₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:
After review I think I will go with:

🔸Goal Keeper - Vincent Enyeama (1)
🔸Right Back - Ambrose (2)
🔸Left Back - Celestine Babayaro (3)
🔸Centre Back - Uche Okechukwu (5)
🔸Centre Back - Taribo West (6)
🔸Defensive Midfield - Sunday Oliseh (4)
🔸Box to Box Midfield - Onazi (8.)
🔸Attacking Midfield - Mikel Obi (10)
🔸Right Wing Forward - Finidi George (7)
🔸Left Wing Forward - Emmanuel Ammuneke (11)
🔸Centre Forward - Victor Osimhen (9)

Onazi? Apart from AFCON 2013 and the World Cup 2014 run, Onazi was not a mainstay in our team. But I admit he was phenomenal in those competitions. Arguably our most important midfielder in those competitions, and our midfield crumbled when he was substituted against France in the second round.

I know I picked Celestine Babayaro as my Left back but upon reflection I'll go with Taiye Taiwo instead. TT had more caps and tournament appearances than CB, and was more impactful.

CB didn't play many matches for the Super Eagles, and his best performance for Nigeria was at Atlanta 96, and that's technically not the Super Eagles. So I'll replace Celestine Babayaro with Taiye Taiwo in Left back.

Paul Bassey dey wear face cap with PBAT infinity logo

Lol .. Politics na your mate

Odunayaw:
It's exactly this thing I have been trying to wrap my head around.

This is a team that has put five goals past Al-Ahly in recent history (5-0 once) fgs!
Like low block, out muscle and hope for lucky breaks. The man fall my hand gan o

I used to think he was tactically sound and one of the better coaches in the NPFL but I was so disappointed by his obliviousness of how sundown plays and apparent unpreparedness judging by his approach to the game. I doubt if he even watched any tapes of Sundown in preparation for the match.

Maybe he was carried away by the home factor, and the 5 - 0 win of his team in the previous round.

I have not seen or read any interview of Daniel Ogumodede after the match cos I would have loved to hear what he had to say.

TheGoodJoe:

I will take Ambrose over Eguavoen, Take Celestine Babayaro over Iroha. I will take Mikel Obi over Okocha. For a start. I will even take Osinhen over Yekini.

The untouchables are Rufai, Oliseh and Finifi George. Maybe Emmanuel Amunike.

Assuming players were at their prime, my Super Eagles All-Time Best Starting 11 would be:

🔸Goal Keeper - Vincent Enyeama (1)
🔸Right Back - Joseph Yobo (2)
🔸Left Back - Celestine Babayaro (3)
🔸Centre Back - Uche Okechukwu (5)
🔸Centre Back - Taribo West (6)
🔸Defensive Midfield - Sunday Oliseh (4)
🔸Box to Box Midfield - Mikel Obi (8.)
🔸Attacking Midfield - JayJay Okocha (10)
🔸Right Wing Forward - Finidi George (7)
🔸Left Wing Forward - Emmanuel Ammuneke (11)
🔸Centre Forward - Victor Osimhen (9)

solonnachi:
Seems Desire Ellis has left her post as Bayana Bayana coach.

No fear, talk wetin dey your mind

monerozi5590:
The interpretation on the video is correct. Na mumu man. He is saying rubbish. I am not too deep in Hausa. I am still learning but the interpretation is very correct

DSS should throw the clerc into an underground cell and throw away the key.

They should have let her go.

TheSuperNerd:
FDB❌️❌️
Aina❌️❌️
Agu ❌️❌️

All 3 Super Eagles out till January 2026.

Aina is our biggest absentee from the Playoffs and AFCON. I hope Bright Osayi really steps up his game.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro can replace FDB.

Agu making the AFCON team roster was debatable. We'll make do with Zaidu and Bruno.

Ragingthunder:
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been removed from the list of registered players by Italian Serie A side Lazio after his injury last month in the game against Roma.
The earliest he can return is towards the end of January after undergoing surgery. A situation that has made Lazio to axe him from the list of registered players for the first half of the season.

No PlayOffs and AFCON for him. It is well.

TheSuperNerd:
Damn. You are actually right. I totally forgot he is indeed on loan.
Mehn, this is a hellish loan so far but I can breathe now knowing that Uche will return to Getafe if Palace doesnt work out in the end. Glasner is not giving our boy the chances he needs.

Pla confirm the loan clause.

I'm not certain but I think Crystal Palace has an obligation to buy him at the end of the season so he may not be going back to Getafe

joelsteron:

Bruno onyemaechi thinks he’s playing against Lesotho wingers https://t.co/q05Ofo8lKO pic.twitter.com/TvLrexV4QA

— Ayomide (@_midoslim) October 21, 2025

Na this one and sanusi wan face yamal for world cup...

We need desperately need options in our left back. If Agu is not ready for playoffs, Ola Aina should be play LB and Frederick remains in RB position.

Guy

Normally, Bruno na average defender but that move na snake bite and a very difficult move to defend against.

All my years of watching ball, I never see defender wey no chop the move.

By the way, Ola Aina might not return until January and is likely to miss the AFCON.

lovewins:
Good summary. On your last point, I agree she has the tendency to hug the ball at times but it's far from being her biggest con in the clip show. I even thought she passed too much. There were chances she should have just taken that she chose to pass. I remember screaming on one of those occasions, wondering why she chose to pass instead of just going for goal.

Good to read from you sir.

On your observation, I think it's because she's extremely left-footed and can't use her right leg at all.

I didn't take note of the instances you mentioned but I suspect the ball / shooting angle was on her weak right leg so she chose to pass just like she did in the AFCON final to Ijamilusi

Cocony:
Felix Agu is still injured and the club did not put a specific time for his expected return. Similarly Fisayo Dele Bashiru is expected to return fit from injury on 21st November 2025.

Damn! This is not good. Hopefully, Chelle will invite Ebenezer Akinsanmiro for the Play-offs.

At left back, we'll continue to make do with Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi.

It is well.

TheSuperNerd:
Meanwhile, Chrisantus Uche featured for Crystal Palace U21 today in their 5-2 loss vs Stevenage in the EFL Trophy (Southern Group E).

I dont like that Uche is limited to these underage games with Palace. Palace should pls let him leave on loan abeg. Uche was a sure starter in LA LIGA FOR GOODNESS SAKE. Handed the #10 shirt as well at Getafe but because they (Getafe) needed to cash in to ease their financial worries, Uche was pushed out against his original stance of not wanting to leave. Now his gametime suffers.

Since Oliver Glasner doesnt rate him, then loan him!

I think Crystal Palace got him on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season so technically he's not their player yet so they can't loan him.

jihday:
he’s still young, I’ll prefer he spend the whole season there

Still young At 22 years? Are there not players his age and even younger playing for the Crystal Palace first team or other teams in the EPL. The coach just doesn't fancy him, plain and simple.

TheSuperNerd:
Bruno Onyemaechi will never be our starting LB. He belongs to the reserves of the Super Eagles. Not even the bench.

Again, I laugh because Zaidu, a better LB, was undermined because of this Bruno. It is well.

How far with Felix Agu, is he back from injury?

BascoVanVeli:
Esther Okoronkwo vs Montreal

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

🔸Close control✔️
🔸Good use of.body swerves and turns✔️
🔸Easily changes direction of play✔️
🔸Good vision,✔️
🔸Good passer of the ball; passes to feet and to space she anticipates team mate will run to✔️
🔸Hugs the ball too much at times when she can pass and rest ❌

femi4:
Ijoba Olusosun 1
Jeun soke

Femi, it's Ijaya Olusosun. You're welcome

Cocony:
Point of correction: There is nothing wrong about my mindset. Stating the obvious should not make you or any other have any form of tremor if you or others are sincere. I always state that my point must not be accepted to be truths and facts and likewise your points or that of others that seem self-imposed does not equate to NFF or the Coach's final decision.
If people can come up with the Agenda theory and in your opinion their mindset is right they should also label Eric Chelle as having an agenda for scouting for goalkeepers. The logic should follow that trend. In retrospect someone like Okocha and Oliseh that did not play a role in the first round of USA 94 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS WOULD HAVE BEEN REGARDED AS AGENDA WHEN THEY WERE CALLED UP FOR THE 2ND PHASE OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS. THAT SHOULD ALSO BE AGENDA. THAT WAY YOU ALL SHOUTING AGENDA WOULD SEEM TO MAKE A POINT THOUGH VERY ILLOGICAL AT BEST.
THIS IS MY STANCE.

Again, this post inadvertently proves my point. I still cannot fathom why you feel so hurt because your football opinion is challenged.

Perhaps, your age has something to do it with it, because I deduce you're an "oldie" because of your reference to Super Eagles matches of the 80's, and you think no one should challenge your opinions.

If na so, forget am!. Here na public forum, and people go everly counter your opinion and accuse you of pushing an agenda as they deem fit.

Develop a thick skin, keep an open mind, stop viewing counter posts as an affront to your football knowledge and you'll enjoy this thread.

Best regards.

Ragingthunder:
The 👑 king feasts tomorrow

November 13 no far again.

Baba God, abeg keep Osimhen injury-free and fully fit to prosecute our matches at the African and Intercontinental play-offs.

Cocony:
At the end of the whole taking sides with NWABALI and false assertions of PR for Aniagboso and later on Okoye to the rubbish claim of errors compilation, ERIC CHELLE and NFF will decide who to invite and Eric Chelle will make his decisions on whom to start and that will be what matters. For now we will keep following the performances of our players with the playoffs in view. What irks my displeasure in most of you is the forcing wrong notions on many as though some of you were supreme and when countered you come with flimsy verbosities against people who don't tow you people's line of thought.

Ore, your mindset is so wrong. Why do you take these things to heart?

The same way you believe your opinion is the objective truth is the same way others with an opposing view believe theirs is.

Everyone must not accept your opinion, and you mustn't accept other people opposing opinions too.

At the end of the day, we all agree to disagree agreeably.

Or is there more to it?

QueenJazz:
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.

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.

Cocony:
Semid4lyfe, Correct my assumption: A THREAD TAGGED SUPER EAGLES SHOULD DISCUSS SUPER EAGLES AND POSSIBLE PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES.
LIKEWISE, A THREAD FOR EUROPEAN CLUBSIDES HAVE BEEN EXISTING ON NAIRALAND FOR MANY YEARS NOW.

ONE OF YOUR RULE TALKS ABOUT POSTING RIGHT INFORMATION ON THE WRONG SECTION WHILST ANOTHER TALKS ABOUT FALSE INFORMATION AND DERAILING OF THREADS.
IN FAIRNESS TO LAID DOWN NAIRALAND RULES LOOK INTO THE MATTER OF ADDRESSING ME AND CAPITALCEE AS SAME, AS WELL AS COMMENTING ON EUROPEAN CLUBS OR COACHES THAT DO NOT HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON SUPER EAGLES PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE.

Baba, dey calm down. See this thread as the online version of those viewing centres where people argue, shout, banter, question and deride each other’s football knowledge.

Yes, it’s a Super Eagles thread, but from time to time, discussions wander into NPFL, European clubs, other national teams, or even random football gist. I usually let those things flow because they don’t last long. People always circle back to the Super Eagles eventually. No need to choke conversation or break the rhythm.

On the blocking issue - it's the prerogative of every Nairalander to block whoever they want. That’s why the feature is there. Though I feel it’s unnecessary because what makes this thread tick is the plurality of opinions and variety of arguments. That’s why it’s crossed 1800 pages and still counting. I mean, if we all reasoned the same way, this thread go dey boring.

As for you and capitalcee being the same person, I do not know and frankly do not care to know because even if it's true, e no change anything.

You’re still new here, so take things easy. No carry anything for head. This place na football banter zone. People like TheGoodJoe and Komekn have been here for the longest time and have been dragged severally for their unpopular takes, yet they handle it well. Borrow a leaf from them.

Finally, let me end by saying this. We may not always agree, but one thing we all share is our love for Nigerian football and our desire to see our teams do well. So even when we disagree, let’s do it with respect. No need for insults or tribal digs.

I rest my fingers.

6 kids? That's extremely rare. Was the wife on fertility drugs? 🤔

Reminds me of the scene from To Kill A Monkey when Efe's wife gave birth to triplets, and he was sobbing after being informed one of them kpaid.

The doctor tried to console him, and he said he was crying not out of grief but relief that the burden had been lessened.

If person no hold bar, and this kain situation jam am, it wouldn't be out of place to be happy if some kpai, and do not all make it out alive.

I feel for the man.

Before nko, dem must settle. Regina know say the lifestyle cost.

CapitalCee:
Where is Fisayo Dele Bashiru?

An honest omission. I'll drop one of the forwards, specifically Chidera Ejuke to the Standby list.

➡️ Out
Chidera Ejuke

⬅️ In
Fisayo Dele Bashiru

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.

My probable line-up against Gabon will be

◾Goal Keeper - Stanley Nwabali
◾Right Back - Bright Osayi
◾Left Back - Zaidu Sanusi
◾Centre Back - Calvin Bassey
◾Centre Back - Benjamin Frederick
◾Defensive Midfield - Frank Onyeka
◾Box to Box Midfield - Chrisantus Uche
◾Attacking Midfield - Alex Iwobi
◾Right Wing forward - Samuel Chukwueze
◾Support Striker/Left Wing forward - Ademola Lookman
◾Centre Forward - Victor Osimhen.

Formation: 4-3-3.

23 Man Squad for the PlayOffs.

Goal Keepers
Stanley Nwabali
Maduka Okoye
Adebayo Adeleye

Defenders
Calvin Bassey
Troost Ekong
Benjamin Frederick
Zaidu Sanusi
Bright Osayi
Igo Ogbu
Bruno Onyemaechi

Midfielders
Alex Iwobi
Raphael Onyedika
Frank Onyeka
Wilfred Ndidi
Chrisantus Uche
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Forwards
Victor Osimhen
Ademola Lookman
Samuel Chukwueze
Akor Adam
Moses Simon
Tolu Arokodare


On Standby to replace injured players
Alhassan Yusuf
Terem Moffi
Chidera Ejuke
Anthony Dennis
Olisa Ndah
Paul Onuachu
Nathan Tella

BascoVanVeli:
Nigeria vs Canada

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

1. Our keeper is atrocious.
2. Too many meaningless & ballooned shots from distance.
3. Dem dey play without positional discipline. Anywhere wey ball go, na there all the players dey go.

Overall, a poorly coached team.

TheSuperNerd:
Meanwhile the past weekend events is not complete without giving a shout out to Cesc Fabregas and Como in Serie A.

Beating Juventus 2-0 and in the manner they did was absolutely a sight to watch. Real Madrid's Nico Paz who is on loan at Como keeps proving why he is the best young player in Serie A at the moment. Special lad.

TheGoodJoe, we have said this before on Fabregas. What he is doing with Como is so exciting. The story keeps unfolding.

Unbanned

Amedino99:
this one no concern ghana. When the coach was asked about the gate crashers to their team, he said " it will be taken on a case by case basis". Its the normal african way. Shebi that is how pinick asked begged tammy abraham to come play for us with a free world cup slot after the players had worked for the slot during the qualifiers.

I did not make reference to Ghana and I do not see the correlation to my post. The Tammy Abraham example you cited only reinforces my stance.

We have a solid unit and should focus on hitherto uninvited players without divided loyalties like Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Anthony Dennis etc

I doubt Caney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Noni Madueke etc will turn down Super Eagles invitation now because we are almost at the World Cup.

After the world cup, we can invite these dual national players to take part in the AFCON qualifiers and ascertain their commitment. Trust me, many of them no go show up.

forgiveness:
I am afraid we don't have a solid Central midfielder in our team currently.

Iwobi is not a central midfielder and he lacks traits of an AMF.

It's been long I followed our players abroad because of the way people want to dominate the team through the back door despite not adding anything to the team.

However, since I watched Chelsea matches, rI will recommend Chukwumeka who is better Central midfielder and AMF than what we have currently.

I will begin to scout from henceforth. We must go world cup but we can't play playoff with Ndidi and Iwobi. Ndidi not good like before again.

I will never be in support of dual nationality players crashing the party only when its convenient for them to do so. It's opportunistic, parasitic and could spoil team chemistry and cause disunity in the squad.

I recall this same dude was asked about playing for Nigeria 2 years ago, and he said, (I paraphrase) "at the moment I'm focused on playing for England but lets see what the future holds which is a subtle way to turn us down.

The guy no even better pass Iwobi for AM. Iwobi is a better orchestrator and passer. The issue with Iwobi is wrong deployment, midfield partnerships and formation by our National team coaches which negatively impacts on his output.

We can do without him. Between Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele Bashiru, Chrisantus Uche, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Alhassan Yusuf, Anthony Dennis and even Samuel Chukwueze we have enough players to cover in midfield.

Any dual national who wants to play for Nigeria should do like Ashleigh Plumptre, Alex Iwobi, Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong etc and come out to declare their interest with their full chest, not use Nigeria as Plan B.

If they didn't declare interest and commitment when the work was being done, they shouldn't benefit from it by going to the world cup.

Make hin wait until after the world cup when the next AFCON qualifiers will begin, no be now.