₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
I think David Okereke also scored in this game. This was a stacked U23 lineup. Overkill!!!


Modified after rewatching: Omo, the K.Nwakali-Osimhen synergy ehn. Too bad we never saw it at the senior level. They cooked across 3 levels (U17, U20 and U23).

massive synergy. Nwakali was a killer with those long through passes.

lexyman:
It doesn’t feel like a World Cup that will truly capture the usual excitement. Beyond the FIFA verdict news many of us waited for, the euphoria seems to have faded. It’s not simply because the Super Eagles are not participating; rather, there is a general feeling that something isn’t quite right about this tournament.

The energy, anticipation, and global unity that normally define a World Cup appear subdued. If things continue this way, this edition could be remembered as one of the least inspiring in recent times. More than football celebrations, the world seems to be longing for peace, stability, and moments that genuinely bring people together again.....maybe na only me dey feel that way . @Elyte @Supernerd @ other great minds in the house ... HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ?

I beg to differ here. A lot of what you're feeling is just the pre-tournament lull doing its thing. This happens every single World Cup. Qatar 2022 was even worse with all the drama and LGBTQ+ issues leading up to the mundial and yet it ended up being arguably the best World Cup edition since we entered the new millennium. While club football is still running with Champions League drama, league title races, domestic cups, relegation and all that, nobody has really mentally checked into international football yet. The moment those seasons wrap up and the squads start assembling, I bet you the energy will shift almost overnight. It's far too early to be calling anything "subdued" right now, if you ask me. For me, the only thing that would have had the potential to dull or water down the event is the 48-team expansion, due to fears of bloated group stage full of one-sided matches. Past World Cups were exciting because each of the 32 teams had relative pedigree and prestige. Now with the increased number of "minnows" (in quote), that feeling of a prestige tournament would have been slightly diluted. But even then, I'd argue that based on what we've seen from the qualifiers and continental tournaments from the Euros to the AFCON, we're seeing a lot more upsets from minnows and the football media recently have been gravitating to the story of the underdogs. Everyone now wants to see teams like Jordan topple Argentina. Everyone wants dark horse teams like Mexico and Japan to win the World Cup. Before we faced DR Congo, practically everyone was rooting for DR Congo because of the 50 year story (DRC not being at the World Cup for 50 years). The underdog story is now more compelling today than it was in like 2006 or 2008.

If it's about the geopolitics involved with Trump and the visas and the high costs of tickets, like I said, we saw worse in the lead up to Qatar. Plus: the actual numbers don't support any narrative of "subdued excitement." 500 million ticket requests for 6 million available spots is far from a fanbase that's lost interest. We've still got storylines for the World Cup too: possibly Messi and Ronaldo's last World Cups. So if you ask me, the melancholy you're describing is probably like 15% legitimate concern about the format, and 85% the natural quiet before something enormous. Just give it a few weeks after club football ends and see if that energy hasn't completely flipped. It almost certainly will. The World Cup has a way of demanding attention whether you planned to give it or not.

As for whether the World Cup itself will be a flop, we can't decide that yet until the tournament kicks off. It's the events of the tournament that will decide that.

🆕 #RangersFC
Everton are monitoring Emmanuel Fernandez, with Rangers demanding €40M.

🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund & Bayer Leverkusen → monitoring from Germany.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Arsenal & West Ham → showing Premier League interest.

TheSuperNerd:
Throwback Thursday: Jay Jay Okocha's 1st Game for PSG

It was August 8, 1998.

https://x.com/i/status/894864436292464640

The reaction below was born.... Before Coach Zidane, Before Coach Pep... there was Coach Alain Giresse.

Look at the keeper

70% of this your feeling is because we are not participating. Obviously you wont feel as motivated as a curacao citizen that is attending this world cup and that is ok.

lexyman:
It doesn’t feel like a World Cup that will truly capture the usual excitement. Beyond the FIFA verdict news many of us waited for, the euphoria seems to have faded. It’s not simply because the Super Eagles are not participating; rather, there is a general feeling that something isn’t quite right about this tournament.

The energy, anticipation, and global unity that normally define a World Cup appear subdued. If things continue this way, this edition could be remembered as one of the least inspiring in recent times. More than football celebrations, the world seems to be longing for peace, stability, and moments that genuinely bring people together again.....maybe na only me dey feel that way . @Elyte @Supernerd @ other great minds in the house ... HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ?

Lol, the Goalie clearly miscalculated. He was already anticipating a goal kick since he did not expect it to go in.

Odunayaw:
Look at the keeper

Papi85:
🆕 #RangersFC
Everton are monitoring Emmanuel Fernandez, with Rangers demanding €40M.

🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund & Bayer Leverkusen → monitoring from Germany.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Arsenal & West Ham → showing Premier League interest.

The best thing NFF should be doing is capping the foreign born players before they become stars. If Fernandez signs for a decent club in a top league, the NFF may find it difficult to convince him to commit to Nigeria.

🚨 Squad Update

Chibuike Nwaiwu of Trabzonspor replaces the injured Calvin Bassey for March friendlies.

opes:
The best thing NFF should be doing is capping the foreign born players before they become stars. If Fernandez signs for a decent club in a top league, the NFF may find it difficult to convince him to commit to Nigeria.

that’s the thing. His team mate Chukwuani is also ripe for the super eagles and the NFF should do the needful by opening talking with the lad

Papi85:
🚨 Squad Update

Chibuike Nwaiwu of Trabzonspor replaces the injured Calvin Bassey for March friendlies.

E don happen!! Andsungorilla talk say him go use bicycle reach camp as na same turkey dem dey.

Michael Kayode still benched for Italy U21s. Gattuso ignored him yet again for the Senior side although they are indeed stacked on the right.

But cant Kayode see the handwriting on the wall? A Serie B RB dey bench am for U21s. What next na?

No Osimhen, No Frederick, No Bassey, No Ola Aina, No Nwabali....

But it gives us a chance to see others in attack like Otele and Sor and especially in Central Defence like Emmanuel Opeyemi Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu. This is good timing.

CB options in camp for Iran & Jordan ties

Igoh Ogbu
Semi Ajayi
Emmanuel Fernandez🆕️
Chibuike Nwaiwu🆕️

Alex Iwobi nominated for the March EPL Player of the month. Go and cast your vote.

Trabzonspor wasted no time....

The ongoing war in the middle east is sort of mental. Qatar and the UAE cancelled theír friendlies. But two main protagonists, Israel and Iran have refused to cancel theirs .

TheSuperNerd:
E don happen!! Andsungorilla talk say him go use bicycle reach camp as na same turkey dem dey.

my man as u take dey get pics wey dey suit every of ur post eeeh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

TheSuperNerd:
No Osimhen, No Frederick, No Bassey, No Ola Aina, No Nwabali....

But it gives us a chance to see others in attack like Otele and Sor and especially in Central Defence like Emmanuel Opeyemi Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu. This is good timing.

CB options in camp for Iran & Jordan ties

Igoh Ogbu
Semi Ajayi
Emmanuel Fernandez🆕️
Chibuike Nwaiwu🆕️

Nerdy Mk una push Chelle and NFF to reach out to Tochi Chukwuani. My instincts tells me that if he accept to play for us he will be that CM we all hv been yawning and clamouring for

opes:
The best thing NFF should be doing is capping the foreign born players before they become stars. If Fernandez signs for a decent club in a top league, the NFF may find it difficult to convince him to commit to Nigeria.

Someone that's already in the SE camp?

Papi85:
🚨 Squad Update

Chibuike Nwaiwu of Trabzonspor replaces the injured Calvin Bassey for March friendlies.

Thank God, let's see what he can bring to the team.

TheSuperNerd:
E don happen!! Andsungorilla talk say him go use bicycle reach camp as na same turkey dem dey.

Yay!!!!!

Papi85:
my man as u take dey get pics wey dey suit every of ur post eeeh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Another NPFL product.

lol

Sugarboyy:
Someone that's already in the SE camp?

Chuks4041:
massive synergy. Nwakali was a killer with those long through passes.

Make Chelle invite am?

AndSunGorilla:
Another NPFL product.

that have been polished abroad 😁

AndSunGorilla:
Make Chelle invite am?

invite wetin?😒😡

Papi85:
invite wetin?😒😡

Dat playa now.

Lesley Ugochukwu starts for France U21s today.

Tochi will be ours hopefully. As we don bag Fernandez, na Chukwuani and Meghoma go follow from Rangers. Give am time.

Papi85:
Nerdy Mk una push Chelle and NFF to reach out to Tochi Chukwuani. My instincts tells me that if he accept to play for us he will be that CM we all hv been yawning and clamouring for

AndSunGorilla:
Make Chelle invite am?

lool u wan make I start wetin I no fit finish 😂😂😂😂

TheSuperNerd:
Lesley Ugochukwu starts for France U21s today.

good for him

TheSuperNerd:
Tochi will be ours hopefully. As we don bag Fernandez, na Chukwuani and Meghoma go follow from Rangers. Give am time.

correct guy 👊👊👊✌️✌️

The time to arrest this useless man Sylvanus Okpara don reach

Former Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala has admitted that current boss Éric Chelle has done a good job with Nigeria, but insists the team will only reach its full potential under a Nigerian manager, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chelle, who took charge in January 2025, arrived at a difficult moment for the Super Eagles. Nigeria had picked up just three points from their opening four World Cup qualifying matches and looked far from convincing. However, the Malian quickly steadied the ship, organising the team and guiding them to a strong run of results.

Under his leadership, the Super Eagles remained unbeaten in regulation time across World Cup qualifiers, recording four wins and two draws from six matches. That run pushed Nigeria back into contention and secured a place in the CAF playoffs. Although, Nigeria ultimately failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.


Chelle also impressed at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third. His side won five consecutive matches during the tournament and built a solid defensive structure, keeping clean sheets through key knockout games before falling in the semi-finals.

Overall, his record stands at around 14 wins and seven draws in 21 matches, a return that reflects stability and clear progress. His tactical approach has focused on defensive discipline, structured build-up play, and controlled transitions, qualities that were largely missing before his arrival.

Yet despite these improvements, Okpala believes the Super Eagles must look inward for long-term success.

“I am not saying he is not a good coach. He is a good coach,” Okpala told the Punch. “He has his contract to run. I understand he still has about one year left. He has tried his best, and we’ve had fantastic games. But his best is not where we are supposed to be.

“The point here is that from where we are today, and where we need to go, and the height we need to attain, it is Nigerian coaches that will take us there.

“I am not prophesying, I am not a prophet. It is Nigerian coaches that will take us there, and we are here.”


A proud history of Nigerian coaches leading the Super Eagles

Okpala’s comments are rooted in history. Nigerian coaches have played a major role in some of the country’s greatest football achievements, often stepping in during difficult moments and delivering results.

One of the most celebrated figures is Stephen Keshi, who led Nigeria to victory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Keshi made history by becoming only the second person to win AFCON as both a player and a coach, having captained the Super Eagles to glory in 1994. His 2013 triumph ended a 19-year wait for the title and showed his bold decision to trust home-based

Another key figure is Shuaibu Amodu, widely known as a ‘qualifier specialist.' Amodu guided Nigeria to multiple World Cup qualifications, including the 2002, 2010, and 2014 tournaments, even though he was replaced before the finals on each occasion. He also led the team to third-place finishes at AFCON in 2002 and 2010.

Christian Chukwu, fondly called ‘Chairman,' also made his mark by leading Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2004 AFCON, adding to his legacy as one of the country’s most respected football figures.

More recently, Augustine Eguavoen has shown the impact of indigenous coaching. Across different spells, he has maintained a strong record, including leading the team to third place at AFCON 2006 and guiding Nigeria through qualification campaigns. His teams have often played with attacking intent, winning all group-stage matches at both the 2006 and 2022 tournaments.


Even earlier, Festus Onigbinde made history by becoming the first Nigerian to take the Super Eagles to a World Cup, achieving that feat in 2002. He had previously guided the team to a runner-up finish at AFCON in 1984.



These Nigerian coaches consistently delivered success, often under challenging conditions. They understand the local football culture, the players’ mentality, and the expectations of the fans.

However, the last Nigerian coach to handle the Super Eagles is Finidi George, who took charge of only two games – against Benin Republic and South Africa – before vacating the role.