₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
You just sat down and typed a load of bollocks. All these Onyedika misyarns is so forced and screams pseudoanalysis.

Kindly also comment and elucidate "truthfully" on what the midfield of Iwobi and Ndidi contributed after they came in up until that reckless red card as well. What did they bring to the Jordan game that was different? Pray tell? Coz Jordan even got bolder with that change and we did not threaten as much as we did in the first half.

While at it, also kindly explain why Your beloved Tactically best winger, Chidera Ejuke was not effective in today's game. Oh I forgot, he was rotting on the bench as usual.
Anyone in need of a slap na Ejuke and perhaps you, for being so biasedly blind to see the light.

Boss, if Onyedika seems to be more attacking or forward-minded, then perhaps his role may need to be redefined in the team. It also looks like it takes him more time to settle into a game where the opposition is a bit aggressive. The first almost twenty minutes were kind of scrappy from our midfield, which led to that first goal by our opponent. Let's be honest here, it was kind of similar to our game against Morocco. If we had seized the midfield earlier in the game yesterday, I doubt if Jordan would have scored their first goal.

MetalJigsaw:
How sure are you that all the three new players will cement a place in the team?

What a question, it's left for the players to fight for their shirt or you want the coach to discard all the old players because we have new players?

mrwilliams9:
Sor, Otele and Fernandez were just added. Nnadi was at the last AFCON. It’s a gradual process but for AFCON27 and 28 (?) we need to have a squad with a mix of folks ready to win now (Lookman, Iwobi, Osimhen, Bassey) and those that have at least 2-3 tournaments in them (Fernandez, Sor, Nnadi).

But I hear you. Even the ones we recently called up are in their mid 20s. Where are the U-18 - U-23s that will be the next generation of the SE…

That Sor looks old to me
I will be surprised if he lasts 5 years

You did not watch the game so you obviously cant tell why I said what I said. And the reason Onyedika is being singled out is simple. Easy target.

And it is not a comparison to the overall quality of Iwobi and Ndidi but it is a solid pointer to the simple fact that for the Jordan game, the introduction of Iwobi and Ndidi did not make much of a difference. To be honest, even I who was expecting a world of difference to be obvious (I even commented happily at the sight of both lads about to come in) watched, and did not see a noticeable difference. That is the truth. We still crumbled with both on the field.

MetalJigsaw:
I didn't watch the match, but the fact that his performance is being debated here suggests that his game was not far from below-par.

Onyedika, the confidenc I used to have in him reduced by 50% after that Morocco match. Maybe that dude has confidence issues.

By the way I hope you're not comparing him to Ndidi and Iwobi, those guys have proved themselves long ago. But Onyedika still has much to prove, lets be honest.

He's quality no doubt, but under pressure he seems to go AWOL.

TheSuperNerd:
You did not watch the game so you obviously cant tell why I said what I said. And the reason Onyedika is being singled out is simple. Easy target.

And it is not a comparison to the overall quality of Iwobi and Ndidi but it is a solid pointer to the simple fact that for the Jordan game, the introduction of Iwobi and Ndidi did not make much of a difference. To be honest, even I who was expecting a world of difference to be obvious (I even commented happily at the sight of both lads about to come in) watched, and did not see a noticeable difference. That is the truth. We still crumbled with both on the field.

I do understand. Your argument is based within the context of one friendly match. That's no problem if that's just the case, but its not.

The issue is Onyedika's overall reliability as our backup midfielder. He has been a mainstay in the team but has not really proven himself yet. That's the point bro.

MetalJigsaw:
We know its a friendly match. But that doesn't mean we should no beat teams that we are supposed to. Remember it affects the FIFA ranking.

atleast we have beaten the once that appear greater than us according to fifa book before the jordan game, so we still guide with that one….
Jordan no beat us them struggle to draw us…Fifa will only add to their rank, they wont remove anything from us

How does Jordan scoring first mean Onyedika was scrappy? Go watch the minutes leading to that Jordan goal again.
Frank Onyeka was the one who, under no pressure, gave the ball away with a miskicked pass and Emmanuel Fernandez conceeded the foul in attempt to stop that Jordan lad. So how does this translate to the fault of Raphael Onyedika that Jordan scored first?

Folks are just poking at Onyedika because he seems like the easier target to cast all tactical blames on when it is not his fault at all. I am pretty sure if he was on field for the Jordan second goal, it is his name that will still be referenced. It is becoming such a lazy way to analyse the Super Eagles.

I watched the sequences leading up to the Jordan Goal over 5 times and Onyedika was not at fault. He even tried to clean up Onyeka's misplaced pass.

The first 14mins before that, I have watched again and again. Onyedika was up and about calling for the ball and did not even get it a few times from the CBs who preferred to go sideways. When he did get the ball, he moved it around with the class he is known for. When Jordan got on the ball, he did not shy away from his defensive duties. It is obvious many watched the game yesterday and did not observe closely how our midfield even operated.

The midfield is always the hardest department to observe in a game for anyone just watching for the fun of it or just waiting for a goal.

This is why Del Bosque (or was it him? A famous coach shaa) once said "if you watch the game, you wont see Busquets. But if you watch Busquets you see the whole game".

This particular statement is true for the Jordan game.

Goke7:
Boss, if Onyedika seems to be more attacking or forward-minded, then perhaps his role may need to be redefined in the team. It also looks like it takes him more time to settle into a game where the opposition is a bit aggressive. The first almost twenty minutes were kind of scrappy from our midfield, which led to that first goal by our opponent. Let's be honest here, it was kind of similar to our game against Morocco. If we had seized the midfield earlier in the game yesterday, I doubt if Jordan would have scored their first goal.

Wait oooo, what is the Admin of NPFL dey smoke or what's happening,

It better be a joke else I go swear for the FB Admin of NPFL, ah go swear for them ooo

minfelix:
atleast we have beaten the once that appear greater than us according to fifa book before the jordan game, so we still guide with that one….
Jordan no beat us them struggle to draw us…Fifa will only add to their rank, they wont remove anything from us

I dont know about you but I'm personally rooting for us to make the top 20 in the ranking this year because this team deserves it. So drawing teams lower than us will rather degrade the progress.

Imagine teams like Iran, Austria, Denmark, S. Korea, Ecuador being ranked above us.

It is the case. For the Jordan Game, Onyedika's impact in our midfield alongside Frank Onyela in that first half was not surpassed or even matched by our our main 2 regulars, Iwobi and Ndidi coz what showed when they came in was not even up to their usual standard. It was as if they just did not commit to it. That is the honest truth.


On Onyedika's ability, generally it is time that builds trust. This guy have hardly started games for us and he is 24. This is why he needs to be played more often. Did you know that before Afcon 2025, Onyedika, who is supposedly next in line to the regular trio of Iwobi, Ndidi and Onyeka had only started 7 games for the Super Eagles and only 2 of those games were Competitive?

Against Uganda at Afcon 2025, Onyedika was starting only his 3rd competitive game.

Now compare this to Senegal's pool of midfielders at same Afcon.
Pape Matar Sarr (23) had over 12 competitive starts before the last Afcon and he was not a starting member of the Senegal midfield 3.
Lamine Camara (22) had over 12 competitive starts as well and he too had to come from the bench.

What do we have? An Onyedika who had only started 2 competitive games before the Uganda fixture in our Afcon group.

This is why the likes of Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and other young midfield prospects like David Moses, John Otomewo, Mubarak Suleiman etc will need to be given games and not just invites in order to blood them in and see them pick up valuable NT gametime experience which they will need to confidently take over the mantle from the aging Prime Trio we have in the middle.

MetalJigsaw:
I do understand. Your argument is based within the context of one friendly match. That's no problem if that's just the case, but its not.

The issue is Onyedika's overall reliability as our backup midfielder. He has been a mainstay in the team but has not really proven himself yet. That's the point bro.

TheSuperNerd:
You just sat down and typed a load of bollocks. All these Onyedika misyarns is so forced and screams pseudoanalysis.

Kindly also comment and elucidate "truthfully" on what the midfield of Iwobi and Ndidi contributed after they came in up until that reckless red card as well. What did they bring to the Jordan game that was different? Pray tell? Coz Jordan even got bolder with that change and we did not threaten as much as we did in the first half.

While at it, also kindly explain why Your beloved Tactically best winger, Chidera Ejuke was not effective in today's game. Oh I forgot, he was rotting on the bench as usual.
Anyone in need of a slap na Ejuke and perhaps you, for being so biasedly blind to see the light.

You are riled up over nothing, just football insights.

I did not mention any other midfielder but Raphael Onyedika, but you decided to bring on Alex Iwobi whose role in the fold has a clear definition, the same as Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka. I can go on to detail you on their roles especially Frank Onyeka whose contributions are not easily discerned.

You did not attack the point that i pushed but decided to bring in distractions. I won't cave in.
The stage light is on Raphael Onyedika, what exactly are his unique bringings to the midfield.

What did Iwobi and Ndidi do yesterday different from what the Onyedika and Onyeka duo showed in the first half?
Answer that and you will be taken more seriously because it is clear that their introduction even saw the Jordanians up their game. As if they got even bolder. So pray tell, answer the question and dump this your lazy analysis of always poking at Onyedika who was key to our plays in the first half that produced 3 goals.

Lastly, Funny how you can easily discern Frank onyeka's role yet cannot discern why Ejuke keeps up with his school boy football. Yet according to your "tactical eyes", he is our best winger. I cannot trust such eyes please.
Frank was one of our better players yesterday yet he gave the ball away more times than a pro should which makes my point on his limited technicality which I always harped for years.

Meliforme:
You are riled up over nothing, just football insights.

I did not mention any other midfielder but Raphael Onyedika, but you decided to bring on Alex Iwobi whose role in the fold has a clear definition, the same as Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka. I can go on to detail you on their roles especially Frank Onyeka whose contributions are not easily discerned.

You did not attack the point that i pushed but decided to bring in distractions. I won't cave in.
The stage light is on Raphael Onyedika, what exactly are his unique bringings to the midfield.

TheSuperNerd:
How does Jordan scoring first mean Onyedika was scrappy? Go watch the minutes leading to that Jordan goal again.
Frank Onyeka was the one who, under no pressure, gave the ball away with a miskicked pass and Emmanuel Fernandez conceeded the foul in attempt to stop that Jordan lad. So how does this translate to the fault of Raphael Onyedika that Jordan scored first?

Folks are just poking at Onyedika because he seems like the easier target to cast all tactical blames on when it is not his fault at all. I am pretty sure if he was on field for the Jordan second goal, it is his name that will still be referenced. It is becoming such a lazy way to analyse the Super Eagles.

I watched the sequences leading up to the Jordan Goal over 5 times and Onyedika was not at fault. He even tried to clean up Onyeka's misplaced pass.

The first 14mins before that, I have watched again and again. Onyedika was up and about calling for the ball and did not even get it a few times from the CBs who preferred to go sideways. When he did get the ball, he moved it around with the class he is known for. When Jordan got on the ball, he did not shy away from his defensive duties. It is obvious many watched the game yesterday and did not observe closely our midfield even operated.

The midfield is always the hardest department to observe in a game for anyone just watching for the fun of it or just waiting for a goal.

This is why Del Bosque (or was it him? A famous coach shaa) once said "if you watch the game, you wont see Busquets. But if you watch Busquets you see the whole game".

This particular statement is true for the Jordan game.

Boss let’s forget about whataboutism and this won’t help onyedika in his eagles career, folks are just seeing him as a replacement for our aging midfield and they want him to take that leadership role just like the complaints some of us including myself were making about Iwobi for a very long time until we started seeing a more commanding performance from him and I think that’s what most people are also expecting from onyedika.

The difference is Onyedika just started getting more competitive starts at the last Afcon unlike Iwobi who was already knee-deep in competitive starts and even had more than Onyedika had at 24.

Iwobi needed time right. Onyedika needs same because the truth is he is here to stay.

Goke7:
Boss let’s forget about whataboutism and this won’t help onyedika in his eagles career, folks are just seeing him as a replacement for our aging midfield and they want him to take that leadership role just like the complaints some of us including myself were making about Iwobi for a very long time until we started seeing a more commanding performance from him and I think that’s what most people are also expecting from onyedika.

TheSuperNerd:
The difference is Onyedika just started getting more competitive starts at the last Afcon unlike Iwobi who was already knee-deep in competitive starts and even had more than Onyedika had at 24.

Iwobi needed time right. Onyedika needs same because the truth is he is here to stay.

He needs to improve very fast so his case won’t be like Fegor Ogude despite how very good he was got displaced by an Onazi!

Onyedika is doing just fine. He was good yesterday. Fegor was not even as technically adept.

Goke7:
He needs to improve very fast so his case won’t be like Fegor Ogude despite how very good he was got displaced by an Onazi!

BREAKING: FIFA has finally approved the nationality switch of Brentford's Michael Kayode from Italy to Nigeria! 🇮🇹🔁🇳🇬

Nigeria's Head Coach, Éric Chelle is expected to meet him later today to let him know that this is an April Fool's post and shouldn't be taken seriously by Nigerians here and in the diaspora!

BankyGee:
Full-time: 🇯🇴 Jordan [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬
Thoughts:
- We might've drawn the game, but there is a LOT of positives from this game.
- The Super Eagles are playing free flowing, pleasing-to-the-eyes football now, even from the back!
- Emmanuel Fernández is not a myth, he's actually the real deal, a calm, confident, ball-playing, goal-scoring centre-back. He got a good, well-deserved goal.
- Francis Uzoho, get out of my national team! So jittery at every attack or free kick. Making free kicks seem like penalties.
- Adebayo Adeleye is confident with his feet, but he rushed out too early for that goal he conceded. Still inspired more confidence than Uzoho.
- Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye are still the best goalkeepers we have, and it's time Arthur Okonkwo got a Super Eagles call-up.
- Collins Yira Sor was invisible all through the game.
- Igoh Ogbu, solid as usual.
- Ademola Lookman, classy player everytime.
- Moses Simon is NOT leaving this team anytime soon, there is a reason he's called Daddy.
- Raphael Onyedika did great in the middle, too calm and composed, he held the midfield when he was on the pitch.
- NFF, extend Éric Chelle's contract ASAP! What a coach!

I was expecting more folks to comment on Collins Yira Sor's transformation into the Invisible man but I guess you cannot comment on who you did not see. The fact that Onyedika gets comments means he was really seen afterall. Lol

BankyGee:
BREAKING: FIFA has finally approved the nationality switch of Brentford's Michael Kayode from Italy to Nigeria! 🇮🇹🔁🇳🇬

Nigeria's Head Coach, Éric Chelle is expected to meet him later today to let him know that this is an April Fool's post and shouldn't be taken seriously by Nigerians here and in the diaspora!

You never see this one!

🧤 Can Francis Uzoho still improve for the Super Eagles?

Analysis of his last 6 games for Nigeria - dating back to 2023:
🚫 O cleansheets
🥅 8 goals conceded (4 from free kicks)
🟢 2 wins
⬜ 4 draws
🔴 0 losses

Breakdown of the free kick goals:
2 free kick goals conceded vs. Saudi Arabia.
FT: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬

1 free kick goal conceded vs. Zimbabwe (almost 30 yards out).
FT: 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe [1]–[1] Nigeria 🇳🇬

1 free kick goal conceded vs. Jordan.
FT: 🇯🇴 Jordan [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬

Do you think he needs more playing time or he should go?

Goke7:
You never see this one!

I see am. My heart stop for 3 seconds first before I remember today's date 😂

TheSuperNerd:
I was expecting more folks to comment on Collins Yira Sor's transformation into the Invisible man but I guess you cannot comment on who you did not see. The fact that Onyedika gets comments means he was really seen afterall. Lol

Sor disappointed yesterday
Poor pressing
Not tracking back to help Osayi
How we for take see am?

There was just one phase of play where he brought the ball out of the defense
He beat one Jordan player and passed the ball

That was all

TheSuperNerd:
I was expecting more folks to comment on Collins Yira Sor's transformation into the Invisible man but I guess you cannot comment on who you did not see. The fact that Onyedika gets comments means he was really seen afterall. Lol

Top joke 😂

Omo Raphael Onyedika did great o. I no understand why some people dey talk say he no do well.

BankyGee:
I see am. My heart stop for 3 seconds first before I remember today's date 😂

😂 😂 😂

BankyGee:
🧤 Can Francis Uzoho still improve for the Super Eagles?

Analysis of his last 6 games for Nigeria - dating back to 2023:
🚫 O cleansheets
🥅 8 goals conceded (4 from free kicks)
🟢 2 wins
⬜ 4 draws
🔴 0 losses

Breakdown of the free kick goals:
2 free kick goals conceded vs. Saudi Arabia.
FT: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬

1 free kick goal conceded vs. Zimbabwe (almost 30 yards out).
FT: 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe [1]–[1] Nigeria 🇳🇬

1 free kick goal conceded vs. Jordan.
FT: 🇯🇴 Jordan [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬

Do you think he needs more playing time or he should go?

Na cane them suppose use flog am comot for Super Eagles

lbrichman2:
Na cane them suppose use flog am comot for Super Eagles

😂😂😂😂😂

TheSuperNerd:
It is the case. For the Jordan Game, Onyedika's impact in our midfield alongside Frank Onyela in that first half was not surpassed or even matched by our our main 2 regulars, Iwobi and Ndidi coz what showed when they came in was not even up to their usual standard. It was as if they just did not commit to it. That is the honest truth.


On Onyedika's ability, generally it is time that builds trust. This guy have hardly started games for us and he is 24. This is why he needs to be played more often. Did you know that before Afcon 2025, Onyedika, who is supposedly next in line to the regular trio of Iwobi, Ndidi and Onyeka had only started 7 games for the Super Eagles and only 2 of those games were Competitive?

Against Uganda at Afcon 2025, Onyedika was starting only his 3rd competitive game.

Now compare this to Senegal's pool of midfielders at same Afcon.
Pape Matar Sarr (23) had over 12 competitive starts before the last Afcon and he was not a starting member of the Senegal midfield 3.
Lamine Camara (22) had over 12 competitive starts as well and he too had to come from the bench.

What do we have? An Onyedika who had only started 2 competitive games before the Uganda fixture in our Afcon group.

This is why the likes of Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and other young midfield prospects like David Moses, John Otomewo, Mubarak Suleiman etc will need to be given games and not just invites in order to blood them in and see them pick up valuable NT gametime experience which they will need to confidently take over the mantle from the aging Prime Trio we have in the middle.

So how many more games does he need to prove his mettle? Because you mentioned multiple games already.

Come to this of it, does he really need a lengthy run of games if he's a serious contender in the pool?

Take a quick look at Akor bro.

You even try catch glimpse.

lbrichman2:
Sor disappointed yesterday
Poor pressing
Not tracking back to help Osayi
How we for take see am?

There was just one phase of play where he brought the ball out of the defense
He beat one Jordan player and passed the ball

That was all

BankyGee:
Full-time: 🇯🇴 Jordan [2]–[2] Nigeria 🇳🇬
Thoughts:
- We might've drawn the game, but there is a LOT of positives from this game.
- The Super Eagles are playing free flowing, pleasing-to-the-eyes football now, even from the back!
- Emmanuel Fernández is not a myth, he's actually the real deal, a calm, confident, ball-playing, goal-scoring centre-back. He got a good, well-deserved goal.
- Francis Uzoho, get out of my national team! So jittery at every attack or free kick. Making free kicks seem like penalties.
- Adebayo Adeleye is confident with his feet, but he rushed out too early for that goal he conceded. Still inspired more confidence than Uzoho.
- Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye are still the best goalkeepers we have, and it's time Arthur Okonkwo got a Super Eagles call-up.
- Collins Yira Sor was invisible all through the game.
- Igoh Ogbu, solid as usual.
- Ademola Lookman, classy player everytime.
- Moses Simon is NOT leaving this team anytime soon, there is a reason he's called Daddy.
- Raphael Onyedika did great in the middle, too calm and composed, he held the midfield when he was on the pitch.
- NFF, extend Éric Chelle's contract ASAP! What a coach!

I'm happy we came away with our unbeaten record in regulation time..
The second half wasn't so good and we were falling into traps set by the Jordanians

And take a good look at Osimhen. You forget Osimhen did not bag his 1st Super Eagles goal until his 7th cap.

Take a good look at Iwobi too. Despite the several caps he had, he kept getting the stick even after Afcon 2021.

Onyedika is doing well despite getting fewer starting caps in midfield. He did well yesterday and with more games, he will get even better.

MetalJigsaw:
So how many more games does he need to stamp his authority, because you mentioned multiple games already. Come to this of it, does he really need a lengthy run of games if wants to be a serious contender in the pool?

Take a quick look at Akor bro.

Make we no lie
There was no need for Iwobi and Ndidi to play yesterday's match..

I might even argue same for Simon and Lookman

But we didn't need Iwobi and Ndidi at all
The midfield was doing well and should have been allowed to see out the game

This dude no get joy 😊😊😊