₦airaland Forum

Meliforme:
Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka retains their places in the starting lineup.

What Alhassan, Tijani, and Nnadi will achieve in five sequences of passes, Alex Iwobi can achieve in one stroke of a pass.
However, the only advantage that i saw in Alhassan, Tijani and Nnadi is in the cover they provide to the backline, their recovery rate is good, as well as their positioning during phases of defense.

Iwobi and Ndidi aren't getting any younger boss, come next world cup they will be in the twilight of their 30's if we make that one...so better start getting used to that word "phasing out" cause it's the inevitable part of football, just like life.

EElopa:
I know how coaches think. Eric Chelle's mind has been sealed about him, and it will take Ebenezer Akinsamiro moving to a top 5 league and putting up world-class performances for his club next season for him to receive another chance. Coaches expect young talents like him to be extremely hungry and eager to go when an opportunity presents itself, and his lack of hunger has sealed his fate with Eric Chelle. If Akinsamiro was hungry enough for this opportunity, this unit cup was a golden opportunity that was presented to him. His main competitors in the Super Eagles were not there, and this would have been an opportunity for him to come in, ball out, and show the coach he is ready for the big-time games for the main Super Eagles. He played his last game for Pisa on Friday and should have been in camp by Saturday evening at the latest. I told you guys a couple of days ago that I would be shocked if he saw a minute of action in this Unit Cup again. Tochukwu Nnadi and Yusuf seized their opportunities and are now clearly ahead of Akinsamiro in the packing order. It is really irritating because I think Akinsamiro is really talented and has the potential to be a world-class midfielder. I really have the hope that Tochukwu Nnadi and Akinsamiro will marshal the Super Eagles midfield in the next 10 years, and I was eager to see their play in this unit cup. Tochukwu Nnadi is really evolving, and dude is going places if he keeps his head down, stays humble, and continues working on his game. That boy is a proper baller.

I feel your concern for Akinsanmiro
Dude really let himself down

He may have received his last invitations for the SE

lbrichman2:
Your second paragraph is gold

That statement should be framed

Yet some of you want the gaurds gone as soon as possible just because of the new ones winning an inconsequential tournament

Napoleon55:
Yet some of you want the gaurds gone as soon as possible just because of the new ones winning an inconsequential tournament

You're quoting the wrong profile bro

Make una leave Onyedika alone na,if Yusuf is performing very well now,it's good for us and a win win for us

Sad to say, but I don't see Nwabali getting back into this team anytime soon

Arthur will only get better..
Already looks like a future number 1

If Okoye comes in against Portugal and Poland and drops a goal keeping Master class as expected, then it's over for Nwabali..

I don't know why he left Chippa Utd the time he did..
But that decision has cost him big time

I hope he gets a good club soon
But the market for goal keepers is really tight

lbrichman2:
You're quoting the wrong profile bro

Sorry, some of them,but are you sure you are not one of them?

Napoleon55:
Make una leave Onyedika alone na,if Yusuf is performing very well now,it's good for us and a win win for us

I only said Nnadi may have moved above Onyedika in the pecking order of midfielders
I never said he should be phased out
Dude is still young, can offer value and plays top level football in the UCL regularly

We would be mad to throw him out

facts brother

Onyedika would have shone at this tournament

Moniter0:
Wow, look at how people are already downgrading our first eleven because this team won a team that is ranked 71th on FIFA ranking and also did not parade their strongest players. Someone is even pushing for the likes of Iwobi to be phased out. Sure there are some positives to take away from the tournament but I think some of you are overdoing this already. Calm down o

lbrichman2:
Sad to say, but I don't see Nwabali getting back into this team anytime soon

Arthur will only get better..
Already looks like a future number 1

If Okoye comes in against Portugal and Poland and drops a goal keeping Master class as expected, then it's over for Nwabali..

I don't know why he left Chippa Utd the time he did..
But that decision has cost him big time

I hope he gets a good club soon
But the market for goal keepers is really tight

Nwabali might lose his No. 1 spot but he can't be dropped from the team if he is fit. Uzoho will be dropped rather

Moniter0:
Wow, look at how people are already downgrading our first eleven because this team won a team that is ranked 71th on FIFA ranking and also did not parade their strongest players. Someone is even pushing for the likes of Iwobi to be phased out. Sure there are some positives to take away from the tournament but I think some of you are overdoing this already. Calm down o

You suppose don know them by now na
People way go later change mouth again

Mujtahida:
Alhassan has intensity. I think he'd have done a better job in that midfield than Onyedika did against Morocco.

Ohh yea he would have definitely done that

The third goal...
Quality everywhere
Kudos to Otele for the assist

Lovely awareness by Alhassan to remain onside
I loved how he placed that ball

Back with a bang!!

🚨🇳🇬 GOAL! Alhassan Yusuf scores a wonderful goal to make it 3-0 for Nigeria.

What a bloody goal 🤯🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Nrl6DF1scF

— GNB OFFICIAL (@GHNaijaBallers) May 30, 2026

Sugarboyy:
Nwabali might lose his No. 1 spot but he can't be dropped from the team if he is fit. Uzoho will be dropped rather

That's why I said "anytime soon"
He's been inactive for months now
Hard to see him getting a club and walking straight to the first team..

Still in this life, nothing is impossible!
I'm rooting for him big time
I love him in the SE

Not sure it would be easy to drop Uzoho at this point

Mujtahida:
Chelle wants to create a large pool of players who can be deployed anytime. Football is unpredictable. An injury here or there and your whole team comes undone. But with a large pool of players who understand your system, you can have some measure of assurance even when one or two players are out with injury

Where have you been? You just vanished, always good reading your thoughts

Moniter0:
Wow, look at how people are already downgrading our first eleven because this team won a team that is ranked 71th on FIFA ranking and also did not parade their strongest players. Someone is even pushing for the likes of Iwobi to be phased out. Sure there are some positives to take away from the tournament but I think some of you are overdoing this already. Calm down o

our first 11 really disappointed us drawing Lesotho and Zimbabwe twice, teams 100 levels away from us, even laboured to a 2-2 draw in last unity cup under Chelle 😅😅…people still dey vex for world cup miss…anyways Chelle wasnt our coach during those yeye Lesotho and Zimbabwe draw early draws sha, so lets take it easy on our first 11😅

ThunderFireAgba:
After this game I'm beginning to question the cohesive trio of
-Alex Iwobi
-Onyedika
-Ndidi and
-Frank Onyeka.
What have we been doing with this midfield for the last 4yrs??

I swear to God I love today's midfield. They are the real revelation of the tournament, forget Azeez.

Everything just dey click. Come be like say na Barca I dey watch. See as them dey string passes fluently. Even the one touch passing that has been like an insurmountable mountain for Ndidi and co. See as Nnadi dey carry ball like prime Maradona. Happiness wan kee me.

I wish we could maintain this same midfield trio for our Team A. Maybe with the addition of Iwobi alone.

lbrichman2:
I was about to talk about Onyedika in that Morocco game actually
You took the words out of my mouth, abi na out of my fingers
😃😃

😀😀

Make Chelle just go field these team C against Poland and Portugal…and we now end up beating Poland and drawing or nicking a win against portugal….ajeh nairaland will be divided🤣🤣…many will almost say dey should not invite Team A again🤣🤣🤣

minfelix:
Make Chelle just go field these team C against Poland and Portugal…and we now end up beating Poland and drawing or nicking a win against portugal….ajeh nairaland will be divided🤣🤣…many will almost say dey should not invite Team A again🤣🤣🤣

Bro!!!!
😂😂😂

Beating Jamaica 3 nil is a huge improvement from a year ago
Congrats Chelle
This man will improve the squad definitely
We rarely concede too these days
Applaud people when they’re doing a good job, wasn’t impressed against Iran but this Jamaica game is convincing
Tanzania 2027 could be this generations last chance to win AFCON
Neutral turf for the big countries
Pitches may not be as fantastic as Morocco

Match Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k71d95MscXY

SymphonyRad:
Iwobi and Ndidi aren't getting any younger boss, come next world cup they will be in the twilight of their 30's if we make that one...so better start getting used to that word "phasing out" cause it's the inevitable part of football, just like life.

Yes, they will be phased out as their careers won't last forever, but I pray we get better replacements.

BascoVanVeli:
Match Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k71d95MscXY

Thank you so much Marvelous Basco. Any chance we could get extended highlights?

Coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for the matches against Poland due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf will miss the games because of visa-related issues.
Source: Shina Oludare on Twitter

lbrichman2:
I completely agree
Suddenly our midfield no longer seems a cause for concern...
God go bless Chelle o

If them allow me, I fit follow contribute for him salary, and I'm serious

Baba me too I know mind oooo

jihday:
Coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for the matches against Poland due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf will miss the games because of visa-related issues.
Source: Shina Oludare on Twitter

Too bad for Alhassan after such a beautiful tourney.

Brighton seems interested in Zadok Yohanna as well according to Anel Avdic....

https://x.com/i/status/2060816018994311346

jihday:
Coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for the matches against Poland due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf will miss the games because of visa-related issues.
Source: Shina Oludare on Twitter

I know Victor Osmihen no go show up for this friendly games

Ibrahim Buhari, 24 y/o CB at Elfsborg in the Allsvenskan also attracting some interest from Turkey and the English Championship.

jihday:
Coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for the matches against Poland due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf will miss the games because of visa-related issues.
Source: Shina Oludare on Twitter

A followup by Shina... in response to a comment on Osimhen's absence.

I just finished watching the Eric Chelle interview, and he confirmed that Akinsamiro was sick, so he could not make it. Ebenezer Akinsamiro has all the tools to be a world-class midfielder, and this is why his absence in this Unity Cup got me pissed off all week. If you love Naija football, you should root for and demand more from this boy because he is the closest thing we have got in that midfield department to John Mikel Obi. His development and maturity will be the key to the transformation of the Nigerian midfield. He is a ball carrier, tempo dictator, technical and has unlimited passing range.