₦airaland Forum

darkelf:
We are in 2019 and you're talking about 2013.

Oga, 2013 is ancient history according to football.

Germany won in 2014 and confed in 2017 yet they crashed out in the WC group stages a year later. Hope you can see how fast evolving football is

Earthquake2:
Do you have any other option better than Mikel?

profmathsland:
And you ignored the part of 2016-2018 abi.... Cherry picking just to stand by weak points. Mikel is still vital to the team and his presence in this squad will give the team a massive boost in games. Live with it okay or just tell us you have a personal problem with Mikel. Mikel Obi is CAPTAIN AND WILL BE NEEDED IN EGPYT.

darkelf:
And I am telling you Mikel isn't the same player he was then. Besides, this is the AFCON proper and not a qualifier.

We might dazzle in the group stages since our opposition SEEMS SOFT, however, I will keep my fingers crossed until we meet a tough team like Morocco, Ivory coast, Ghana, Senegal or even Uganda sef

iSlayer2:
Let it rest young man.

Meliforme:
Samuel Kalu and Moses Simon are not as good as the wingers i have mentioned earlier. Ahmed Musa is not a proper winger, he is best a CF or a false 9.

I don't want us to see anybody as indispensable so we don't get disappointed

darkelf:
Rohr’s whip for Iheanacho

by Ade Ojeikere
March 30, 2019

I’m a big fan of competent foreign coaches handling our senior national teams. This is not to disrespect the feats achieved by many Nigerian coaches, including Adegboye Onigbinde, the late Shauibu Amodu and the late Stephen Keshi. I have avoided mentioning age-grade coaches because of certain reservations, rightly or wrongly. I love Nigeria, so I won’t talk about the reservations. Foreign coaches’ selection processes are fair and they cannot be dictated to, having laid their cards on the table during their engagement. This isn’t to say that some Nigerian coaches don’t have some of these attributes.

The biggest advantage foreign coaches have over their indigenous counterparts is the players’ vote of confidence for them and their change of attitude during the country’s matches. This trend didn’t start today. It predates this era. In fact, the Eagles’ ‘’mafia’’ decided who coaches the team. Clemens Westerhof began the process of crushing the cabals, forcing Nigerians to change their fixations about who should play and who shouldn’t. One had thought with some of former ex-internationals transiting into coaches, things would have improved. No way! Some of the obscene ‘sins’ committed by former coaches manifested during such internationals’ reign, including the accusations by one of them that he ran away from the job, because of juju in the camp.

This ex-international complained about his failing health, which he attributed to some of his assistants. He banned them from putting their hands inside their pockets while talking to him. Ex-internationals’ relationship with top stars in the new generation has been unthinkable; most times they were close to punches. Other times, such ex-internationals stood their ground that those new stars won’t make their squads, even if they were the best or were scoring goals in the moon, like one former Eagles coach once said.

Foreign managers in the Eagles have brought peace and stability, improving the quality of invited players. They were respected by their employers. They got what they wanted and upped the scale in terms of achievements. They visited our players in their clubs. They spoke to coaches to find out what the problems were. They established the right synergy between European clubs and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftains pertaining to the release of our players for international competitions and friendly matches.

Therefore, when Gernot Rohr reenergised the Eagles through their clubs, he went further to get those who didn’t have clubs new teams, which toughened them for the new challenge. Rohr ensured that Kelechi Iheanacho got fielded by Leicester City’s Claude Puel, who was eventually sacked. Puel did his friend’s bidding by increasing Iheanacho’s playing time, but the Nigerian couldn’t seize a first team, even when Jamie Vardy was injured.

No doubt, Vardy is a good striker. He may not be flamboyant in his play nor is he a dribbler, but he uses his pace to outrun his markers just as his finishing is legendary – for his age. Rohr’s strong words to Iheanacho is coming at the right time. The Leicester star raised hopes since his Golden Eaglets days. With the new boys paraded first against Seychelles, then against the Pharaohs, pundits seem to appreciate why Rohr used the whip on Iheanacho.

Rohr told the international media: “I think he must be more professional. We’re not satisfied with his performances the last time he was with us.There’s a new coach at Leicester City and it will be an opportunity for Iheanacho to show during this international window that he wants to get back into the starting team of Leicester. Personally, I think it’s a good thing for him to stay back at his club to prove this.”

Well said, Rohr. Iheanacho should accept the challenge by making the Foxes’ first team, even if it means benching the much older Vardy. Rohr has spent close to two years on the job. Nigerians will start demanding trophies and nothing will thrill the fans more than lifting the Africa Cup of Nations like the team did in 2013 in South Africa.

The way the country’s U-23 Olympic Games side destroyed Libya on Monday to qualify for the last round of the U-23 AFCON competition with a game against Sudan, many have submitted that Iheanacho’s days in the Eagles are numbered. A few people hugged themselves during the game as the U-23 lads did incredible things with the ball on a turf that Eagles complained about in the course of beating Seychelles 3-1 inside the late Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, last Friday.

Paul Onuachu offers the biggest threat to the team’s attacking options, comprising Odion Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru, Ahmed Musa and Iheanacho, who was dropped from the two games against Seychelles and Egypt. Onuachu’s height reminds fans of the late Rashidi Yekini. Yekini was muscular and could sprint with his height. Many described Yekini as ‘gangling’, but it appears Onuachu is the real ‘’gangling’’ striker whose speed gave him the space to hit that rocket-like shot, just under 20 seconds after the kickoff of Tuesday’s game against the Pharaohs. Onuachu’s goal separated both sides at dusk.

Onuachu was quiet in the first game against Seychelles as a 72nd minute substitute, which made it difficult to judge his potential. But his early goal against the Egyptians, coupled with the way he shielded the ball in between markers and still made passes, showed that Nigerians could start celebrating the emergence of a new Yekini. In Africa, Yekini’s presence in Nigeria’s matches meant we hardly played barren draw games.

As Onuachu bestrode the pitch on Tuesday, I searched for the right person to marshal Eagles’ attacking onslaughts. Such a person should be as clinical in front of the goal area as Nwankwo Kanu. The nearest player to that in the current setup is Alex Iwobi, only if he reduces his passes even inside the 18-metre box. Will anyone blame Iwobi for that attribute? No. Arsenal players like caressing the ball. Arsenal players are a beauty to watch when they are in their elements. Did I hear you say Kanu played for Arsenal? Yes, Kanu did, but he started his game here in Nigeria, where shooting accurately in front of the goalpost when the chance beckons is the only way to win matches. Iwobi grew up with Gunners’ tip-tap soccer as a kid.

I do not think Ighalo can function besides Onuachu. Ighalo is wasteful and could easily be muscled off the ball. African football is physical, with a lot of sprinting. I remember Ahmed Musa – I dreamt of goals. I played back images of Onuachu winning the ball and laying the pass for Musa. I can’t fathom how many people can outrun Musa.

With young boys graduating from our age grade teams in the tow, it won’t be long that Nigeria will be talking about an Eagles side without John Mikel Obi, in spite of his experience. We might be looking at the Eagles playing in Egypt without recuperating Ogemyi Onazi, possibly John Ogu and a host of others who were at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It will signpost the need for growth in the Eagles. How best can this be celebrated without products of the Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles, CHAN Eagles and the U-23 Olympic Eagles, who shone like a million stars last week Monday, whipping Libya 4-0 inside the late Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba?+

Going to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the debate centred on the Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper. The tournament settled that debate, with Rohr saying: “Uzoho is our number one goalkeeper, and it is unlike him to make such an error. I know his worth and won’t rush to condemn him over this error.”

Rohr has defended Uzoho, over his howler against Seychelles, asserting that he remains the number one. “Mistakes are mistakes and they are what they are and can be committed by anybody,’’ the manager said.

The other positives from the World Cup is the retention of goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Akpeyi, aside Rohr’s affirmation that no new players will make the team to Egypt. With a collection of 40 players to pick from, only an unserious manager will want to add to this list. Only 24 will be picked for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations holding from June 21 to July 19.

What stands clearly is that the average age of our players to the 2019 AFCON will be lower than the group we took to the Mundial in Russia. It shows growth which is further reinforced by the NFF’s decision to keep Rohr, despite his tantrums. Nigeria was the second youngest team to the World Cup. A few of them who were naive in their display have grown, with such improved performance rubbing off on the others.

Interestingly, Nwankwo Kanu appraised the Olympic Eagles’ outing against Libya. He said on Thursday: “I was very impressed with the overall performance of the team on Monday. The boys re-enacted the spirit of the Dream Team and fought till the end, showing class over their opponents. Now it’s time for them to build on it and ensure they qualify for the tournament proper.

“Again, Kelechi Nwakali showed his worth and dominated the midfield. I believe he has come of age and should be given a chance with the senior national team. The AFCON is just three months away, so we must select our best legs in the tournament.

“Also, Chukwueze showed he has plenty to offer and the hat-trick boy, Osimhen also showed good promise. I believe the future remains bright for Nigerian football,” Kanu concluded.

Thank you Papilo. I hope Rohr is reading this. Up Nigeria!

https://thenationonlineng.net/rohrs-whip-for-iheanacho/

darkelf:
It's too late to try Ebere Eze in that position.

If Rohr really wanted the dude, he would have given him a chance earlier.

You guys, I want my country to win...I really do but I don't want us to see anybody as indispensable so we don't get disappointed

darkelf:
You are the second person to say that to me since this argument started.

For the record, a big NOOOO. I don't have anything agaisnt one of the most successful African Players of his generation but what I don't want is for us to over-rely on Mikel. He isn't Messi or Ronaldo and cannot carry the weight of a team on his shoulders

darkelf:
It's too late to try Ebere Eze in that position.

If Rohr really wanted the dude, he would have given him a chance earlier.

You guys, I want my country to win...I really do but I don't want us to see anybody as indispensable so we don't get disappointed

Earthquake2:
Ebere Eze is an Am

Besides what makes you think he's better than Mikel?

Bolowolowo:
Are we seriously gonna omit Chukwueze?


Are the U-20's that serious ?

Experts in the house, what are your thoughts?

profmathsland:
And you ignored the part of 2016-2018 abi.... Cherry picking just to stand by weak points. Mikel is still vital to the team and his presence in this squad will give the team a massive boost in games. Live with it okay or just tell us you have a personal problem with Mikel. Mikel Obi is CAPTAIN AND WILL BE NEEDED IN EGPYT.

darkelf:
It's too late to try Ebere Eze in that position.

If Rohr really wanted the dude, he would have given him a chance earlier.

You guys, I want my country to win...I really do but I don't want us to see anybody as indispensable so we don't get disappointed

forgiveness:
Bros, I didn't it's not yet time to discard Mikel Obi because we don't have better options. Even if Eze comes Mikel Obi should remain.

However, I don't think it is too late to invite Eze except you have your reasons for that. Can you please tell me?

darkelf:
I think Rohr said that he isn't looking at any other options again for now until after the AFCON. That's why I said so

forgiveness:
He was not considered for the tournament not until the first choice goalkeeper failed MRI test. Do you understand now?

forgiveness:
He was not considered for the tournament not until the first choice goalkeeper failed MRI test. Do you understand now?

forgiveness:
Manu can err. That's the point.

Humility017:
c'mon it is not funny.....

forgiveness:
But is that right? Eze does not need any paper work to play for Nigeria.

I think Rohr doesn't realize our mildfield is weak and not creative.

tbaba1234:
He was at the WAFU tournanent

Joebie:
Anyone can err. But there is no record that he was unjust to a deserving player. Iheanacho was clearly one of our worst players on that day versus Brazil. When Simon had his chance in the last group game, did he show he was head and shoulders above the rest?

Modified
The so called next Nigerian Ronaldo, Theo Solomon that they said Manu didn’t give a chance, what has become of him in Europe over all these years? Manu Garba is the best U17 coach so far, and as long as he keeps on unearthing talents, he should remain.

darkelf:
That's one of my issues with Rohr

forgiveness:
My incomplete 24 man list and starting 11.

1, Akpeyi
2. Uzoho
3. Ezenwa
4. Troost
5. Balogun
6. Shehu
7. Omeruo
8. Collins
9. Aina
10. Semi/Awaziem
11. Ndidi
12. Etebo
13. Iwobi
14. Mikel
15. Ahmed
16. Chukwueze
17. Onyekuru
18. Simon
19. Ighalo
20. Onuacha
21. Osimhen
22.
23.
24.

What we need now are 1 Amf, 1 RW and a DMF.

Eze should be considered for the AMF, Peter and Kalu should be considered for the RW while we draft Shehu and Semi in the DMF and allow Aina plays in the RB.


................................ Akpeyi.............


......Shehu........... Balogun.........Troost........... Collins.....


....................... Ndidi............. Mikel.............


..... Chukwueze........... Iwobi....................Musa


.................................... Ighalo.............
.

Humility017:
are you sure these kids passed MRI tests...they look older.....

forgiveness:
We are on the same page then. Let us hope for the best.

Joebie:
Like there were no other Manu Garba goalkeepers that were willing to pay, he could have picked?

andrew444:
Your starting 11 is my starting 11

But Mr rohr will always find a way to put Samuel kalu in .