₦airaland Forum

Subzero047:
What is your source that Iwobi is injured, stop beating around the bush

It’s either you take it or leave it

Iwobi is want fit as it wasn’t long dude even returned from holiday

You are Among those who criticize iwobi with any small opportunity so am not surprised

andrewbaba44:
It’s either you take it or leave it

Iwobi is want fit as it wasn’t long dude even returned from holiday

You are Among those who criticize iwobi with any small opportunity so am not surprised

Mtweew na you be Iwobi's right leg or left leg

TheSuperNerd:
Lol... ChrisKels is more of an Ivorian and Senegalese protagonist. Yes he also admires Morocco.
In case you don't know, Morocco is actually my second favourite African team. It has been so since I read tales and watched many clips of Mustapha Hadji while growing up as a kid. That's why I wanted them to win the title in 2004 especially after Tunisia's win over us in the Semis.
But at same Afcon 2004 shaa, I was against them for just one game. The game we played and lost. Lol... That day vex me ehn. Hahaha but till today, I will always love Moroccan football. They are my next team on the African continent after Nigeria.


And see ehn, Danny, if the circumstances align and ensure that we do meet Cameroon in the final then they better be ready to pay for the "Ojoro" wins of 1988 and the robbery we experienced in 2000. 1984 was a clean win for Cameroun, that generation bad pass us that time. The elders, Kog45 and Icon4s can confirm this. Even Tbaba1234 go tell you say Na so. But 1988 ehn... See ehn...that match still dey vex me. Imagine being annoyed at a game you were not even around to watch. Dem never born me but I dey vex whenever I see clips of that game. The Ojoro was too much abeg.

So if we jam Cameroun ehn, they will pay! I know this Nigerian Generation will draw that payment off them.

popc vex comot after victor put hand for head. I took a personal hate with Rigobert cos of the faces he made at the camera. Lol. Oliseh weeping, refusing to be consoled by oga Chairman sef.... Painful. And while this was ongoing... The Roonians hopped, bounced and jubilated under the floodlights. We need to truly do it at their backyard too. Tho we revenged 3ice already. 2 qualifiers, 1 group game. We.... Can we edge Cameroon in KO stage?

Subzero047:
Osimhen's card has landed

Hopefully, his Pass, Shot and Physicality increases his overall as time goes by this season.

TheSuperNerd:
Lovely interview. Ms Debola did a fine job.

@bolded... Very glad he gets this now. No matter how highly national team handlers or some fans may rate you, ensure you are focused on having a stable club career. He definitely got some decisions wrong along the way and it has cost him some time in obscurity. Thankfully he is working his way back.

This is gonna be his season. And this below hints partly at it. The coach rates the lad real good.


"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."


Just keep at it Kelechi. Your time is coming fast enough.

Amen! I really like this boy and I am very happy he's getting his thing back, he gradually overcame the spiritual problem. A very delightful player to watch, He should not pull off from praying and keep working hard, He will get there.

Success Is yours Kelechi...

Subzero047:
I think Haarland would win it

Always Attacking player. Well he is a worthy opponent to Davies.

BascoVanVeli:
Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali: Visa issues nearly derailed my career

By Debola Adebanjo
BBC Africa Sport, Nigeria
16 September 2020 Sport Africa

A light seems to have shone at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria's Kelechi Nwakali, as he attempts to get his career back on track with Spanish side Huesca

The 22-year-old was a 63rd minute substitute in newly-promoted Huesca's 1-1 draw at Villareal on Sunday as the new La Liga season kicked off.

Nwakali, who was player of the tournament at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015, has spent much of his time since August 2018 battling visa issues which have limited his chances to play.

Problems with red-tape and a lack of playing time while on loan from English side Arsenal to Portuguese club Porto left him very low on confidence.

"There was a time, I was having doubt in myself, I wondered if I was not up to it anymore," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It was difficult mentally for me but my mind was made up, that I had to leave."

He secured a move to Spanish side Huesca in August last year from Arsenal but once again red-tape prevented him from playing.

Instead he was forced to sit-out the first six month of his contract in Nigeria trying to secure the documentation that he needed.

It led to accusations from some in Nigeria that he 'spent more time posting images on social media than actually playing football.'

"It was difficult mentally not playing for a year, so going through all of that and coming on the internet to see someone say, I am gallivanting, was hurtful, I was bothered," he explained.

"A lot of Nigerian fans had the impression that I am just sitting in Nigeria doing nothing."

His paperwork issues were finally resolved in January and allowed him to play Huesca's final five games of the season as they clinched promotion to La Liga.

"It is a new beginning, I have had my ups and downs, but this is the time to make it right again, this is the time to get it back on track," he insisted.

"As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the coach is trying to see the roles for which he can always feature me' he explains.

"I can play as a number 10, 8 and 4 and I believe it's a great advantage for me and I can always help the team."

The start of a nightmare

A lack of work permit to play football in the United Kingdom saw Arsenal send Nwakali out on loan three times in the duration of his five year contract, the last of which was with Porto in 2018.

Two months into his time at Porto, a troubling battle with visa bureaucracy left him stranded in Nigeria , after a journey to represent his national team turned into a nightmare.

Gernot Rohr had called up the player to be part of Nigeria's squad to face Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and a friendly match against Liberia.

"I didn't have a Portuguese resident card, it wasn't ready before I left, but I had to come to that game because that was my first official call-up for the Super Eagles and after I was stuck in Nigeria for three months," he explained.

"It was difficult getting a visa back to Portugal, I couldn't get back to my club for three months and by the end of the season no one wanted to take me, they said I hadn't been playing.

"I learnt a lesson that it is important you do well at your club side first, the National team is important, but some important decisions need to be made, that will help my career in the future and I didn't make the right one in the right moment."

Porto regrets

Reflecting on his time with the Portuguese giants, the midfielder labelled the move a 'mistake' one that has also seen him part ways with the agency representing him since he broke into the limelight.

"I regret making the move, that was a mistake from me and the agency," he admitted.

"They (agency) have a lot of players and I needed to go to another place where they have my interest at heart and where they can focus on me.

"I was told when I moved that I would train and play with the first team and there was an option to buy me on a permanent deal which sounded good.

"But after three months of training with the first team, it wasn't looking like I would join the first team any time soon."

Catching up with the class of '15

Signing for Arsenal at the age of just 16 after a phone call from former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger confirmed the Nwakali's abilities after winning the tournament's best player award at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup where he captained Nigeria to the title.

The impressive signing put him shoulders above his peers from the tournament, however the setback now sees the midfielder playing catch up to some of those trailblazing teammates.

Golden boot winner Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are now both enjoying success.

Osimhen, 21, despite early career struggles at Wolfsburg has gone on to become one Africa's most expensive signings when he joined Italian side Napoli from France's Lille in July.

While Chukwueze, who is also 21, enjoyed a season of top flight football with La Liga side Villareal.

The duo were also part of the team that won Bronze for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

"I felt bad that things are not moving the way I want them to and the way I have planned, but not because I was seeing my colleagues doing well," he pointed out.

"I still speak to Victor and Samuel Chukwueze, I always call to check in on them, even though it is not working the way I want but it's life, I believe in time, and if it's not time for me, it is not going to happen.

"I have come to understand that people just want to be where it is moving fast and well, but life is about ups and downs, sometimes we just have to bring back our human feelings and support each other when things aren't going well."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/africa/54152636?__twitter_impression=true

The delay in the UK work permit started the whole shit

That Basketball own no be here

Danielnino00:
I will really love us to meet Cameroon in the final .. the odds are in our favour...
We are on a roll against them!
We beat them in a friendly,at the WCQ,AFCON,our girls beat them in their home ground to win the AWCON..we also thrash them in basketball ..

daveP:
Always Attacking player. Well he is a worthy opponent to Davies.

Yea an attacking player is always given priority unless a defending player is exceptional

Danielnino00:
Egypt? Nope!
With or without Salah,they are beatable..

Algeria don't have too many top players but they are very organised,that makes them deadly! ..
Senegal are also another elite team with a lot of top players...na badluck Dy follow them around...

And you are right, we need to sort out our set piece issue...

I also feel it's time Rohr made a decision on his choice in midfield.. We can't continue with Ndidi-Etebo midfield pairing...it doesn't always work!
And Iwobi needs serious competition...

We need the midfield to be more creative!!

In all sincerity,we have what it takes to win the next AFCON! .. If Rohr can't deliver it, I'm afraid that would be the end for him...

presently, na coach be Senegal's problem

Danielnino00:
Egypt are currently not as good as they are before...and their over reliance on Salah isn't helping them at all..that's why I feel they aren't much of a threat at the moment..I may be wrong..
@ bolded, I disagree o... Egypt have produced some quality ballers .. forget say most of Dem didn't play in Europe...
Egyptian clubs can give many clubs in Europe top leagues a run for their money!

Fair point, what I meant is that unlike the west African teams where majority of their stars are based in Europe, for a lot of the Egyptian players u barely know them. But one thing I can attest to is thier Technicality and they know how to frustrate thier opponents

BascoVanVeli:
Eze's slick penalty

pic.twitter.com/IhBwmymorw

— Sean CPFC (@SH20CPFC) September 15, 2020

Sometimes you can't but admire Eze's calmness on the ball, however just turn the scenerio in that video to Eze wearing the GWG jersey and misses that penalty.
Nigerian fans are going to misinterpret that calmness to lacklustre attitude and lack of dedication to the GWG. So far this calm style of playing is working well for him.

lakesidepapa:
Amen! I really like this boy and I am very happy he's getting his thing back, he gradually overcame the spiritual problem. A very delightful player to watch, He should not pull off from praying and keep working hard, He will get there.

Success Is yours Kelechi...

Very encouraging, papa lakeside. He will get there. I noticed his confidence isn't fully back but time heals all wounds.

MetalJigsaw:
Clubless Super Eagles Ace Shehu Abdullahi Offered To Boavista
owngoalnigeria.com Sep 15, 2020 8:00 AM

Nigeria international defender Shehu Abdullahi has been offered to Portuguese side Boavista as a free player following the end of his stay with Turkish side Bursaspor.

Shehu left the second division side at the end of the season in Turkey after they failed to gain promotion ending his two years stay at the club he joined from Cyprus side Anorthosis Famagusta.

Owngoalnigeria.com gathered that he was offered to the Portuguese team but they are yet to decide on signing him as his role on the pitch isn’t much of a priority to them at the moment.

Comfortable as a defensive midfielder or full back he has represented the senior national team 27 times operating mainly as a right full back. Although coach is the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr insist he can be of use in the midfield.

His search for a new club could see him omitted from the list of players for the upcoming friendly games on the 9th and 13th of October against Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia respectively in Austria.

Daniel Martins

huh! Abdullahi is clubless

MetalJigsaw:
Iwobi: I’m not bothered by Ancelotti’s snub
sunnewsonline.com Sep 15, 2020 2:20 AM
Shearer hails Iwobi after home debut goal
Bolaji Okunola

Everton winger, Alex Iwobi has hinted he is unbothered for not making coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in the English Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.

Iwobi, whose team walked away with a 0-1 away victory in a tie with Jose Mourinho’s tutored team, was seen flaunting an image involving him and Super Eagles’ teammate, Chidozie Awaziem in a pool side.

Surprisingly, Iwobi a nephew to legendary footballer, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, posted the image on his instagram status few minutes after his side victory.

The post saw him receiving accolades from Awaziem who is presently making wave with Portuguese premier league side, Boavista.

“My guy at Alexanderiwobi,” Awaziem captioned while Iwobi replied with a social media emoji which signifies love.

Meanwhile, fans have been divided on social media over the player’s absence from the registered 18-man squad who silenced the Spurs.

It’s yet unknown if the former Arsenal starlet will make Ancelotti’s squad in next league action against West Bromwich Albion.

which kain fake news be this? I actually thought iwobi gave an interview or something similar

lakesidepapa:
The delay in the UK work permit started the whole shit

People were insulting me here because I tried to make a decent case for him. KOMEKN swore he is a mediocre player that is why he couldn't get a club. Charles emeka , shemba etc jubilated at the struggles of a young boy from Africa...tufia!

Olulong:
Fair point, what I meant is that unlike the west African teams where majority of their stars are based in Europe, for a lot of the Egyptian players u barely know them. But one thing I can attest to is thier Technicality and they know how to frustrate thier opponents

Aboutrika is an example. Till today i wonder why he never played in Europe

Subzero047:
Shebi Andrewbaba44 said he is injured

did you read the article at all?

daveP:
i think if they take it twice as serious as Nwakali their clubs would have no choice than to start letting them stand behind many. Some teams have 4-7 freekicks per game. Imagine a SE player burying 2 outta that number in one game. Well, the names you mention dont really seem convincing, except Nacho.



Well as you said.... Let time tell.

lol even Beckham no dey bury two in a game

IDENNAA:
Very encouraging, papa lakeside. He will get there. I noticed his confidence isn't fully back but time heals all wounds.

Yes, I pray the coach will give him more play time as this will boast his confidence, and once that one is sorted then we will see the KN we used to know..

Philosopher1979:
Aboutrika is an example. Till today i wonder why he never played in Europe

Aside d top five leagues in Europe...aw many clubs re paying deir players better Dan d egyptian/tunisian league?

IDENNAA:
People were insulting me here because I tried to make a decent case for him. KOMEKN swore he is a mediocre player that is why he couldn't get a club. Charles emeka , shemba etc jubilated at the struggles of a young boy from Africa...tufia!

Not close to mediocrity, A full young talented player. Talking drum has two sides and we see each side of it differently, Our football knowledge are different, we see things in different ways . ILU GANGAN NI. There's also an adage that says a Cow can move faster than a Horse, but the rope that's tie at the cow leg will limit its pace. I am very sure this boy will do very well in Huesca and rise again, It's really obvious someone will rejoice over a downfall of another person, it's really uncalled for and unfair.

TheSuperNerd:
Lol... ChrisKels is more of an Ivorian and Senegalese protagonist. Yes he also admires Morocco.
In case you don't know, Morocco is actually my second favourite African team. It has been so since I read tales and watched many clips of Mustapha Hadji while growing up as a kid. That's why I wanted them to win the title in 2004 especially after Tunisia's win over us in the Semis.
But at same Afcon 2004 shaa, I was against them for just one game. The game we played and lost. Lol... That day vex me ehn. Hahaha but till today, I will always love Moroccan football. They are my next team on the African continent after Nigeria.


And see ehn, Danny, if the circumstances align and ensure that we do meet Cameroon in the final then they better be ready to pay for the "Ojoro" wins of 1988 and the robbery we experienced in 2000. 1984 was a clean win for Cameroun, that generation bad pass us that time. The elders, Kog45 and Icon4s can confirm this. Even Tbaba1234 go tell you say Na so. But 1988 ehn... See ehn...that match still dey vex me. Imagine being annoyed at a game you were not even around to watch. Dem never born me but I dey vex whenever I see clips of that game. The Ojoro was too much abeg.

So if we jam Cameroun ehn, they will pay! I know this Nigerian Generation will draw that payment off them.

Our 1984 team was a young squad, being assembled after the exit of most of the 1980 winning players. But by 1988, the team had gotten more matured and matched Cameroon strength for strength. But poor officiating rubbed us in that Final. I wept so bitterly that day.
For the 2000 AFCON loss to Cameroon again, I didn't cry but I was so angry. "WHY CAMEROON AGAIN", WHY CAMEROON AGAIN?". I felt like meeting Ikpeba to paint his face with a thousand slaps

Subzero047:
The 40 man list for the golden boy award

Unfortunately no Nigerian made the list

Ehh...Saka will rep naija for this one

komekn:
Can you expand please, l am not aware of there ever being an election for the position of President of Super Eagles and or if the position even EXISTS.

I was in Warri when Amaju won the election for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation.

You should pick the sarcasm na

jihday:
presently, na coach be Senegal's problem

Coaches na many African countries problem..
I've said it before,a lot of African teams are shortchanging themselves by appointing mediocore coaches to their national team..
Only Europe and South America can boost of having better footballers than Africa,but we still can't make it to the world cup semis...

Olulong:
That Basketball own no be here

Its a shame this covid-19 forced them to postpone the Olympics..
I was really looking forward to our basketball teams doing well at the game with the addition of quality players...

komekn:
Can you expand please, l am not aware of there ever being an election for the position of President of Super Eagles and or if the position even EXISTS.

I was in Warri when Amaju won the election for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Chairman abeg when next you enter Warri just hint me.

I wan check something

Danielnino00:
Coaches na many African countries problem..
I've said it before,a lot of African teams are shortchanging themselves by appointing mediocore coaches to their national team..
Only Europe and South America can boost of having better footballers than Africa,but we still can't make it to the world cup semis...

We go for mediocre coaches because those are the kind of coaches our FAs can afford.

At best they keep recycling foreign coaches with experience on the continent.

What is the use of Hiring a coach you cannot pay?

One of the best for me is Futhead.com

Danielnino00:
Abeg,which site can I get this info from

[quote author=TheSuperNerd post=93990111]One of the best for me is Futhead.com

[/quote

We then need home grown world class coaches who have coached in Europe before. Sunday Oliseh is like that and that Nigerian coach that set a record in Europe (Ndubuisi Egbo). They are Africans with knowledge of modern tactics in football.
Africans have talent. The problem is coaching and administration.

So we need a new generation of African coaches who have coached and played in Europe and good administration

Lol.... Ikpeba shaa. No VAR to also save the day. It is well. We have moved on but I know that just as history gave us a chance to correct the error of missing the SA 1996 Afcon by seeing that we triumphed at SA 2013 Afcon, I believe history will smile on us again regarding Cameroun. Knocking them out twice now in Afcon 2004 and Afcon 2019 and even disgracing them in the 2018 WCQs and doing so on each occasion while Cameroun wore the tag of African champs hasn't exactly satisfied me. I want to play them in a final and beat them well.

A fan's dream.

Icon4s:
Our 1984 team was a young squad, being assembled after the exit of most of the 1980 winning players. But by 1988, the team had gotten more matured and matched Cameroon strength for strength. But poor officiating rubbed us in that Final. I wept so bitterly that day.
For the 2000 AFCON loss to Cameroon again, I didn't cry but I was so angry. "WHY CAMEROON AGAIN", WHY CAMEROON AGAIN?". I felt like meeting Ikpeba to paint his face with a thousand slaps