₦airaland Forum

Retracted.

elyte89:
Yes cancelled …no international window till march

I see.

johnie:
Deborah is a gem!

A delight to watch.

Very hard working, skillful and intelligent.

She gave 2 sublime assists in this match.

Her waltz at the 58th minute of the match (6:10 in this video) and sublime pass to Esther would have been one for the archives if not for the offside.

We sometimes underate how successful our youth system has been in identifying and giving the platform for young talents.

Whenever I think about the number of our former underage players now doing well in the Suoer Eagles and Falcons, I am so pleased.

Consider the list - Francesca Ordega, Assisat Oshoala, Osinachi Ohale Chiamaka, Rasheedat, Ijamilusi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Tosin Demehin, Deborah Abiodun, Miracle Usani, etc.

On the male side, Osihmen, Chukwueze Ndidi, Omeruo, Iheanacho. Kanu Nwaknwo, Okocha, Etc

All these went through the youth ranks.

In some cases, our youth teams they played for did not even do well at the FIFA U17 or U20 world cups, yet they were able to pivot to Europe and establish themselves.

It's why I am happy that Benjamin Frederick was called up to the Eagles despite his U20 team nor doing well.

The blend of these home-grown former underage players and the foreign born (Troost, Lookman Ashleigh, Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo, etc) is what makes us a potent force.

We need to balance that mix optimally to attain our true potential while maintaining a healthy pipeline of talents that would do us proud.

Yes, our U20 lost to eventual finalists, Argentina, at the last Fifa U20 tournament. The next thing for us to do is identify the outstanding players on that squad and help them to good leagues and introduce them fo the Super Eagles.

Actually it was the 2023 set Benjamin Frederick played with, and that set did relatively well, getting to the quarterfinals. He wasn't with this current set that lost 4-0 to Argentina in Chile. His set beat Argentina 2-0 in 2023.

The promising players from this new U20 set (in my opinion) are Sani Suleiman, Israel Ayuma, Amos Ochoche and Tahir Maigana. There may be others I'm forgetting tho.

elyte89:
Considering the circumstances, we really need to cut Chelle some slack. From the moment he was appointed, almost every match he’s handled has felt like a “final.” He hasn’t had the luxury of experimenting with his squad, except during the Unity Cup and the friendly games in Russia 🇷🇺. Surely, you wouldn’t expect him to test new players in must-win matches like those against Rwanda 🇷🇼 and Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, or even in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
From his recent interview, it’s clear that the emergence of Fredricks was purely circumstantial the originally invited players were unavailable for the Unity Cup, so Fredricks was drafted in because he was already with the team in Brentford.The same goes for Olakunle, who was also in Russia 🇷🇺 when some players withdrew from the friendlies.
Looking ahead, with two more important World Cup qualifying games coming up, it might not be wise to introduce too many new faces into a team still trying to grasp his playing philosophy especially when even players who’ve been with him for over ten months are just beginning to adapt.
Personally, I think the best time for him to bring in new talents would be either just before AFCON or after the March playoff fixtures.

Have the games against Colombia and Venezuela been cancelled already? To be honest, I'd lowkey want them to postpone it till shortly before the AFCON. Not cancel them outrightly. Or what do you think?

Mujtahida:
He spoke about our players having a warrior state of mind and any serious fan of our team knows that we sorely lack that spirit. And while every player might not physically display the kind of relentless aggression of Osimhen, every player is expected to fight. Like Donald Trump often says: fight! fight!! fight!!! Look at young Benjamin, Chelle said that the boy is the first at everything, as in, in camp, I suppose. That's a fighter.

He likened football to war. He said that the play - offs is a we - win - or - die - here affair. Truly that's the spirit we want to see.

Winning is not all about talent or skill or tactics. It's about grit, determination and a never-say die attitude. We have seen or read many epic accounts of few men coming against vastly superior opponents on the field of battle and defeating them.

Our team used to have that fighting spirit. But somehow we have lost it - and I think it is because of the innit boys (I might be wrong
here).

Chelle, in the presser after the Benin match, said that Osimhen is the best striker in the world. Well, we took that for granted. But in this interview, he also said that the team is the best and then with restraint, he added that maybe we among the best ten teams in the world. My head scatter. I loved that. Not because we are the best ooo but that speaks to his vision of the team. And how he sees the team, is how the players will see themselves.

Mentality is key. I tell you something: in the qualifiers for 2018 WC, we stomped like a bull through a very tough group, trouncing Cameroun 4-0, Algeria, 3-1 and qualified. Immediately we qualified, Rohr's body language and words turned negative because he was afraid or rather felt we weren't good enough to face the world. Every time he spoke of the team, he kept on saying that he had the youngest team in the world and that the players lacked experience. Many times in the presence of the players. I just weak. Rohr was really saying that he had no high expectation of players and this in turn meant that we shouldn't expect much from the 'youngies'.

Many people here complained. Some defended him by saying it was mind games. Well, our world cup games were pffffffff. We didn't make the second round. And It was from that time Rohr lost the plot and he and the team never recovered their magic.

We are Nigerians. Two strategies work on us - hype us or yab us. But never be lukewarm with us. Never encourage complacency. In this last match, it was yabbing some fans employed. They mocked Osimhen, called the team names. The result is 4-0.

We're technically saying the same thing. Skill and grit must go hand in hand. That's what makes South American teams so dangerous, for instance, because they marry the technicality and strategy of the Europeans with the physicality and aggression of the Africans. You can't divorce one from the other.

And to that point, aggression without tact and skill is also an exercise in futility. I used the CHAN eagles as example. In the match against Senegal, they had so much energy pressing the Senegalese and they won the ball back so many times in the first half. At the end they still lost because they were tactically clueless. Senegal were practically laid back for majority of that game. I didn't watch the game with Sudan so idk how they played there.

Even in the games against Lesotho and South Africa that people were blasting Lookman, he actually played with so much aggression, if you took notice. What good did it do tho? He still lost a lot of passes and kept hugging the ball in moments where he could have just let it go. Of course, we know it's because of his state of mind, but still.

If you carry a bunch of hungry and aggressive secondary school students and take them to play against prime Brazil, Spain or Madrid, what do you suppose the result is going to be?

So yes, grit and skill are important. But they are also mutually exclusive (i.e one without the other will always produce a flawed game)

In the game against Benin, we were 100% more aggressive compared to our game against Lesotho for instance. But let's not forget that it was also key changes like bringing in Chukwueze, taking Moses to the left wing, and keeping Ekong on the bench that also helped our chances.

Ndidi played with so much energy, and yet see the clear chance he missed in the 18 yard box.

Tactics and football intelligence is just as important as willpower.

At any rate, Chelle can't afford to tweak anything now in terms of formation or strategy because he's understandably trying not to rock the boat. So I perfectly understand his hesitance to bring in new players.

TheSuperNerd:
Coaches can be wrong. He uses Ndidi yet Ndidi still cant shoot when close to the box. He prefers Ndidi yet Ndidi cant lines break vertically with searching balls.

Pls Chelle can say whatever he likes. But I go with what I see the team execute on the field of play. Ndidi is not the best we have to execute any formation. Chikena.

The reality is Chelle prefers him. And preference doesnt always translate to Best option.

Honestly the whole "fighting spirit" ideology is not entirely perfect imo. You can be pressing the opponent with all the smoke in your eyes, and then when you get the ball, you still bottle your chance because you simply don't have the football intelligence. I saw that type of behavior in spades with the CHAN team earlier this year. To be honest, those guys tried to be aggressive, especially in their first game against Senegal. But you can't give what you don't have.

Anyway, I understand where Chelle is coming from though, especially with regards the introduction of new players. Not that I agree with him at all, but I can see why he'd be too scared to try out any experiments for now, when we have do or die matches to play.

Obviously he still needs plenty of time with the team to understand the players.

After watching that interview with Segun Odegbami, I've honestly tempered my expectations going into the playoffs. Hopefully we make it, but I'm preparing myself now for more twists, turns and heart attacks.

It also doesn't help that some of our most important players are getting injured left, right, centre. 🤧

TheSuperNerd:
Lol. FIFA placing it there means they acknowledge the "good works" done by the NFF. Are you not aware FIFA is synonymous with Corruption as well?

Just, save your hopes for the Super Eagles' playoffs quest. Not this NFF issue.

Hmmm. Issorite. More grease to the hairless heads of Infantino and Pinnick.

Joebie:
My AFCON Starters

Looking at this lineup again, it's actually quite interesting. Unfortunately, our coaching crew have proven time and time again that the way they watch our football is not the way we watch our football. I'd like to see them try this lineup at least in a friendly but I won't hold my breath.

For obvious reasons, I'm beefing with Adarabioyo, so not sure if I'll want him in the squad. 😒

Is a storm brewing? 👀

Honestly I hope so, if it means we're going to rejig the entire football association.

Joebie:
My AFCON Starters

When did Adarabioyo switch? Abi na fantasy? 👀

Explanations, no Evidence!!!
Azamen glasshouse @thenff please Nigerians need actual answers !!!#SAVENIGERIANFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/mSNTZ6zV8x

— The Big Bird🦅⚽️ (@c_mobike) October 24, 2025

This Mobike guy is fast becoming my favorite sports content creator. Keeping his foot on NFF's neck.

daveP:
Just look at the defenders?

Dem dey form bigz gehs😂😂😂😂😂😂
Smh. Time to look for faya faya youngings o. These mamas are fed up of defending. Ball is at the back tooo much despite the attacking changes made. Lol

Omo the thing weak me. I was expecting them to come firing from all cylinders this second half. I'm quite disappointed ngl.

Nnadozie God bless you abeg.

Let's wrap this up. I'm not understanding this game again.

These girls are gassed out abeg. Can't see anymore goals in them. Just hoping they don't concede now.

Second half is somehow worse than the first lol.

Can we get at least one more goal?

Odunayaw:
Old people talking about the 80s when I was not born and 90s when I was learning 2×1

Lol. Me I didn't start watching ball until around the time I entered university circa 2009. I used to follow my coursemates to the cafeteria to watch ball, that's how I started getting into the game. I started watching Super Eagles with focused attention from the 2010 World Cup and 2013 AFCON. 😁

Deborah Abiodun is doing well. Her game has improved a lot.

Decent first half from the girls. Can't find much to quibble/complain about. We need to watch the Benin counters though. That last Benin shot was almost a guaranteed goal.

Expecting more in the second half.

Goaalll

This Afolabi girl is even shorter than Ijamilusi. 😁

This is why I love watching our Super Falcons. 😃

I'm expecting more wotowoto in this game sef than the 4-0 trouncing in the men's game. Go Falcons!

ekehopp2:
So Benin stadium ban extends to women football, and they decided to choose Togo this time instead of Cote D'Ivoire?

Please what time is their match?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN1N7lBJKco&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D

Who has seen this video? Walahi, NFF are hardened criminals. Just look at this arrant rubbish!

Osimhen is the gift that keeps on giving. 😍

This is no longer corruption but outright wickedness… Azamen of the glasshouse please enough is enough, our football is laying lifeless already… SAVE NIGERIAN FOOTBALL!!!! pic.twitter.com/n85zOfyLdE

— The Big Bird🦅⚽️ (@c_mobike) October 22, 2025

/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1980976548829155432&currentTweetUser=c_mobike

NFF is really the weapon fashioned against Nigerian football.

BascoVanVeli:
Ain't no excuse me. You were dead ass wrong. I didn't accuse you of anything. Just admit and move on.

We had 5 draws and 1 loss. The qualification didn't start at the Lesotho game.

Admit what, exactly? That I hold goalkeepers to a professional standard?

Mujtahida:
How is the profile of a player relevant to the fact that intelligent teams will do their best to upstage other teams through whosoever they perceive to be our weakest link. You are the one who introduced that category and want to force me to speak within that frame. No way.

My point is simple: teams will target your weak nesses whether through high or low profile players. Shikena

Was there any complaints about Nwabali during Afcon? No. Are they complaints now? Yes. Why? His character has changed or rather his on-field behavior has changed.

Don't you know that Nwabali is untouchable? Criticize anybody you want but don't talk about Nwabali. Afterall who do we have to replace him? Okoye is just an upgraded Uzoho afterall. /s 🤓

BascoVanVeli:
I already told u if the shoe fits wear it. So if u feel I was talking about u then I was talking about you. U talked about Nigerians in the comment before so I don't understand how u made that jump. This is just argument for argument sake at this point.

The super Eagles drew 5 matches and lost to Benin but u are saying that a mistake made in a victory is why we needed 4 goals Does that make sense to you? So let's forget drawing Lesotho and Zimbabwe at home and start blaming Stanley for a mistake made in a win.

Both Ndidi and Semi were telling Stanley to focus and Stanley told them he was on the same page. U are seeing it as disrespectful because I want to see it as disrespectful. Neither player reacted because there was nothing to react about.

Okay oo

You're absolutely right. My mistake was assuming a critical analysis could exist outside any supposed "narrative" you introduced into the discussion unprovoked. I'll stop demanding professional decorum from goalkeepers now on.

And forgive me for my pedestrian view on leadership. If a teammate doesn't physically react to being shoved, it didn't happen, and thus, no disrespect occurred. Of course, a dismissive shove to a captain is just his way of confirming he's "on the same page." Why didn't I think of this before? Ndidi must have been asking him about dinner plans, not trying to restore order. I see the light now. In fact, we need more dramatic shoves and quarrels for team cohesion.

The fact that we needed 4 goals to keep our World Cup dreams alive is DEFINITELY NOT related to the goal we conceded against Lesotho. How foolish of me to have thought that. In fact, we would have still made it if Nwabali had conceded that second goal.

Who am I to demand accountability? What do I know?

Sorry oo for even talking about this issue. If Nwabali likes, when the playoffs come around, let him take of his gloves and punch the referee down. It doesn't matter. Afterall he's the only good keeper we have. How dare I even think of criticizing him?

Foolish me.

BascoVanVeli:
Seriously? Our whole conversation started with me saying Nigerians never learn. How u now want to hijack what I was saying about some Nigerians in general to being about u needs to be studied. Why would I be scared to say what I want?

Abeg ooo. YOU brought up a "narrative": a word commonly used to denote a biased or forced storyline, right after I gave my rationale. If you didn't mean to imply that my stance was disingenuous, then you chose your words poorly. If you genuinely believe that my perspective is rooted in some manufactured "narrative," then own that accusation, but don't try to backtrack now just because the conversation got a little heated.

U didn't mention Calvin but u didn't mention Ndidi either. The Calvin situation was the bigger one so I went with it. This one is an even bigger dud than the other one. At least Calvin and Stanley argued. That baby push was nothing but Stanley saying "I don hear". He also pushed Semi right before Wilfred. Neither player reacted like it was anything bad. These are tough guys playing a physical sport. I don't expect them to be hugging and kissing out there.

Nobody is arguing about how physical the sport is. What we're talking about is on-pitch decorum, restraint and respect for authority. Ndidi was attempting to de-escalate, and Nwabali's dismissive shove, which is obviously a clear way to say "I know what I'm doing. Leave me alone" is a poor look from a goalkeeper to his captain. If anything, goalkeepers are supposed to be the most emotionally balanced players on the pitch. So don't act gobsmacked that people saw his actions as a lack of discipline and a refusal to be cautioned by a senior player in the heat of the moment.

Did the referee call a foul for the Rwandan forward? I already admitted he was rough in that game by saying he played like Oliver Kahn. I personally liked it but I can understand why someone would want him to tone it down. For me he showed a needed fight.

A goalkeeper's "fight" should be demonstrated through commanding his box, making vital saves, and organizing his defense, not through taking out an attacker inside the penalty area unprovoked. That's not the kind of fight the Super Eagles need. It's a liability that can put our qualification hopes at risk. A penalty in that moment, or a red card, would have sunk the team, and it's still people like you that will come back rambling about "if it weren't for so and so...", after the damage has already been done.

As I stated elsewhere, erratic gameplay can be fun and entertaining when the timing is right. It's easy to tell the difference between when a player is just being eccentric and when he's being irrational and hazardous to team safety. Don't forget he's the reason we were even chasing 4 goals against Benin in the first place, because we had no business conceding that foolish goal to Lesotho.

Again, I'll restate my position: I have no problem with Nwabali. But if he's to persist in his antics of self-sabotage, I won't protest if I don't see him in the next game's starting line-up. In my eyes, there's no difference between an emotionally reckless goalkeeper and one who is shaky. Thankfully, Nwabali -- on days when he's not picking useless fights or taking risky decisions -- is a superb goalkeeper. If he can tone down on his nonsense, we have no issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_eKQC62JEU

This one is better. This channel is fast becoming my second favorite after football fans tribe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6EWOpTbf_U

A lot of dodgy takes in this radio podcast.

If you seriously think people are only criticizing Nwabali because of bias or favoritism, in spite of the ACTUAL recent events that even materialized the debate in the first place, then I don't know what else to tell you.

It's hard to discuss topics like this when people who are simple-minded, to put it lightly, insist on making everything about agendas and sentiments.

Apparently, it's a crime now to point out legitimate concerns about certain players.

This is why Nigerian football is crumbling in all cardinal directions, with no limit in sight - because people would rather engage with imaginary issues rather than face the reality at hand.

At least make an actual argument for your case instead of trying to assume the motives of honest and concerned fans. THIS is how to make your case.

Rambling about imaginary favoritism is no different from people who make everything about tribe or champion the quota system rubbish.

Let's be guided abeg.

BascoVanVeli:
So Italy will make a game plan to target Nwabali when we have Osimhen and Lookman on our team? Does that even make sense

Lol. Is it so cumbersome to believe that a team like Italy or even France or Argentina can have a plan for more than 1 player in our starting 11? Is it out of the realm of possibility? 😂

Is it so difficult to believe that coaching crews of top opposing teams can study footage of our games and identify key weaknesses in any position? Like areas where we lack composure and stability? Players whom they can exploit?