TheGoodJoe:


Did you not see me say his link up was poor? Was that a praise? I have told you why I feel he was a good option up front. Yes he had some poor touches but that was due to the organisation of the Algerians.

In a less organised defence, his impact is more. We played better with him up top.

Did you see us create clean chances for Iheanacho? The only good chance was from Shehu. That shows how good the Algerians set up defensively.

Icon4s:


No be you?

Even if Iheanacho scores an own-goal you will praise him for that.

tbaba1234:


He was ineffective in that role. He miscontrolled the ball several times in dangerous positions and gave wrong passes.

The Algerian defence was far from organised, Nigeria could easily have scored more. All three goal were due to defensive mistakes.

Even for city, Kelechi is ineffective in that role but i do not expect you to agree. He is better off when he can play off the top man.

Icon4s:


That Algerian defense that would have conceded up to 5 goals yesterday?

So Iheanacho would only have a good game against weak oppositions. That is not the kind of CF we need.

Iheanacho is more effective as an AM/SS.

We need to shop for a CF.

Napoleon55:
You r so funny these days,I can't forget ur Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek humor on Forgiveness

TheGoodJoe:


They would have conceded five because they closely marked Iheanacho giving others room to shine. As soon as Musa came on the field and the defence reduced their concentration on Iheanacho, he looked deadlier than he was through the game.

Simple, he was under a lot of pressure and created room for others.

Icon4s:


Pls admit it, Iheanacho had a bad game.
Not bc he is not a good player o, but bc of the position he was played.

Icon4s:


Pls admit it, Iheanacho had a bad game.
Not bc he is not a good player o, but bc of the position he was played.

Napoleon55:
To me Iheanacho performance was not that bad,he created one of the chances.
I will still retain this same line up if were the coach,but will replace Iheanacho on the second half.

Icon4s:




No mind me o. Na so i be some times.

I just dey tease my friend TheGoodJoe.

Na so him also say Balogun was the man of the match when even it is very obvious that Moses was the MOTM by miles.

Icon4s:




No mind me o. Na so i be some times.

I just dey tease my friend TheGoodJoe.

Na so him also say Balogun was the man of the match when even it is very obvious that Moses was the MOTM by miles.

BascoVanVeli:


He needs somebody to do the heavy lifting, just like Slimani got tired the 9 job is very tasking, u can't be focused on winning jump balls and still be an artist, that is very rare, u hear names like Drogba on that regard.

Icon4s:


He makes more impact as an AM/SS.

I fancy Success more in that role.
We can even try Ahmed Musa as a CF in a friendly.

goldfish80:
Akpeyi = He was solid enough between the poles. Commanded and organised the defence thus neutralising the Algerian threat from set pieces. The goal he conceeded was honestly a good shot straight to the roof.  I've seen cech, Courtouis, Buffoon conceed such goals. Simply put, the ball was well struck by Bentaleb,partly because he had all the time to pick his spot. 7/10


Omeruo = was tidy in possession and strong to tackle. He matched Brahimi pace for pace. Most times he out paced Brahimi. Although am not surprised by this because durring the course the season he has been the most improved Nigerian defender. I have to say this, Brahimi over the past few seasons have proved a handful for world class defenders in the Champions league. Big probs to Omeruo for neutralising him. 8,5/10


Uwa Echiejile = (As an apostle of experience)  Ive always said Echiejile is a big game player. The most experienced defender and by a country mile the defender with the most caps for the eagles. This guy knows what it's all about to compete at the highest level. He masterfully neutralized Mahrez. Mahrez could still be in his pocket as  I type this. Uwa have yet again proved that experience is a huge factor that can't be thrown away. Kudos 10/10


BALOGUN/EKONG = Theses guys were rock solid all night. They double teamed on Slimani and gave the Algerian no sniff at all. Their proficiency reduced the Algerians to shoot from outside the box. They certainly dominated and owned every aerial battles they went in for. It was a promising performance by the pair. 9.5/10


Onazi = This guy was a soldier as usual today. He pressed and stifled the Algerians in midfield. This young man bleed for the shirt, even put his career on the line when he made that last ditch effort to deny the Algerians. He got injured and yet soldered on. Nigerians have been critical of the eagles in the past  for lacking the zeal and effort to compete, here we are with a guy who is ready to die on the pitch to make sure we win, instead of giving him the praise he deserves, we rather throw him under the bus. 

The goal we conceeded came as a result of Onazi going after Brahimi who cut back the ball to Bentaleb, unfortunately Etebo was out of position and the CBs were occupied with Slimani so they didn't press up to pressure Bentaleb. 8,5/10

Etebo =  What a footballer we have on our hands. This guy ran the show in midfield. His pace and power proved too much for the Algerians at times. He put in a shift today and crowned it all by chalking  an assist for the second goal. For those critical of Npfl players(cc Icon4s) , I hope you watched Etebo who was a player  for Warri Wolves just last year. Another dynamite we have in the Npfl last season was Nwobodo (watch out for him) 

8.5/10


Mikel Obi = It was a solid day in the office for the captian. His lack of game time showed abit in the first half but he picked it up in the second. He Oozed class and ran the Algerians down. He gassed out at the 70-75minute mark and was duely substituted. 8/10


Alex Iwobi = The young Arsenal man had a tough day today. He struggled in the first period because the Algerians had 2men on him all game. They certainly were scared of his abilities. He showed class when he was with the ball. And there I say he has the best first touch of any football player in the world at the moment. And that nasty piece of skill to put the Algerian guy on the poster will make a good Internet meme for awhile..  Oh dear!  8/10


Victor Moses =  incredible performance. This guy was like a tank today. Bejesus! He showed the Algerians clean pair of heels time after  time. They simply didn't know how to deal with him. Detailing 2 players to mark out Iwobi left Moses to run amork. Simply his best performance yet for the super Eagles. He should share Man of the match award with Uwa Echiejile. 20/10


Iheanacho = I don't want to say I told you so, but I can't help it. Ihenacho not a proper striker. His best position is playing off a striker. Playing him as the top striker neutralized his influence. He had no shot on target today and certainly was dominated by the Algerians aerially. However, I can see the sense in playing him up front today certainly because we needed the insurance of Etebo in midfield,hence Rohr had to do without Brown/Odion. 5/10

Gernot Rohr = The master tactician proved once more his tactical acumen. What a find by the Nff. His substitutions were understand and spot on! The timing of Musa's introduction was right on the money.

Such a shame Mr Rohr wasn't the chosen one immediately Keshi was sacked. He was the real MVP today. 10/10

mikron:
cameroun like draw soup pass ..................................................... i comment my reserve

forgiveness:
Today na today.

Victor Moses still remains our best player and he showed it today.

Iheanacho is not a striker though he is a prolific goal scorer. His movement off the ball, his first touch, his poor aerial ability and poor positioning as a point man are minus for him.

He is better as a S/S.


Omeruo should not be used as a right back again else we go chop goals tire. All the chances the Algerians had came through his wing. Even if na one or two chances, it could have caused us the game.

In football, you don't need to create chances but once you have a chance score and the game don finish.


We need to bring Moses Odubanjo, Tyronne Ebuechi and Brian Idowu to be tested.

Onazi na baller. His job was well done in the midfield wella.

We need a CMF incase Mikel get injury.


People wey underrated foreign groomed players, una don see say, d best players in the National team.

Icon4s:


Hmmm i feel you my brother.

If u feel this way for this game how would you feel ahead of that last game in Algiers if we need a win or draw to qualify especially if Algeria is still in the contest.

Just relax.

No be do or die. Win, draw or lose life continues. Besides we still have 4 games after this.

One thing i know abt this game is we will not lose. The worst is a draw. But i sincerely believe we can win the game as we have the slight edge of players form/fitness plus home advantage.

The Uyo fans need to play their part. They must ROAR at every of our attacking moves. That usually has a way of causing panic in the opponent's defense. They will be making wrong passes and clearing out balls out of panic into our own players I have seen things like that happen several times.

Mickael2:


so you gave Etebo and Onazi the same rating?! I wonder where you got this idea from

Etebo was our box to box today, a box to box is not tasked with covering the opposing midfielders. Onazi went out of position, Ekong and Omeruo were there to mark but Onazi had to joing the party

joseph1013:
Love this! But you goofed on Onazi. Onazi and Etebo were not on the same level

goldfish80:

I gave Onazi top marks for putting his career on the line by taking that bang to deny the Algerians. He got injured as a result of that gash but still soldiered on.
It was clear his level dropped notch after that injury.
It wasn't like he was average prior to that. You may not notice but he was partly the reason why Algeria didn't trouble our defence and goalkeeper in the first half.
Algeria couldn't link the ball to Slimani from the midfield because onazi extinguished and intercepted their moves once they got close to our final third.
Rewatch the match, this time without tension to understand what am saying.

joseph1013:
Love this! But you goofed on Onazi. Onazi and Etebo were not on the same level

goldfish80:

I gave Onazi top marks for putting his career on the line by taking that bang to deny the Algerians. He got injured as a result of that gash but still soldiered on.
It was clear his level dropped notch after that injury.
It wasn't like he was average prior to that. You may not notice but he was partly the reason why Algeria didn't trouble our defence and goalkeeper in the first half.
Algeria couldn't link the ball to Slimani from the midfield because onazi extinguished and intercepted their moves once they got close to our final third.
Rewatch the match, this time without tension to understand what am saying.

joseph1013:
If Success plays as a winger for his club, it will be difficult to tell Rohr to play him as a lone striker in the Eagles.

Oasis007:
Lol!

Some are really trying hard to defend the indefensible! Iheanacho is no doubt, a very good Player, but he flopped as a Striker Yesterday.

We do not need to keep dragging it, Iheanacho would excel as a SS than as a Striker. His touches, controls, off-ball movement as well as link-up play were poor Yesterday.

He should be played like Griezman! Play him behind a Striker, and you gonna have the joy of seeing him play good football!

Oasis007:
Lol!

Some are really trying hard to defend the indefensible! Iheanacho is no doubt, a very good Player, but he flopped as a Striker Yesterday.

We do not need to keep dragging it, Iheanacho would excel as a SS than as a Striker. His touches, controls, off-ball movement as well as link-up play were poor Yesterday.

He should be played like Griezman! Play him behind a Striker, and you gonna have the joy of seeing him play good football!

Certitude:

Iheanacho didn't flop. His first touch have never been that good.

Oasis007:




I do not have time to drag it Dude, perhaps you should re-watch the Match and concentrate close attention on him! But..... bur..... You mean Iheanacho is damn poor with Ball control?!

Cc TheGoodJoe

Icon4s:


Bros i no come understand this your comment o.

Icon4s:


But Moses now plays as a LWB does that mean in the fore-seeable future that Rohr would no longer want to play him as a Wing Forward?

Shehu Abdullahi plays as a DM bt he is more useful to us a RB. Ndidi has also played RB. Omeruo also played RB yesterday. These are not positions these lads play in their clubs.

What of oga Mikel that plays DM at Chelsea bt plays as CM or Am for the Super Eagles.

Ronaldo and Nani were the two strikers for Portugal at the last Euros while also David Alaba played as an AM.

In the national teams coaches field players according to needs of the team.

I personally see Success as a striker that can also operate from the wings. We need to try him in that position for any of our friendlies. I need Iheanacho's more involvement in the game . When he(Iheanacho) plays as AM he plays as though we have an extra attacker on the pitch.He is like a beast in that position.

The team needs a beastly striker like Success and a beastly AM like Iheanacho.

If the problem would be "we dnt want to drop Etebo" then that is no problem IMO. Then Etebo should compete for shirt with Iheanacho, Iwobi or Mikel. Or is that not the kind of competition we have been clamouring for? This team is still evolving and in every game we will keep having 1 or 2 new quality players until the World Cup proper.

We need a quality natural CF.

mikron:
hahahahaha my broda i gallant o, na work dey keep me too busy, when i log in to nairaland to interact with my football loving colleagues like u here i would just sleep off. too much stress. the devil is a lie. sir icon4s, sir AIG07, thegoodjoe, terzurum5, Robosky02, lakesidepapa, lexyman, forgiveness, klexycole, optional1. safarigirl and all those i forgot to mention i dey hail o. the land is green.

goldfish80:
Akpeyi = He was solid enough between the poles. Commanded and organised the defence thus neutralising the Algerian threat from set pieces. The goal he conceeded was honestly a good shot straight to the roof.  I've seen cech, Courtouis, Buffoon conceed such goals. Simply put, the ball was well struck by Bentaleb,partly because he had all the time to pick his spot. 7/10


Omeruo = was tidy in possession and strong to tackle. He matched Brahimi pace for pace. Most times he out paced Brahimi. Although am not surprised by this because durring the course the season he has been the most improved Nigerian defender. I have to say this, Brahimi over the past few seasons have proved a handful for world class defenders in the Champions league. Big probs to Omeruo for neutralising him. 8,5/10


Uwa Echiejile = (As an apostle of experience)  Ive always said Echiejile is a big game player. The most experienced defender and by a country mile the defender with the most caps for the eagles. This guy knows what it's all about to compete at the highest level. He masterfully neutralized Mahrez. Mahrez could still be in his pocket as  I type this. Uwa have yet again proved that experience is a huge factor that can't be thrown away. Kudos 10/10


BALOGUN/EKONG = Theses guys were rock solid all night. They double teamed on Slimani and gave the Algerian no sniff at all. Their proficiency reduced the Algerians to shoot from outside the box. They certainly dominated and owned every aerial battles they went in for. It was a promising performance by the pair. 9.5/10


Onazi = This guy was a soldier as usual today. He pressed and stifled the Algerians in midfield. This young man bleed for the shirt, even put his career on the line when he made that last ditch effort to deny the Algerians. He got injured and yet soldered on. Nigerians have been critical of the eagles in the past  for lacking the zeal and effort to compete, here we are with a guy who is ready to die on the pitch to make sure we win, instead of giving him the praise he deserves, we rather throw him under the bus. 

The goal we conceeded came as a result of Onazi going after Brahimi who cut back the ball to Bentaleb, unfortunately Etebo was out of position and the CBs were occupied with Slimani so they didn't press up to pressure Bentaleb. 8,5/10

Etebo =  What a footballer we have on our hands. This guy ran the show in midfield. His pace and power proved too much for the Algerians at times. He put in a shift today and crowned it all by chalking  an assist for the second goal. For those critical of Npfl players(cc Icon4s) , I hope you watched Etebo who was a player  for Warri Wolves just last year. Another dynamite we have in the Npfl last season was Nwobodo (watch out for him) 

8.5/10


Mikel Obi = It was a solid day in the office for the captian. His lack of game time showed abit in the first half but he picked it up in the second. He Oozed class and ran the Algerians down. He gassed out at the 70-75minute mark and was duely substituted. 8/10


Alex Iwobi = The young Arsenal man had a tough day today. He struggled in the first period because the Algerians had 2men on him all game. They certainly were scared of his abilities. He showed class when he was with the ball. And there I say he has the best first touch of any football player in the world at the moment. And that nasty piece of skill to put the Algerian guy on the poster will make a good Internet meme for awhile..  Oh dear!  8/10


Victor Moses =  incredible performance. This guy was like a tank today. Bejesus! He showed the Algerians clean pair of heels time after  time. They simply didn't know how to deal with him. Detailing 2 players to mark out Iwobi left Moses to run amork. Simply his best performance yet for the super Eagles. He should share Man of the match award with Uwa Echiejile. 20/10


Iheanacho = I don't want to say I told you so, but I can't help it. Ihenacho not a proper striker. His best position is playing off a striker. Playing him as the top striker neutralized his influence. He had no shot on target today and certainly was dominated by the Algerians aerially. However, I can see the sense in playing him up front today certainly because we needed the insurance of Etebo in midfield,hence Rohr had to do without Brown/Odion. 5/10

Gernot Rohr = The master tactician proved once more his tactical acumen. What a find by the Nff. His substitutions were understand and spot on! The timing of Musa's introduction was right on the money.

Such a shame Mr Rohr wasn't the chosen one immediately Keshi was sacked. He was the real MVP today. 10/10