BascoVanVeli:


Thats great cuz when a player is doing well for their club it is easier for a fan to go to bat for their being included.

Na so nau.

BascoVanVeli:

I doubt that, but Adi must be given a chance, maybe not at wcq but at least 60 mins of a friendly. He brings size and goals.

Yeah, I agree. And we also need to focus on the bunch we have now. I believe with the crop we have already, with adequate motivation, good planning and excellent tactics we should be at Russia.

I like Rohr's approach so far. Hit the ground running. No need for too many experiment. We should have a regular crop of 14-15 players and 2 -3 new invitees with each game. We don't have the luxury of trying all Nigerian players home and abroad. Consistency is what we need now.

Even the friendlies should be geared towards attaining coherency (team play). We have experimented for too long. Now we have a rich blend of experienced and young talented players that can see us through the qualifiers.

Icon4s:


Yeah. We need to focus on the bunch we have now. I believe with the crop we have already, with adequate motivation, good planning and excellent tactics we should be at Russia.

I like Rohr's approach so far. Hit the ground running. No need for too many experiment. We should have a regular crop of 14-15 players and 2 -3 new invitees with each game. We don't have the luxury of trying and Nigerian players home and abroad. Consistency is what we need now.

Even the friendlies should be geared towards attaining coherency (team play). We have experimented for too long. Now we have a rich blend of experienced and young talented players that can see us through the qualifiers.

I don't see any issues with making a player like Adi one of the new 2 or 3 players. He is a big striker who brings goals. He won the MLS last year and this year he has 12 goals. Like i said we don't have to give him a wcq match but a friendly is no less than he deserves.

Well, according to news I just got today, CAF is yet to "officially" approve a change of date from October 3rd to October 9th....

http://footballlive.ng/footballnews/9ja-news/russia-2018-chipolopolo-in-disarray-coach-sacked-caf-snubs-fazs-request-for-change-of-date/

So it's possible both may happen on same day after all.... Unless...

safarigirl:
Oh? Saw an ad yesterday that said the match is 3rd...my bad

BascoVanVeli:


I don't see any issues with making a player like Adi one of the new 2 or 3 players. He is a big striker who brings goals. He won the MLS last year and this year he has 12 goals. Like i said we don't have to give him a wcq match but a friendly is no less than he deserves.

Yeah, I also agree.

I believe as we journey through the qualifiers the coach would know which department(s) of the team needs re-enforcement.

This our team I believe has what it takes to blow the rest of Africa away.

You saw Alex Iwobi play last night?

You have such a player alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, among others and we are afraid to face African oppositions?

I can't wait for the qualifiers to kick-off.

Icon4s:


Yeah, I also agree.

I believe as we journey through the qualifiers the coach would know which department(s) of the team needs re-enforcement.

This our team I believe has what it takes to blow the rest of Africa away.

You saw Alex Iwobi play last night?

You have such a player alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onaziu, Wilfred Ndidi, among others and we are afraid to face African oppositions?

I can't wait for the qualifiers to kick-off.

I know all that but at the same time we have to keep the machine moving. We can't stop blooding in new players just because we have qualifiers at hand we have to do both. We need to build a pool of players with at least 3 per position in case of injuries or drop of form. Also tactically I have always felt that a big striker is always needed on the bench, sometimes u just have to play long balls.

BascoVanVeli:


I know all that but at the same time we have to keep the machine moving. We can't stop blooding in new players just because we have qualifiers at hand we have to do both. We need to build a pool of players with at least 3 per position in case of injuries or drop of form. Also tactically I have always felt that a big striker is always needed on the bench, sometimes u just have to play long balls.

Sure! We need to have a large pool to chose from and that we have already. All the players discovered by Keshi and were not used by Oliseh are there for us. All players featured by Oliseh and were not used by Siasia are there for us, all players featured by Siasia in the Egypt double header are there for us and also players that featured for us at the Olympics are there for us. What of those that featured with the 2015 Flying Eagles? What of those that featured at the last CHAN? We fit form four national teams with them all. I am sure you can name more than 3 players for almost each position in the Super Eagles currently.

What I am against is a continuous rotation of squad. We need to build a TEAM. As I said before, out of 18 players to make the final match day squad the coach can give room for 2 or 3 new inclusions (if they merit it). Consistency is what we have been lacking for the past 10 years now and that has really given us serious heart aches.

TheSuperNerd:
Well, according to news I just got today, CAF is yet to "officially" approve a change of date from October 3rd to October 9th....



So it's possible both may happen on same day after all.... Unless...

ok...

Meanwhile, I heard Gordon Igesund is Zambia's new coach, remember him? He was SA's coach at the 2010 WC

Yeah... You're Right about Igesund but there's a small detail I also stumbled upon.

Reports say that the FAZ (Football Assoc. Of Zambia) are yet to "officially" appoint Igesund as talks between the two parties have stalled as FAZ officials await Their Government's approval.

FAZ, according to reports, is broke and will need to pay their choice expatriate at least USD 25,000 per month hence their wait on their nation's government.

Igesund is still their choice and I expect that he will be "officially confirmed" but then in case that doesn't pull through, I am also made to understand that a certain "Wedson Nyirenda" is the man that may be officially appointed Zambia's Chipolopolo Head Coach to replace the sacked George Lwandamina.

Nyirenda's appointment is dependent on if Engaging Igesund fails.

So that's the current situation report as at very Early this morning.... Time will still tell.


Some Sources:

- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/world-cup-qualifier-zambia-fires-coach-eagles-come-knocking/

- http://footballlive.ng/footballnews/9ja-news/russia-2018-chipolopolo-in-disarray-coach-sacked-caf-snubs-fazs-request-for-change-of-date/

safarigirl:
ok...

Meanwhile, I heard Gordon Igesund is Zambia's new coach, remember him? He was SA's coach at the 2010 WC

safarigirl:
lol, if you visit Twitter, you go plank people tire


Rashford plays for England U21 and scored against Norway yesterday, only for them to start again. One said "Rashford scored against Norway while Iheanacho scored against hungry African players".....please, how Norway better pass Tanzania in football?

Okay, Iheanacho was asked in an interview that how does it feel to be the best U21 footballer in the world, he now replied " I don't know, you'll have to ask Rashford"

Man U fans were ejacu-lating ontop that one, my boy dey use sense for them....play off your impact, take attention away from yourself and do big things in a low key way. I don't know if they expected him to say "it feels great".. So that haters will tag my brother "Balotelli part 2"

Let the attention stay on Rashford, let it be a source of distraction to that one, shey Martial time don finish, now na Rashford...meanwhile Kelechi go still dey collect salary, dey play ball



Cc thegoodjoe, icon4s, joseph1013, lakesidepapa

Na so. I know a lot of people who pledge more allegiance to their club heroes than our national heroes.

I have heard comments like : "I no be Nigeria I be Manu".

I was watching Nigeria vs France at the 2011 WYC (Flying Eagles). France was leading 1-0 for most of the match but Nigeria got a late equalizer. This game was played at mid-night. My scream of goal!! woke up wifey's younger brother who is a Chelsea fan but does not follow Nigerian national team football (typical of most Chelsea fans)

He joined me to watch the extra time. France scored in the first half of extra time to make it 2-1 and guess what? It was Gael Kakuta, a Chelsea boy, that scored. This guy started jubilating "hey! Chelsea product! No try us o!" I now looked at him and asked say "who are you supporting France or Nigeria."

mtchew (shakes head)

Icon4s:


U sincerely believe Adi, Kayode and Fatai can offer more than what Iheanacho, Ighalo,Moses, Musa and d likes are offering?

''Sincerely speaking'' they can not offer more but compliment what the other guys can do.

I have noticed something in football over the years; they are times when the bigger guys fail to deliver, but someone with much more hunger can come in to deliver.

We have experienced this scenario over and over.

I must agree with you that we do not have all the time to continue doing experiment. We can however, pick one player once in a while during friendlies and see how good he is, but if he is not leave him out.

Orkpekyandega:

''Sincerely speaking'' they can not offer more but compliment what the other guys can do.

I have noticed something in football over the years; they are times when the bigger guys fail to deliver, but someone with much more hunger can come in to deliver.

We have experienced this scenario over and over.

I must agree with you that we do not have all the time to continue doing experiment. We can however, pick one player once in a while during friendlies and see how good he is, but if he is not leave him out.

The bolded is my point.

BascoVanVeli:


I don't see any issues with making a player like Adi one of the new 2 or 3 players. He is a big striker who brings goals. He won the MLS last year and this year he has 12 goals. Like i said we don't have to give him a wcq match but a friendly is no less than he deserves.

In the 12th minute, Darlington Nagbe took a shot from just outside the RSL penalty area that was blocked by a defender. The ball bounced right to Adi in the penalty area, where the forward touched the ball wide, paused, and then unleashed a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Nick Rimando for his 14th goal.
katu.com/news/local/fanendo-adi-scores-timbers-beat-real-salt-lake-1-0

Iwobi Disappointed Not To Score Arsenal Winner Vs PSG

By Adeboye Amosu:
Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi is disappointed not to have scored the winner for Arsenal in Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League fixture against French side Paris Saint Germain, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com.


The Gunners forced their hosts to a 1-1 draw at the Parc de Princes in the matchday one fixture.


PSG went ahead through Edison Cavani and missed several chajces before Alexis Sanchez equalised for the North London side.


Though the visitors had their goalkeeper David Ospina to thank for making a series of impressive saves in the match, Iwobi was unhappy he failed to convert the chances that came his way in the encounter.


"Tough game, glad to get the point. However very disappointed not to grab the winner
….#BIG17#AFC#OntoTheNext," he wrote on his Twitter handle.
www.completesportsnigeria.com/iwobi-disappointed-not-score-arsenal-winner-vs-psg/

Icon4s:


Sure! We need to have a large pool to chose from and that we have already. All the players discovered by Keshi and were not used by Oliseh are there for us. All players featured by Oliseh and were not used by Siasia are there for us, all players featured by Siasia in the Egypt double header are there for us and also players that featured for us at the Olympics are there for us. What of those that featured with the 2015 Flying Eagles? What of those that featured at the last CHAN? We fit form four national teams with them all. I am sure you can name more than 3 players for almost each position in the Super Eagles currently.

What I am against is a continuous rotation of squad. We need to build a TEAM. As I said before, out of 18 players to make the final match day squad the coach can give room for 2 or 3 new inclusions (if they merit it). Consistency is what we have been lacking for the past 10 years now and that has really given us serious heart aches.

I don't think nothin I've said comes close to a continuous rotation. Look at Adi's body of work and decide if he merits a call. This team also belongs to people like him as they are Nigerians. When a player deserves a call they should get it no excuses, look at Germany they make room always for players doing well it adds strength to their squad. Spain also does the same thing. We can't have players losing hope in their country it is wrong.

BascoVanVeli:


I don't think nothin I've said comes close to a continuous rotation. Look at Adi's body of work and decide if he merits a call. This team also belongs to people like him as they are Nigerians. When a player deserves a call they should get it no excuses, look at Germany they make room always for players doing well it adds strength to their squad. Spain also does the same thing. We can't have players losing hope in their country it is wrong.

I never said Adi should not be invited. U'll recalled I am of the opinion that 2-3 new inclusions can always be made depending on which department(s) the coach feels needed additions. If the coach feels he needs Adi to boost the attack fine.

Look at the Spain and Germany teams u mentioned, have you not seen consistency in their line-ups over the years?

modified: It is sad but true. It has always been the case. Not every good player will ever get to play for the national team. Except you want to be unveiling a new crop of Super Eagles Team every year . Some would be capped once or twice and that's all. It is sad but it happens for various reasons.

Orkpekyandega:

In the 12th minute, Darlington Nagbe took a shot from just outside the RSL penalty area that was blocked by a defender. The ball bounced right to Adi in the penalty area, where the forward touched the ball wide, paused, and then unleashed a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Nick Rimando for his 14th goal.
katu.com/news/local/fanendo-adi-scores-timbers-beat-real-salt-lake-1-0

I have followed this lad right from the days of John Obuh till he went to MLS.

I thought his performance will earn him an invitation to the 2011 U20 World Cup but he wasn't chosen. Then he scored lots of goals for Trecin before he moved to Metarlur Donetsk .

The guy even played well against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League with the Danish Champions then.

I think since Dike opened the door for MLS players invitation to the National team. I think he deserves one or two invitations since we do not have a standing 11 for now.

forgiveness:


I have followed this lad right from the days of John Obuh till he went to MLS.

I thought his performance will earn him an invitation to the 2011 U20 World Cup but he wasn't chosen. Then he scored lots of goals for Trecin before he moved to Metarlur Donetsk .

The guy even played well against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League with the Danish Champions then.

I think since Dike opened the door for MLS players invitation to the National team. I think he deserves one or two invitations since we do not have a standing 11 for now.

The only person who could have given this guy his due chance is the late Stephen Keshi.
He was the only one who was bold enough to take the risk.

Siasia invited this guy but could not use him. He did not even make the bench on that day.

May be he has to keep pushing just like others to attrack interest from the National team handlers.


I had followed this guy up just like you.

His real name is FANEN ADI
though coined Fanendo when he left Nigeria.

Our national team doesn't have a regular or standing lineup. It is still all work in progress hence the need for fresh and hungry players to be invited to the National team only on merit. That is, on current form.

Because most of the players in the team now are almost new and I don't think they should feel cool and relax that the National team Jersey is guaranteed even if they are not at their best in their various clubs. No! That alone will give room to negligence on their part and injustice on those who are doing well in their clubs. In fact, it will kill their moral and make them receive offers from China and India.


Therefore, the coaches should beam their search light on players doing well for their club. That's all.

Icon4s:


I never said Adi should not be invited. U'll recalled I am of the opinion that 2-3 new inclusions can always be made depending on which department(s) the coach feels needed additions. If the coach feels he needs Adi to boost the attack fine.

Look at the Spain and Germany teams u mentioned, have you not seen consistency in their line-ups over the years?

modified: It is sad but true. It has always been the case. Not every good player will ever get to play for the national team. Except you want to be unveiling a new crop of Super Eagles Team every year . Some would be capped once or twice and that's all. It is sad but it happens for various reasons.

Looking at Spain, yes they have their regular lineups, but if u watch their friendly matches u see not too regular players. Last time they brought back Costa and Bellarin, and even capped Asensio for his fine run of form. This will benefit them if these players have to be thrown into a game because of injuries or any other reason, it would not be hard for them to adapt to the team. Locking the door is not the answer cuz it encourages complacency. We need everybody on their toes.

hi everyone! as much as i agree that the national team needs strengthening we should not be advocating an all comers affair. right now i think we have a good pool of exciting players to choose from. we should now only invite players especially in our weaks like the full back positions, in particular left back and top striker who will give ighalo good competition.

to be honest i haven't seen fanendo adi play before so i can not judge his quality but from what i have read about him he's a big center forward who could be useful for long balls or knock downs in the box. at the moment we don't have too many players of his type playing at that top level except osimhen, awoniyi and sadiq umar. however these aforementioned lads are not quite ready (maybe osimhen given one year to improve) so adi could be useful. i agree however that we should first look at him in a friendly match setting.

Icon4s:


Yeah, I also agree.

I believe as we journey through the qualifiers the coach would know which department(s) of the team needs re-enforcement.

This our team I believe has what it takes to blow the rest of Africa away.

You saw Alex Iwobi play last night?

You have such a player alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, among others and we are afraid to face African oppositions?

I can't wait for the qualifiers to kick-off.

Talking about Iwobi,is he not better as an attacking midfielder(10) than as a winger he was played yesterday by Wenger,
Almost all his positive plays yesterday came from th middle not from the wings.

i think the date mixup is the fault of the zambian fa. october 3rd is not even a realistic date for the match because our players would still be involved in club matches on the 1st and 2nd so what time will they have to arrive talk less of training for the match?

TheSuperNerd:
Well, according to news I just got today, CAF is yet to "officially" approve a change of date from October 3rd to October 9th....



So it's possible both may happen on same day after all.... Unless...

Fanendi Adi is an ok player, nothing fancy... The right place at the right time kind of striker. With good crosses and a creative midfield, he will thrive.

Napoleon55:

Talking about Iwobi,is he not better as an attacking midfielder(10) than as a winger he was played yesterday by Wenger,
Almost all his positive plays yesterday came from th middle not from the wings.

He is better on the left wing but he had to play right yesterday. His best moments happened when he made his way to the left.

Icon4s:


Yeah, I also agree.

I believe as we journey through the qualifiers the coach would know which department(s) of the team needs re-enforcement.

This our team I believe has what it takes to blow the rest of Africa away.

You saw Alex Iwobi play last night?

You have such a player alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, among others and we are afraid to face African oppositions?

I can't wait for the qualifiers to kick-off.

Well said.! What baffles me most is the pitch that the SE and the Zambian team will play on in Ndola. I watched the game between the zambia and kenya playing on the field, mehn the turf is tough.

Icon4s:


Yeah, I also agree.

I believe as we journey through the qualifiers the coach would know which department(s) of the team needs re-enforcement.

This our team I believe has what it takes to blow the rest of Africa away.

You saw Alex Iwobi play last night?

You have such a player alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, among others and we are afraid to face African oppositions?

I can't wait for the qualifiers to kick-off.

Well said.! What baffles me most is the pitch that the SE and the Zambian team will play on in Ndola, I watched zambia and kenya playing on the field, mehn the turf is tough.

Another player we should look out for is Fred Friday of AZ Akamar.
Prior to his move to Holland, his goal average was pretty impressive, scoring 22 in 56 games.

He hasn't scored yet for his new employers although he has 2 assists to his name also, his stats show he has already improved in certain aspects of his game like his key passes going up from 1.0 to 1.8, ariel duels won jumping from 0.8 to 1.0, pass accuracy from 78.8% to 83%.
His dispossession per game has also gone down from 2.9% to 1.4%

Also,he has won one man of the match award in 4 games played so far.

According to whoscored, his greatest attributes are his dribbling, finishing, long shots and passing

I think we should keep an eye out on this guy. His Celine is quite high at just 21.

goldfish80:
Another player we should look out for is Fred Friday of AZ Akamar.
Prior to his move to Holland, his goal average was pretty impressive, scoring 22 in 56 games.

He hasn't scored yet for his new employers although he has 2 assists to his name also, his stats show he has already improved in certain aspects of his game like his key passes going up from 1.0 to 1.8, ariel duels won jumping from 0.8 to 1.0, pass accuracy from 78.8% to 83%.
His dispossession per game has also gone down from 2.9% to 1.4%

Also,he has won one man of the match award in 4 games played so far.

According to whoscored, his greatest attributes are his dribbling, finishing, long shots and passing

I think we should keep an eye out on this guy. His Celine is quite high at just 21.

Fred Friday is a really good prospect. I am sure if he does well in Holland, he will come on the radar of people.

Iheanacho caped off city's dominance with a fine finish.

Am so proud for Iheanacho brings back good feeling back when we watch Kanu, Finidi in the champions league