Ahmed Musa Brace


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU-cXRcKBFk

Nwakaeme's goal


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU1I7QPXFnk

Humility017:

I agree with you...on this.
but to play and win Croatia.

it gonna depend on our wingers... that game will be won via wings.

Against Croatia, I'll probably go with Ndidi - Etebo - Mikel with Vic Moses - Ighalo - Iwobi upfront.

Another fine option if you ask me. Etebo in place of Onazi will be very good too. He has same energy levels/work rate as Onazi but his is times 10. But Onazi is likely is start but this is a fine midfield three all the same.

The attack is also nice. Mehn, we got options. At least we know that whosoever will start, we got a fine bench with players who can come in and cause damage.

Your selection picks itself either in a 4-2-3-1 (Ndidi and Etebo as double pivot with Mikel as AM and Iwobi as LMF/AML And Moses and RMF/AMR. Ighalo as no.9) or in a 4-3-3 (The midfield three of Ndidi-Etebo-Mikel and attack of Ighalo flanked by Moses and Iwobi).

edi287:

Against Croatia, I'll probably go with Ndidi - Etebo - Mikel with Vic Moses - Ighalo - Iwobi upfront.

Musa Bags Brace As Uzoho Keeps 14th Clean Sheet; Etebo, Abdullahi, Awaziem Start, Ekong Benched
By Johnny Edward


Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa scored twice for CSKA Moscow in Sunday’s 6-0 drubbing of Arsenal Tula.
He had also scored twice against Krasnodar a fortnight ago. The 25-year-old doubled his side’s lead in the 11th minute and sealed the emphatic win in the 49th minute to take his tally to five in 10 Russian Premier League games.

In England, Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi ended his nine-game goal drought in the EPL when he scored Arsenal’s fourth goal in their 5-0 drubbing of Burnley on Arsene Wenger’s last home game in charge of the club at the Emirates Stadium.
Iwobi, making his 20th start of the English Premier League season for Arsenal in the win, last scored a goal against Crystal Palace on the 20th of January.

Super Eagles star Victor Moses made his third assist on his 24th English Premier League start for Chelsea who defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to boost their chances of a top four finish. Moses, who was cautioned by Mike Taylor in the 81st minute, was subbed off for Davide Zappacosta seven minutes later.

In Turkey, Nigeria defender Shehu Abdulahi made his 14th start for Bursaspor who lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce in the Super Lig. His compatriots, William Troost Ekong and Mikel Agu, were unused substitutes in the encounter. Troost-Ekong has made 26 appearances for the club this season, scoring twice while Mikel Agu has 22 games under his belt, scoring twice as well.

In the Italian Serie A, Nigerian striker Simeone Nwankwo featured for Crotone in their 2-1 loss away to Chievo Verona. Simy has scored six goals in 21 Serie A games.

In France, Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem played for 76 minutes for Nantes who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Montpellier. He was replaced by Alex Kacaniklic in his 22nd appearance of the season in Ligue 1.

In the lower leagues, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, kept his 14th clean sheet for RC Deportivo Fabril who defeated Cerceda 1-0 on Sunday.
The game was the 24thof the season for the 19-year-old shot-stopper. He has conceded 17 goals so far this term for RC Deportivo Fabril who are second in the Spanish Segunda B, the third division.


At Estadio de Gran Canaria Stadium, the Nigerian pair of Oghenekaro Etebo and Imoh Ezekiel were handed starts by Las Palmas who lost 1-0 to Getafe on Sunday. While Etebo saw 90 minutes of action, Ezekiel was replaced in the 61st minute.

Brown Ideye also featured only in the first half for relegated Malaga who lost 3-0 to Alaves. Isaac Success was an unused substitute for Malaga.

In the Dutch Eredivise, Umar Sadiq was missing in action for NAC Breda who drew 1-1 with FC Twente on Sunday. Super Eagles defender Tyronne Ebuehi was also missing for ADO Den Haag in Sunday’s 3-2 win away at Roda JC Kerkrade.

In Norway, Aremu Afeez played his eighth game for IK Start who lost 3-0 to Odds Ballklubb.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/musa-bags-brace-as-uzoho-keeps-14th-clean-sheet-etebo-abdullahi-awaziem-start-ekong-benched/


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 38 days 12 hours 14 mins to go

Beware of Sportskeeda's report....


Iwobi Rated High In Arsenal's Last Home Game Under Wenger



Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi on Sunday produced one of his best performances for Arsenal as the Gunners romped to a 5-0 demolition of Burnley at the Emirates in what was manager Arsene Wenger's last game at the stadium.
Iwobi scored the third goal of the match and his third of the season following his strikes against Brighton which the team won 2-0 on 1 October 2017 and in the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on 20 January 2018 and got rave reviews from the press in England.

Mirror UK wrote in their assessment of Iwobi: "Just when you question if he's good enough... he rifles one into the roof of the net." The online version of the newspaper rated the Nigeria 7/10.

Sportskeeda gave the Nigerian a 6.5/10 saying: "It was an average performance delivered by Iwobi. He lost possession far too easily with his heavy first-touches on the ball. One area he has to improve would be his ability to keep the ball close to him as he runs."

Sportskeeda failed to mention the goal scored by Iwobi who was apparently emotional during the speech given by Arsene Wenger as the team play the manager's last game at the Emirates.

ESPNFC then paid glowing tribute to the 22 year-old who was handed first team place by Arsene Wenger in 2015.
"Alex Iwobi, 7 -- Was involved in the build-up to the first two goals and finally showed he can finish as well by firing home an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. If he did that more often, he'd be some player."

Iwobi could yet score more goals in Arsenal's last two matches of the season against Leicester City and Huddersfield Town.


**Izuchukwu Okosi


Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=27635


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 38 days 12 hours 7 mins to go

Chelsea Hero Townsend: Victor Moses Is A Dangerous Player, Not Easy To Deal With

Former Chelsea hero and BT Sport pundit Andy Townsend has lavished praise on Nigeria international Victor Moses for his brilliant display in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Premier League.
Moses was excellent in the opening forty-five minutes and provided the assist for Olivier Giroud's winner when his teasing cross into the box was headed home by the Frenchman.

''Victor Moses is a very dangerous player and when he's running at you, he's not easy to deal with. When the ball goes wide, he's going to get out there, he wants a little bit of cover,'' said Andy Townsend during the half-time analysis.

''You can see Sadio Mane running back in behind to stop that cross. Virgil van Dijk has just wandered a little bit just in front of Olivier Giroud. Chelsea got good numbers in the box.

''I think he has done really well for Chelsea Giroud. It was an important time for Chelsea to bring someone in like Giroud, proven Premier League campaigner in many ways, he has done really well for the team.''

Moses, who has been directly involved in three goals in his last six Premier League games, finished the match against Liverpool with four key passes, the best among the players who were on the pitch.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com


Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=27634


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 38 days 12 hours 3 mins to go

Balogun says fitness is key for Nigeria's World Cup hopes
By Oluwashina Okeleji, BBC Sport, Nigeria

Mainz defender Leon Balogun, 29, has been called up 14 times by Nigeria

Nigeria defender Leon Balogun says it is crucial his fellow international team-mates stay injury-free ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Nigeria, the first side from Africa to seal a spot in Russia, have been drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.
Unbeaten in qualifying and with impressive friendly victories against Argentina and Poland, Balogun says the fitness of players will be key to having a successful campaign this summer.

"Some so-called big teams will also miss players due to injuries but we can only hope for the best and go to Russia with the same spirit we have now -Leon Balogun
Mainz and Nigeria defender

"We have a team capable of doing well in Russia and this team can perform to expectations if we have everyone in great shape," Mainz defender Balogun told BBC Sport.

"As a professional you don't think so much about getting injured or avoiding it, you just give everything on the pitch for club and country.

"I know injuries come with football and if we are very lucky not have it, then all the players in Nigerian colours have the spirit to fight for success until the end."

Three-time African Champions Nigeria continue their impressive run of appearances at the finals, having missed only one tournament - Germany 2006 - since qualifying for their debut in 1994.

At their last appearance, the experienced Super Eagles led by Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama reached the second round in Brazil before losing to France, and Balogun says the current team is focussed on success.

"I was very unlucky to miss the last tournament in Brazil and we've seen changes since then (managers and players), but we now have a good spirit going into the World Cup," the Germany-born player added.

"Many players will be going for the first time and ready to shine on the biggest stage for football. It's the dedication and passion that drives us as a team.

"Some so-called big teams will also miss players due to injuries but we can only hope for the best and go to Russia with the same spirit we have now," said Balogun.


Already sweating over the fitness of Wilfred Ndidi and Joel Obi, Gernot Rohr's side will face DR Congo in a friendly in Port Harcourt on 28 May.

World Cup-bound England will be Nigeria's opponents on 2 June at Wembley ahead of the final warm-up fixture against Czech Republic on 6 June.

"We've enjoyed a good preparation so far and learning from our mistakes as well," said Balogun.
"These last three matches will give us a chance to get in the right place for the World Cup."

29-year-old Balogun, a leader at the back, made his debut against Mexico in 2004 and has been called up 14 times by Nigeria.


Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44024848


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 38 days 11 hours 55 mins to go

Can someone please shed light on why Ekong is being benched these days? Decline in form? Injuries?

TheGoodJoe:


Look at the case of Coach Rohr sending keeper trainers to work with our keepers. That is a clear case of a National team doing more to nurture their bright talents. A case of Rohr working with Awaziem and Osimhen in camp. The foreigners have a system that helps a large pool of their players have good nurturing before the National team proper. We do not, so we need to do more to help our players grow.

As I said before, that is why we have age grade competitions.

Salisu Yusuf is the coach of the U23 team. Let Osimhen and K. Nwakali make themselves available for selection.

Uzoho's case is different cos he is a goal keeper and we find ourselves in a dire situation in that department. For what reason will you send a special trainer to Osimhen or Nwakali. Oga that does not count here.

You mentioned having a system where a country will have a large pool of young players to select from. You cannot achieve that by picking one or two players saying they are special talents and sending special trainers to them. You can only achieve that kind of system by ensuring all your young talents are actively involved in your youth programs. From U17, U20 to U21/23.

I still insist we need a standing U21 team. That is where we can pick from a large pool of players who are to be promoted to the senior team.

Martz101:

now you understand

Now I understand what?
Has there been a time I have said Iwobi is not a natural central AM?

Bolowolowo:
Can someone please shed light on why Ekong is being benched these days? Decline in form? Injuries?

Change of COACHING CREW

Bolowolowo:
Can someone please shed light on why Ekong is being benched these days? Decline in form? Injuries?

Let him continue warming bench so be will be fit for us at the world cup..

He has nothing to prove again for us.

Bolowolowo:
Can someone please shed light on why Ekong is being benched these days? Decline in form? Injuries?

New coach but also a decline in form from what i understand.. Strong first half of the season.. Has declined in recent weeks so a rest might be good for him.

Icon4s:


As I said before, that is why we have age grade competitions.

Salisu Yusuf is the coach of the U23 team. Let Osimhen and K. Nwakali make themselves available for selection.

Uzoho's case is different cos he is a goal keeper and we find ourselves in a dire situation in that department. For what reason will you send a special trainer to Osimhen or Nwakali. Oga that does not count here.

You mentioned having a system where a country will have a large pool of young players to select from. You cannot achieve that by picking one or two players saying they are special talents and sending special trainers to them. You can only achieve that kind of system by ensuring all your young talents are actively involved in your youth programs. From U17, U20 to U21/23.

I still insist we need a standing U21 team. That is where we can pick from a large pool of players who are to be promoted to the senior team.

I am not sure that there is anything I can add here at all. theGoodJoe keeps on saying we should do more, so does that mean we should be sending special coaches to every Chrisantus, Sani Emmanuel and Okoro that shines in the U17 world cup? the thing is that even if you start sending them these coaches some of them still won't make it not to mention the financial constraint involved. How many coaches you go hire? He keeps saying this thing but I am not exactly sure I understand his point

komekn:


For someone who claims to be an agent you make sweeping statements that are way too general. These are propositions without substance particularly the see the bold.

Do you know that at youth level there are multiple clubs that actively target African origin players because of thier inherent attributes. You could call that reverse racism.

For instance I have watched Chelsea fuels am U18 team where apart from the goalkeeper all the players were black.

Go to Man U look at the U18 and see how many are Nigerian origin. There is no youth academy in the top 6 of the EPL that doesn't have a considerable number of Nigerian origin youth players.

It's not my fault everything you see revolves around Your brainwashed, myopic English mind.
And dude I'm talking about players coming from Africa you are telling me to watch Chelsea U-18 where almost all the black boys you saw will most likely end up playing for your lions

TheSuperNerd:
Another fine option if you ask me. Etebo in place of Onazi will be very good too. He has same energy levels/work rate as Onazi but his is times 10. But Onazi is likely is start but this is a fine midfield three all the same.

The attack is also nice. Mehn, we got options. At least we know that whosoever will start, we got a fine bench with players who can come in and cause damage.

Your selection picks itself either in a 4-2-3-1 (Ndidi and Etebo as double pivot with Mikel as AM and Iwobi as LMF/AML And Moses and RMF/AMR. Ighalo as no.9) or in a 4-3-3 (The midfield three of Ndidi-Etebo-Mikel and attack of Ighalo flanked by Moses and Iwobi).

and etebo pass better than onazi and can also score goals too....

I will start him over onazi anyday anytime....
when we really need score goals...
but when defending onazi interceptions is an asset

krattoss:

Let him continue warming bench so be will be fit for us at the world cup..

He has nothing to prove again for us.

No o better for him to be playing week in week out cos fitness is all about playing time except you see his bench role as an opportunity to avoid injury cos of coming WC but remember Shehu Abdullahi is always in action for the same club.

Ebuehi was not on the bench again... He should have pulled out of the March friendly instead of playing with the groin injury.

TheSuperNerd:
Egbon Forgiveness made a comment which I picked up...

He said that Moses is as good as Mane. And that Kayode even plays in similar style.


Sir TheGoodJoe had earlier even suggested that Moses' techniques and abilities suggest that he will explode in that Salah role as he got great attacking instincts too....

Mikel even said Moses is a right winger not a RWB. He only does well there becos he improvises his plays excellently but Moses at his best and in his beast mode is the Moses we see in Nigeria's colors harassing fullbacks with his trickery, power and pace as a flying and dribbling Right winger.



Moses still dey play RWB today oooo... but mehn... you can see yet again the quality of his touches, crosses and movements when he goes forward and gets into some fine positions even from his RWB role...


I have to say that I see great sense in what Mikel, TheGoodJoe and Forgiveness said on Moses.

On Kayode ..... I will agree partially with Egbon Forgiveness too. Kayode and Mane does make almost similar kind of movements or runs.


#MyCandidOpinion.

Though, I didn't see the match today but I don't need to see it before I confirm Moses is a very skillful boy because I have being following him since he was 14 years.

Modified video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4rF733fAAg


You can see one of his techniques here.

Danielnino00:




Will Nigeria ever produce a striker like him again??

Yes but patience has been our issue.Yekini made his debut in 1982/83 and wasn't solid until 1987/88,space of 5 years.In fact he had a goal at Maroc 88 but from 1990 to 1994 Yekini became goal king.

Mickael2:



I am not sure that there is anything I can add here at all. theGoodJoe keeps on saying we should do more, so does that mean we should be sending special coaches to every Chrisantus, Sani Emmanuel and Okoro that shines in the U17 world cup? the thing is that even if you start sending them these coaches some of them still won't make it not to mention the financial constraint involved. How many coaches you go hire? He keeps saying this thing but I am not exactly sure I understand his point

He is the same person that rolled out a list of top talents that didn't live up to the expectations. I told him he is practically reserving spots for players in the SE which he denies. Why will you pick some certain players and assignment special coaches to them when he himself has agreed that a lot of young talents do not live up to their potentials. It is just too theoretical and not workable.

Kog45:
Yes but patience has been our issue.Yekini made his debut in 1982/83 and wasn't solid until 1987/88,space of 5 years.In fact he had a goal at Maroc 88 but from 1990 to 1994 Yekini became goal king.

Yekini got better with age.

Mikel Arterta has this to say about Haruna Babangida

‘In our dorms, there was Reina, Valdes, Iniesta and Carles Puyol. I remember there was this guy called Haruna Babangida. Wow, at the age of 15 he was the best player in the world. I cannot put into words how talented he was. He ended up in Greece, Cyprus and Russia. He should have been a star.' Arteta shakes his head as he recalls Babangida’s untapped potential. It must be a strange adolescence at La Masia, where every friend is a rival, where teenage impulse is inhibited. ‘We had very strict rules,’ Arteta says.

talent wasted

tbaba1234:
Ebuehi was not on the bench again... He should have pulled out of the March friendly instead of playing with the groin injury.

Pls blame Rohr.

Kog45:
Pls blame Rohr.

Player tells the coach, he is fine and passes a fitness test... Sometimes, it is not straightforward.

I think, he wanted to play badly but aggravated his injury.

TheSuperNerd:
Another fine option if you ask me. Etebo in place of Onazi will be very good too. He has same energy levels/work rate as Onazi but his is times 10. But Onazi is likely is start but this is a fine midfield three all the same.

The attack is also nice. Mehn, we got options. At least we know that whosoever will start, we got a fine bench with players who can come in and cause damage.

Your selection picks itself either in a 4-2-3-1 (Ndidi and Etebo as double pivot with Mikel as AM and Iwobi as LMF/AML And Moses and RMF/AMR. Ighalo as no.9) or in a 4-3-3 (The midfield three of Ndidi-Etebo-Mikel and attack of Ighalo flanked by Moses and Iwobi).

Yeah its a fluid lineup...full of movement upfront and even in midfield. Best lineup in terms of switching formation during the game. Etebo can even play on the left and Iwobi moves infield if Rohr feels like it.

Musa Bags Brace As Uzoho Keeps 14th Clean Sheet; Etebo, Abdullahi, Awaziem Start, Ekong Benched
May 6, 2018


Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa scored twice for CSKA Moscow in Sunday’s 6-0 drubbing of Arsenal Tula.

He had also scored twice against Krasnodar a fortnight ago. The 25-year-old doubled his side’s lead in the 11th minute and sealed the emphatic win in the 49th minute to take his tally to five in 10 Russian Premier League games.

In England, Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi ended his nine-game goal drought in the EPL when he scored Arsenal’s fourth goal in their 5-0 drubbing of Burnley on Arsene Wenger’s last home game in charge of the club at the Emirates Stadium. Iwobi, making his 20th start of the English Premier League season for Arsenal in the win, last scored a goal against Crystal Palace on the 20th of January.

Super Eagles star Victor Moses made his third assist on his 24th English Premier League start for Chelsea who defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to boost their chances of a top four finish. Moses, who was cautioned by Mike Taylor in the 81st minute, was subbed off for Davide Zappacosta seven minutes later.

In Turkey, Nigeria defender Shehu Abdulahi made his 14th start for Bursaspor who lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce in the Super Lig. His compatriots, William Troost Ekong and Mikel Agu, were unused substitutes in the encounter. Troost-Ekong has made 26 appearances for the club this season, scoring twice while Mikel Agu has 22 games under his belt, scoring twice as well.

In the Italian Serie A, Nigerian striker Simeone Nwankwo featured for Crotone in their 2-1 loss away to Chievo Verona. Simy has scored six goals in 21 Serie A games.
In France, Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem played for 76 minutes for Nantes who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Montpellier. He was replaced by Alex Kacaniklic in his 22nd appearance of the season in Ligue 1.

In the lower leagues, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, kept his 14th clean sheet for RC Deportivo Fabril who defeated Cerceda 1-0 on Sunday.

The game was the 24thof the season for the 19-year-old shot-stopper. He has conceded 17 goals so far this term for RC Deportivo Fabril who are second in the Spanish Segunda B, the third division.

At Estadio de Gran Canaria Stadium, the Nigerian pair of Oghenekaro Etebo and Imoh Ezekiel were handed starts by Las Palmas who lost 1-0 to Getafe on Sunday. While Etebo saw 90 minutes of action, Ezekiel was replaced in the 61st minute.

Brown Ideye also featured only in the first half for relegated Malaga who lost 3-0 to Alaves. Isaac Success was an unused substitute for Malaga.

In the Dutch Eredivise, Umar Sadiq was missing in action for NAC Breda who drew 1-1 with FC Twente on Sunday. Super Eagles defender Tyronne Ebuehi was also missing for ADO Den Haag in Sunday’s 3-2 win away at Roda JC Kerkrade.

In Norway, Aremu Afeez played his eighth game for IK Start who lost 3-0 to Odds Ballklubb.



https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/musa-bags-brace-as-uzoho-keeps-14th-clean-sheet-etebo-abdullahi-awaziem-start-ekong-benched/

Icon4s:


Yekini got better with age.

That's it but can we give our young players such chance again check Kanu 1994-2010(87 caps 12 goals)5 afcon no goal and 3 WC no goal.

Sir can we do that for any promising player again, patience does it.

Icon4s:


Against Zambia Iwobi played as a Winger (in both legs) and against Argentina Iwobi was a pseudo-9.

We cannot play Iwobi and Mikel together in the midfield. This is suggestive of a 4-3-3 formation where Mikel and Iwobi will sit behind the 3 forwards with the DM behind the duo. This could create gaps behind as we know Iwobi is a player that loves moving forward and taking on defenders. This could often reduce the midfield to a 4-2-4. Play that against Croatia and we get hammered.

You place too much emphasis on defense forgetting that the best form of defence is Attack. Every time we had Iwobi roaming around the final third 18 yard box, he had scored.

This too much emphasis you place on defense was what Rohr thought when he played 3 original DMs in Onazi, Ndidi, and Joel Obi against Serbia ��, yet we got a whooping.

Remember this:
If you need too many men behind the ball ⚽ inorder to defend, then you truly don't know how to defend

tbaba1234:


Player tells the coach, he is fine and passes a fitness test... Sometimes, it is not straightforward.

I think, he wanted to play badly but aggravated his injury.

Remember I said this when we had discussion on his fitness level during March friendlies especially his performance against Serbia.

I think things are getting clearer now,how on earth a player just coming back from groin injury played 90 minutes football.

This silly mistake can ruled the young man out of WC.

Icon4s:


Yekini got better with age.

Yekini got into the national team young. Should we bring in some young talents into the team and wait for them to hit their peak..

No one has patience for that... Instead, hit your peak at club level then maybe, you would be invited.