₦airaland Forum

timay:
This is what happened when Chukwueze came in

Georges Makanjes was on a yellow card. When Chukwueze was introduced, it caused real concern on Seedorf's face. Watch the clip again and see how he went to talk to Kluivert about it on the bench. As a result of that substitution, see what happened:
a) Makanjes was substituted because Seedorf knew the chances of him being turned by Chukwueze was high. Makanjes would have had to tackle and he most likely would have been sent off. He was subbed for Aguissi who was a less effective marker.
b) Knowing that Aguissi was going to have problems marking a quicker, faster and more masterful dribbler in Chukwueze, an extra player was drafted to help Aguissi mark Chukwueze, unlike having just one defender in Makanjes who clearly marked off Moses Simon. Deploying an extra defender meant a distortion of the original defensive formation of Cameroon and this is what opened the spaces for Musa, Iwobi and Ighalo to start incursions from the middle. Led to our 3rd goal.
Seedorf showed clearly that he is still an apprentice coach. Gernot Rohr outsmarted him tactically.

So yes, chuks was definitely the game changer. Before his introduction, we had little or no space for ighalo, Iwobi and Musa to operate

Look at our equalising goal. The two guys were definitely on to Chukwueze, they were expecting Awaziem to pass to him so that he can do his trademark dribbles, unfortunately, they left an acre of space for Awaziem to patiently doing a beautiful cross into the box for Musa and Ighalo which led to our 2nd goal.

Bolded is false

The two guys weren't on to him.

Bakambu joins Ighalo and Mane on three goals

darkelf:
Simon has been disappointing in this AFCON

Attack threat is zero

Defense threat: Overrated as hell. We have conceded 4 goals in two matches. His primary responsibility as a winger is to attack. Yet he has not been able to instill fear into opponents (bar his assist to Omeruo). I never thought i would ever say this but Musa has been a better winger than Moses so far

Go and watch all the matches he started. If he didn't create one chance for players or for himself come back and tell me.

In fact, he is far better on LW.

andrew444:
Congo will win this game

Of course they are more experienced so they should win but if they mess up, this mad team go use them shine like they did to us

timay:
I as a person acknowledge the contributions of Simon and Ighalo in the game. But some people just came out of nowhere to start saying Chukwueze had no impact in the game, that our scoring and winning was just a coincidence , that happened when he came in. We just wanted the notion.

Chukwueze had very much impact in the game but not before the two goals.

I'd start Chuks against South Africa if I was Rohr... Aside the fact that Simon has been rather poor offensively this tournament, he has regressed... this isn't the Simon we saw during the WCQ ..
Whether South Africa will come out to attack or park the bus, we need to score early against them...an early goa would unsettle them and open d door for more goals...Chukwueze would would aid our quest for early goals than simon would..

Goke7:
Of course they are more experienced so they should win but if they mess up, this mad team go use them shine like they did to us

But Madagascar have been dominating this game so far

Starboytwo:
they didn't bully anything....infact I was surprised they were so ordinary....if them come with bully mentality I'm afraid they met the wrong team....

Even when Njie used lap to shove Aina aside and the guy tumbled like 3 times?!

BascoVanVeli:
Nigeria's show of character and Ighalo's goals secure AFCON progress


Colin Udoh ESPN

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt -- Three thoughts on Nigeria's 3-2 win against Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.

1. Ighalo leads Nigeria's show of character

As two-goal Odion Ighalo walked off the pitch after being substituted, he took a moment to hit one fist against his palm, indicating to his Nigeria teammates that they must continue to fight. He had done the same thing just before kickoff and again when the Super Eagles went 2-1 down. It was a sign of how far the forward has come and the leadership he brings.

Tapping into reserves of character is something past Nigeria teams have done, but the current group had yet to come back from adversity under Gernot Rohr. That changed on a thrilling Saturday night in Alexandria, when Ighalo scored twice before Alex Iwobi added the winner to see off Cameroon and seal a place in the quarterfinal, where they will face South Africa.

Six days after a shock defeat against Madagascar cost his side top spot in Group B, Rohr restored his regular starters to the line-up and it appeared the instruction was to press high early. Nigeria began with energy, pushing Cameroon back into their half and forcing early errors. After 19 minutes, a free kick led to pandemonium in the Cameroon penalty area and Ighalo pounced.

In the five minutes before half-time, though, two easy goals were gifted to the holders, which meant a gut check was required by the men in green and white. They showed the character required after the break, first withstanding multiple attacks and then, when Ighalo took a chested Ahmed Musa ball in stride and stroked home from close range, drawing level.

Three minutes later, the same combination led to Iwobi slotting under Andre Onana. The remainder of the game brought more examinations, but Nigeria stood resolute, repelling waves of Cameroon pressure to claim victory.

It was a personal triumph for Ighalo, who scored seven times in qualifying, but has since taken plenty of flak from fans, not least for his role in the Madagascar defeat. There were calls for Victor Osimhen to start, but Rohr did not waver from his belief in the abilities of the forward who turned 30 just last week.

And on one of the biggest nights of his career, Ighalo showed why. After an early miss attracted the critics' ire again, he showed a poacher's instinct with both of his goals, first when he reacted quickly to stab past Onana and then, on his second, when he stayed composed to volley home despite Cameroon's claims of offside.

"He is a great striker and I trust him because he scores goals and today, he showed us again what he can do for the team. I like him for his professionalism," Rohr told ESPN after a game in which his faith was rewarded.


Having failed to qualify for the last two Cup of Nations tournaments, NIgeria are two games away from this year's final. Getty
2. Defensive errors persist but Etebo stars again

That the game came close to being lost, despite the fact that the Nigerians controlled it for long periods, was due to a fragility in defence that meant fans could not relax.

Both Cameroon goals were avoidable, but panicked and uncertain play meant pressure was invited from early in the game. Just before the holders equalised through Stephane Bahoken, Kenneth Omeruo mishit a high ball that led to chaos in the penalty area.

Ola Aina looked unsure as he tried to come to grips with the pace and trickery of Christian Bassogog and Clinton Njie, the latter of whom got the better of Aina to score Cameroon's second. There were more hearts-in-mouth moments after Iwobi made it 3-2 -- William Troost-Ekong's hurried clearances did little to bring calm -- and Cameroon will kick themselves for not making more of their chances.

"Like I have said before, we are human beings and we make mistakes," Leon Balogun told ESPN. "Nobody goes out there to play and make mistakes, but we keep doing our best and we work hard to make sure that those mistakes do not happen again."

One player who did much to ensure Nigeria closed the game out was Oghenekaro Etebo. There was concern when the midfielder took a knock midway through the first half, but he had his hip strapped and returned to continue the good work that has made him Nigeria's most influential player -- by some distance -- at this African Cup of Nations.

Ighalo's goals might have won him man of the match, but Etebo's uncompromising attitude and ability to control the tempo of the game was again vital is one they have rode on to three victories. It was evident even when they lost and will be needed if Nigeria are to go beyond the last eight.

3. Rohr's substitutions worthy of questioning?

The Nigeria manager usually leaves his changes until late in games and very often makes switches with which supporters do not agree. His actions in this department during this game were a mixed bag.



He got the first one correct on two counts, bringing on fan favourite Samuel Chukwueze -- sacrificing the defensive attributes of Moses Simon -- with just under an hour played. The impact was immediate; Chukwueze is a harbinger of chaos, with quick feet and an ability to take on defenders that causes constant worry in opponents.

Rohr's second sub -- Paul Onuachu for Ighalo -- fell into the exasperated "oh no, not again" category. The feeling among fans is that Osimhen, or even Henry Onyekuru, would have been better choices to harass a tired Cameroon defence. As if to make that point, Onuachu struggled and there were audible groans each time he gave the ball away.

It was also instructive to see Ahmed Musa screaming to the touchline for Leon Balogun to brought on as the Nigerians tried to see the game out. The defender eventually replaced Iwobi during injury time, which left a feeling that, maybe, Rohr just does not know the right time to change things.

Ahmed Musa instructed the bench to bring Balogun!

Danielnino00:
I'd start Chuks against South Africa if I was Rohr... Aside the fact that Simon has been rather poor offensively this tournament, he has regressed... this isn't the Simon we saw during the WCQ ..
Whether South Africa will come out to attack or park the bus, we need to score early against them...an early goa would unsettle them and open d door for more goals...Chukwueze would would aid our quest for early goals than simon would..

Good because chuks will give the South Africans some headache

But you know rohr bro and we are not rohr

You already know who he will start so save yourself the stress

Anybody wey e start I go happy

Our suggestion here for who to start have never been successful

Almost everybody don dey do fasting and prayer make them bench ighalo since last year and he never work

AIG07:
Ighalo is similar to Emenike. Ighalo like Emenike is inconsistent. Emenike did well and contributed his quota to the national team and won the AFCON abut was never loved by Nigerians... Ighalo is towing same path.


Nigerians don't just like him. Nothing more.

The last time nigerians love any striker was in the days of yekini and later aghaowa. Even martins was not that loved. The bar yekini set as a number 9 has been too high for those after his era. Ditto for okocha as well. The stakes has been too high for those after. The kind of players we had back in the day has made nigerians expect so much from the current era and if they are not getting their expectations, dem go para, simple

Danielnino00:
I'd start Chuks against South Africa if I was Rohr... Aside the fact that Simon has been rather poor offensively this tournament, he has regressed... this isn't the Simon we saw during the WCQ ..
Whether South Africa will come out to attack or park the bus, we need to score early against them...an early goa would unsettle them and open d door for more goals...Chukwueze would would aid our quest for early goals than simon would..

If I was Rohr, IMHO I would still start him on the bench.

Now I think we are confusing two things, if you rewatch that game Chukweze completed at most two dribbles, it is not as if he beat the Cameroonians black and blue, in fact the two abi three times he came up against their full back he was disposed the first time and forced back the second time, can't recall the third time. So he didn't create the spaces instead he worked on the spaces left by the opposing team while they went in search of a goal. He had absolutely no hand in that goal and if the game was still tight at that point he may or may not have had any impact, I would choose the second part seeing that he couldn't get past that LB and the LB was actually doing a nice job or man marking Simon Moses all game long.

So I personally would still leave him on the bench, 70mins he can come and run at a tired defence and maybe create something then. But for him starting a match, well I don't think I would.

forgiveness:
Ahmed Musa instructed the bench to bring Balogun!

I can't afford to take Rohr serious if this is true.

You share my sentiment on him being subbed on later.

Mickael2:
If I was Rohr, IMHO I would still start him on the bench.

Now I think we are confusing two things, if you rewatch that game Chukweze completed at most two dribbles, it is not as if he beat the Cameroonians black and blue, in fact the two abi three times he came up against their full back he was disposed the first time and forced back the second time, can't recall the third time. So he didn't create the spaces instead he worked on the spaces left by the opposing team while they went in search of a goal. He had absolutely no hand in that goal and if the game was still tight at that point he may or may not have had any impact, I would choose the second part seeing that he couldn't get past that LB and the LB was actually doing a nice job or man marking Simon Moses all game long.

So I personally would still leave him on the bench, 70mins he can come and run at a tired defence and maybe create something then. But for him starting a match, well I don't think I would.

andrew444:
But Madagascar have been dominating this game so far

Drc had better knock them out if not these werey guys go enter final o.

Dem no dey fear and shaky shaky like our boys

edi287:
I can't afford to take Rohr serious if this is true.

I don't want to believe it is true. It's frightening.

edi287:
I can't afford to take Rohr serious if this is true.

If you watched that match well, you will know that the boys coached themselves to victory.

Ighalo especially was the major leader of the team charging them on.

andrew444:
Not reading this

Thank you

It's a shame that you aint reading it.

We defend yet concede goals . why not then play to your strength which is to attack. What's the effect of this ultra conservative defensive set up rather than unleash the attacking talents of the team.

Drc dey mess up abeg. Who go beat this mad team nah

I said it, drc has messed up

Mujtahida:
It's a shame that you aint reading it.

We defend yet concede goals . why not then play to your strength which is to attack. What's the effect of this ultra conservative defensive set up rather than unleash the attacking talents of the team.

Lol

Is it your reading

dumb defense, they left that defender alone

Goke7:
Drc had better knock them out if not these werey guys go enter final o.

Dem no dey fear and shaky shaky like our boys

Dr Congo have been crappy ,Madagascar can't win smell final

I eat my words

Madagascar beat Congo

Congo is crappy

The Egyptians you see today, you shall see no more

Afcon 2019: Nigeria can't match Bafana Bafana's pace and skill - Mohlala

The retired left-back has praised the current Bafana squad for their win over the Pharaohs and backed them to stun the Super Eagles too

Former South Africa defender Jethro Mohlala has warned the supporters not to put Bafana Bafana under pressure following their win over Egypt at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Coach Stuart Baxter's men are through to the quarter-finals of the continental tournament and many have backed the team to go all the way and become champions for the second time.

“Look, I think many South Africans never gave the boys a chance based on how the results in the group stages came out. I believe that also helped the players to relax because they were underdogs going into that clash,” Mohlala told Goal.


“Having said that, they knew their qualities and they just had to play their normal game and show their quality and they did everything well,” he added.

“They are aware that the fans back home were not happy and they had to step up. They silenced everyone and that will restore their confidence. That is a massive victory for the team without a doubt. I never gave them a chance they proved us wrong, that was pure class and I just think they can beat whoever they face going forward.

Speaking about team selection as goalscorer Thembinkosi Lorch replaced Themba Zwane, Mohlala expressed disappointment where fans tend to individualise players based on their clubs.

“Yeah, they played very well, the change was good and it worked. Credit must go to the coach and his technical team. I am not happy though when we mention players based on their clubs, this is a national team,” he urged.

“We just need to support them as a national team. Lorch did very well for us and he clicked with Percy Tau and it was good that we scored at that time in the game. Lorch is a great player, I hope he learns day by day and we wish them all the best going forward."

Moreover, the former Mamelodi Sundowns player stated that facing Nigeria in a quarter-final clash on Wednesday is better than meeting a fellow Southern African side.

“I think that’s going to be a good game against Nigeria and the boys will need to focus. It’s better we are not facing another Southern African side,” continued the legend.


“I think the North and West Africans are struggling to play against us. They cannot match our pace and skill. I would like to see a continuity from the boys and ensure we upset Nigeria.

“I think we also need to credit the coach for analyzing the game very well. I believe that it’s not about playing badly in the group stages, but we failed to clear the lines at the back and lapses of concentration let us down – our mistakes killed us,” he reflected.

"Other than that, we still have a good team and we can go all the way to challenge for the trophy. It’s a knockout stage and we can beat any team now but let’s not put the boys under pressure. I am proud of the team and players such as Dean Furman, Kamohelo Mokotjo showed us that they want to die for the national team,” concluded the legend.

Courtesy: Goal.com

This Madagascar

Madagascar obviously has a good coach but people have been downplaying their efforts. Same mistake we made when South Africa beat us 2-0. Congo has not been crap but they met a better and tactical side. Give honor to whom it is due

What an afcon, another upset loading

Clementoke:
Afcon 2019: Nigeria can't match Bafana Bafana's pace and skill - Mohlala

The retired left-back has praised the current Bafana squad for their win over the Pharaohs and backed them to stun the Super Eagles too

Former South Africa defender Jethro Mohlala has warned the supporters not to put Bafana Bafana under pressure following their win over Egypt at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Coach Stuart Baxter's men are through to the quarter-finals of the continental tournament and many have backed the team to go all the way and become champions for the second time.

“Look, I think many South Africans never gave the boys a chance based on how the results in the group stages came out. I believe that also helped the players to relax because they were underdogs going into that clash,” Mohlala told Goal.


“Having said that, they knew their qualities and they just had to play their normal game and show their quality and they did everything well,” he added.

“They are aware that the fans back home were not happy and they had to step up. They silenced everyone and that will restore their confidence. That is a massive victory for the team without a doubt. I never gave them a chance they proved us wrong, that was pure class and I just think they can beat whoever they face going forward.

Speaking about team selection as goalscorer Thembinkosi Lorch replaced Themba Zwane, Mohlala expressed disappointment where fans tend to individualise players based on their clubs.

“Yeah, they played very well, the change was good and it worked. Credit must go to the coach and his technical team. I am not happy though when we mention players based on their clubs, this is a national team,” he urged.

“We just need to support them as a national team. Lorch did very well for us and he clicked with Percy Tau and it was good that we scored at that time in the game. Lorch is a great player, I hope he learns day by day and we wish them all the best going forward."

Moreover, the former Mamelodi Sundowns player stated that facing Nigeria in a quarter-final clash on Wednesday is better than meeting a fellow Southern African side.

“I think that’s going to be a good game against Nigeria and the boys will need to focus. It’s better we are not facing another Southern African side,” continued the legend.


“I think the North and West Africans are struggling to play against us. They cannot match our pace and skill. I would like to see a continuity from the boys and ensure we upset Nigeria.

“I think we also need to credit the coach for analyzing the game very well. I believe that it’s not about playing badly in the group stages, but we failed to clear the lines at the back and lapses of concentration let us down – our mistakes killed us,” he reflected.

"Other than that, we still have a good team and we can go all the way to challenge for the trophy. It’s a knockout stage and we can beat any team now but let’s not put the boys under pressure. I am proud of the team and players such as Dean Furman, Kamohelo Mokotjo showed us that they want to die for the national team,” concluded the legend.

Courtesy: Goal.com

Pls pass this to rohr, not our headache jor

The Mad team playing to defile all odds ... write them off at your own peril .

They gathered their confidence after beating Nigeria .���

Odunayaw:
This Madagascar

Na dem be the original slayers o