a slap on Onyedika. That physical aggression aspect.



As for Chelle and the rumored Tunisia offer, this depends on the NFF's discussions with Chelle. I want him to stay but it is not up to me or anyone here and if the man feels he wants to upgrade his financial income then he is free to do so. Nigerian football authorities remain parasites so I would be surprised if they succeed in retaining Eric Chelle. It would be the first good thing they do in 2026.

Kilishihunter:
We need to work extremely hard on that midfield before the next AFCON chief cause if care is not taken we will gradually lag behind at the top cadre of African football. We need to go into next year's AFCON as a do or die affair to win. Let me ask you do you feel Chelle will stay with the Tunisian and many offers on the table especially with the way NFF has been useless as usual?

I appreciate your epistle but I insist you are analysing the midfield problem wrongly. I have my grouse with Onyedika's showing today but your angle is not dissecting things correctly.

Meliforme:
How many times was Iwobi involved in duels during the matches that had Wilfred Ndidi.
Raphael Onyedika's poor game reading placed Iwobi in difficult situations.

The most painful part was his poor positioning and movements that made it difficult for him to receive passes from the back.
He was just lost.
He was supposed to be free in order to receive passes, He was supposed to drop deeper to receive passes.

If Iwobi dropping deeper was to escape the Moroccan press, Why was he dropping even deeper than Onyedika.
The act was simple, he was helping another who failing woefully.
Onyedika wasn't helping to progress plays.
He was now looking up to Iwobi to deliver passes to him, and even at that he wasn't identifying free spaces to move into.
Dude killed our game flow, simply put he was missing.

I appreciate your support for him, but his performance was abysmal.

TheSuperNerd:
I agree wholly. That Moroccan press has done me strong thing. Technical and Progressive CMs or CDMs are no longer enough... you must have Mass, strong center of gravity.... your physical aggression chart must be tops.

There is a way your midfield will look from a physical POV ehn, and when u are pressed, it is them who will be bouncing off you due to not just your press resistance but your physicality to hold or body them off and escape the press to now let your technical quality shine through.

Akinsanmiro gives me hope but he needs to bulk up more. Christantus Uche is just perfect. Chelle have got to bring him back in and begin showing him the ropes of his diamond formation blueprint.
Ndidi and Onyeka have got the experience, the blueprint and are midfield powerhouses physically.

Iwobi is still key from a "Toni Kroos/Pirlo CREATIVE sense" but he still struggles in physical battles.

Onyedika needs to go step up his physical aggression meter. You cant have that body and not know how to use it in physical battles to ward off pressing opponents.
Even Alhassan Yusuf wey dey small is more aggressive than Onyedika and both have similar technical quality. So that is a slap on Onyedika. That physical aggression aspect.



As for Chelle and the rumored Tunisia offer, this depends on the NFF's discussions with Chelle. I want him to stay but it is not up to me or anyone here and if the man feels he wants to upgrade his financial income then he is free to do so. Nigerian football authorities remain parasites so I would be surprised if they succeed in retaining Eric Chelle. It would be the first good thing they do in 2026.

Bros Tunisia have a new coach already, Chelle goes no where...there are two more AFCONS to play for in 2027/28. Chelle will and should get a long term contract at this point, we will win an AFCON tournament under Chelle.

Oddly enough this PK upset didn't pain me as much as the world cup one...it is what it is, no team has beaten us in regulation time yet.

Keeping up with the Ancellotis.

Onyedika fall my hand in that Physical aggression aspect. Yes, he helped out a few times defensively and progressively BUT on the whole he was timid in duels. Like a soft ginger breadman. Haba! I know he is technically brilliant and can pull off great passing but he was being tossed in nearly every duel and in nearly every moment he was pressed.


If I have 2 or 3 more midfield lads built and aggressive like Bassey and they have the technical and tactical traits to excel, then forget it, it is over for Africa and the world too. Add those 2-3 to Ndidi and Onyeka and we are really cooking. Add the experienced Iwobi creative spice and it is the top off.

Akor tried ooo. Akor did use his physicality in certain passages of plays. I remember him powering past 2-3 markers on the right, holding them off with a fine mix of raw power and technical nous and won a throw in the offensive half.
If Onyedika was like Akor in the physical aggression aspect... he would have coped better against the Moroccan press as he had the technical part on lock already.


My midfield scouting just got narrowed. Easy to find midfielders but are they technical, progressive and aggressive? Na the main focus be this, all 3 must be present not 2/3 but if it is 2/3 then one of the 2 must be physical aggression. Would be a huge advantage too if the MFs have fine height. I am now more obsessed with the Yaya Profile.

lbrichman2:
That's what I kept shouting!!
Assert your physicality boys!
Ride them!
Bully them!

Only Bassey was doing it

Iwobi and Onyedika, too soft
Onyeka tried but was being targeted with kicks
Same for Osayi and Bruno

Akor was getting into good positions but was always crowded out, so he repeatedly lost the ball

We will be back

Oh, didnt get that news. Good news then but Chelle and the NFF must still have a sit down.

SymphonyRad:
Bros Tunisia have a new coach already, Chelle goes no where...there are two more AFCONS to play for in 2027/28. Chelle will and should get a long term contract at this point, we will win an AFCON tournament under Chelle.

Raphael Onyedika lost most of his duels, which is very poor for a supposed DM.
He didn't participate much in aerial duels. The ones he did participate in, he lost all of them (this is me now looking at stats)

In one of my posts before this match, I ranked the players who can feature in the DM role, and Raphael Onyedika was the least of them.

And finally to be honest, most of the blunders in Raphael Onyedika performance today can be traced to his footballing at Club Brugge.
This is me being very sincere, I have studied him there.

Raphael Onyedika should reinvent his footballing and never in the DM role.

Odunayaw:
$5bn say na Olympics?

Even CIV that had to build new new things spent $1bn.

Insecurity is a light thing

Boko haram
Lakuruwa
Bandits
Kidnappers
Rebels possibly sponsored by other evil, powerful countries
Infrastructural upgrades
Is a light thing
I hear you

Chukwueze go play disinterested pk
Smh
That guy let his teammates down
The manner in which he chose to take that pen
Smh

Odunayaw:
$5bn say na Olympics?

Even CIV that had to build new new things spent $1bn.

Insecurity is a light thing

We can host AFCON with 8 Stadiums. 🏟️ in places where [/b]insecurity will not affect anything.

[b]LAGOS
1. Teslim Balogun stadium 25k capacity (needs renovation and upgrade).
2. Agege Main Bowl – 25k capacity (proposed to be extended to 30k. Needs upgrading and renovation).
3. Rebiuld National stadium Surulere originally 55k Capacity.

PORT HARCOURT

4. Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, 40k capacity (Very little Upgrade).
5. Liberation Stadium 25K capacity (Needs heavy renovation).


ABUJA
5. MKO stadium Abuja 60k capacity ( little renovation and Upgrade)


UYO

7. Goodswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo. 40k Capacity. (little Upgrade).

BENIN

8. Sam Ogbemudia stadium 15k capacity can be upgraded to 18-20k. (Requires very little upgrading and renovation)


ASABA

9. Stephen Keshi stadium Asaba - 22k capacity can be upgraded to 35k (requires very little upgrading and renovation).

Use the Abuja, Uyo, Adokiye stadium PH, and Teslim Balogun and rebuilt Surulere for Knockout Matches.


Use Rebuilt Surulere and Abuja for Semis. Uyo or PH for 3rd place. Abuja or Surulere for Finals depending on the stadium SE choose to base.


Use heavy security to guard teams’ hotel bases. The demand will reduce as teams are eliminated. Lagos, Uyo, PH and Abuja have less security concerns but for Asaba and Benin, guard the teams carefully only 2 teams per City once they are done with the group stage match they go.

There are good stadiums in Zaria, Kaduna and Kano but those areas are red zones.

We might need up to 600-700b for that. Thats big but it will upgrade our infrastructure, it will lead to hosting of many tournaments like WAFCON, U17 and 20 WCs both for male and female. What I don’t know is if Tinubu government can spare that much

yinkeys:
Boko haram
Lakuruwa
Bandits
Kidnappers
Rebels possibly sponsored by other evil, powerful countries
Infrastructural upgrades
Is a light thing
I hear you

Limit the hosting Cities to only PH, Lagos, Abuja, Uyo and may be Benin. Get 8-9 stadiums from there finish. Cameroon was battling with worse insecurity yet they hosted it in 2021

TheGoodJoe:
Today, we did not do our best. If we did our best and lost, I won't have any problem. But, to fold up and hand the game to the Moroccans. That is unforgivable.

Amuneke or Finidi would have done a better job.

TheSuperNerd:
Oh, didnt get that news. Good news then but Chelle and the NFF must still have a sit down.

That one concern them, if they can't give Chelle a serious contract then let serious teams that want him go for him...maybe another interim manager like Eguavoen will take over and waste our time all over again.

I'm used to heartbreaks from Nigerian football to care anymore on what NFF choose to do or not.

Regragui slightly out coached Chelle
Only 2 shots in 120 minutes
Wow

I just saw the highlights. We were okay defensively but we could have played better when attacking.
Nigerian midfielders were isolated more than often.
Ball control was a problem the players were not settled. The touch wasn't there. Seems the occasion affected them in a way but kudos they held their own for the most part.
In transition our players too long to make obvious passes before they were closed down.
The moroccans were sharper at intercepting pass and pressed to prevent our build up play. They were more technical and had the better build up play.
Our attackers were not at their best and struggled to find rhythm all day.
We managed to hold them despite playing them at home in that atmosphere.
The bottom line is if we played 50% of our normal game we would have beaten them. The performance for an attacking perspective was poor. Almost nothing clicked. The coach needs to find a plan B to attack coherently when the other team had figured a way to stem plan A.