₦airaland Forum

Kog45:
I watched Arthur Okonkwo live during pre season and I was not impressed, against Nottingham yesterday cuz of him I needed to switch to his game watching Cameroon Morocco,not really convincing but saw slightly improved Okonkwo, though better than Okoye when he first got his national team call,I will rate him 7/10 he saved two penalties,now Okoye has improved beyond doubt and highly rated...I think he will come good with time....having Nwabali,Okoye,Okonkwo and Uzoho is good for the team

Elder, I can attest that you have been consistent in saying this about him but I disagree with you slightly.

Here"s my assessment of him after watching eight match highlights of Wrexham AFC (which included the referenced Swansea match in the tweet) from the clubs youtube channel.

Strengths: Calm temperament/composure, commanding goal presence, good positioning, dominant aerial ability, sharp reflexes, elite shot stopping ability, excellent in 1v1 situations, specialist penalty saver.

Weaknesses and Areas of Improvement: A bit gaffe prone, ball distribution needs improvement, mid ball playing ability (prefers to clear back passes rather than play out from the back with his defenders), preference for catching crosses in crowded areas rather than punch out.

In summary. he's a Donnarumma-lite with a high ceiling and room for improvement. I do not think Maduka Okoye is better than him.

I refrained from posting in the lead up to our WCQ play-off against DR Congo because I had this fear and eerie feeling that the result wouldn't go our way.

I have that feeling again about our match against Algeria. Also, the inopportune protest over the unpaid allowances/bonuses that resulted in delayed travel/late arrival to Marrakech and inadequate training and acclimatization period in Marrakech hasn't buoyed me with confidence.

But as a Super Eagles fan, I hope and pray we win.

BlueRayDick:
Na the heat o.

My baby doesn't like heat one bit and would start crying the moment light goes off. The rechargeable fan I have barely last 30 minutes once NEPA light goes off.

I've been running on generator for a while now because of how poor power supply has been. But sometimes I feel bad for neighbors and people around.

Imagine NEPA takes light around 2am and I have no choice but to put on the generator because I don't want my baby crying all night due to heat. That means the neighbors have to bear the generator noise for as long as there's no light. There are days I even put on the gen from night till dawn.

Though nobody has called to complain about the generator noise yet, but the way my neighbor downstairs calls during the day to inform me once there's light tells me dem no dey happy with the night own, they just don't have a choice

So, I just feel getting that lasting rechargeable fan will save my fuel and also save neighbors good night rest free from generator noise.

Congratulations to you and madam.

The long-lasting rechargeable fan option is probably the best but another alternative is to contract a carpenter to build an insulated/sound-proofed shed to house your gen. Works best if your gen is in a generator-dedicated space downstairs and not in your balcony. It will greatly reduce the noise to a bearable level.

Ehen, shey you no get NEPA indicator for inside house and all those loud sirens wey dey sound when NEPA bring light no dey for your area? Just wondering why your neighbour calls you when the power is restored.

BYW, you are a considerate and conscientious person, kudos.

CornOak:
Most of the calls are not genuine fouls.

The shove in the back of Brahim Diaz was unnecessary. It was a 2 vs 1 situation, and he wouldn't have done anything with the ball.

It was the the free kick resulting from that foul that led to Morocco's second goal.

Did anyone just witnessed how the Maroc free kick taker placed the ball far from the ref marked spot? Then removed the ref's foam to his desired spot.

O'boy

No be today. Players dey do that one wella.

Cameroon sef dey self sabotage. Why giveaway unnecessary free kicks in dangerous areas?

Referee o, at least pretend to be unbiased and fair

charlesemeka85:
Pairing Experienced Anguissa with Baleba would hv worked well for them in midfield

Anguissa doesn't have the legs, lungs and workrate for this kinda match.

End of first half. Morocco 1 Cameroon 0.

Brahim Diaz na bandit. Hin steal that goal.

Morocco played rush them football in the first half which unsettled Cameroon. Unfortunately, Cameroon was not able to weather the storm and conceded.

Cameroon is looked like a poor team because Morocco made them look bad.

Referee has been atrocious. This is the most blatantly biased officiating I've seen in this AFCON.

I hope Cameroon equalizes in the second half but I do not see a route back into the game for them.

Rather, they'd throw caution to the wind and Morocco will hit them on the counter and increase their lead.

Looking forward to the second half.

TheSuperNerd:
Mali playing with 5 midfielders again v Senegal. Amaodu Haidara starts this time. He just signed for Lens from Leipzig.

Defensive football is a virus. When a team becomes steeped in it, they'd lose their attacking spark.

I can't believe this is the same Mali that played with so much attacking flair under Eric Chelle that is looking clueless, without being able to string passes together.

I am glad NFF did not appoint Tom Saintfient.

Una don over flog this matter. Biko. make una rest

@BlueRayDick, that satellite TV level wey one guy for here run for you to dey watch ball, shey na SLTV??

FiveFootNinja:
Baba training in Fez and Marrakesh cannot possibly be the same. They should have at least been acclimated to the terrain where they'll play the QF.

Honestly I'm starting to think this AFCON is lost to us. The damage cannot be reversed. Not because the players are poor but because little things like this go a long way in affecting the squad. Especially these current set of Super Eagles who are difficult to motivate in the first place.

Just my opinion sha. I've heard and seen enough bad news in the last 24 hours to lose hope in this tournament. We won't go the World Cup and we may not win the AFCON.

Eric Chelle tried his best, but when Nigeria is involved, it's like pouring water into a basket.

Ore, I do not disagree with you. I just think training in Fez is still better than not training at all.

Still, I am pissed about the protest. More so, I am shocked they would do it again after pulling the same stunt a month ago and it backfired with their loss to DR Congo.

The players say this AFCON is a redemption mission and a way to apologize and compensate Nigerians for not qualifying for the world cup. They ask Nigerians to pray for the team and always support them, and they won't let them down. Fine words, but their actions tell a different story

I mean, how can they down tools on the eve of the Q/Final? They cannot be talking about winning the AFCON, ask us to pray for them and in the same vein sabotage preparations. They cannot claim to be fighting for national pride and to make amends, and then put personal issues above national interest.

The NFF is a mess, always has been. Poor planning, unpaid salaries, owed allowances et al na their trademark. But two wrongs never make a right. Their protest at this critical time doesn't fix the issue. It only hurts the team, fans and the country.

This AFCON no be mai mai. Team wey go win am go try. All the big guns are in the Quarter Finals. All the remaining teams are equally matched. Margins will be thin. A distracted camp, one less acclimatization day, one less training day to perfect strategy etc could be the difference between a victory or defeat.

Sometimes I wonder.....Don't the players talk to themselves? Is there no one amongst them that pointed out that their protest is ill-timed considering their recent history, the current stakes and how tough the opponents are? Can't they make the sacrifice, and play for themselves, their personal legacies? Can't they play to write their names in gold? Can't they play to be forever revered in Nigerian football history?

In 2013, when we faced Ivory Coast in the AFCON Q/F, the NFF had already checked the players out of their hotel and booked flights back home but on matchday the players turned up and played for themselves, the late Keshi, and eventually won the cup. That's the kind of sacrifice and commitment I expect from this set of Super Eagles. This their protest is just giving their critics ammunition to throw at them if things go south.

Nigerians have endured a lot from this team. Two missed World Cups. AFCON FINAL loss. Yet the fans still show up. Still watch. Still believe. The least the players owe them is focus and professionalism for the duration of the AFCON.

The outstanding bonus issue can be handled differently and at a better time. The AFCON 2027 qualifiers would commence soon. They can choose to protest their unpaid allowances then. They can even drag the NFF publicly and expose them if need be. Nigerians will back that fight but this one on the backdrop of their recent failures is ill-timed and unnecessary. The team does not need this drama. They should silence all the noise, lock in, and let their football and results speak.

Anything less than the AFCON title is failure.

FiveFootNinja:
We'll have to wait and see. With the way Nigeria has made attacking transitions so far in the tournament, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up running rings around Algeria's defense. It takes only one goal to force them to come out and play. Then again, with the current strike going on in camp, I won't be surprised to see a downgrade in Nigeria's game this Saturday.

They are training regularly in Fez where they played the group stage and R-16 matches.

They only refused to travel to Marrakech as scheduled until their allowances and bonuses for the group stage and round of 16 was settled.

Algeria is a damn good team, by my assessment even better than Senegal and I don't feel good about playing them. I hope we win but if results go otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised too.

raumdeuter:
Since we paid you prayer warriors to pray against Arsenals win, Na City dey drop points

Okay make una reverse the prayers

We asked for real prophet, Spy360 and Roland17 sent us Tinubu pastors

Just curious, you support Bayern. Wetin be your beef with Arsenal?

Algeria invited the DR Congo Lumumba super fan to their camp.

He was given their home jersey personalized with Lumumba's name and the away jersey with Amoura's name written on it.

Nice and classy gesture at the end from the Algerians.

PDPGuy:
E don shele.. The actual bond amount could be either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 which will be determined solely by the Visa Officer during the visa interview. The pilot program starts on January 21 of this year🙆🏽‍♂️

The amount is only refundable if the traveler
- exits the U.S. before the expiration of their authorized period of stay,
- and also exits the U.S. through certain airports…

Will the bond also be required for those going for study?

Odunayaw:
+1

Glory to God

Happy birthday bro.

I pray your new age brings you good health, peace of mind, and steady progress.

Once again, congratulations.

Igirigimercenar:
Please o,has FIFA completed their investigation about DR Congo featuring ineligible players?

If yes, what was their conclusions?

Not yet. Na after AFCON FIFA go release their ruling.

Ivory Coast 3
Burkina Faso 0

Omo, country wey go win this AFCON go try o.

My people, work dey o. I am impressed with Algeria and DR Congo from wetin I don see for this first half.

Both of them wont be a stroll in the park for our Super Eagles. We gats bring our A-game if we hope to defeat them.

RE: OSIMHEN-LOOKMAN ALTERCATION IN NIGERIA VS MOZAMBIQUE MATCH

Osimhen was wrong for shouting at Lookman. Full stop.

That moment versus Mozambique was unnecessary and avoidable. Osimhen was

Disrespectful
Childish
Petulant
Immature
Unprofessional
Ill-mannered
Undisciplined

And to say I am disappointed in him will be an understatement.

I mean, at that point we were already three goals up and Lookman had assisted him to score his brace so there was absolutely no need for that confrontation.

No be by force to score hat-trick, and if it's about the Yekini record, there's ample time to break that in this competition and the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Osimhen is regarded as one of the leaders of the team, and part of what leaders do is to absorb frustration and keep calm in the interest of the collective. A leader does not throw tantrums. Neither do they explode on the pitch and dress down a team mate publicly.

Osimhen plays with passion and fire. I get it and love that about him. But fire without control inhibits team cohesion. We just got to the business end of the AFCON with our pending Q/final clash against Algeria/DR Congo, and the team needs unity, not ego clashes. We cannot afford to feed our opponents confidence with our body language.

Osimhen owes the team and Nigerians an apology.Passion no be license for nonsense. He should exercise restraint and better emotional control because team unity is non-negotiable. Anything else is self-sabotage.

I rest my fingers.

semid4lyfe:
You know I have a dream to win this game by 4 or 5 goals without any goal for my team and have 80% possession - Eric Sekou Chelle.

May your dream come true. 8pm can't come soon enough.

My predictions.
🔸Nigeria 3 Mozambique 0
🔸Osimhen brace, one goal.for Akor.
🔸Super Eagles keep their first clean sheet
🔸Not less than 60% ball possession.
🔸Same starting lineup vs Tunisia.

Lets go.

This above was my prediction posted at 8.56am yesterday, eleven hours before the match.

Scoreline ❌
Goal scorers ✔️
Clean sheet ✔️
Possession ✔️
Starting line up ✔️

Not perfect but when you understand ball, patterns show and you read the game right.

Danielnino00:
In the event that we eventually come up with the nominees for the award, can you help us create a poll for easy voting?

Yes

opes:
Rafiu Durosinmi Sets to Join Serie A Club Pisa

I had high expectations for him. From almost being signed by Eintracht Frankfurt some years back to now signing for PISA a bottom-tier club in the Serie A. That's a drop.

Well, I guess the Serie A is a bigger, better league (top 5), is more competitive, and has better visibility than the :Czech league.

Hopefully, he'll do well in the league and earn a move to a bigger Serie A club or elsewhere, and also get invited to the Suoer Eagles.

Danielnino00:
How far chief?
I asked a question regarding the Nairaland poll a few days back

Only moderators are able to add poll to threads.

You know I have a dream to win this game by 4 or 5 goals without any goal for my team and have 80% possession - Eric Sekou Chelle.

May your dream come true. 8pm can't come soon enough.

My predictions.
🔸Nigeria 3 Mozambique 0
🔸Osimhen brace, one goal.for Akor.
🔸Super Eagles keep their first clean sheet
🔸Not less than 60% ball possession.
🔸Same starting lineup vs Tunisia.

Lets go.

That was a shove from the back. Clear penalty.

VAR should have been checked. Even if a penalty had been awarded and Tanzania had equalized, Morocco would have gone on to win at extra time.

I'm embarrassed by the blatant bias and misuse of VAR in this AFCON. VAR wey other continents dey use without issues, e reach Africa, dem con dey abuse am.

Spainever:
If the player has nodded in the golden opportunity, Tanzania should be leading now

True but misses are part of the game. We all hope our opponents miss their goal scoring chances. don't we?

Tanzania has impressed me mightily in this first half.

Waiting for the second half

Sheikh don dey cry say US don mark am for elimination

https://www.nairaland.com/8592823/sheikh-gumi-us-marked-me

raumdeuter:
What did Trump use her for?

Trump is a realist.

If Machado does not have the support of the military and respect of the internal power brokers it will mean either she is deposed fast or America will have to be bugged down providing her security and continued cover for her govt and the moment America steps away she will be deposed

Like it happened in Afghanistan

Its like US propping up Sowore or Aisha Yesufu to be president when no power broker reckon with nor respect them

Wetin you post makes sense from a long term strategy POV.

How do you reckon Trump will run Venezuela now since the Vice President who he said will do his bidding has given him the middle finger?

TemporaryHansel:
Na Trump use her? I should put it in Nigerian parlance, "she work for Trump?"

When her romance with Trump dey stew, he tagged her the saviour of Venezuela and said she was ready to takeover, and she in turm dedicated her Nobel Prize to him.

Now wey hin don clear Maduro, hin change mouth dey talk say she be nice person but she no fit be leader because she no get support or respect within Venezuela.

Nothing screams use and dump more than this.