₦airaland Forum

Napoleon55:
If Chelle like make hin continue to use Iwobi till he is 35 or 40,na hin sabi.

All I know is that I brought out a fact that almost all our AFCON wining midfield are U25,or at least 98% of them,
That he should rethink the over reliance of Iwobi and Ndidi.

Iwobi is 30,a replacement is needed as soon as possible.
Ndidi is 29,a replacement is needed as soon as possible,because neither of them is Zidan.

All I know Iwobi,Ndidi and Oyenka in the midfield we go nowhere

EElopa:
Are you guys really understanding the game you are watching. Alex Iwobi in the last 3 plus years has been by far Nigeria best player. He is not the problem in that midfield. Ndidi, Onyeka and Onyedika are. Non of the mentioned 3 have stepped up to help Iwobi out. Iwobi is the only decent ball playing and creative midfielder we have. Most of the time he is on the pitch, the young man is getting overworked trying to do everything. Ndidi failure to go get the ball from the defender, carry it and distribute it meant that Iwobi is always dropping deeper doing the work of the DM and CM. We need better ball paying midfielders to subliment him. There is nobody currently on the horizon that can't bench Iwobi. Eric Chelle, i can tell you without an atom of doubt sees Iwobi as his most important player. I was watching the Morroccan TV pundits and fans leading up the last Afcon semi finals clash we had with them and they were all having sleepless night on how to stop Iwobi. They were more worried of Iwobi than Osimhen. Every Solution on fixing the SE Midfield should involve Iwobi as one of the solutions. When i see some people talking of disposing Iwobi here i really question thier football knowledge.

there's no body who doesn't know Iwobi's quality, those who want him out know they can't clamour for his removal without jointly watering down his importance with others they deem "ineffective", so they find a way to put his name among the Ndidi and Onyeka as the problem, they know it won't sell if they come directly and mention only Iwobi. And some of them don't want Chelle to succeed, so they want to pretend they care by getting him to drop Iwobi so that when the team suffers, the same people will call for his sack.

Kog45:
All I know Iwobi,Ndidi and Oyenka in the midfield we go nowhere

your opinion anyway

This short video provides all the information you need to understand who Eric Chelle truly rates. Pay attention to what he said about Iwobi. Iwobi is a very good player, and anyone who cannot see that is either a novice in football or has an agenda towards Alex. As he ages, it is essential to have a successor already in the works. Alex to me is still going to be a mainstay in SE through the 2030 cycle. There is nobody on the horizon that is remotely close to him but in quality and experience. He needs better midfielders around him. He is not the problem in that midfield.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t2Ifi0R-KAs?feature=share

Chuks4041:
your opinion anyway

Iwobi came into the party in the last Afcon and since then he has been the main man but surrounded by just markers and Ndidi is off....

EElopa:
This short video provides all the information you need to understand who Eric Chelle truly rates. Pay attention to what he said about Iwobi. Iwobi is a very good player, and anyone who cannot see that is either a novice in football or has an agenda towards Alex. As he ages, it is essential to have a successor already in the works. Alex to me is still going to be a mainstay in SE through the 2030 cycle. There is nobody on the horizon that is remotely close to him but in quality and experience. He needs better midfielders around him. He is not the problem in that midfield.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t2Ifi0R-KAs?feature=share

2026 -2030,good 4 years to come,that would be great.

Napoleon55:
They said he is wasting his prime years in Turkey, na lie?
From 25 years to 30 years no be prime years for an African footballer?
No be una love Osimhen pass o.
una no be any of their family members any more than the rest of the fans.

You guys should stop projecting your desires on Nigerian players cos no matter what they do, una no dey rate them like that. I'm old enough to know what people said and still say today about Yekini, Okocha, even Mikel that won so many laurels with Chelsea, so don't make it look as if some of you know better; in fact, it's all imagination and hallucinations. Today you blame Osimhen, tomorrow you blame Napoli, another day it's Gala. All crap.

Kog45:
Kanu Legacy damn solid talking about his records,ex Ajax,Inter Milan and Arsenal…..clamoring for Osimhen to go back to top league na personal agendas?

It’s just a pity that Napoli and his agent failed woefully during his deadlocked contract.Osimhen at his age shouldn’t be a Galatasaray player,look at Sala retiring to Turkish league and still earning than Osimhen.

Go and ask Okocha how painful he is even as at today mentioning Bolton as one of his clubs with such talent.He said it in one of his interviews that it was a big mistake.

I’m not really blaming Osimhen but I hope he has longer career,his class is above the league and fans just wanted to see him up there based on his talent

The same Kanu that was once labelled a lazy player, Elder, you don forget? Most times na donkey years later Nigerians dey celebrate their heroes when full nostalgia don kick in!

Osimhen's girlfriend involved in a traffic accident. Thankfully she wasn't seriously hurt.

Seems her and Victor have a baby on the way.

https://punchng.com/osimhens-pregnant-girlfriend-involved-in-car-crash-report/

Goke7:
The same Kanu that was once labelled a lazy player, Elder, you don forget? Most times na donkey years later Nigerians dey celebrate their heroes when full nostalgia don kick in!

My point is cleared and you should understand wella,cuz there is no way Osimehn would ends it in Gala and you expected him to be in the same conversation with Haaland or Kane, that's my point.

What do you guys think about this lineup?


Benjamin Fredrick at RCB
Nwabali or Okoye in Goal

Kog45:
My point is cleared and you should understand wella,cuz there is no way Osimehn would ends it in Gala and you expected him to be in the same conversation with Haaland or Kane, that's my point.

Can't we just allow these players be? Must we always lump them in the same bracket with their European counterparts when you and I know there are certain barriers for them compared to their European peers? Even Okocha himself attests to this. The same Osimhen we will even struggle to replace in our national team soon including Ndidi that plays in the same Turkish league o, I think that's what should bother us more than all these European accolades we are always looking for.

Goke7:
You guys should stop projecting your desires on Nigerian players cos no matter what they do, una no dey rate them like that. I'm old enough to know what people said and still say today about Yekini, Okocha, even Mikel that won so many laurels with Chelsea, so don't make it look as if some of you know better; in fact, it's all imagination and hallucinations. Today you blame Osimhen, tomorrow you blame Napoli, another day it's Gala. All crap.

So to desire for your best player and currently among the best player in Africa to play in best clubs is all crab?
You really know better.

If fact,make all our players join them for that Turkish league, Lookman,Chukwueze,Bassey,Aina and Frederick dem,let them dem fulfill your own desire for them go backwards.
But my own desires for them is to move forward, be among the best, I own up to my desire and stand on it.

And let us be clear, I'm not blaming Osimhen or any player.

Kog45:
Iwobi came into the party in the last Afcon and since then he is the main man but surrounded by just markers and Ndidi is off....

very correct.

Napoleon55:
So to desire for your best player and currently among the best player in Africa to play in best clubs is all crab?
You really know better.

If fact,make all our players join them for that Turkish league, Lookman,Chukwueze,Bassey,Aina and Frederick dem,let them dem fulfill your own desire for them go backwards.
But my own desires for them is to move forward, be among the best, I own up to my desire and stand on it.

And let us be clear, I'm not blaming Osimhen or any player.

Yes I know better cos What should worry all of you more is getting more quality players in your national team as there’s no point desiring your players to be in Real Madrid and they get beaten by Guinea Bissau 3-0 that is my own concern. Fix that mess first! If your players do excellent in the national team clubs all over Europe will be chasing them for their signature

This thread man 😅
And most of the old heads are still here

Best thing on Nairaland.

Kog45:
Kanu Legacy damn solid talking about his records,ex Ajax,Inter Milan and Arsenal…..clamoring for Osimhen to go back to top league na personal agendas?

It’s just a pity that Napoli and his agent failed woefully during his deadlocked contract.Osimhen at his age shouldn’t be a Galatasaray player,look at Sala retiring to Turkish league and still earning than Osimhen.

Go and ask Okocha how painful he is even as at today mentioning Bolton as one of his clubs with such talent.He said it in one of his interviews that it was a big mistake.

I’m not really blaming Osimhen but I hope he has longer career,his class is above the league and fans just wanted to see him up there based on his talent

Jay Jay never regretted not joining a big club when he was about leaving Frankfurt

In his interview in Mikel’s podcast he said prior to joining Fenebache from Frankfurt that he had offers from good clubs in top leagues but none offered him what Fenebache had on the table for him

He said his main reason of joining Fenebache was to get stabilised financially because the offer was too good and that when he was at Frankfurt as of then African players weren’t paid much.

He also said the football in Turkey wasn’t really great but he was lucky to leave the league after just 2 seasons to join PSG after France 98 World Cup

Also He never regretted joining Bolton from PSG. To him it was an adventure for him to fulfil the dream of playing in the epl and also Bolton was the best offer he had then. Betis in Spain were interested too but were not willing to pay him what Bolton offered

TheSuperNerd:
Azerbaijan 2026: Bassey Invites 23 Players to Future Eagles’ Camp

Head Coach Patrick Bassey has called 23 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U15 boys, also known as Future Eagles, ahead of this month’s FIFA U15 Youth World Cup and Festival taking place in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan.

The tournament is taking place 22nd – 31st October.

The players have been instructed to report to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Hostel inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 with their proper football boots for artificial turf that will be used for training in Abuja and Baku, and for matches during the World Cup & Festival.

All State FAs, Clubs, academies, schools and parents/guardians whose players or children are invited have been advised to personally bring them to the camp in Abuja.

Renowned youth-developer Bassey, who is currently with Bichi First FC, will be assisted by Husaini Lawan Umar and Augustine Iyamu.


LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Victor Wisdom (Eagles Wings Academy, Abuja), Peter Linus (HB Academy, Abuja)

Defenders: Daniel Olaomi (Eagles Wings Academy), Prosperity Anionovo (Buruj Football Academy, Lagos), Timothy Ijachi (Mavlon FC, Lagos), David Okwusogu (NFF TDS), Michael Ibironke (NFF TDS), Sani Bello (Greenlock Academy), Mabub Akinlabi (Utmost FC)

Midfielders: Abdulsalam Muhammad (Simonben Academy, Kaduna), Martin Chukwu (AS Roma Academy, Abuja), Ayomide Jekami (NFF TDS), Mayowa Salu (NFF TDS), Baasit Bolaji Abdullahi (Chrisland High School), Emmanuel Olagoke (3SC Youth Team, Ibadan), Malik Abdulkareem (NFF TDS), Samuel Akinde (Utmost FC)

Forwards: Abdulrazak Mufutau (12Alive FC, Ibadan), Wisdom Oche (Shakhandam Academy, Abuja), Wisdom Boniface (Adoration Academy, Enugu), Samuel Amodu (NFF TDS), Bello Shittu (Greenlock Academy), Daniel Pamfey (Gwol FC, Jos)

Courtesy: National U17 Media Officer/Totorinews

Abeg, how I fit bring one or two players join this team. I get 2 players that will break into this team. They are currently playing U17 and they are 13 and 14 years old.

Because I no understand how dem take scout these players ooo. I no say you get info na.

Abeg! Ja mi si.

EElopa:
This short video provides all the information you need to understand who Eric Chelle truly rates. Pay attention to what he said about Iwobi. Iwobi is a very good player, and anyone who cannot see that is either a novice in football or has an agenda towards Alex. As he ages, it is essential to have a successor already in the works. Alex to me is still going to be a mainstay in SE through the 2030 cycle. There is nobody on the horizon that is remotely close to him but in quality and experience. He needs better midfielders around him. He is not the problem in that midfield.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t2Ifi0R-KAs?feature=share

Stop contradicting things.
Is there anyone who said Iwobi is not a good player? even today,is there anyone who can say he is not currently our best midfielder?
His quality was never in doubt.

Iwobi have always been among our best players,have been among our top 3 best players most of the times from the day he started playing for.

Notwithstanding, we need to face the truth, Iwobi is old,Ndidi is old,we are not winning any competition with them.

As people kept complaining about our Midfield, then I decided to check our previous AFCON wining teams average age,I found out it was less than 25.

charlesemeka85:
Jay Jay never regretted not joining a big club when he was about leaving Frankfurt

In his interview in Mikel’s podcast he said prior to joining Fenebache from Frankfurt that he had offers from good clubs in top leagues but none offered him what Fenebache had on the table for him

He said his main reason of joining Fenebache was to get stabilised financially because the offer was too good and that when he was at Frankfurt as of then African players weren’t paid much.

He also said the football in Turkey wasn’t really great but he was lucky to leave the league after just 2 seasons to join PSG after France 98 World Cup

Also He never regretted joining Bolton from PSG. To him it was an adventure for him to fulfil the dream of playing in the epl and also Bolton was the best offer he had then. Betis in Spain were interested too but were not willing to pay him what Bolton offered

Try and watch his most recent interviews about joining Bolton

DeloitteNG:
What do you guys think about this lineup?


Benjamin Fredrick at RCB
Nwabali or Okoye in Goal

Frank Onyeka and Nwaiwu should not even be in this conversation

If we have tried a combination for over 8 years with barely any significant success,, isn't it better to try a new combination even if some of the parts of the present combo are perceived to be the best. Trying the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result is insanity.

How is Nwaiwu not in the conversation. He's in our top 4 cbs. He's the best suited as the ccb in a 3 atb because of his passing ability built from his days as a dm.

Truidstarr:
Frank Onyeka and Nwaiwu should not even be in this conversation

Goke7:
Yes I know better cos What should worry all of you more is getting more quality players in your national team as there’s no point desiring your players to be in Real Madrid and they get beaten by Guinea Bissau 3-0 that is my own concern. Fix that mess first! If your players do excellent in the national team clubs all over Europe will be chasing them for their signature

So where do you think we would likely get more quality players from?
From Ihefu FC?

There is nothing all our desires put together will do,but it does not stop anyone from saying what he feels is better.
Anyone who wants to pretend he cares more about Osimhen's wellbeing and scores some points, let the person carry on.

As for me,yes, I want our players to play in Real Madrid, Barcelona,Man city, etc.
And no African team will humiliate us like GB did if we have our players in these clubs.

Truidstarr:
Frank Onyeka and Nwaiwu should not even be in this conversation

Have you watched Nwaiwu play?
He is a top defender
I even rate him ahead of Fernandez

Goke7:
Can't we just allow these players be? Must we always lump them in the same bracket with their European counterparts when you and I know there are certain barriers for them compared to their European peers? Even Okocha himself attests to this. The same Osimhen we will even struggle to replace in our national team soon including Ndidi that plays in the same Turkish league o, I think that's what should bother us more than all these European accolades we are always looking for.

Sir Goke,yes I want Osimehn to be in that class of great strikers being talking about after retiring from the game...Gala will not give him that platform,my point.

DeloitteNG:
Have you watched Nwaiwu play?
He is a top defender
I even rate him ahead of Fernandez

Nwaiwu is better than Fernandez and Ogbu

Napoleon55:
So where do you think we would likely get more quality players from?
From Ihefu FC?

There is nothing all our desires put together will do,but it does not stop anyone from saying what he feels is better.
Anyone who wants to pretend he cares more about Osimhen's wellbeing and scores some points, let the person carry on.

As for me,yes, I want our players to play in Real Madrid, Barcelona,Man city, etc.
And no African team will humiliate us like GB did if we have our players in these clubs.

I saw Osimehn telling Lamine that a lady sport journalist Cali wanted a picture.Osimhen took the pics and was how i wished Osimehn na Barca player....I just hope after this season Galatasaray would welcome buyers for Osimehn

Kog45:
Nwaiwu is better than Fernandez and Ogbu

You are underestimating Fernandez. I like Nwaiwu but am not sure he is a better quality player than Fernandez. Fernandez is a proper ball playing defender. You will see his quality when he is playing with better players around him. One v One i will take Nwaiwu but as an overall quality defender currently I will take Fernandez. The reason big clubs were coming for Fernandez was his on the ball quality.

Napoleon55:
So where do you think we would likely get more quality players from?
From Ihefu FC?

There is nothing all our desires put together will do,but it does not stop anyone from saying what he feels is better.
Anyone who wants to pretend he cares more about Osimhen's wellbeing and scores some points, let the person carry on.

As for me,yes, I want our players to play in Real Madrid, Barcelona,Man city, etc.
And no African team will humiliate us like GB did if we have our players in these clubs.

You don’t need players in such clubs to do well in Africa, we’ve done so well in the past without players in such clubs in fact the only way I repeat you will have such players in those clubs is excellent performance in the national team and oliseh keeps hammering on this point which is the only major thing I agree with him.

It was the performance of Lookman in the last Afcon that earned him that move to Atletico and I can bet if we had won that Afcon even osihmen will not be in Gala today. Performance in the national team including the under age global championships is the only way our players can break that barrier in Europe their European peers don’t have.

charlesemeka85:
Jay Jay never regretted not joining a big club when he was about leaving Frankfurt

In his interview in Mikel’s podcast he said prior to joining Fenebache from Frankfurt that he had offers from good clubs in top leagues but none offered him what Fenebache had on the table for him

He said his main reason of joining Fenebache was to get stabilised financially because the offer was too good and that when he was at Frankfurt as of then African players weren’t paid much.

He also said the football in Turkey wasn’t really great but he was lucky to leave the league after just 2 seasons to join PSG after France 98 World Cup

Also He never regretted joining Bolton from PSG. To him it was an adventure for him to fulfil the dream of playing in the epl and also Bolton was the best offer he had then. Betis in Spain were interested too but were not willing to pay him what Bolton offered

Is it not the same barrier okocha faced is what osihmen is facing now when clubs won’t offer something worthwhile? And this is despite what okocha dem do for national team back then o! It was even the individual brilliant performance at the 98 World Cup that earned okocha that move to PSG if not na turkey e for retire

Na the decision wey okocha make despite how unpopular is what has made him stable in retirement today!

EElopa:
You are underestimating Fernandez. I like Nwaiwu but am not sure he is a better quality player than Fernandez. Fernandez is a proper ball playing defender. You will see his quality when he is playing with better players around him. One v One i will take Nwaiwu but as an overall quality defender currently I will take Fernandez. The reason big clubs were coming for Fernandez was his on the ball quality.

Oga Nwaiwu I watched recently is better than Fernandez,my opinion