₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
If Mexico were a little clinical, we would have been disgraced. Home advantage was non existent as the stadium was relatively empty.

Those players should improve the defence but who will score?

It is possible that they still do decently but certainly no chance at winning except with huge luck.

terzurum5:
I can bet they are good U23 materials in this team but...... he chose to toil the line of failure....

[b][size=14pt]
Obaje To Lead NPFL All-Stars Invitees Ahead Of La Liga Friendlies
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https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/6f/c1/nigeria-b-17102015_aiibcaetpx9w1htab3hyc4862.jpg?t=2048744752&w=460&h=320
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top-scorer, Godwin Obaje will lead other 29 playersfrom the league for a training camp in Abuja, as part of preparations ahead of a series of friendlies against La Liga clubs in Spain next month.


Obaje, who is joint top goal-scorer with 13 goals, alongside Okiki Afolabi of Sunshine ‎Stars will joinothers including goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu, Charles Henlong, Alhassan Ibrahim (Wikki Tourists), Jamiu Alimi, Rabiu Ali, Ifeanyi Matthew (Kano Pillars), Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Sikiru Olatunbosun (MFM) and Gabriel Wassa (Niger Tornadoes).

The Abuja training camp is expected to open next week Monday ahead of the friendlies against Valencia and Malaga in Spain next month.
http://www.soccernet.com.ng/2016/07/obaje-to-lead-npfl-all-stars-invitees.html
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Icon4s:
My brother, home advantage is not only abt the crowd.
Weather/climate, altitude, familiarity with the playing turf and "i must nt be beaten on my soil" psychology all add up to influence the balance of play . Bring that Mexican team to Kaduna or Calabar and lets see whether they would nt b beaten.

In as much as we have criticised Siasia all along, it seems he has been to some extent vindicated by the withdrawal of our top U23 players. Simon, Iheanacho and Iwobi have never really been part Siasia's programmes all along. Had he relied so much on those players by now he would have been running helter scelter scouting for replacements. Isaac Success too would nt have been released by Watford

However, He still should have given d following strikers a chance: Chikatara, Obaje and Samuel.
With d presence of Omeruo, Ndidi(if played as CB) and Troost Ekong i blieve our defense would b greatly improved. Mikel's presence in the Midfield would complement d efforts of Azubuike, Etebor, Ndidi(if played as DMF),Popoola, Usman, Saviour and Dimgba. Our Midfield is descent enough.
For the strikers, If Ighalo does nt show up we are on a long thing. Imoh Ezekiel is on that list bt i fear for him nt bc he is nt good enough bt bc he is nt a "Siasia's boy". Awoniyi and Ajayi jst like at CAF U23 would b our arrow heads in d attack. That is nightmarish to me. Awoniyi dat would nt even make d starting 11 in d current U20 team.
(In Patience Jonathan's voice) "Siasia kontinuu". We know what u are doing. We are watching.

TheGoodJoe:

It is so logical as you explained it. However, just like the second leg against Egypt I won't be shocked if Siasia puts up an illogical line up in Brazil.

I agree with you. We have enough materials to remedy the team. As you accurately pointed out, Chikatara, Obaje and Samuel can bring in fire power to push the team.

Let us watch and hope Coach Siasia improves as the Super Eagles main players come in.

Coach Siasia, I beg, let Mikel stay deep ad shield the defence.

Icon4s:
If Omeruo, Troost-Ekong and Ndidi would b available as CB, Azubuike can do d DMF job.Cos i would no reason to worry abt d defense if any two of that trio are at CB. I would then prefer Mikel takes up a CMF role so Etebor can play d number 10 role.

TheGoodJoe:

The introduction of those defenders will tighten the defence but Mikel in the defensive midfield brings something very few players will bring to the Olympics. A vast wealth of experience playing a particular role. Mikel is one of the World's most experienced defensive midfielder in the game today.

Playing Mikel in another role will mean not utilizing his experience to the highest level. That is what the Olympics overage spots is for. Why play Azubuike there when we have to one of the most experienced defensive midfielders in the team?

Adding Mikel to part of the defensive set up will bring a rock solid shield to the team and a possessive pivot to sit the team. This will aid the attacking players to play with more freedom and confidence.

I still opt for Mikel to play deep and shield the defence.

Icon4s:
Good points.

But u know at national team level Mikel has played far more as a CMF than as a DMF.
With d withdrawal of Iwobi, Etebor would have to step into d AM position leaving us with no outstanding U23 CMF. Azubuike and Ndidi can cover up as DMF of which I feel they are solid enough to face the competition and challenges at this level. Mikel's experience as a CMF at d national team level would also prove very vital in this case. We may need him more as a CMF.

Icon4s:
Good points.

But u know at national team level Mikel has played far more as a CMF than as a DMF.
With d withdrawal of Iwobi, Etebor would have to step into d AM position leaving us with no outstanding U23 CMF. Azubuike and Ndidi can cover up as DMF of which I feel they are solid enough to face the competition and challenges at this level. Mikel's experience as a CMF at d national team level would also prove very vital in this case. We may need him more as a CMF.

TheGoodJoe:

Okay. I understand and get your point. Mikel has the experience to bring a balance to the midfield. His experience will also help in covering the middle gap.

I agree completely.

TheGoodJoe:

The few games I watched Etebor, he did not look explosive to me. Usman Mohammed looks more creative and makes direct runs. I feel Usman Mohammed will be better in the attack midfield role than Etebor.

What do you think, Etebor or Usman?

Icon4s:
My point exactly.

My only concern may jst be that he may b off pace. This crop of U23 as far as i have watched them have been playing with so much pace. Etebor and Dimgba are very quick players and would need a CMF that would lay d balls quickly and in a sleek manner. Ifeanyi Mathew would have perfectly fitted into dat role bt na Siasia know o. Siasia needs to really work on integrating Mikel as quickly as possible into the main stream of that team. I hope he reports to camp early enough.

Icon4s:
Though i am a fan of the EPL, I follow the NPFL a lot.I pay special interest in Etebor, Ifeanyi Mathew, Junior Ajayi, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Nwobodo among orhers.

Some major strenght of Etebor are in his pace, direct play & always forward moving play. He also has d physical strength. Dnt forget his set piece abilities.

Usman Mohammed may b a more exposed player bt he is nt a much talented as Etebor.

I see Usman more as a CMF with also defensivd abilities which means he can also play as a DMF while Etebor is AM with CMF abilities. Only time i saw Etebor as a DMF was in d CAF U23 semis against Senegal.

I think Etebor would bring more to d attack jst like at d CAF U23 more so now dat our attack is looking very blunt.

TheGoodJoe:

I have not watched much of both but at the CHAN, Oliseh clearly hid us from seeing how good Usman Mohammed is.

Remember Usman Mohammed coming off the bench in CHAN against Niger and changing the game. Usman Mohammed is actually a playmaker as we saw in CHAN. In that Niger game, it was after the introduction of Usman Mohammed the goals flooded.

In the final game against Guinea, Usman Mohammed was the best player on the field. The only thing I can think is Oliseh did not like Usman Outshining his love child Onobi and he took out the best player on the field, Usman Mohammed in the first half and the team crumbled.

As I said, I have not watched much of them so I can not tell who is better to play creatively. However, from what I saw in CHAN, Usman Mohammed is very direct in his play, makes direct runs, very skillful on the ball and takes out opposing players with his skills. He also has an eye for goals.

Nice to read a nice review of Etebor from you. That means either way Coach Siasia goes, we can be confident in the AMF role.

The challenge is the DMF/CMF roles.