darkelf:


Bros, I'm so convinced that anybody is better than ighalo right now IMO.

That's how poorly that dude has turned out for the SE so far.

That I will totally agree with if we are willing to change our formation to suit that other person, but can you trust Rohr to change his formation? Give Rohr anyother type of player and what you will get will be the same game Iheanacho had against SA, dry and poor by every means and then he will come to a press conference and tell you how we need more presence up top and Ighalo is back

Mickael2:


My idea of a false 9 is a striker who drops deep, collects the ball and makes something happen with it. Now dropping deep means you will get crowded out, can you trust any of our present players to beat their man in a tight space?? Neither Iheanacho nor Musa can do that, Iwobi can but does he have the other attributes of a false 9?? I dont think so.

If however there is another style of false 9 then I am willing to learn.

So ighalo no b true 9 again, now false 9,

As time goes on,someone will say ighalo na option(c),ALL OF THE ABOVE 9

Mickael2:


now all we have is a German stiff-neck who arranges his team in the same 4-2-3-1 formation everyday then goes to sleep on the sideline, even if Rohr was appointed in the 2000s he still would have phased out Uche and other small out and out strikers then who could not play without the ball.

You got it right with the bolded bro!

Mickael2:


If I remember correctly you are the advocate of 'manage what we have'. I believe you have at least rudimentary experience in coaching and I am sure you know that 99% of coaches have a standard formation which they always fall back on especially when the national team is involved. Moreover you do know that virtually no successful national team plays with a false 9? The training you have to undergo to field a false 9 is impossible to achieve in a short while,I remember when we tried it in our medical games and the movement of our 'false 9' confused even the CBs and we had 4 weeks to train with a proper coach and the dude was talented.

So first off, who is currently the striker who can precisely fit into a 4-2-3-1 which is virtually what we play nevermind the 4-3-3 you see? Don't say we can switch to a 3-5-2 because you know that is just a backup and the coach draws his list with preference to players that can execute that 4-2-3-1 formation, so please point out another player that can function there. Musa isn't exactly the type of player that can function maximally without the ball, you can see that most of his goals from 2014 are all as a result of playing the ball to his feet in space, do you have space as a single striker against 2 rough African CBs? Please do not even mention Iheanacho. Back in those days we had coaches who were actually tacticians, you can see Keshi switching tactics to play Ameobi as a CF today and then Martins next week, right now all we have is a German stiff-neck who arranges his team in the same 4-2-3-1 formation everyday then goes to sleep on the sideline, even if Rohr was appointed in the 2000s he still would have phased out Uche and other small out and out strikers then who could not play without the ball.

Then who exactly can operate as our false 9? Again don't mention Iheanacho it has already failed before, ok maybe Musa, but he is not creative enough for that role at all, who else? Even if we crack that part, a false 9 formation only works well with CFs disgusied as wingers, when Messi was playing as a false 9 he had Henry and Villa at the wings, original CFs, so which of our CFs now can play the the Villa/Henry role well? Will our false 9s be effective enough to create chances for the CFs? There is a reason why Chelsea's false 9 approach with Hazard as the false 9 and Willian(another conventional winger) as one of the supposed CFs who should benefit from the pockets of space left by the false 9. So saying get rid of Ighalo without a proper replacement is going to trigger a chain of events that currently we cannot afford. So until we get rid of that imposter parading as a coach and hire an actual tactician who can use our players well enough just get used to Ighalo or Ighalo type strikers

A good post and good questions.

Now see, If I want to play a lone striker, how would I continue to hope on an unproductive striker like Ighalo when I have an option of Simmy Nwankwo on the bench?

How many times do I want to play Ighalo to confirm that he is not prolific in front of goal? Throw in Simmy and let's see. After all this is Seychelles.

Now talking about the false 9. Not as if the team is completely alien to it. We played with it in some of the games leading to the WC and some WC games. And it proved to be our most attack threatening option.

Yes, Ahmed Musa may not function optimally as a CF but he has proven himself in the false 9 position.

Ighalo's positioning is terrible.
I understand if we say "yes he is bad but available options are few". Not that we should be defending him claiming he does hold up play. Ighalo's goals return is terrible. Ighalo does not pose any threat upftont. He does not test any goalkeeper.

Mickael2:


My idea of a false 9 is a striker who drops deep, collects the ball and makes something happen with it. Now dropping deep means you will get crowded out, can you trust any of our present players to beat their man in a tight space?? Neither Iheanacho nor Musa can do that, Iwobi can but does he have the other attributes of a false 9?? I dont think so.

If however there is another style of false 9 then I am willing to learn.

All 3 of Iwobi, Iheanacho and Musa can function as false 9. I can now also add Onyekuru.

They can drop deep and beat their man in tight space. Besides, spaces are not tight all the time, forwards should not always aim at tight space they or other players can create the space for them to operate.

Lol Ighalo Don suffer. 3goals in 3years. Chai.

Atiku wept!!!!

Icon4s:


OK. Russia, Sweden and Turkey are in same group.

Meaning the Russia Vs Czech game was an international friendly. Thanks for the correction.

But that doesn't take away the fact that Russia have continued to impress post WC.

cc: Slayerforever.

You confuse me small o. It's alright.

do4luv14:
Am now an ighalo fans right?. Ok whose fan are you?

you've always been an Ighalo fan supporting the pregnant striker in every mention.

I am a super eagles fan..
reason why I get pissed seeing that striker who has refused to repent from missing empty nets and sitters....

dude positioning zero
finishing zero....

Earthquake1:
Samuel Kalu and Onyekuru has made me non-chalant about Ademola Lookman

He can switch to wherever he wants

Adenoma Lookman has the attributes to be a good CF. I wouldn't mind trying him out there.
Now a Onyekuru/Musa - Lookman - Kalu front 3 would be beyond exciting. Add a midfield 3 of Ndidi - Mikel and Iwobi/Eze and we can talk.

Yes I was about to say if there is gonna be anything like Nigerian football history classes in many years to come, even Aghahowa will get a mention first.

Humility017:


I tell you my brother.....
a striker close to retirement. ...
even yakubu and aghahowa in their playing days....were very much better.
I don't wanna waste time talk about a striker who I see play as a defender.

As long as Rohr is around - Ighalo is our first choice number 9.
How people are suggesting we play Musa, Nacho, etc as a false when we know Rohr is going to play with two destroyers is funny.
In other to play Nacho as a false 9, we need a regista like Mikel, a good ball carrier like Iwobi/Eze and additional creativity on the flanks.
An example is Alexis when he played as a false 9 for Arsenal. Walcott played on the right and Iwobi on the left. Alexis would drop either drop deep or drift to flanks while Walcott runs in behind and Iwobi drifts to the middle when Ozil drifts to the left and right when Walcott makes those runs.
In order to have this kind of fluidity upfront, you can not be playing with two destroyers like Rohr does.

Mickael2:


[/b]That I will totally agree with if we are willing to change our formation to suit that other person[b], but can you trust Rohr to change his formation? Give Rohr anyother type of player and what you will get will be the same game Iheanacho had against SA, dry and poor by every means and then he will come to a press conference and tell you how we need more presence up top and Ighalo is back

This is the crux of the issue. I wish people would understand this.

So this one na announcement before the real announcement? Wetin dey delay the real one na?

ChrisKels:
I must say vicMoses left at the right time


British-born Everton youngster Lookman dumps England to commit to Super Eagles of Nigeria

pulse.ng

Sep 10, 2018 1:00 PM

Lookman was born in England to Nigerian parents and is currently eligible to play for Nigeria.


British-born Everton youngsterAdemola Lookman has made the decision to dump England and commit his international allegiance to theSuper Eagles of Nigeria.

Lookman was born in England to Nigerian parents and is currently eligible to play for Nigeria.

The Everton forward has represented England in the youth levels and scored three goals to help them win the FIFA U20 World Cup title in 2017.


Ademola Lookman has represented England at the youth levels and won the 2017 U20 World Cup  (AFP/Getty Images)

According to a source close to Lookman, the 20-year-old is set to announce his decision to switch his allegiance to Nigeria.

This is after he turned down the opportunity to switch his allegiance to Nigeria after a meeting with the Amaju Pinnick who is the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) earlier in 2018.

Although it not known what changed his stance, Pulse Sports source revealed the 20-year-old has made up his mind to play for Nigeria.

“An announcement will be made soon, I’m close to his management and they have confirmed that he has made the decision,” thePulse Sports source said.

Lookman started his career at Charltonbefore the big move to Everton in 2017. He spent the second half of the 2017/2018 season at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.


Ademola Lookman spent the second part of 2017/2-18 season in German with RB Leipzig  (Static Independent)

Armed with pace, dribbling abilities and a good use of both feet, Lookman usually plays as a wide man from both the right and left wing and can also play centrally.

He made five appearances for the England U19s, i5 for the U20s and seven for the U21.

The NFF in recent years have intensified their effort to convince players of Nigerian descent born abroad to commit their international future to the Super Eagles.


Lookman is following the likes of Alex Iwobi switched their allegiance to Nigeria after playing at the youth levels for England.

Players like Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi and Bryan Idowu have been some of the success stories while Chelsea strikerTammy Abraham rejected the chance to represent Nigeria to play for England after meeting with Pinnick.

So how come they come up with that idea before we even thought about reforms? We don’t like to think as a people. When a few of us come up with ideas, people automatically see it as impractical just because they haven’t seen it done before.

Earthquake1:


Europe never ceases to amaze me

FLASH BACK

Ighalo handed shot at Super Eagles redemption by Rohr

25 Aug, 2018
Colin Udoh
Football Editor, KweséESPN


Peals of derisive laughter rang through the hall as Gernot Rohr named Odion Ighalo in his list of strikers for the September 7 Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles.

The Nigeria coach was forced to explain his choice, with a little chuckle of his own

"I want to give him the opportunity to prove to the fans that he can still score the goals," the German coach began. "He was scored a lot of goals in China and he scored again last week."

He was being factual; last season, Ighlao scored 15 goals in 27 league appearances.

Since returning from the World Cup, he has hit eight goals in as many appearances, but his club form is not the problem. It is his international-goal return that has proven to be the foundation for the withering albatross around his neck.

Four goals in 21 appearances is a disappointing record for a striker at this level, that's an average of 0.19 goal per game or, to be more picturesque, one goal every 5.25 games.

By contrast, Kelechi Iheanacho hits a goal every 2.5 games for Nigeria, although, to put some perspective to the numbers, both Osaze Odemwingie and Nwankwo Kanu posted worse games per goal ratios than Ighalo.

Odemwingie's was a goal every 6.3 games and Kanu scored every 7.3 games.

So why do fans have an issue with Ighalo?

The following might explain it.

He managed just one goal in World Cup qualifying, and zero at the World Cup proper.

Of his other three goals, only one other came in a competitive game, the penalty against Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier which was eventually annulled after the Chadians pulled out of the series.

In other words, when the Super Eagles have needed a striker to fire for them, Ighalo has not been the man, except for that one time against Cameroon.

Beyond the lack of goals, the manner of his spurning the chances that came his way in Russia proved particularly galling for many a Nigeria fan.

Ighalo will not be the first to suffer such recrimination.

Yakubu Ayegbeni sidefooted his way into the hall of infamy for THAT miss against South Korea at the 2010 World Cup. Few remember that he stepped up to score a penalty later in the same game.

Before Yakubu, Godwin Odiye's career is forever remembered for scoring the own goal that cost Nigeria a place at the 1978 World Cup.

Neither of those two had a chance to change their narratives.

Odiye won the Nations Cup three years after with Nigeria but the stain remained, while Yakubu was immortalised in a song by Nigerian rapper MI Abaga.

For Ighalo, one moment, okay make that two moments, against Argentina could have made him a national hero forever. All he had to do was find the net.

He did not, and so fine are the margins, that he is now a villain.

However, he now has a chance to flip that script, starting with this game against Seychelles.

If he can carry over his club form to the Super Eagles and score the goals that take Nigeria to the Nations Cup, his 'sins' will be forgiven.

After the press conference, Rohr expanded on his decision to not ostracise the forward


"I want to give him the opportunity to show to all his critics, that he is still able to do well with us and to score the goals," Rohr explained.

"Perhaps in Seychelles he will be very, very motivated to show them that he can score the goals."

Ighalo has the tools to do just that.

For one, he has the assured confidence and reputation of a player who has played at the top level of club football in Europe after successful stints in Spain and England.

Beyond that, he has the bruising strength of an ox, the smarts to link-up play excellently, and the ability to get himself into goalscoring positions borne of experience.

He just needs all of it to come together for the fans to get behind him again.

edi287:

Adenoma Lookman has the attributes to be a good CF. I wouldn't mind trying him out there.
Now a Onyekuru/Musa - Lookman - Kalu front 3 would be beyond exciting. Add a midfield 3 of Ndidi - Mikel and Iwobi/Eze and we can talk.

Perfecto°

What time is the Liberian match, I don't want to miss it?

safarigirl:
I did not see anybody apologising for the idiocy that they propagated comparing Ighalo to Giroud.

They will act like they did not see that one, but will come here and be accusing others of being emotional and irrational. Because nobody had their time, they came here and committed football blasphemy comfortably, tomorrow they will say he is better than Messi too..

When you are emotively prejudiced and biased, you will mistake a local fowl for an Eagle.

Only a mad man will say ighalo is better than giroud

Case closed

ChrisKels:



I no wan join dis yeye purely academic argument but I gotta address the bolded. Did u know that those three goals came in three years, one was in 2016, the second came last year 2017 now the third 2018. Statistically, dude scores once in a year for the super eagles in as many matches

It is quite funny defending this guy

Ighalo has not been good in the eagles no doubt

But as far as dinosaur rohr remain the coach expect more call ups

Saying ighalo out here will not push him out of the national team.

Icon4s:


Lookman is welcome. Let us finally convert Musa to a striker.

I think Onyekuru will be better as a striker than Musa.

Since Everton rates Onyekuru very high ,Ademola lookman is now trying to compete with him and use the SE to return to Everton's starting XI .

Who dey reason wetin I dey reason?

EEGA:
Since Everton rates Onyekuru very high ,Ademola lookman is now trying to compete with him and use the SE to return to Everton's starting XI .

Who dey reason wetin I dey reason?

SMH!

When you read some Posts here, you would surely have another meaning for the Word - Bigot...... Cos tagging Forgiveness as a Bigot is very lame and wrong; comparing to some Monikers' Posts on this Thread.

Lukman finally decides to rep GWG, yet its not seeing as a good development for the Team?! A Player that can play across the attacking Line conveniently?! So we wanna start debating who is better between Onyekuru and Lookman?!
LOL!

Ighalo has not done himself any favour to remain Eagles No. 1 Striker. But I remember when Martins was suggested for a Recall by Forgiveness, the Dude was almost murdered and eaten raw on this Thread.

We keep reading "Success is back - he's a Beast" yet he has not broken to the first IX of Watford Team. Do we have a potent Striker who can replace Ighalo in the Team presently?! Can we really trust Iheanacho as the Team's lone Striker?

Oasis007:
Ighalo has not done himself any favour to remain Eagles No. 1 Striker. But I remember when Martins was suggested for a Recall by Forgiveness, the Dude was almost murdered and eaten raw on this Thread.

We keep reading "Success is back - he's a Beast" yet he has not broken to the first IX of Watford Team. Do we have a potent Striker who can replace Ighalo in the Team presently?! Can we really trust Iheanacho as the Team's lone Striker?

Oga, you and forgiveness are same person.

The only thing you come here to do with this moniker is to throw support for any thing your other moniker says.

Just continue.

Oasis007:
When you read some Posts here, you would surely have another meaning for the Word - Bigot...... Cos tagging Forgiveness as a Bigot is very lame and wrong; comparing to some Monikers' Posts on this Thread.

Lukman finally decides to rep GWG, yet its not seeing as a good development for the Team?! A Player that can play across the attacking Line conveniently?! So we wanna start debating who is better between Onyekuru and Lookman?!
LOL!

Defending your other moniker.

EEGA:
Since Everton rates Onyekuru very high ,Ademola lookman is now trying to compete with him and use the SE to return to Everton's starting XI .

Who dey reason wetin I dey reason?

We need them both in the squad.

JoebieII:
FLASH BACK

Ighalo handed shot at Super Eagles redemption by Rohr

25 Aug, 2018
Colin Udoh
Football Editor, KweséESPN


Peals of derisive laughter rang through the hall as Gernot Rohr named Odion Ighalo in his list of strikers for the September 7 Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles.

The Nigeria coach was forced to explain his choice, with a little chuckle of his own

"I want to give him the opportunity to prove to the fans that he can still score the goals," the German coach began. "He was scored a lot of goals in China and he scored again last week."

He was being factual; last season, Ighlao scored 15 goals in 27 league appearances.

Since returning from the World Cup, he has hit eight goals in as many appearances, but his club form is not the problem. It is his international-goal return that has proven to be the foundation for the withering albatross around his neck.

Four goals in 21 appearances is a disappointing record for a striker at this level, that's an average of 0.19 goal per game or, to be more picturesque, one goal every 5.25 games.

By contrast, Kelechi Iheanacho hits a goal every 2.5 games for Nigeria, although, to put some perspective to the numbers, both Osaze Odemwingie and Nwankwo Kanu posted worse games per goal ratios than Ighalo.

Odemwingie's was a goal every 6.3 games and Kanu scored every 7.3 games.

So why do fans have an issue with Ighalo?

The following might explain it.

He managed just one goal in World Cup qualifying, and zero at the World Cup proper.

Of his other three goals, only one other came in a competitive game, the penalty against Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier which was eventually annulled after the Chadians pulled out of the series.

In other words, when the Super Eagles have needed a striker to fire for them, Ighalo has not been the man, except for that one time against Cameroon.

Beyond the lack of goals, the manner of his spurning the chances that came his way in Russia proved particularly galling for many a Nigeria fan.

Ighalo will not be the first to suffer such recrimination.

Yakubu Ayegbeni sidefooted his way into the hall of infamy for THAT miss against South Korea at the 2010 World Cup. Few remember that he stepped up to score a penalty later in the same game.

Before Yakubu, Godwin Odiye's career is forever remembered for scoring the own goal that cost Nigeria a place at the 1978 World Cup.

Neither of those two had a chance to change their narratives.

Odiye won the Nations Cup three years after with Nigeria but the stain remained, while Yakubu was immortalised in a song by Nigerian rapper MI Abaga.

For Ighalo, one moment, okay make that two moments, against Argentina could have made him a national hero forever. All he had to do was find the net.

He did not, and so fine are the margins, that he is now a villain.

However, he now has a chance to flip that script, starting with this game against Seychelles.

If he can carry over his club form to the Super Eagles and score the goals that take Nigeria to the Nations Cup, his 'sins' will be forgiven.

After the press conference, Rohr expanded on his decision to not ostracise the forward


"I want to give him the opportunity to show to all his critics, that he is still able to do well with us and to score the goals," Rohr explained.

"Perhaps in Seychelles he will be very, very motivated to show them that he can score the goals."

Ighalo has the tools to do just that.

For one, he has the assured confidence and reputation of a player who has played at the top level of club football in Europe after successful stints in Spain and England.

Beyond that, he has the bruising strength of an ox, the smarts to link-up play excellently, and the ability to get himself into goalscoring positions borne of experience.

He just needs all of it to come together for the fans to get behind him again.

Kanu was a supporting striker and not a CF. Comparing his goals ratio with that of Ighalo is totally baseless. We saw the number of chances Kanu created for the team, we scored goals from free-kicks and penalties won by Kanu.

And then Osaze played in the same era as Kanu, Martins and Yakubu who were all very highly rated .Osaze never played as a CF. He was played from the wings.

So if anyone wants to compare goals ratio of Ighalo with those of other CF it should be against those of likes of Martins, Yakubu, Ike Uche, Aghahowa and Emenike.

Petrobros:


Oga, you and forgiveness are same person.

The only thing you come here to do with this moniker is to throw support for any thing your other moniker says.

Just continue.

Petrobros:


Defending your other moniker.

Bravo!

Mr. Detective....... You definitely gonna make a good Agent for the DSS. LMAO!

Good Job for spotting out who actually the Moniker belongs to.

Perhaps I am Komekn too?!

Good Job Bruh...... Keep it up!

Icon4s:


We need them both in the squad.

Chief I expect you to caution the Dude cos I believe you understand the motive behind the Post. Its very unhealthy and ain't gonna be good for this Thread if we continue this Way.

Oasis007:


Chief I expect you to caution the Dude cos I believe you understand the motive behind the Post. Its very unhealthy and ain't gonna be good for this Thread if we continue this Way.

To be honest I did not read any motive behind the post.

I just saw it as he doing a comparison between Lookman and Onyekuru. We have done Onyekuru-Simon, Onyekuru, Kalu and Olayinka vs all the current Super Eagles wingers in the past.

Besides, you know how people reason on this thread that it is only a bigot that can identify a bigoted post. I have in the past been accused of being a bigot because I pointed out bigotry.

Again, I didn't see the bigotry in his post.

Icon4s:


To be honest I did not read any motive behind the post.

I just saw it as he doing a comparison between Lookman and Onyekuru. We have done Onyekuru-Simon, Onyekuru, Kalu and Olayinka vs all the current Super Eagles wingers in the past.

Besides, you know how people reason on this thread that it is only a bigot that can identify a bigoted post. I have in the past been accused of being a bigot because I pointed out bigotry.

Again, I didn't see the bigotry in his post.

Someone is claiming Lookman wanna use SE to break to the Everton starting XI cos Onyenkuru is more rated by the same Club?!

Well I have nothing more to add, cos it's apparent you did reason like him.