What you mean? Croatia pummeled CMR just as recently as last WC in 2014. So I bet maybe that's why they feeling pumped up. Well in our defence we also beat Bosnia in 2014. That game would be one of the best group games in Russia. Also another good game I'm looking forward to is the Morocco vs Portugal game that would be one hell of a game.

Napoleon55:
probably the last time this dude watched an African team was at Italia '90,Cameroon vs Brazil or so,and for him that's his yardstick for all African team,including NIGERIA,i wish their coach will have this kind of mindset going for the game

Wow that's sad to hear. Chai. He and Awoniyi are now tussling for that best affiliation with relegated clubs.

tbaba1234:


Joebie is correct, he got relegated in the playoff game.

I don't think they played today. I saw a game involving Songdal online, but that was an adecoligan league game whatever that stands for. His team plays in the tippelegan league. I never get to watch some Norwegian league games cos the only streams you see are never available in my country. But if for some reason it's true that his team is relegated we can take some solace that he's not their true player. But that would mean he and Awoniyi are struggling for the title of playing for teams that always get relegated. Lol

Joebie:
It's looking like Chidiebere Nwakali's Sogndal has just been relegated.
They lost the relegation play off to Ranheim, after a penalty shoot-out.

Just to add, in the current SE, I can only see Kayode being faster than Martins. I think he'd tie Musa and Onyekuru. However, I noticed speed is not one of Rohr's favored quality in players. He looks at other things or else Onyekuru and Kayode would have been playing a lot more. Let's see what happens if/when he invites Martins. He may just have what Rohr is looking for.

goldfish80:


You're still taking about that friendly game? Look, we must be careful oh otherwise 2002 will repeat itself all over again.

Recall in 2002, we massaged our egos about going to the world cup with the youngest team. Even before the world cup, the team broke the Irish jinx by becoming the first team to defeat Ireland in Dublin for over 20 years if I recall, solid game against Paraguay with the infamous Ogbeche bicycle kick and a couple of other victories against Scotland and one other team.
We basically played the world cup before the world cup. Unfortunately, when the main event came up, we learnt the hard lesson at the mundial.
I mean, we nearly lost 3 games on the spin.

Make no mistake about it, the Argentina game is now in the dust bin of history. I get livid that we still make songs and dance out of the Atlanta 96 fame. We cannot keep stroking ourselves with that result. We must strive to get better thank goodness Gernot Rohr recognised this by not limiting his search within a particular circle.

I laughed when you made reference some pages back about Martins probably holding the team back due to a lack of pace. I laughed because just a fee years back, Martins was rated the top 2-3 fastest player in the world. You could say he's aged and the speed has dropped but I tell you after watching him sprint past 3 defenders in gear 2, to score last week I knew the guy still has it. Also, I must bring to your attention the case of Justin Gatlin.
You do realise this guy, the current world 100 meters champion is 35yr old, a good 2 years older than Martins. This guy can sprint past any teenage athlete you throw his way. This should tell you it's not about age but ability.

If you stick your head out that Victor Moses will outpace a 33yr old Obafemi Martins, you will wake up one morning and discover you're a dead man.

Just to add Guardiola never builds his team for only one person to be the clear highest goalscorer. He builds a mobile team that you could find about 3 to 4 players almost on equal goals. So that whole shoot and score stats that Iheanacho was bragging about was just BS to Guardiola cos he knows anyone can score in his team with his footballing ideology. He sets out to look for players that can fit into his fooitballung philosophy which our dear Iheanacho falls way outside that requirement. He always slowed their game down, gave the ball away needlessly etc. If you noticed, Iheanacho hardly received passes from teammates at some point depending on his position on the field. Their expectation was that he'd lose it almost immediately. He needs to change his game style....

I also saw where you recommended that he goes to Valencia. Please thats the worst place he should go. The watch word of LaLiga is ball control and with what Iheanacho is displaying he won't even make it past the trainings. The first thing he needs to put extra hour into is his ball control. Afterwards, his stamina and game involvement. He seems too lost in games. If he works on these 3 things he'd be almost unplayable.

TheGoodJoe:


Iheanacho did not leave City because he was not performing. The few times he played for Guardiola last season, Iheanacho performed well. The reason Iheanacho lost his place was due to competition from quality players. Keep in mind, Sterling, Sane, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus can play the forward line.

Also, Guardiola wants more from his forwards. That is, he wants more contribution during build-up plays and also he wants his attackers to contribute a lot defensively.

Guardiola was still fine-tuning Nacho. Unfortunately, lots of people felt the competition at City will give him limited opportunity.

So fine-tuning means when you have no other attacking options, you bench your only available attacker to play a MF in attack repeatedly? Wehdone sir! Pep has/would never rate Iheanacho in his life. Iheanacho dorsnbt fit his philosophy. Sorry to tell you this if Nacho were still in City and all their attackers and wingers/attackers are injured except Nacho, guess what Pep would do? He'd promote Foden and play him instead of Nacho. I don't know how hard it is to see that Pep never wanted Iheanacho? Truth is bitter, but it's still the truth no matter what and how hard it's tried to be disproven.

TheGoodJoe:


Iheanacho did not leave City because he was not performing. The few times he played for Guardiola last season, Iheanacho performed well. The reason Iheanacho lost his place was due to competition from quality players. Keep in mind, Sterling, Sane, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus can play the forward line.

Also, Guardiola wants more from his forwards. That is, he wants more contribution during build-up plays and also he wants his attackers to contribute a lot defensively.

Guardiola was still fine-tuning Nacho. Unfortunately, lots of people felt the competition at City will give him limited opportunity.

Best comment. We think the niggas playing care about 1st or second position. They just wanna get outta the group and from there anything can happen. What if Denmark tops group C? In 2013 Nations cup, We all felt sad coming 2nd to play CIV, the rest they say is history. Knockout games are very different from group games and little things like 1st to score can decisively define the outcome for the rest of the game. I bet everyone forgot Emenike scored vs France in 2014. If that goal had mistakenly stood, believe me, that game could have been very different for france. I don't fear any foe in knockout rounds. My own is just sha qualify.

Icon79:


Bro, in 1994 Bulgaria came 2nd in our group but they ended up winning the bronze medal. Whereas we who finished 1st crashed out in the round of 16. So it doesn't really matter who finished first or second ... as long as you're moving thru.


O pari

If you actually watched the draw and saw their positions then there's no irregularity. All group positions were drawn. And all groups are following the same pattern of P1 vs P2, then P1 vs P3, ending with P1 vs P4. P1 Russia and P2 Saudi Arabia. So what's the irregularity?

Certitude:
The fixtures in group A is irregular... Russia are to face Saudi Arabia first instead of Uruguay as done in the other groups.

Because they are neutral and not Nigerians. Only Nigerians are giving Nigeria a chance and maybe 1 out of every 500k Neutrals are also giving Nigeria a chance. FOX panelists are correct in what they are saying. Looking at the pedigree of the players in each teams, it's only natural they say the truth which is that Croatia have a better pedigree. Apart from Moses and too some extent Iwobi (who's appearance for Arsenal is somewhat erratic), what other big name players do we have? But compare Croatia players. I know this is a Nigerian forum but let's not bash neutrals for saying the truth. I as a Nigerian had to dig deep to prove to some colleagues at work that Nigeria would qualify. They prolly thought I was on drugs. We only Nigerian players cos we are Nigerians. Let's be realistic sometimes.

To the actual draw itself, I'd say we have a good chance. We musn't come out of that Croatia game with 0 points. A draw could do. Then we have to/must beat Iceland and hope for anything against Argentina. Cos even Croatia can beat Argentina. I just hope Iceland don't come and pull a Senegal or Ghana in our group by actually performing in their 1st WC. I fear despised opponents, cos they are the most dangerous. I trust we'd be very prepared cos we have a coach that pays attention to details. Heard his post-draw analysis and I knew the bobo was ready.

Icon79:
All the clowns on Fox Sports are picking Argentina and Croatia to advance out of the group. About 6 people on the panel and none of them picked Nigeria to go thru.

Clowns on TV



O pari

That Martin's is older and Nacho is presently/currently in the SE team doesn't make Iheanacho better. I sick for that guy. Let's not get it twisted, tho I am of the opinion that we have moved on from the era of Martin's, I would never subscribe to that school that says Nacho is more technical than Martin's. Martin's is a very technical player. Martin's has always done well in every club he's been to. Let's not start taking his dues just cos em no de SE currently. I personally feel his speedy style suits this current SE. But I think we have other younger options and I only day that just cos of post WC era. If not that Martin's deserves a shot at SE and when i say deserves, he merits it due to his current performances.

edi287:

Again, let me get this straight - you're saying Nacho has better technique than Martins?? I.e better touch, ball control, etc??

Yup. That's why he ain't been in epl

somehow:
How manage? Dem dey sign ref too?

Please share the website ur watching at

tbaba1234:


Watching Ejike now...

I'm not going by what a website posts. I'm going by,what I watch with my eyes. Except maybe in games I didn't watch but most porto2 games are streamed in YouTube. They always play 4 at the back. I may not be a coach but I can tell 4 at the back from 3 or 5 at the back

Questence:



You are all wrong.

Porto B plays 3 at the back.

He plays as a wing back not right back. And he is still listed as a midfielder meaning should their formation return to 4 at the back he will play in the midfield just like victor moses.

Check the picture of their profile I have attached.

He now represents the Saudi Federation. He officiates in their league

somehow:
I don't get this.. is he from Saudi?

Surprised Clattenburg didnt make it to represent Saudi Arabia.

somehow:
FIFA RELEASES NAMES OF 36 OFFICIALS FOR RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP*


FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 - Selected Officials.
All the following referees (36) have been selected, but their roles are still unknown.


*AFC*
Fahad AL MIRDASI (KSA)
Alireza FAGHANI (IRN)
Ravshan IRMATOV (UZB)
Mohammed Abdulla MOHAMED (UAE)
Ryuji SATO (JPN)
Nawaf Abdulla SHUKRALLA (BHR)


*CAF*
Mehdi ABID CHAREF (ALG)
Malang DIEDHIOU (SEN)
Bakary Papa GASSAMA (GAM)
Ghead GRISHA (EGY)
Janny SIKAZWE (ZAM)
Weyesa Bamlak TESSEMA (ETH)


*CONCACAF*
Joel AGUILAR (SLV)
Mark W. GEIGER (USA)
Jair MARRUFO (USA)
Ricardo MONTERO (CRC)
John PITTI (PAN)
Cesar Arturo RAMOS PALAZUELOS (MEX)


*CONMEBOL*
Julio BASCUÑAN (CHI)
Enrique CACERES (PAR)
Andres CUNHA (URU)
Nestor PITANA (ARG)
Sandro RICCI (BRA)
Wilmar ROLDAN (COL)


*OFC*
Matthew CONGER (NZL)
Norbert HAUATA (TAH)


*UEFA*
Felix BRYCH (GER)
Cüneyt CAKIR (TUR)
Sergey KARASEV (RUS)
Bjorn KUIPERS (NED)
Szymon MARCINIAK (POL)
Antonio Miguel MATEU LAHOZ (ESP)
Milorad MAZIC (SRB)
Gianluca ROCCHI (ITA)
Damir SKOMINA (SVN)
Clement TURPIN (FRA)

No Nigerian ref picked. Tahiti even got a ref appointed from small Oceania.

They play 4 at the back. When they are 4 at the back, then the outside guys are called fullbacks not wing backs

Questence:



He played as wing back not right back. There is a difference.

He is listed as a right midfielder by his club.

Lies!!! He's primarily a RB. Please show me the Match he played left or right midfield

Questence:


Check his stats. He has had only 1 goal for Porto B this season. And zero assist.

The coach has even tried him as both right and left midfielder. No result. Now he has become a bench material.

I like the way you pay attention to some little details. In the past Balogun's black boots used too turn me away but he wore red and a couple of some others wore red against Argentina. My favorite boot colors on Naija's kit are red and lemon green.

Mujtahida:

If you want to see the beauty of the Jersey check it out on Iwobi and Troost Ekong. I hope that Nike will take their measurements and make bespoke Jersies for each member of the team so that it would fit them. And if the team wants to light things up some bit majority of them should wear red boots as they did against Argentina. It added more aesthetics to their kit up.

Is he still suffering from that Achilles injury from that season

forgiveness:


Who told you he was not valued?

Sunday's Scottish gossip
1 Apr 2012 From Football
Share this page
Scottish newspaper gossip
FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Rayo Vallecano have joined the Spanish clubs chasing Sone Aluko and aim to tempt the Rangers forward with a £14,500-per-week contract. (the Sun)
...................................................................................


Sone Aluko only signed for Rangers in November of 2011, but fortunately for the former Aberdeen man, he had enough time to impress before things took a turn for the worse at Ibrox. La Liga side Rayo Vallecano were actively pursuing him later that season, but with their own financial situation taking a nosedive it would be difficult for them to renew their move. A switch to the Championship is perhaps more likely, with Charlton and Crystal Palace both thought to be interested in the pacey winger, though the three clubs promoted to the Premier League - Southampton, Reading and West Ham - could also be tempted.

...................................................................................

Do you really want to know why he did not play much in the EPL? Let us cure our ignorance.


Just after that though his first problems with his Achilles started and that basically ended his first season.

“He had recovered by the start of the following Premier League season and he scored a superb goal at Newcastle but those Achilles problems dogged him for that whole of that season.

“By the time he got back properly fit it was almost as if the club had moved on, they’d spent big money on Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic and he was out of the picture a bit

Pls, let us stop embarrassing ourselves na..

The bolded shows he wasn't really valued within English ranks as you're trying to make it seem. How would a hitman move from supposed Scottish title contenders to English championship side? Not even EPL relegation fighters... Ok, after single handedly (whatever u call singlehandedly) bringing hull up, how much did he play in their epl campaign?
I am one of Aluko's admirers, but I would not attribute his omission to any upper powers. I feel it's due to coaches preferring other options.

forgiveness:


Do you mean the Scottish league was below par league as at the year Sone Aluko played there?.

Let me educate you small. Btw 2002 and 2008 two Scottish clubs played in 2 finals of UEFA cup. Does that sound like a below par league.

As at 18, Sone Aluko made headlines in UEFA cup against Bayern Munich with a sublime goal and that was the year a Scottish club got to the finals of the same competition. Does that sound like below par league?

He had won SPL young player of the months twice before he jeopardized his career with his club when he went ahead and played for us at the 2009 U20 world cup against his coach's will. That was the end of him at Aberdeen because his contract was not renewed.

However, After just 3 years, he moved to the biggest club in Scotland and could had singlehandedly won the league for Rangers if their points were not deducted from them.

Does that sound he played in a mediocre club at the age of 22?

Due to the liquidation and sanctions that saw Rangers relegated to the lowest league, he moved to Hull city and within a year he singlehandedly took them to EPL. Can you see his potential?

Wherever he went afterwards he was their Messi.

Oga! If Sone Aluko was eligible to play for England at that age he was phenomenon then he would have been capped severally by England and that would have been enough to get him a better club in England.

Sone Aluko wasted his life and career for chosen Nigeria ahead of England.

I think it's only one game that would be missed. There'd be no congestion of fixtures. Worse case scenario, is we play 2 games in one window - move the saturday to Friday and make up tge seychelles game on Tuedsday of whatever qualifying weekend. Caf always play their qualifiers on FIFA windows. So we should be fine.

Mujtahida:

It's not looking like a good decision. Moreover like you suggested earlier playing the qualifiers in March can also double as part of WC preparations.

Let's not look at things exclusively from the WC perspective and leave the Afcon to suffer cos the real consequences of that decision will settle in after the WC is over. European, South American and other federations will go home and we be suffering congested Afcon qualifiers timetable.

On game days I don't even sniff Nairaland. I manage Twitter. A game is barely 5 mins with some players not even touching the ball and all you read are abuses. I have to check and ensure thT I'm not watching a game that's already over. We are too hasty online. Even the ones that read on goal.com, or are following Twitter feeds also abuse. I tend to wait till the game is over and can rewatch the game again before it's taken down to have a better player assessment.

Mujtahida:

When I rewatched the match I realised that tension puts an entirely different color on things. Actually prior to that goal Argentina did nothing order than knock the ball around. The goal gave them the illusion of effectiveness. But in second half we came on strong. The commentator said 5 shots on target, 3 goals(that was before iwobi's last goal) and said we are very accurate. Meanwhile Argentina were still knocking the ball around.
I like the way Argentina presses sha although it made us take them apart with our counters.
One should be wary how he takes match analysis here during and shortly after a match. It's mostly tinged with emotion

Pass that kush u de blaw to another person. It's making you hallucinate. Aluko was close to which three lions? The English national team or abi u mean the 3 lions that were in the zoo? Please say something else. You keep coming up with excuses to paint Naija coaches bad and paint your beloved English born players as worldies. You said Fashanu was on the bench. But I remember reading that Otto Gloria didn't like his style of play. So how many games did your talented Fashanu play for England?
That you hail from England does not guarantee you a playing shirt. Aluko was never ever close to playing for three Lions. Please name which outfield player has played for England from Rangers in the past 2 decades. I can't even see any suggestions online. Closest was Forster a goal keeper at the time with Celtic. Even though I appreciate Aluko's talent, but he's not all that else he would command a shirt like Moses and Iwobi. Or abi no be England those ones been grow up?
Guy chill on these your okirika players e.g. Aneke and Co.

forgiveness:


First of all, Sone Aluko dished England for Nigeria for the love he has for the country even when he was already capped by England at all level up to Under 19. He was already up the ladder to play in the 3 Lions.

He could have made the 3 Lions team with his performance at Rangers if he was not capped by us.

Sone Aluko played in Rangers before he moved to the championship just for one year because he singlehandedly helped Hull city gained promotion to EPl. He played in the Epl for two seasons before his club was relegated. Dont forget he helped dem to the FA finals before his team lost.

Despite all these runs of splendid performances all those years, he was still snubbed big time. Why?

Therefore, it is not about playing in the Championship because even when at the top nobody looked his way.

Same goes to Victor Anichebe.

There were 2 occasions Ebuehi was running free but Mikel slowed it and crossed and then on the other he did a 180 and drew a foul rather than release Ebuehi and hope for d possibility of a goal.
But as I said it's a 'll good. Just that in the heat of watching the game our blood is hot as fans and you hope a player takes the action you see best on tv...

Kog45:
Oh Mikel slow!that's Mikel game right from U 17, nobody can change that,at what age,his game is cool now cos he always drew opponents to himself that gives other players opportunity to run into space for his passes and is working for the team,check most of our goals then you appreciate his slowness.

Adidas is a different company from nike. Nike has not released designs for its contingent to the WC. Perhaps they may dorm it in the March friendlies or May of next year.

Mujtahida:

Danielnino posted the WC kits of countries like Belgium, Spain, Germany. And during this break that is what they wore. So I feel this one might be our WC Jersey. Not sure though

So glad about the game. Everyone's said all that needs to be said. Although, I appreciate Mikel's game a lot, but there are sometimes he poisoned some of our attacks by slowing down the running momentum. He should learn to go with the flow sometimes when we're counter attacking.

We should defeat a team that has a Roman - Fazio and Prrotti, a Juventus Dyabala, Sevillas Banega. Please who again is in our squad with such profiles. Someone would think or players play for Real Madrid. This is the type of yans that be making mad.

jstbeinhonest:


Forget the name!
Asides Moses, I guess no other key player is missing for us. Argentina without Messi is worse than Bolivia. Talk more an Argentina without DiMaria, Mascherano, Romero n co.

See Argentina's lineup for training today (and most possibly for the game on Tuesday).

Marchesin
Mammana
Fazio
Insua
Pavon
Banega
Parades
Papu Gomes
Perotti
Dybala
Beneditto.

If we use our strongest available team (which i suspect would happen), we should defeat this team by AT LEAST a 2-goal margin.

I'm glad someone noticed that. We now have warriors. To chip in, I also liked how Shehu kicked the ball,in anger and rushed to Brahimi when he should have kicked the ball out for fair play. This was what started the whole headbutting melee. Everyone came around. Before our players used to coward especially in away games. But his new SE team don't give a crap. I sooooo love this mentality a lot.
Someone watching the game yesterday would think the ticket was on the line btw both teams. So much for a dead rubber game.

goldfish80:
For me, the positive to take away from the game was the siege mentality gradually coming back to the Super Eagles.
This team is showing signs of maturity with people stepping up to take leadership when it matters most.

In recent past, the Super Eagles would have been bullied by these Algerians. I mean, at the last world cup , we took weak characters who couldn't fight for each other. They were all smiles and watched Onazi get bullied and kicked out of the game.
I am happy this present team have the character to fight for one another! I loved the way Balogun removed his mask and threatened to pull out Brahimi's eyes when the Algerians threatened to go gangster on us. I loved the way the team came to the rescue of Iwobi when he went toe to toe against the Algerian defender.

This was the character I admired about the Mourinho Chelsea team and even the Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side, Arsenal invisibles. Football is beyond kicking a ball around the pitch.
Show of strength and character in the face of intimidation is the hallmark of a great team.

Just angry Algeria started using Constantine instead of Blida. Blida's pitch is almost like European pitches. Hard to string 3 passes without a bubble. Happened to Balogun and Ezenwa a lot.

TheGoodJoe:
The poor passes yesterday had to do with the pitch. Even the poor ball control. So the criticism should be less harsh because all the players were working on a very poor pitch. A pitch I nicknamed a mudslide.

This is not our WC jersey. Nike has just upgraded our jersey to what European countries already have. Compare England's, Portugal's etc existing jerseys.

tbaba1234:
What are your thoughts about our WC jersey? So disappointing.

The chance you're talking about clearly hit a big contour. That chance even made me know how technical Iwobi is. Why running he looked away from the ball knowing where it should be and looked up to find the best option. Only for him to want to cross the ball and the movement was altered by the contour. That field killed so many of our good moves

sontoly:


I dont think Iwobi did well today, but he didnt do badly, i didnt forgive him when he spoilt the chance we had on score, didnt know how a caliber of player like him cldnt cross that ball with his stronger foot, even iheanacho crossed better today with his right.

Thank you brother. This thing is making me ewar to use a baton and bash someone's head. I swear if this was a bar and this nonsense is being discussed they for don break person head. I'm just going to do a head count on these players they are parabulating about.
This is as at 8.42am Nigerian time:
Solanke is in ENGLAND's under21 camp being considered to be uprooted to their senior squad;
Tammy Abraham is with ENGLAND's main team;
Onomah and Lookman are in ENGLAND's under 20 or 21 squad (saw it on IG);
Tonorarigha was on the bench yesterday for GERMANY's under 20 team.
These guys are not in NIGERIA's camp. I just checked their bio to make sure tmof their declared FOOTBALL nationality, at no time did any website categorize them as Nigerians.when they change their mind and decide that they want to party for Naija, they know what to do. Enough of this noise. We have gotten the ones that opted for us.

Humility017:

thank you my brother....you understood me perfectly well....

I could have as well....keep quiet..
but he is gradually repeating it everyday..
one will think now...that foreign born players he is talking about...will gladly accept us should we make approach...but the reverse will be the case....as they don't mind make headlines on rejecting Nigeria advancea just to draw up Southgate attention...

it is annoying players who have not even accept playing for nigeria are been hyped and our homegrown player pulled down...

I don't mind onomah achievement he did that for England...
oshimen have flew Nigeria's flag high in time past and I believe he will keep up the good work....as he make progress...


I am not against this onomah and co....but dont pull down other players just to promote them...I remember after all the fuss over nwakali super eagles call up...
he could not provide an alternative someone he has in mind that should have been called in his place...unlike sir forgiveness who gave names of players that worth considering..

deep down I believe his problem with nwakali is not because the lad lack potentials but because he is playing in far away Norway....as if it is the guy's fault...

here we talk of a young boy...who all he has achieved in life is as a result of hardwork and God's favor....
he never had anything smooth for him...