₦airaland Forum

Truidstar:
The simple truth is that Kayode goofed big time. Either because of greed, bad advice from his agents or some other factors. You don't leave a club where you are banging in goals week in week out for fools gold in Man City with less than a year to the world cup. If he had remained at Austria Wein and maintained the same form, Rohr would have found it difficult to ignore him. Better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. This is a valuable lesson for Kayode and others.

Gbam! There's only one person to blame for Kayode's omission from the squad and his name is Kayode.

COOL10:
. Lmfao. I wouldn't even bother reading through it in the first place so don't worry about me. I hate and ignore all forms of negative talk. Cheers

Lol sure you don't have to read it but I'm not sure when giving honest critique became 'negative talk'.

COOL10:
. I'm sad about this loss too but to insult our players or suddenly become unpatriotic cos of this loss,that I won't do. Unfortunately that is exactly what 90% of Nigerians will do,especially those always waiting for moments like this. Like you said: This life sha

There are insults which aren't good but there are also honest criticisms which are exactly what real patriots should be dishing out. I saw the 2nd half of the game so expect my observations and critique when I have the time to share.

TheSuperNerd:
England Legend Michael Owen Criticises Iheanacho For Scoring Instead Of Passing To A Teammate

https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_4125.jpg

Legendary England international striker Michael Owen provoked an argument in the studio during the live coverage of Leicester City 5-1 win over Peterborough United, after criticising Kelechi
Iheanacho for scoring instead of passing to a teammate in space.

Iheanacho scored a brace in the game but his first goal, which came in the 12th minutes of the game angered Owen who felt the Nigerian should have passed to his teammate who was clear on goal.

Owen lashed out at the Nigerian for not passing the ball but his co analyst Robbie savage disagreed with him, saying it doesn’t matter since the Nigerian scored.

The argument ended with Owen insisting that four out of five times, the Nigerian could have missed the chance to score even though he eventually scored, despite the efforts made by Savage to change his impression.

Owngoalnigeria.com's Michael James who witnessed the argument live on television captures the exchange below.

Owen : Iheanacho should’ve passed

Savage : But he scored

Owen : I know but four times out of five, he could’ve missed

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/01/27/england-legend-michael-owen-criticises-iheanacho-for-scoring-instead-of-passing-to-a-teammate/

Even if true that passing the ball may have created a better scoring chance for the team. The fact that the team has had very little time for the player (kelechi) meant that he saw that half chance as his big chance and not as a team chance and so tried to grabbed it accordingly.

In the context of the game (already 1 nil up) and considering the current situation of the player (unfairly given little game time) even the Michael Owen I remember as a player would've done the same thing.

Football is a team game, with strikers it is a team of dogs and when push comes to shove it's 'dog eat dog'.

Well done Kelechi

Icon4s:
The Anthony Ujah that you are trying to project was invited to the Super Eagles what were his stats in the GWG?

Brown Ideye was frozen out of the team due to dwindling performances.

Eneramo was a player you and I know didn't have it good in the Super Eagles.

Uche Nwofor, was a product of our youth system and his career was on the rise. He had two descent seasons leading to the world cup. He was one of our hottest young strikers then.

Aging Emenike was our only established number 9 then as Ujah, Ideye, and Eneramo had all fallen out of favour. We needed a young striker who could grow to become our next number 9. Uche Nwofor was it.

Uche Nwofor deserved to be in that team 100%.

You're entitled to your opinion bro. I agree his career was on the rise BUT my opinion remains and I believe I have proven there were better strikers available both in terms of performances, stats and experience.

Icon4s:
Compare Iheanacho's current stats with those of Other Nigerian forwards and tell me why Rohr still sticks with Iheanacho.

Iheanacho can boast serious stats from previous seasons that still validates his selection. Nwofor didn't and in any case is not a good comparison. Dude played for VVV Venlo and Herenveeen Under 21s not Man City alongside Aguero lol

Icon4s:
Uche Nwofor was the new kid in the block in the year leading to the World Cup.

He was banging in goals at VV Venlo. In only his second game for the Eagles against SA at the Nelson Mandela Challenge, you have forgotten the brace he scored? One was even a back heel. He was even a second half substitute.

He was our hottest striker at the 2011 AYC and WYC.

As at that Time leading to the World cup he was highly rated as he showed great quality.
He more than deserved to be in that team. If you say he later failed to leave up to expectations I will 100% agree.

Lets the stats do the talking shall we? I remember how frustrated I was when that squad was released. This made me start digging up superior replacements to most of the players Keshi picked.

Anthony Ujah – Cologne - 2 Bundesliga

12/13 – 13 goals, 3 assists
13/14 - 11 goals, 3 assists

14/15 – 10 goals, 3 assists - Bundesliga

Imoh- Standard Liege – Juplier Pro League

12/13 – 14 goals, 5 assists
13/14 – 10 goals, 8 assists

Eneramo – Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig
12/13 – 11 goals, 3 assists
13/14 – 4 goals, 3 assists

Osariemen Ebagua – Varese Serie B
12/13 - 17 goals, 1 assist
13/14 – 13 goals, 2 assists – Spezia Calcio, Seria B

Ideye Brown - Dynamo Kiev Ukrainian Permier League
12/13 – 17 goals, 3 assists
13/14 – 10, 6 assists (all competitions)


OR


Nwofor - VVV Venlo Eredivisie -

12/13 - 8 goals, 1 assist
13/14 – 10 goals 1 assist for Herenveen U21



14/15 – 2 goals for Lierse – Jupiler Pro League


I know who Rohr would have picked if he managed the team then, Oh and I also know who he surely wouldnt have picked too.


stats show league goals only except otherwise stated.

Icon4s:
Uche Nwofor more than deserved to be in that team. I can't say same for Okechukwu Uchebo, Gabriel Reuben and Chigozie Agbim
.

Not just for that WC alone, the idea of Keeping 7 slots for home based players in the squad was not just acceptable to me. Select the best rather than keeping quotas.

I 100% believe Nwofor did not deserve to be in the team. This is based on game stats in the year/years just prior to the world cup and his exposure and perceived ability by fans and opponents likewise. His selection though was less scandalous than that of Uchebo, Gabriel Ruben and Agbim.

TheGoodJoe:
An easy cop out but the fact is that they were good and not given the right atmosphere to excel. If they had no ability or quality to improve the team, would the management of Chelsea sign them?

The fact is very simple. A player can be good and left on the bench.

So you knew back then that whey would be as good as they are now? You saw Salah scoring 18 goals in 24 league matches or De Bruyne making 12 assists, 6 goals in 24 games?

I emphasized the key phrase "AT THE TIME". AT the time none of those players improved the first team at Chelsea Football Club. They were squad players. This is not the same as saying they did not have quality. I am with John Terry on this one.

TheGoodJoe:
If they had no ability or quality to improve the team, would the management of Chelsea sign them? [/color]

Yes, many players are signed by Chelsea who did not improve the team and were let go. Remember £28m Juan Cuadrado? £18 Baba Rahman? Papy Djilobodji? Marko Marin the supposed 'German Messi' at the time? etc etc So yes the Management of Chelsea do sign players who are to put it quite plainly quite rubbish sometimes.

TheGoodJoe:
The fact is very simple. A player can be good and left on the bench [/color]

Sure! Good players are sometimes left on the bench. Either for players better than them to play or because they are unproven at the level the team they have joined plays at. Your manager has to trust you or you sit on the bench until there is little or no risk in playing you, 85th min substitute maybe? When Vardy signed for Leicester from Fleetwood, though he was good where he came from he was a bench warmer for Leicester in the Championship, UNTIL he proved himself capable of competing consistently at that level.

TheGoodJoe:
Always keep in mind a player can be good and left out due to reasons best to the coaches. De Bruyne and Salah at Chelsea clearly highlights this.

Interesting point there. In a recent interview with John Terry, he was asked how he felt now about Lukaku, De Bruyne and Salah being sold by Chelsea. His response was along the lines of "at the time those players did not improve the team". The important phrase there being 'at the time'

edi287:
Preach!!

No?

my 50 kobo;

Emenike's struggles with Nigeria in my opinion started when Ideye got dropped from the team. No?

How many games have Nigeria not scored in with Ideye in the line-up?

My only criticism of him is he seems to have lost his knack for putting the ball in the net in the latter part of his career. Earlier on playing in the Swiss league and immediately afterwards, he was a beast! His goals did the talking, no long story. Having said that, on the positive side, the team play better in the final third when Ideye plays. He can hold the ball up excellently and links play better than anyone we have. This though I agree does not mean he is guaranteed a seat on the plane to Russia. Personally he has always been in my 'team' if 100% fit and in a bit of form.

Finally I am not so sure about how hungry he is these days. I just have a feeling he is happy with the career he has had so far and obviously is now financially secure and has a couple of medals to show for his effort. The same cannot be said of most of the younger guys and this is a problem.

Thank you for listening. lol

worthwhile post. Though we all know this already, reading a reminder like this could save lives without readers realising they have been saved.
Good man!

safarigirl:
these days, world cup qualifier caps may not even be enough to hold down a player

Really?

why is this considered to be news worthy?

MetalJigsaw:
Of course not everyone would have mutual choice of the 23-man list. But 80 percent of the players undoubtedly deserve to make the list. And they surely will barring injuries. Except these players:

Kayode
Onyekuru
Omeruo
Nwakaeme
Agu
Echejile
Aina
Idowu
Etebo
And all the current goalkeepers except Ezenwa.

So 80% of our potential squad is pathetic? @safarigirl shey you see say no be my fault

Icon4s:
On paper England are a far better side.

But I have said here before, one of the major strengths of our team is its unpredictability.

If the players can bring their "A" game we will beat England. The problem with most of our sides is we do not usually play to our full potentials.

A good number of our players have either played or are currently playing in England and we are going to see an Eagles team that will play as if they are at home.

You are right about our unpredictability. I think the best players are consistent and hence their teams are less unpredictable. I had a lively argument last weekend with someone in a pub, about the difference between Zaha and Hazard. My view was that Zaha is as good as HAzard on his day (when he brings his A-game). Having said that, while Hazard will bring his A-game 9 out of 10 games, Zaha will probably be unplayable in 4 games out of 10. In the other 6 games he will look like a school boy. I dont think there was a winner in that argument, beer soon took over. lol

The reason we are unpredictable is because most of our players are just like i described above. If England bring their A-game too, will we still win? I hope we do, my office rep and street cred relies on it. I am worried LOL

safarigirl:
reminds me of when we knacked Tahiti 6-0

6 - 1 even piss poor Oduamadi had a hat-trick

MetalJigsaw:
I th ink you're the one underestimating the team. This team has improved a great deal, with alot of potentials. It's an obvious fact that the world is aware of ( nobody is saying they are now one of the favorites to win the WC). Slotting four goals past the Albaceleste from two goals down is not a piece of cake. That is not something an average team can achieve.

Just take a look at how we qualified for the WC. It took everyone by surprise. The team has finally found an indisputably talented freekick taker. Something we have been lacking since the time of Jay Jay. We now have hope for a goal once again when we have a close range freekick in a match. Take a look at the defence too, they hardly concede up to two goals. There are several other qualities that this team has acquired that has been lacking for a very long time.

Okay, so why has someone on here described my 23 man list as pathetic and more people are in agreement with that view than not. Are those not amongst the best players we have? Who did I miss out ?

MetalJigsaw:
Why Skeptic, and why sound so negative in your last sentence?

Trust me I want us to do well BUT I feel we think we are better than we are. Many I have met here in London are already boasting about beating England. I wont get drawn on if we can win or not, no need for that. On paper are we stronger than England? Not being negative but just trying to give us a dose of reality, even this dose may not work.

safarigirl:
LOL....if we go by this your funny list, yes, we are pathetic.

ahem, okay who are the players that i have missed out that would make us go from Pathetic to World Champions in waiting?

Just out of boredom, if the world cup was starting next week this will be my 23 man list

Ezenwa
Uzoho
Akpeyi (Sadly)


Balogun
Ekong
Shehu
Aina
Omeruo
Ebuehi
Idowu


Mikel
Ndidi
Ogu
Etebo
Joel Obi
Moses
Iwobi
Simon
Onazi

Iheanacho
Ighalo
Musa
Osimhen (for future benefit)

My thinking is, maybe we are not as good as we think we are.

northvietnam:
Please dont run to us when that Russian Olga go do U Emmanuel Ebue....

u will start calling village people...

Kontinu Oooooo....

Don't stop Ooooo...

What exactly should he not stop oooo?

chizoz!

Mujtahida:
Wayodude went deep. Ogu is always looking to score. In the clip I saw that he fired the exact same long left foot curler that scored against Algeria, against South Africa and had two more goal bound long range shots.

Exactly. I could put up more clips but I didn't want to turn this into a Ogu praise blog. The simple question that cannot be answered why has he been ignored all this time. He can keep the ball, he's hard to shake off the ball, he's 6' 3 or something like that so hes aerially not bad and he takes fierce shots from range.

somehow:
Better than his likes in that position is what I said when it comes to attack, didn't say "great", you're the one using that to pull bias against him.

True and the data says he's almost as good as Onazi, better than Agu.

In my humble opinion Ogu, has for several years presented our best goal threat from midfield. I have been baffled as to how he hasn't been considered for selection when the likes of Esiti and Igiebor have been called. I think post 2014 World Cup, Ogu has been better than Onazi. That is again my opinion.

I am short on time but see 1:21 and 2:13 of the below link


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRSMfsf0cPc&t=27s

also 7:40 of this link


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WUvGvPGMus

See 3rd paragraph from bottom of this match report. http://www.skysports.com/football/italy-vs-nigeria/304017
I cant find the video clip of that shot against Italy. I was at that match live in Fulham!

finally found it; see 2:35
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH5Kobsrx-M

These are clips of Ogu showing his goal threat in the green and white of the super eagles, not for his clubside!

I have said this before on this site (https://www.nairaland.com/3131374/nigeria-vs-luxembourg-international-friendly/1#46140895), the 2 most underrated Nigerian players right now are still Micheal Babatunde and John Ogu. Take that to the bank.They are the perfect examples of the importance of playing in a good league even if for a crap club side.

Mujtahida:
We've been round this bend before. This is me being subjective. It's my preference that we leave out Martins, Ike and others of the old gaurd. But if the coach invites them, fine.

I couldn't agree with you more!

I have been observing comments here about players that can strengthen our current team and it is infuriating what even some of the most sensible guys here are saying.

Except players like Matins and Uche are playing in a top league and scoring goals like they did in their prime, why consider them for the World Cup? At least we can all agree they're no longer in their prime, right? By the way, in their prime what exactly did they achieve at the world cup? Did they achieve so much that it is inconceivable that our current squad and of course other younger options will be unable to match it? How many World cup goals does Martins have to his name? or Ike Uche? In fact both those guys had their main strength in their searing pace, and trust me they've lost more than a yard of pace since you last saw them in action at the highest level.

And about the Goal keepers and all the talk about Enyeama being recalled. While he was good, and no question he had some really exceptional games where he saved us from embarrassment, he was equally as poor in key games. We didn't bother castigating him though, because we knew he had an exceptional performance in him waiting again to be put on show.

I put it to anyone who wishes to argue that if we choose to point a finger of blame at anyone over our World Cup exit in 2010 AND 2014, Enyeama is not free of fault. Infact sadly he is a contributor to our exits. Though I still think he's a national hero.

In 2010 - no1. blame goes to Kaita for silly red card against Greece. Granted public enemy number 1, and rightly so.

no. 2 blame goes to Enyeama for spilling a long range shot which a Greece striker pounced on to score the winner. He literally dropped the ball on the foot of the Greek forward for a tap in! If the likes Ezenwa did that we wont hear the last of it. To save time see 5:30 on below yotutube link


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

no. 3 blame goes to Enyeama again. He moved to the left just before the freekick is taken which gives S. Korea their second goal. If he doesn't do that, he saves that free kick 100% and we maybe go on to win considering the balance of play on the day!! See 1:17 of below youtube link


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8yoblanjis

In 2014 vs France Enyeama comes out to punch a routine cross and misses the ball completely leaving an empty net for Pogba to head in to. See 0:55 of below link. Will Ezenwa get away with this kind of error?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOzkCOzK-64

I liked and like Enyeama, Martins, Obasi etc but others should have a chance. They were good in their prime, but not so good they should present an obstruction to the growth and exposure of the new generation.

O boy this thing no get PEN1s so?

WizzPoll:
How about that for a line up with Paul Onuachu coming in as a sub for Imoh Fred Friday in the second half.

How am I only just seeing this joke! No be only Imoh Fred Friday. This dude was scoring goals for fun in the Norwegian league playing for Lillestom. He then got a move to the more competitive (but still weak) Dutch league with AZ Alkmaar and has managed 7 goals in 2 seasons! He has been so bad that he now features more for AZ Reserves (U-21) more than he does for the main team. Apparently he scores goals for the reserves and those goals and his Lillstrom goals are what this video is all about.

Good job by his agent though pulling this together and uploading on YouTube. World Cup don dey near and the hustle is getting realer! Lol

Kog45:
Pls can you explain cos i don't understand this abeg abeg,the young man is doing well now in the same league that we have Simeon Moses,Henry Oyekwuru,Anderson Esiti even better than Osimhen this season though bundesliga is highly rated.

I would love to argue my point in depth but I wont due to time constraint.

Awoniyi for me has not improved or grown at all since his Under 17 days. He was good at that level but when it comes to the men's game I am afraid a serious footballing country cannot have him in the set up as things stand today.

I will give you a very easy challenge; name 10 (TEN) Nigerian Forwards who would trump Awoniyi in the below broad aspects of the game;

1. Do their primary job as a striker on the pitch
2. Inspire the team mates they play alongside likewise fans in the stands.
3. Strike fear into opposing defenders.

Trust me you can do it, with ease. I can count even more than 10.

I saw a couple games when he was on loan in FSV Frankfurt and I cant say how disappointed I was with his game. Granted he has scored 3 goals in 12 games this season (his best goals return ratio in his career!) but this young man has PLENTY of growing to do before he can be considered as serious possibility for a call up.

Gbolohan Salami had a goal in every other game for KuPS last season - no call up

In 12/13 Season Imoh Ezkiel had 14 goals in 22 games for Standard Liege - no call up

For 3 seasons running from 12/13 Anthoy Ujah was netted over 10 goals per season - no call up

We all know what Onyekuru and Kayode's goal scoring feats were last season (both highest goal scorers in their respective league campaign's) before they eventually managed a call up. Still yet to feature in a proper game.

The CF position is the most competitive position in the super eagles. Awoniyi is a boy, likewise Osimhen.

mostob:
my 35-man provisional squad for 2018 WC
Goalkeepers-Ikechukwu Ezenwa,Francis Uzoho,Dele Alampasu,Vincent Enyeama.
Defenders-Leon Balogun,William Ekong,
Chidozie Awaziem,
Abdulahi Shehu, Tyrone Ebuehi,
Ola Aina,
Elderson Echiejile,
Stephen Eze, Adeleye Olamilekan,Kenneth Omeruo.
Midfielders-.Mikel Obi
Oghenekaro, Etebor,
Onyinye Ndidi,
Ogenyi Onazi,
Alex Iwobi, Mikel Agu,John Ogu,Sone Aluko,Joel Obi,Alhassan Ibrahim,Kelechi Nwakali.
Forwards-Jude Ighalo,
Victor Moses,
Henry Onyekuru,
Olarewaju Kayode,
Simon Moses,Anthony Nwakeme,Kelechi Iheanacho,Taiwo Awoniyi,Victor Osimeh,Ahmed Musa.

.

Awoniyi?? Please abeg abeg

junnyjake:
With what I've seen from them?? Yes.


You never know until you see them play.

Uche Agbo and Esiti can dictate the pace of a world cup game? My friend you won't get many buyers on that one, sorry.