₦airaland Forum

forgiveness:
Ighalo was not trash at Granada and Watford.

elunico:
21 goals in 106 games for Granada, that's at least average, I accept that I was a bit harsh on that regard.

Simple English? it was you who jumped into my mentions trying to make it look as if Ighalo is some victim of undue criticism and I merely reminded you that he wasn't up to scratch from the beginning, but we were patient with him, so you can't make it look like Ighalo is just hated for no reason.

TheSuperNerd:
I am in the medical field Mister man so this is not about whether Osimhen is at Napoli or Juventus. So my stance on this would be the same. Health first before selfish football interests!!! We are in a pandemic. Get that into your head okay. Merci.

andrewbaba44:
Now I understand why rohr allowed ekong to leave for England ,never knew there will be league match today

Where is that abakaliki journalist that said ekong might be of the eagles soon

It’s now confirmed ekong is a starter at watford and could not start the last game because he just arrived

Not surprised

ChrisKels:
80% of those goals were scored when Granada was in Segunda B (Spanish third division). Where it mattered most, the Segunda (the second division) and Laliga, Ighalo faltered as usual, so it was not out of place to say he was trash at Granada

elunico:
21 goals in 106 games for Granada, that's at least average, I accept that I was a bit harsh on that regard.

Simple English? it was you who jumped into my mentions trying to make it look as if Ighalo is some victim of undue criticism and I merely reminded you that he wasn't up to scratch from the beginning, but we were patient with him, so you can't make it look like Ighalo is just hated for no reason.

kellycute:
you just want talk because you wan talk. The guy also said rohr allowed Ekong to leave camp because he need to fight for shirt at Watford. So I nor know why you dey yab am as if na lie he talk.

elunico:
I didn't say Ighalo was trash at Watford, go read again. I agree, he wasn't trash at Granada. He was at most average.

kellycute:
you just want talk because you wan talk. The guy also said rohr allowed Ekong to leave camp because he need to fight for shirt at Watford. So I nor know why you dey yab am as if na lie he talk.

Philosopher1979:
Compared to the younger generation of strikers we now have Ighalo is average. At 19 Victor Boniface in norway sounds more impressive. Talk of terem moffi, Tolu Arokidare etc. He came in an era where we had paucity of talent. Anyway it shows our football is improving. I mean Terem mofi looks scary. From Lithuania to French league in less than 2 years. Tolu arokodare from latvia to the German league. What was Ighalo doing when he was young

smartsmith0907:
May God almighty bless you for me
e be like say nah to dey siddon dey observe i go dey do for this thread

forgiveness:
Ighalo helped Granada gained promotion from Spanish third tier league to Laliga within two seasons. Reason he is a legend of Granada.

ChrisKels:
80% of those goals were scored when Granada was in Segunda B (Spanish third division). Where it mattered most, the Segunda (the second division) and Laliga, Ighalo faltered as usual, so it was not out of place to say he was trash at Granada

BascoVanVeli:
Na your business be that. Like I said na statue remain.

U are still telling me what u believe I said when I already made it clear.

forgiveness:
And one of Granada's stadium entrance gate was named after him.

TheSuperNerd:
October International Break Review: Super Eagles - Part 1

A player-by-player breakdown

With the international break for October finally done, I decided to analyse the players who featured one by one before they all return to action this weekend starting from today with Ekong likely to feature for Watford in the Championship. So I think it's best I drop it now... It is my own take

I will take it department by department.


1. Defence.


Maduka Okoye, GK: (Vs Algeria and Tunisia)

Before his first full start for the Super Eagles on the 9th against Algeria, Maduka had only been in goal for 27mins when he came on as a sub against Brazil last year.

Maduka had two very good games in goal. The two goals he conceded during the international break were down to no fault of his and when called upon he responded, giving as good as he's got.

His key highlight was that very fine stop against Algeria from act free kick situation.
His agility in goal in also noticeable but he is sure to be much better tested with time.

He is yet to bag action in the Eredivisie this season but he has been active for the Sparta reserves to keep him match fit as he plays backup for now to Van Leer.



Leon Balogun, CB: (Vs Algeria and Tunisia)

Leon was heads and shoulders above any central defender we paraded in the two games. He delivered a masterful libero performance. His interceptions were clean. His tacklings were neat. But the best of it all was the ease, class and style with which he brought the ball out from the back. His ball playing skills were better than even Midfielders like Mikel Agu and new boy, Frank Onyeka.
At some points he acted as the ball carrier travelling from the back through the Midfield reaching as far the final third. Aside Iwobi, no other Midfield player on show carried the ball forward like Leon in the two games. Yet Leon is no Midfielder but a defender. He is the libero of the team at the back. Indeed our dean of defence.

At 32, Leon's still our best CB and he showed it in these two Friendlies. Now this is interesting especially when we consider that he wasn't even a starter at our last major tournament last year at the Afcon. Omeruo and Ekong were the first choice CBs.




Troost Ekong, CB: (Vs Algeria)

Ekong remains a key player in defence and while he did okay in other defensive aspects such as marking, tackling and interceptions; he was absolutely horrible in his passing. Well, passing has always been a kind of weakness for Ekong but during the international break, it was really on show. It was worse than he showed at the Afcon last year.

Ekong was also at fault for the goal we conceded against Algeria. He should have been first to that aerial ball won by Bensaibaini who went on to tap in the rebound.

Actually, Ekong and Onuachu both went for the ball and missed it entirely. That was really poor aerial defending from both players considering their heights and most especially from Ekong who is quite normally good aerially.

In the end, he has had better days than the 9th of October.




Zaidu Sanusi, LB: (Vs Algeria and Tunisia)

Before the international break, I made a small prediction that one of the debutants will emerge from the friendlies as the one player that really Shone bright. Well, it turned out to be FC Porto new boy, Zaidu Sanusi. He wasn't 10/10 ofcos but he was certainly one of the top performers of the international break for the Super Eagles.

On his debut, this lad was up against one of the most elite wingers in African football and in the EPL, Riyad Mahrez, and he absolutely pocketed him.

His pace and strong defending gave Mahrez a hellish time on that wing. At a point Mahrez had to even foul Zaidu after Zaidu had again robbed him of the ball and was about to take off on one of his dashing runs down the left flank.

Apart from his defending, he was also very good in the attacking phases. One of his crosses in the Algeria game found Onuachu and caused chaos in the box but Paul Onuachu failed to bury the chance. Zaidu was first to every damn ball on the left flank and was practically the one others had to play catch-up to as he was "uncatchable" when in full sprint.

Against Tunisia, his crossings weren't as good as seen in the Algeria game but he will certainly get better with that for the team. In Zaidu, we have a lad who can easily cover the defensive and attacking phases of our game on the left without breaking a sweat b'cos he got the bloody speed to make it happen.

Zaidu is certainly an upgrade on Collins but Collins remain in the picture as backup and competition for now too. Our LB looks sorted but time will tell more.




Tyronne Ebuehi, RB: (Vs Algeria)

It was so good and so refreshing to see Ebuehi on the right again. He delivered a very decent performance for one returning to the team after being in the Injury wilderness for 2 years+.

Ebuehi showed glimpses of his ability in the defensive phases and showed some sparks in the attacking phases too. He even came close to getting a goal with fine low strike that missed the target by few meters.

He had a good battle against the 2019/2020 EFL Championship best player in Said Benrahma (close to a move to EPL side, West Ham according to reports) and he wasn't fazed at all. Ebuehi got some tackles in and blocks off. His marking and pressing also looked decent and I believe with much more games in the Eredivisie, he will look even more sharper and daring.

Ebuehi is here to stay and it is truly gonna be a sweet interesting battle at RB involving him, Ola Aina and the incoming Kingsley Ehizibue of FC Koln.

RB issues sorted also. Awaziem remains an option here too as he is at CB but he would be the only "adaptable." The other three are naturals.





Kevin Akpoguma, RB/CB: (Vs Algeria and Tunisia)

Kevin looked a bit overwhelmed when he came on against Algeria. But who can blame him? A CB coming on for his international debut against the African Champs into an unfamiliar role. And yes, Unfamiliar, b'cos RB and RWB are not the same thing. Not all RBs can function well as RWBs and not all RWBs can play as RBs.

Akpoguma, a natural CB, played as RWB against Bayern in the Bundesliga and have been playing there for a while since the new season began in Germany.

With that said, he did put in a few tackles and blocks against Algeria and ended on a mild okay note for his debut... but against Tunisia, we saw him in two different roles.
First at RB, where he looked decent and helped in keeping the Nigerian defence in sync with the team's high press from the front against the crafty and "rugby-like" Tunisians (yes,Rugby-like... These Tunisians bagged about four yellows or so for various kinds of rough plays).

Then at CB, where he took up the position vacated by Leon after he was subbed out for Awaziem who came and filled in at RB.

So the remainder of the game saw Kevin at LCB and he looked okay and somewhat assured on the ball when he tried to venture forward into Midfield a bit although he did give away possession a couple of times. He had a somewhat mixed showing in that "Balogun role" (I can call it that coz Leon set the standard for the role, at least in this break, for the two games).

I must add that he does look good and dangerous aerially from setpieces also (especially cornerkicks).

In all, it was nice to see him getting minutes but he would definitely have to do more if he is to displace the "experienced" guard of Leon, Ekong and Omeruo.

Kevin is a decent enough addition so far but I am afraid not "significantly" better than the others. He can compete and get better with the team but with the likes of Jordan Torunarigha of Hertha Berlin coming in the nearest future, and with Uduokhai and Adarabioyo to follow at any point in the near future, Kevin will have to step up to the NT learning curve quicker.
Five CBs is depth already..... But when the others come in at any point in the future, it would be a "8 CBs-depth scenario"and that would be one hell of a mega competition.




Kenneth Omeruo, CB: (Vs Tunisia)

Ken may indeed be at fault for the goal conceded against Tunisia but he gave an assured performance overall.

His passing was good, his confidence on the ball at the back a delight but his only bleep up was in the first half where he should really have done better in the box in keeping out Mohamed Drager. I would also call in Kevin Akpoguma for a small blame who was meant to be tracking Rafia who gave the pass from Kevin's position but Omeruo should most definitely have EASILY intercepted that ball off Drager's feet for a corner at the very worst. But I guess the over-carefulness of not wanting to foul the player and concede a penalty affected his quickness to do the right thing.

Omeruo is good at reading the game, a fine tackler, has strong aerial ability and a decent passer but he can be quite indecisive in his marking in his own box. 'Must have that checked.

In all, he did very okay against Tunisia and didn't lose possession as much.



Jamilu Collins, LB: (Vs Tunisia)

Entered the fray for Zaidu who picked up a knock in the 66th min and acquitted himself well. He carried on from where Zaidu stopped in the defensive phases of our play but didn't do much going forward. Won most of his duels too. Overall, a decent display.

I think Collins would now play backup to Zaidu going forward. Our LB role is good to go and can get even better.




Chidozie Awaziem, RB: (Vs Tunisia)

Came in for the impressive Balogun against the Carthage Eagles and slotted in nicely at RB which moved Akpoguma to CB. No surprise there as he was quite good in the role at the Afcon. His ball playing skills and passing on show again and his ability to snuff out dangers always one to notice. He had a very decent 33 mins+ and remains in the picture of things in the RB role and CB role as a young quality cover still growing.

Edopesin:
Ekong...

"Happy to make my @WatfordFC debut tonight with 3 points and a clean sheet!

Well done to the boys! On to the next one wednesday"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eke3kEzXIAA76_h.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eke3kExWAAEJ5Cu.jpg

Starboytwo:
Here's the TOP 5 in the SE Goal ranking

1- Yekini 37 Goals 58 Caps

2- Odegbami- 23 Goals 46 Caps

3- Yakubu - 21 Goals 57 caps

4- ik uche - 19 Goals 46 Caps

5- Obagoal - 18 Goals 48 caps

smartsmith0907:
May God almighty bless you for me
e be like say nah to dey siddon dey observe i go dey do for this thread

forgiveness:
And one of Granada's stadium entrance gate was named after him.

Starboytwo:
Here's the TOP 5 in the SE Goal ranking

1- Yekini 37 Goals 58 Caps

2- Odegbami- 23 Goals 46 Caps

3- Yakubu - 21 Goals 57 caps

4- ik uche - 19 Goals 46 Caps

5- Obagoal - 18 Goals 48 caps

elunico:
You can see.

He even failed to stamp his authority in the LaLiga. He only made it to England just because of the Pozzo connection.

elunico:
Very boring game.

2 shots on target throughout the game.

This is thesame Championship that is at par with other top 5 leagues. Mtcheeew!!.

Bolowolowo:
This is why we need a consistent goal scoring striker/forward. Yekini should've been dethroned a long while ago.

dammywapes:
Will you say Jorginho made it to chelsea because of the connection between him and sarri? If ighalo is not good the coach won’t have make him his boy. Oshimen we have now have not even play half of what ighalo playerd for us.

andrewbaba44:
Smiles

There have been epl games of 1 shot on target and even laliga and seria A so you for no talk this one

We all know say na komekn Dey talk that nonsense

andrewbaba44:
Now I understand why rohr allowed ekong to leave for England ,never knew there will be league match today

Where is that abakaliki journalist that said ekong might be of the eagles soon

It’s now confirmed ekong is a starter at watford and could not start the last game because he just arrived

Not surprised

elunico:
I caught you in your mischief and you're shamelessly trying to make it about something else.

Scoring bulk of his goals in the Spanish 2nd and 3rd tier and he's regarded a legend? That's to tell you the quality of the Granada team.