₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
Yes, I am aware of their use of advanced tech in games and teams analysis but even with all that, they still cant just play fair.... as good as their analytical tech is, as good as their team is, they seem to prefer gaining advantages through imbalanced officiating.

It disgusts me.

darkelf:
Please before you hype Akinsanmiro and you say -"did you watch the match"

Remember that's how you guys hyped Nwakali with the same phrase - "did you watch the match"

When a player plays well, we say it but if he wasn't himself, no need to hide weaknesses

Because sooner than latter, it'll show

Love and light

Mujtahida:
I used to panic whenever I see Bright and to some extent Ajayi in the defense. Not anymore. They were so solid that my mind is now at peace. Even if subsequently I see them have a bad game, I have seen what they are capable of, how solid and defensively tight and rugged they can be.

TheSuperNerd:
Haaland benched?? Na wa ooo.

Elyte89, how far naa...

TheSuperNerd:
Haaland benched?? Na wa ooo.

Elyte89, how far naa...

charlesemeka85:
not a fan at all. Players with his style of play no dey last cus of injuries

BankyGee:
He might keep fit and avoid injuries tho. Who knows?

🚨Chibuike Nwaiwu vs Kasımpaşa ⬇️

Back to back full 90mins for the former Enyimba player, this time in the heart of the backline, averaging 8.0 rating pic.twitter.com/FuTZAsrT1o

— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) January 24, 2026

daveP:
The respect accorded the 94 set is fading off faster due to the foolish talk coming out their mouth in the last 2years.


I know it's not all but fo they have some unaware level of cognitive dissonance up their sleeves or what?

elyte89:
After d match , I go come back 😃

Goke7:
Most of them haven’t built anything much post playing career!

Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that a Mike emenalo was among this 94 set. The difference is too clear!

daveP:
008 need not happen

daveP:
I understand many still carry PTSD and pent up anger. But what's with the hilarious statement like asif na only dem dey see things? Even Mike no wan near Nigeria sef. Chai. Buttressing my point on Ex-Ints that did assistant coach jobs.

TheSuperNerd:
Wolves is the worst side in England right now. Wetin Pep dey fear? A fit Haaland is on 007 now... Could never be Injury free Osimhen!

semid4lyfe:
There is no formation without weaknesses. There is no system that cannot be countered. Relying on wing forwards also means weakening the midfield and progressing the ball mostly through the wings which concedes the middle game to the opponents.

Also, this thing you've been going on about bringing in wing-forwards like it's one big bright tactical adjustment, Eric Chelle did it. He brought in Moses Simon on the left wing to shore it up and support Bruno due to the way Hakimi and Diaz were double-teaming on him.

In all your criticism of Eric Chelle for the Morocco game, you have never acknowledged the biased officiating. The Moroccans foul-baited the referee for the entire 120 mins duration of our game, and he fell for it every time. He gave them soft fouls but turned a blind eye to the blatant fouls they committed against us, and even refused to card them, and this impeded us from playing our game.

By the way, do you know what winning the Bronze medal in the AFCON means for Eric Chelle, the coach you're not convinced with? The implicit implication of that finish is that Eric Chelle was the third best coach out of the 24 that participated in the competition, and on the African continent.

Also, given a choice between Walid Regragui and Eric Chelle, I will pick Chelle from a tactical standpoint. The former's team huffed and puffed throughout the competition and were never convincing even in victory despite the officiating-help and home support, and that's the reason many Moroccans are calling for his sack.

Eric Chelle on the other hand gave the Super Eagles a playing identity. A press from front playing style that chokes the opponents, does not allow them time on the ball and results in lots of turnovers and dominant possession In addition, he brought new nicks to our game by moving the ball through the middle, and not the wings like we're used to playing.

The Super Eagles played with fluidity and almost psychic understanding. Another often underappreciated but important mark of good coach which Eric Chelle exhibited in this AFCON but does not get enough credit for is the personal improvement he brought on the players. Bruno, Osayi, Bassey, Ajayi, Ndidi, Iwobi and Onyeka raised their games and were all unplayable this AFCON. That's what Eric Chelle has brought to the team. Is that the coach who has not convinced you?

It's almost like you're on a paid "agenda" to discredit the coach and the team because your stance fails by every objective metric. Lest I forget, I asked you to suggest a good and convincing 50k/month coach for the Super Eagles but since then na radio silence. I still dey wait....

TheSuperNerd:
Alex Iwobi returns to Fulham's starting XI vs Brighton.

Calvin Bassey starts from the bench today.

Samuel Chukwueze also starts from the bench.

Mujtahida:
If he had done this and Morocco had scored, I'm sure you'd be the first person to suggest some other option that he could have done. The man at home watching always knows better than the coach no matter what the coach does.

Goke7:
Commentator says the guy playing in bassey’s position has been impressive while Bassey was away

Meliforme:
My observations on Eric Chelle's tactics

Player movements and transitions
To me, this is the most salient improvement in how we conduct our plays. We now move in sync, players spot and run into open spaces as their awareness of space is now on the increase, players are now more open to receive passes ensuring a faster transition into attack.

Tweaks in tactical formations
Eric Chelle has deployed a 4-3-1-2, a 4-1-2-1-2, and a flat 4-4-2 in the four matches that he has overseen so far.
In the match against Tanzania and Mozambique he deployed a 4-3-1-2, and in the matches against Tunisia and Uganda, he utilised a 4-1-2-1-2 and a 4-4-2 respectively.

Tweaks in personnel deployments
It appears Eric Chelle's initial idea was to deploy two wingers who can play as midfielders on the left and right midfield respectively as seen in the first match against Tanzania where Iwobi and Chukwueze started in those flanks, and also in the match against Uganda where Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze started in those flanks as well. The use of Frank Onyeka on the right midfield was also an important tweak as Frank Onyeka has been a right winger before his conversion to a DM. The use of Frank Onyeka has given Iwobi the freedom to roam more offensive areas of the pitch.

Ingenious discoveries and deployment of players
Ademola Lookman broke into limelight playing as a secondary striker, but playing behind two strikers as a #10 is the best of his deployments. It has given him the freedom to roam, shoot and create chances.

Alex lwobi is a player that can play and has played in almost all positions in the field of play, but his strengths lie more in possession football, stability and creativity. Deploying Iwobi deeper to help bulld and distribute play, making pre-assists from a deeper postion and making assists from a more offensive position is an ingenious intervention.

TheSuperNerd:
Rest. When Nigeria next has a game, then your pessimistic relevance returns.

Blueelf, Darkelf, elf of darkness.... stick to your job. This one is not your jurisdiction.

darkelf:
I don talk my own and I will continue to say it

You are quick to hype players

Akinsanmiro may end up giving into the hope that we gave Nwakali

Bro, don't say "did you watch the game"


Let his numbers s0eak for him. There's no sacred lamb here and every player must be scrutinised

Love and light

I go continue to talk. No be you dey buy data for me bro. So, resttttt

darkelf:
Overrated......

I'm entitled to my opinion

Meliforme:
What exactly is your point?