zicky:
Nacho was not regular last season bt he was at no time thrown out of the match day squad. I wonder how come you are the only one blind to the antics of Pep, that Nacho couldn't get 10mins game time even when Gabrial was injured, is he building the player confidence or killing it

Humility017:


sir goodjoe...nacho is different, he is unique in his class... he doesn't need to be moulded to suit pep philosophy... if the drilling coach thinks he lacks want he want in a striker...then let him be loaned or sold to those who want what he(nacho) has....

last season...which was his debut season... the young lad has 13 goals ...amidst his sub role and has the highest goal scored per minute ratio...

please answer this question... has any of those pep has moulded and desires achieved such feet?

pep is simply a perfectionist
he want players to play as robot... he should keep dreaming...
nacho is already a bunch of talent...an exceptional lad SS and CF rolled into one....

BascoVanVeli:
CONFEDERATION CUP: Rivers Utd Revives Nigeria’s Hope with Vital Win over Rayon Sports


April 17, 2017

By Femi Solaja

Rivers United Football Club partially ended Nigeria’s misery in continental club football with a 2-0 win over visiting Rayon Sports of Rwanda in the first leg play-off CAF Confederation Cup second round of 16 fixture.

A brilliant goal from Ivoirian marksman, Guy Kuemian early in the second half and Emeka Atuloma’s sweetly-struck effort just before half time to put themselves in control of the playoff tie.

The other Nigerian representative, Enugu Rangers had crashed out 24 hours earlier in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Zesco United of Zambia after 2-2 first leg score line in Enugu last weekend.

But yesterday, Rivers United gave the country’s football fans something to cheer with the massive win in a match played at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Emeka Ogbugh should have scored in the fourth minute when he turned his marker inside out only to drag his effort inches wide from eight yards.

Six minutes later, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ enjoyed a gilt-edged opening but the chance to get an early breakthrough went up in smoke as Bolaji Sakin hit his effort straight at the Rayon Sports goalkeeper, Ndayishinye Eric.

The visitors were meanwhile looking assured in possession, menacing in the final third and were unlucky not to score on two occasions inside the opening 25 minutes.

Sunday Rotimi was the saviour for United both times and in the first instance on 12 minutes, his heroic block saved the hosts embarrassment following a poorly-executed offside trap.

The assistant coach of the team, Willie Udube, in his post match comment said though his team won but they could not execute their game plan.

“We had our game plan. The match didn’t go the way we wanted and we ended up having only two goals. We are going home now to work on the players.

“We found out that the boys from Kigali are very good. They are ball jugglers. We need to neutralise the ball juggling spirit in them.

“While football is not mathematics, we have however learnt our lessons and I strongly believe that with hardwork, we will win in Kigali,” he said.

Udube said Rivers United were under pressure during the match because of the current form and position of the team in ongoing competitions.

“I want to say that we are under pressure. We are trying to pick the pieces and put the team together and get something.

“Before now, you will come here and watch a team that is winning with confidence. But now things are different and the boys have been losing confidence.

“It is left for the technical team to put confidence in the boys by encouraging them and teach them what to do,” he added.

Festus Austin, captain of Rivers United, said they had hoped to score more goals but succeeded in scoring only two goals.

“We hope to improve because I appreciate that the fact that our opponents our good.

The second leg match comes up on April 22nd athlete imposing 300,000 capacity Amahoro stadium in Kigali. Rivers United needs to avoid three goals deficit without scoring and be assured of a place in the group stage of the African club second tier club competition.

jotey:

to me game time is learning and improving

Oga Joe to you bench warming is learning

jotey:

no need to argue with Oga Joe agn

I think he is related to pep one way or the other

jotey:

@least iwobi is still seeing game time despite his social life

iheanacho that sleeps around 6pm is chopping bench

TheGoodJoe:


Sane was on the bench not too long ago. Guardiola confirmed that Sane improved in training and looked a different player. That was why he started seeing game time. So, drills worked for Sane.

oloriooko:

With their abysmal defence Rivers can go there and collect 3 goals in a jiffy, I don't trust these boys to protect their 2 goals lead jare

Icon4s:


So the 'drills' are yet to work for Iheanacho that's why he is not seeing game time?

Are you trying to say Iheanacho has not improved after all these drills?

zicky:
Nacho was not regular last season bt he was at no time thrown out of the match day squad. I wonder how come you are the only one blind to the antics of Pep, that Nacho couldn't get 10mins game time even when Gabrial was injured, is he building the player confidence or killing it

Icon4s:


You sabi these NPFL clubs Wella.

first half now them fit concede 3goals.

AIG07:
It is a learning curve he must pass through under Pep's tutorship if he must do well in real life...

*winks*

TheGoodJoe:


Is Iheanacho better than Aguero? Especially when you consider Aguero dropping deep and building plays. Gabriel Jesus also does this better than Nacho. Iheanacho is improving but he is not up to their level yet.

It was easier for Sane because he only had Nolito ahead of him on the left side attack. If City seals Neymar, Sane will go back to the bench.

TheGoodJoe:


Guardiola proved that he wants his forwards contributing to the game play, just as he wants his keepers building-up plays and his defenders joining the midfield.

This is a big part of the philosophy and in turn improves the players. Nacho can finish. Guardiola gets it but he wants him to become fluid. Very fluid. Watch Lewandowski or Firmino and you will get it. When Nacho adds this, then we will have a monster. A year more is not his whole life and he will become deadlier. That is the most important thing.

Dedebanky85:
Since Guardiola kinda movement ain't Nacho's style then it's only natural he leaves. It'll be tamountly foolish of Nacho to remain in City after this summer. Benteke left, Sackho left, City is not the only club in the world and Guardiola is not the only coach, he may rank high but he ain't the best. You just fancy Guardiola but I think it makes no sense when you keep going in circles saying that training is better than action. If all Mbappe did was bang goals in training would you have heard of him. Come May, I hope to see this your highly revered Guardiola lift any trophy, if not we go get problem. Oh I forgot he'd be lifting the training trophy with Nacho skippering that team.

maidaboi:

maidaboi:
if kelechi spent 1 month drilling and still no game time. one thing that comes to my mind is that he is not catching what the coach is teaching him.
Then he may spent 10 years drilling.

tbaba1234:


Chrisantus joined Hamburg not Wolfsburg.

Osimhen signed officially in January during the winter and got injured soon after. He is just getting back from injury. He can't play with injury.

He can not be said to have failed yet. He is just 18 in his first club.

komekn:
People win tournaments with a blend of youth and experience not just youth alone.

And in our case what we are calling youth is still open to debate. And omit top players like Taiwo, Aluko and yes even Martins who currently is in better form in the Chinese league than Ideye and Ighalo.

BascoVanVeli:


The only thing i want Pep to teach Iheanacho right now is German.

BascoVanVeli:


Rivers have the ability to get a draw or at least an away goal. They should qualify because there would be no excuse for them.

Humility017:


of a truth what is he going to bring to the SE?
we have young players of Nigeria heritage all littered across Europe and America...yet not given a chance...of a truth even players from the domestic league...will prove better. and now you clamouring for the inclusion of a player in his 30s playing no league better than the ignored young lads all because of his performance of yesteryears...

sir we're talking of winning the world cup come 2022 and using the Russia 2018 for exposure of these lads.....

forgiveness:



Mention one player in the domestic league that will prove better than Taiwo.

Mention 2 natural LB players of Nigerian heritage that can play in the LB position for Nigeria.


I know Torunarigha... give me more names.

jotey:

taiwo's twin is 42 hope u knw

tbaba1234:


Is it not the same Rivers that threw away a healthy lead in Sudan?

I can not trust any of these teams.

jotey:

taiwo's twin is 42 hope u knw

forgiveness:

Hmmm! Na you born am?
How old is Mikel Obi?