₦airaland Forum

BascoVanVeli:
How do u know anything has gotten to his head? This is the same Nwabali that I watched in the Nigerian League. He has not changed in behaviour one bit.

No problem. I didn't watch Nwabali until the last AFCON. He was excellent there. I'm praying for him that whatever miscalculations he made in the Lesotho and Rwanda games that don't surface again in the playoffs. The average Nigerian is not as forgiving.

U guys want him to bow down because he is the only one that plays in Africa that is why u immediately take Calvin's side even though he was the aggressor.

Did I even mention Calvin Bassey? No. As a matter of fact, I was referring to the way he shoved Ndidi (his team captain) aside when he came to caution him. He could have just patted him on the back instead of shoving him like he was saying rubbish. But then again, this is the spurious strawmanning I was referring to, where you hallucinate why people are saying what they are saying. Abeg wetin concern me with where Nwabali is playing abi where he's not playing? Lol. I think I've made my stance clear on this thread previously: it matters little to me where a player plies his trade, provided he can deliver for the national team when needed.

Tomfoolery is crazy because even in the game that Nwabali gave his best Oliver Kahn impression we won 2-0 V Rwanda. He has not played like that since. He even turned peace maker against South Africa when the coaches started arguing. Against Benin the guy elbowed him in the back of his head so I don't blame him at all for his reaction.

True. So I'm curious to follow your logic here, what's your take on the Rwandan forward that he knocked down in the penalty box unprovoked?

Btw I think I could probably make a more asinine comment, so I wouldn't say that is the most

Well, you know your talents.

but as the saying goes if the shoe fits, wear it. I didn't call it your narrative but if u feel that way good for you.

You implied that I had a narrative. Are we going to backtrack now? Is that what we're doing?

Mujtahida:
This video compilation of Nwabali's shenanigans is funny. I couldn't help laughing.

He should be called to order because if we qualify and face intelligent teams, he will SURELY be targeted just as Italy knowing that Zidane is temperamental having played in Serie A, targeted him, got Matarazzi to provoke Zidane leading to that infamous incident which cost France it's victory in that final game of 06 world cup.

Nwabali who once gave us confidence after the horror of Uzoho has now become an albatross on our necks. His yoke is heavy and his burden hard. We must find a way.

My brother, I just weak.

The annoying thing is some people here trying to say that we're only asking for Okoye because of bias or other sentimental BS. My brother, how can you watch that compilation of errors and not be reasonably worried if Nwabali will not have another one of these episodes during the playoffs?

Even in the Benin game, he still had questionable moments there, like that goal that Benin scored, which - thanks to no VAR! - was not allowed. And people want to gaslight us that there's no cause for alarm?!

Like I said, I won't protest if Okoye starts ahead of Nwabali. If Nwabali continues his risky theatrics, then there's no difference between him and Okoye in my eyes. Okoye might not have Nwabali's confidence or composure, but he's not going to gift a useless goal, or get himself sent off because he can't control his anger. It's also very silly that people keep bringing up Okoye's game against Tunisia in 2019, and try to make him look like an Uzoho clone, when he has obviously come a long way since then.

semid4lyfe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbV6_deIcxc&pp=ygUUY3JlbW9uZXNlIHZzIHVkaW5lc2U%3D

Ma'am,

I just watched the highlight of the Udinese and Cremonese match that was played yesterday, and I wasn't impressed by Okoye.

He's still jittery and seemed indecisive in key moments of the game.

◾He came out and flapped at a cross he shouldn't have come out for ❌

◾One on one with Vardy, he was caught in two minds. He rushed out a little, stopped for a second, took another step forward, then spread himself and blocked the shot but I was appalled by his decision making. ❌

◾His positioning in goal and goal post awareness when facing potential shots or goal threats is so unsure. One can visibly see the jitters. ❌

◾The goal he conceded was a point blank close range header but a better keeper would have made the save because the ball passed in between his hands. ❌

◾His goal kicks don't go far, and he doesn't seem confident with back passes and playing out from the back ❌

In all, he might have better reflexes (debatable) and play at a higher level than Nwabali but Nwabali's trumps him in aura, confidence, receiving back passes and goal kicks / playing out from the back which are also important attributes for goalkeepers.

I feel Nwakali's erratic nature, time-wasting tactics, confrontational nature, and refusal to take accountability can be curtailed and managed more easily than instilling confidence, teaching positional sense and the other attributes I mentioned to Okoye.

My pick to be in goal for the playoffs is Stanley Nwabali.

Fair enough.

My entire argument has been that if there are any reliable alternatives to Nwabali, they should be introduced for the sole purpose of making him sit up and take his role seriously. That alternative can be Okoye, or anyone else. Right now, Okoye is the only person I can think of that can pose a decent challenge to Nwabali for the number 1 role.

If Nwabali can cut down on the theatrics and showboating, temper his ego, and put his head in the game, then I have absolutely no problem with him.

kennysville:
Milady, I think you are too cute for this line of sass you just threw. lets not do roforofo fight in here. I dont know when you got here on this thread but this talk about Okoye has been on for so long. I have a very good reason for what I posted about steeze and stuff. If you felt slighted, I wasn't directing any comment at you. That said, if you must contest a point, you can do so in a very engaging manner rather than launch a calculated assault. That is what matured folks do.

Oh and yes, I do take offense.

You quoted a comment directed towards me, and made an implicit assumption about why I said what I said. So before you start tone-policing my comments, maybe you should start by tracking the dialogue to understand how what you said might rub someone the wrong way. I'm not obligated to respond politely when people deliberately misrepresent what I'm trying to say.

BascoVanVeli:
Stanley actually saved us in the game against Benin but u won't hear anything about that because it doesn't fit the narrative.

Saying he doesn't have respect for his teammates is crazy, especially when he was the one being stepped to in the example u are trying to use. Calvin was clearly the aggressor but once again that doesn't fit the narrative.

Nigerians don't learn because this situation has happened before. We complained about Akpeyi until he was dropped and then we found out Maduka and Uzoho couldn't fill his shoes. Akpeyi right now in his DSTV suit will never concede the goal Okoye conceded vs Tunisia or the goal Uzoho chop vs Ghana. At least Nwabali's own mistakes can be explained as mix up. And now in the most important match of our lives we want to make the same mistake.

No wahala. I'm not going to belabor the issue

For your sake and mine, I hope Nwabali quits the tomfoolery and keeps his head in the game when the playoffs come around, because if any severe gaffes from him should occur here in the playoffs, I will NOT hold back against anybody coming here to attribute the blame to him, because fair concerns were raised beforehand.

The guy is good. We know this. But let it not get to his head. That's all we're asking for.

By the way, trying to insinuate that I'm forcing a narrative here is the most asinine comment you can make, especially given the fact that I gave a rational reason why Nwabali being dropped isn't going to be an outrageous decision, but you do you I guess.

kennysville:
You dey mind them? Dem tink say na by fine abi na steeze we suppose dey choose goalie

This is a very foolish assumption. No offense, but if you wish to take, na you sabi.

Everyone and their mother knows how instrumental Nwabali has been to the structure of the current Super Eagles. That much is undeniable. What many people are finding hard to tolerate (and for good reason), is his risky, overconfident moves on the pitch that have the potential to cause serious problems for us if not checked.

I don't mind players being stubborn and arrogant and erratic actually. It can be fun to watch sometimes, but timing is key. Don't let it affect your game negatively. Don't try to pull stupid stunts like catching the ball and dropping it on purpose in front of your opponent, or knock down an opponent in your 18 yard box and risk a penalty or even worse, a red card.

You guys have no idea how much the absence of VAR has helped us in the past few games. It's one of the things I'm praying won't come to bite us in the playoffs in Morocco.

On paper, I have Nwabali in the starting 11 any day of the week, but his excesses MUST be checked one way or the other.

If coaches or players can't talk to him because he's too big, then I don't see what's wrong with dropping him for a while, at least till he gets himself together.

yinkeys:
Can we achieve what Morocco u20?boys achieved ?

Lol. Our age grade teams are worse than the senior teams these days.

BascoVanVeli:
So u want us to drop Nwabali for someone who ran away the last time we had a playoff? Nigeria will never learn.

I don't see what is so outrageous about dropping Nwabali. He's clearly proven over the last couple of games that he doesn't respect his number 1 position. He also doesn't respect the teammates and he doesn't give a hoot about the potential consequences of his erratic behavior. If there are people who are capable of replacing him, I don't see what the big deal is in dropping him, to remind him that his position as number 1 isn't set in stone. I didn't say they should drop him forever.

The only things Nigerians haven't learnt is pragmatism and discipline. That's why our football is where it is today: in absolute shambles.

mostob:
You see this talk about Okoye coming to replace Nwabali for playoff, I totally understand but IMO, it's not advisable.

Okoye should be number 1 for Eagles today but what happened? Confidence and bad goalkeeping. While he may have improved for his club side, bringing him into the starting lineup suddenly might disrupt the momentum of the team. Moreso, we're not sure he has outgrown his jitters in NT colours.

But he should be called up, maybe Nwabali will sit up.

Fair enough.

Cocony:
Back in the early 90's there used to be a book we read authored by Nyengi Koin. The title of the book which should answer your question is: TIME CHANGES YESTERDAY.

GABON'S ATTACK OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SUPERCEDES THE PALANCAS NEGRAS, BAFANA BAFANA AND INDOMITABLE LIONS ATTACKERS OF THE AFCON AT THAT TIME.THIS IS NOT OVERESTIMATION BUT CORRECT ESTIMATION HENCE OUR NEED TO SUSTAIN THE BENIN TEMPO OR EVEN BETTER IT(IMPROVE IT). WE DON'T NEED EXTRA TIME WINS BUT RATHER FULL TIME WINS(3:0 or 4:0) AND I STILL OPINE WE SHOULD IMPROVE ON OUR FREEKICKS AS CONVERTING THEM INTO GOALS CAN PROVE CRUCIAL..
Spiffy Queenjazz, CapitalCee,Forgiveness,Semid4lyfe, Chriskels what do you think?

Left to me, I'll start Okoye.

If not for anything else, it'll at least make Nwabali realize that he is very replacable, and that his antics will be rewarded with some form of punishment from the coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVgZgg8BpMQ&pp=ugUHEgVlbi1HQg%3D%3D

Either this Nwabali goes to therapy or Chelle replaces him with Okoye for the time being. He's a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. I just pray that the day he finally blows up, it won't be during competitive games like the playoffs, AFCON, or in a World Cup game (if we make it).

This tribe argument of a thing is really stupid and I'm not sure who introduced it into this thread but it's a very silly thing to be arguing about.

If a player is a good, he's good. Everyone will see the evidence on the pitch.

Amedino99:
2002.

Thanks for the correction. Point still stands regardless.

BascoVanVeli:
Flamingos vs Canada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OFBCQ0OgWU

Abeg no use PTSD finish us for this thread abeg. 🤧

The Remo Stars loss was expected. My only hope was that it would be a tight game (it wasn't 😂).

But you see this Flamingoes game... 😑😑😑

Cocony:
My probable line up against Gabon if the players are invited

Gk Maduka Okoye
Df Benjamin Fredrick
Df William Troost Ekong
Df Calvin Bassey
Df Zaidu Sanusi
Mf Fred Onyeka or Raphael Onyedika
Mf Chidera Ejuke
Mf Fisayo D.Bashiru
Fw Samuel Chukwueze
Fw Victor Osimhen
Fw Jerome Akor Adams

I believe Gabon can be beaten with this or 75% of this as starting lineup by 3 or 4 goals margin.

I wonder how many more unsatisfactory performances and unintentional howlers Troost Ekong must commit before you people finally realize that the man is past his prime and should be eased into retirement.

I won't mind Olisa Ndah starting as CB to be honest.

TheSuperNerd:
We will be here in 5 yrs and 10yrs and we would see how that stance ages. I see those comments and I laugh. SA talents that cant thrive in the best leagues have leapfrogged a county constantly exporting talents to the Euro leagues including some of the best leagues in the world, season after season, year after year? These are parts of the reasons SA would remain inferior to Nigeria in football despite their strong PSL league.

Is it not in this same continent we saw Egypt use their strong league organization and more to rule Africa at the Afcon for 3 straight editions between 2006-2010? Did heaven fall? Did they qualify for the WC? SA's last WC was in 2010. The one they hosted. They missed 2014, 2018 and 2022. They only managed to return for the 2026 edition because Naija didnt wake up sooner and SA played 7 of their WCQs games in SA.

I laugh really.

I don't even count 2010 for SA because if it weren't for hosting rights, they wouldn't even smell the competition. The last tournament SA qualified for properly for the WC by playing against other African teams was in 1998. Lol. It's been nearly three decades since then, and they only managed to qualify this time by playing 90-95% of their games at home. 🤣🤣

🥲


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AasJqZD69Hc

Abeg when are Super Falcons playing their game against Benin?

BankyGee:
Seeing this hours after full time come dey funny me 😂😭

🤣🤣🤣🤣

To be honest, the keeper wasn't terrible. It's just the defense was godawful.

Sometimes when I think about Nigerian football, I just wonder like, what's the point?

If Nigeria was a football club, I'd have quit supporting them ages ago. Unfortunately I'm doomed as a citizen to keep hoping for the best for a country that doesn't even wish herself well.

Ragingthunder:
hope they can at least restrict sundowns to score below 5 in South Africa............. chai

Impossible.

Expect a total of 8-1, or 10-1 aggregate.

This is an eyesore.

What's even the game plan here? What's all this aimless running up and down?

The coach needs to tell his girls to calm down before taking shots abeg.

Who has the starting line up for the Flamingoes? Can't find it anywhere so far.

elyte89:
Remo can still qualify…u av forgotten deir full name “REMOTANDA”😎

Remontada in the mud. 😂😂😂

Jieta2:
No this team is not solid, this team its far from solid.

Okay, so which NPFL team is more solid than Remo Stars? I'm curious.

Jieta2:
And they are league champions, how did they manage to win the league.

Because they're arguably more solid as a team than the others.

It's almost scary to think about.

Remo Stars defender see attacker dey come, he comot for road. 😃

Masterful defending. 🤣🤣🤣

UncleHaba22:
Nigeria league is way too poor

Who's watching the mamelodi sundowns Vs remo game

Remo can't even put up a fight

Remo stars might be good oo
But the quality of the league will affect them

Nigeria premier football league is on a very big decline

We've been singing this song for ages. Nigerian government and NFF couldn't care less.

Meh. A good chunk of this Remo Stars squad made up our CHAN Eagles team. So the loss and sloppy ball playing is expected.

The only thing that makes this hilarious is that it isn't even an away fixture. I wish them the best of luck when they travel to SA. 😂

Who's the Remo Stars keeper? That save was badass.

lovewins:
Remo already down by 1 goal

You can watch here

https://www.youtube.com/live/trkbn0VyyDI?si=eAjXcaJJvQLpLCT1

Lol. They just dey turn our boys like garri. The return leg will be funny.