Nigeria has crashed out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat in its last group game to Argentina. Lionel Messi scored in the 14th minute with Victor Moses converting from the penalty spot in the 51st minute. Marcus Rojo’s 86th minute strike gave Argentina the victory.

1. Nigeria’s Penalty was Soft

We have seen those given but at the same time, most referees might not give it because Leon was playing for the foul. Good move by him though.

2. The Ighalo Situation was not a Penalty

The defender rose to head the ball and hit is hand inadvertently. This is not the only factor though, the ball still got to Ighalo who had the chance to bury it without inhibition. The referee got it right and if we want to grow in football, we should learn to stop playing the victim card. It was a case of ball-to-hand and that is not usually punished in football.

3. Ighalo Should have Scored

Scoring goals on-the-volley is not as easy as we might think but Odion Ighalo should have scored. A big miss that proved costly in a big game. Big games are won on fine margins and Ighalo failed to score with a good chance before that too. Should have squared the ball instead of shooting? A good question to ask.

4. We Need a Genuine No.10 and World Class Striker

The Super Eagles simply lacked a proper No.10 with real playmaking ability. Mikel Obi is effectively a No. 4. We might want to have a look at Kelechi Nwakali for the role. He can take freekicks, is a great passer of the ball, can finish too.

5. Uzoho is our Discovery of of this tournament

His fingertip safe of Messi’s first half free kick is one of the saves of the tournament so far. He looked calm and assured in all of our 3 games. He has a bright future ahead of him.

6. Victor Moses Should Be Our Official Penalty Taker

The world applauded his penalty and his technique is quite different from popular penalty styles. He scored in a friendly against Poland before the World Cup and did it again today.

7. Let’s Keep Gernot Rohr

Gernot Rohr is probably the best coach we have had since Clemens Westerhof in terms of building a group of players ready to work hard to achieve better results. If he stays long enough, we could have a very good team in the next 4 years that might challenge for the World Cup.

8. Messi Has the Wind in his Sails

Great players defy the odds to achieve success. Messi scored tonight and was a potent threat that the Nigerian team found difficult manage. The Argentina team are learning to rise to the occasion with Messi as their leader. They meet France next and that should be quite a game.

9. Argentina found a way to win

The team that will beat this Argentina side will have to work hard. They have gone through adversity and survived. Watch out for them although the team still needs the likes of Higuain and Aguero to find their best form.

10. Let us move Forward with Team and Improve our Football Structure

Nigeria is out of Russia 2018. We should rapidly let that sink in and look to the future. We should create the necessary structures via youth academies, the league structure to add professionalism that breeds excellence to our football. There should proper structure to develop players, coaches, referees and administrators. Every role needs development and skill advancement.

Let us not forget to encourage the players and the coaching team, they have done their best under the circumstances and should be supported to do better in the future.

Source: Top 10 Takeaways from Nigeria’s Loss to Argentina and Elimination from Russia 2018

See my comments earlier before the game.

At the beginning of the 1st half, I already knew we would lose. They weren't coordinated on ground balls and passes which would have strengthened their communication. They heavily depended on aerial balls which cost them the game.

Victor Moses shouldn't be our automatic penalty taker. He should be on his way to retirement. I have never been convinced about that guy whenever he plays for the super eagles.

I'm only giving Kelechi the benefit of the doubt because he is still young because he hasn't impressed me one bit despite the huge expectations Nigerians had of him after the under 17 world cup.

I think Uzoho is the next Enyeama. He has done really well because all the goals he conceded were not his fault and have been conceded by the world's best goalkeepers.

It won't be a bad idea if Iwobi is converted to a number 10. He is a creative player too.

Truth be told, Nigeria was never united before the
World cup ,killings here and there , so much hate,
Tribal war even on nairaland ...
We only went there to pretend that all was well with us and that we are united
But the Bible says any kingdom that is divided against itself shall not stand.

Good write ups but a recycle message.

Football is not for everyone and anyone, if you can't take the heartbreak don't watch it


Argentina may have won the game but Nigeria won our Hearts

NIGERIA SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED ICELAND TO QUALIFY JEJELI.

Lol your takeaway no reach to chop for inside buka sef not to talk of takeaway...I could easily puncture most of your points listed.

Thank u jare op... A ref that awarded us a penalty no one spotted nd the waved the other nd we started calling him all sort of names... Haba!!.. We. Want to score 2 goals from penalty spot nd they scored their 2 goals on merit.. Their wining was deserved jor

11.Balogun should have seen red for clipping De Maria's legs from behind.

Leetunechi:
Football is not for everyone and anyone, if you can't take the heartbreak don't watch it


Argentina may have won the game but Nigeria won our Hearts

yea you are right..they fought rightly..

World Cup whatsapp group for Africa..
Egypt left
Morocco left
Nigeria left
Tunisia left
Senegal is typing...

Keep Rhor!!!
World cup is not for blacks!!!
Break the york of not having a good top 9!!!
Rebuild our team around players with future like Ebuehe!!!
Create our own style or tactic of football!!!
Wait for next tournament!!!

.

Basic truth, let's work from now, reserve d coach, he qualified with a bad team, still garnered 3 points in a death group n enforced discipline in d team. Argentina deserved d wins far more Dan us, imagining how much Fifa wld make in France vs Arg, even we Nigerians wld wanna watch.

Very Good observation The rojo hand ball wasn't a foul he went for the ball with his head first.

gaby:
Lol your takeaway no reach to chop for inside buka sef not to talk of takeaway...I could easily puncture most of your points listed.

I tell you. Take away indeed abi Na snack pack.

There is nothing soft about that penalty. Kudos should be given to the referee for sighting that infringement. Or Mr Op do you expect a mixed martial arts move before you would deem that a deserved penalty?

You are way way wrong on 8 & 9. You don't need a specialist to tell you that Messi and co were having a terrible stint in this world cup. They actually were banking on luck and a better head to head going into this fixture while running awfully low on confidence.
Croatia torn this same team to shreds and had Messi caged. Their game plan on the second half was wasteful and patternless begging for a better showing from an Argentinean team with an illustrious world best. Messi did his job on the first half but this Argentine team is the worst I have watched and about the worst since 1930 if Nigeria were able to hold them off. Please don't flatter to please. Their over reliance of Messi will be exposed by a better technically astute team.

We shouldn't be keeping the coach. He is clueless. A simple tactical decision of beefing up the defense and midfield, he bungled it. His win percentage is terrible, his team plays without a pattern and lacks confidence.

After we got that penalty decision that was converted in our favor, the coach should at least have kept the Argentines at bay by changing a tired leg or two.

He got us this far but I think it's best we part ways with him and wish him the best in his future endeavors while we look for a better fit.

Sack Rohr . He failed.
Iheanacho is not intelligent that heavy tongue mumu look I thougt was a mistake but he lacks football intelligence

Totally agree with point no. 8. That goal was beautiful.

what i know is football is manipulated like england, even if empty post ighalo will not score, they know who they will take to d next round. don't mind them.

great observations! especially our need for a prolific striker. one in the mould of Etoo and Drogba.
we have a good midfield, defence and keeping dpts. the coach should be retained too.

anochuko01:
great observations! especially our need for a prolific striker. one in the mould of Etoo and Drogba.
we have a good midfield, defence and keeping dpts. the coach should be retained too.

Coach should go joorrr

Just tell me how long we will last if we had slightly qualify for the next round?

We need good football strikers pls not all these yeye strikers that has to turn their ass up and down before they can strike a kick.

I also think the NFF should not sack Rohr.

I observed we seem to improve with every game especially on defending set pieces.

With some tuning to our Attack, The team will do wonders

Opinionated:
Nigeria has crashed out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat in its last group game to Argentina. Lionel Messi scored in the 14th minute with Victor Moses converting from the penalty spot in the 51st minute. Marcus Rojo’s 86th minute strike gave Argentina the victory.

1. Nigeria’s Penalty was Soft

We have seen those given but at the same time, most referees might not give it because Leon was playing for the foul. Good move by him though.

2. The Ighalo Situation was not a Penalty

The defender rose to head the ball and hit is hand inadvertently. This is not the only factor though, the ball still got to Ighalo who had the chance to bury it without inhibition. The referee got it right and if we want to grow in football, we should learn to stop playing the victim card. It was a case of ball-to-hand and that is not usually punished in football.

3. Ighalo Should have Scored

Scoring goals on-the-volley is not as easy as we might think but Odion Ighalo should have scored. A big miss that proved costly in a big game. Big games are won on fine margins and Ighalo failed to score with a good chance before that too. Should have squared the ball instead of shooting? A good question to ask.

4. We Need a Genuine No.10 and World Class Striker

The Super Eagles simply lacked a proper No.10 with real playmaking ability. Mikel Obi is effectively a No. 4. We might want to have a look at Kelechi Nwakali for the role. He can take freekicks, is a great passer of the ball, can finish too.

5. Uzoho is our Discovery of of this tournament

His fingertip safe of Messi’s first half free kick is one of the saves of the tournament so far. He looked calm and assured in all of our 3 games. He has a bright future ahead of him.

6. Victor Moses Should Be Our Official Penalty Taker

The world applauded his penalty and his technique is quite different from popular penalty styles. He scored in a friendly against Poland before the World Cup and did it again today.

7. Let’s Keep Gernot Rohr

Gernot Rohr is probably the best coach we have had since Clemens Westerhof in terms of building a group of players ready to work hard to achieve better results. If he stays long enough, we could have a very good team in the next 4 years that might challenge for the World Cup.

8. Messi Has the Wind in his Sails

Great players defy the odds to achieve success. Messi scored tonight and was a potent threat that the Nigerian team found difficult manage. The Argentina team are learning to rise to the occasion with Messi as their leader. They meet France next and that should be quite a game.

9. Argentina found a way to win

The team that will beat this Argentina side will have to work hard. They have gone through adversity and survived. Watch out for them although the team still needs the likes of Higuain and Aguero to find their best form.

10. Let us move Forward with Team and Improve our Football Structure

Nigeria is out of Russia 2018. We should rapidly let that sink in and look to the future. We should create the necessary structures via youth academies, the league structure to add professionalism that breeds excellence to our football. There should proper structure to develop players, coaches, referees and administrators. Every role needs development and skill advancement.

Let us not forget to encourage the players and the coaching team, they have done their best under the circumstances and should be supported to do better in the future.

Source: Top 10 Takeaways from Nigeria’s Loss to Argentina and Elimination from Russia 2018

5 is not true,nothing spectacular from thelad...

I give it to etebo...

we also dont have a good striker /runner with wicked control

Op, you forgot no 11. Any bootwearer called IGHA shouldn't be invited to the Eagles Camp again. We can't afford having him LO our goalscoring chances again.