Dude lemme say this here. Even if England does not want this guy he is never going to play for Naija. He doesn't feel Naija at all. You only just call his name cos you feel like. Deep down you know he will never play for us. It a like toasting a gal. You tend to know who'd say yes to you.

forgiveness:


NFF will not approach him now until he comes super star finish.

Were are those so called scouts going about their scouting in one lowly Norwegian league, huh?

These are last season's videos cos that was Kayserispor. He's back at Osmalimspor. Truth is the Africans (Senegalese) that played Lawal's positions in hisnorevious clubs all moved on to bigger clubs. (1) Alfred Ndiaye went from Eskisihespor to Betis (2) Badou Ndiaye has gone from Osmalimspor to Galatasary. Why couldn't Lawal make a move to a better league? I personally have never fancied Lawals game cos he looks too heavy for a MF. Same reason I have never fancied Esiti's game.

Joebie:
The real question is how is Lawal's current form. I can bring you videos of Nosa Igiebor while he was in the LaLiga. He was MOTM versus Barcelona, but let's see more recent videos. How recent are those videos of Lawal? Well let me investigate.

Just imagine Joiel Obi, Iwobi, Obasi, Iheanacho and V.Moses in our lineup from MF to attack (arrange it how you like), do you know how much flair that is... But I know it can never happen not under Rohr

I'm not trying to start stuff, but truth be told I rate Obasi miles ahead of Simon. Have you watched him recently for AIK? Only problem he had was injuries. His touches oozes class, positional sense is very high, and he is very skillful. Moses Simon is just only skillful but not really intelligent. If Rohr says he wants to invite Obasi I wouldn't mind for one bit. It's just my opinion. Disclaimer - I have no stats to support things like lifetime dribbles, etc; it's just my korokoro eyes on what I watch on tv.

Humility017:

so you mean obasi is better presently than Moses Simon?
you've not even make mention of olayinka who has much assist this season even as a winger.....

so please let's not start this....I know where this may head to....probably a clamour for the call of obasi.....
and my oga who knows how to rank leagues will jettison that parameters for another just to make case for him....

I won't be surprised if he says the Swedish league is ranked 7th in the world...after all only him know how this rankings and parameters works....

He might be a gem but he needs to workout a lot. He looks to heavy. Just mho

Icon4s:


This guy is a gem.

He can easily score with both legs.

How old is he?

To plain abeg. Adidas can do better. See what Puma gave Cameroon thats not going to WC. Very nice! From Africa, CMR and Mali always have Gucci designer type jerseys. Hope Nike gives Naija better outfit

tbaba1234:
Egyptian WC Jersey leaked

I swear to God. You took this thought outta my mind. If he's not Doherty he must be one of the guys running TeamNigeriaUK or whatever it is called. I used to also think he was TofeSports, but when he started yabbing NFF and I know how close Tofe is to NFF, I eliminated that option.

ChrisKels:


I have always had this feeling that komekn is same person as Doherty

With respect to Naija call ups or debuts, I can't confirm. But with respect to thumbing up, liking or commenting after WC qualifications, most of the queen boys did congratulate them (especially Iwobi's page). They are all friends cos they tend to holla at each other on SM.

ChrisKels:


Since una dey fear to call names, make I cause trouble bkus my Papa tell me say if I wan chase out owl from my courtyard, say make I tell d owl the particular tree wey in dey petch Dat moment.

Eheeee Da komekn and Da forgiveness ur boys are showing where their hearts lie with their reaction to this issue at hand. Before you go try call dis assertion ur usually word "prejudice", plz tell me how many of dem dat thumbed up Aina and Iwobi when they made their Eagles debut.

D next time wey una go ever ridicule our boys just to make those innit boys look better eeehhh. I dun comot red eye for u and forgiveness lol

I said it yesterday, that by default we are secondary to the choices these guys make in anything. Yeah Aina eats eba, rice, listens to Naija music and all, but first he's a British b4 Nigerian. He just even got a Naija passport this year. Give them any form and a country of citizenship question arises, their answers would be British or English whatever the option is. I don't care if they sing Naija anthem in their dream. When it comes to this football nationality choice, you have to weigh ur options. If we are to be truthful, England and UEFA looks more glamorous and publicised than Nigeria and CAF. I never ever use the term "we lost" them, cos they never were ours in the first place. Just imagine Nura Abdullahi makes it in Roma and ends up playing for Italy, that's who we can refer to as "we lost" cos his primary option is Naija and any other thing becomes secondary.
So I like the fact u are aware that we are secondary to most of these British guys Komekn and Forgiveness refer to.

Mujtahida:

See ehn it's painful cos we've lost one whether by hope or in actuality but I tell you that when you get to talk to him one on one you will change your opinion on alot of things. There's so much undercurrent to these kinds of things.

If we will be sincere we are second option to these guys. Many of them look at the wind to see the direction it's blowing before making up their minds. As long as they fancy their chances with England, they put us in second Base without actually coming out point blank to reject us(although some do reject us point-blank like lookman and Solanke if I remember correctly) but when they look, see say England no sure, they open up towards us. That's why it pains me when we ignore those who declare for us voluntarily and we don't so much as send even a word of appreciation to them, talk less of invitation. Dessers got no invitation for even training. It's that Deji that will drive me mad if we lose him and he turns out to be as good as Alaba.

So because of SE vs Three lions matter, someone cannot congratulate his friend again. So when they all liked Iwobi and Aina's WC qualification message, so u read meaning into it too? Bro abeg these guys are friends and as such have the right to congratulate each other. This is a big feat for Tammy no matter how Naija fans look at it.

Humility017:

it shows sheyi ojo is still eyeinh England call up....
God sees my heart...I will surely have an e-war without anyone here who dare talk about sheyi ojo some thing here....

all this boys are all eyeing 3 lions...and some monikers here...rather than focus on realities will be littering the thread with this English born players.....
especially sir komekn and forgiveness....

Gosh! We have come a long way in only 2 yrs. See how impoverished this squad looked. Akas, Onobi. Thank God Rohr came if not Zambia would have been making their world cup debut in 2018.

tbaba1234:
Nigeria Starting line up against Swaziland at the beginning of WC campaign

Ikeme
Efe Ambrose
Musa
Ighalo
Simon Moses
Shehu Abdullahi
Sylvester IGBOUN
Onazi
Akas
Onobi
Austin Oboroakpo

Oga who are we losing these guys to? The only thing that connects them to Nigeria is that either one or both parents are Nigerians. These guys don't feel green at all. So u should rephrase it to say "if England decides to lose them, then it'll be Naija's gain that's if they even want to play for us. God forbid, but even in death Alli would never have wanted to play for Naija. He doesn't feel or mix wth anything Nigerian. So what's ur fuss about losing him. No blame NFF abeg. Even the lookman you're taking about, rumor has it that he was approached, but turned us down. What u want NFF to do again? Cede an oil block to him or what? The thing be irritating me when I see names from every corner. These players are firstly loyal to the country of birth and upbringing. Any other affiliations becomes secondary. So we are not losing anyone cos they were never ours. I just want you to understand that first. If you were calling Dessers, Deji, even the boy in Wycombe wanderers, I have no qualms cos they have decided to choose their secondary options which is Nigeria. But all these Solanke, Onomah, Lookman, Udokhai, have made it known that their country of birth which is rightly their first choice coupled with residency length is their first choice and as such should not be mentioned in any Naija squad. NFF have tried biko.

forgiveness:
When I told some people here that Dele Ali is far better than Kelechi Iheanacho, they thought I was biased.

Now, see what the lad is doing tonight.


If say dem listen we for don get am for our arsenal but people can't see beyond their nose.

Soon, we will lose Lookman Ademola, Josh Onomah and Dominic Solanke because of greed.

They even drew with players from the "football holy book" league. And at that point they rested some of their key players having already qualified with a game to spare. And England couldn't still beat Costa Rica. Sir Like in, I understand your adulation of the English football, but not everyone can play there...

tbaba1234:



How many players from Costa Rica were playing in a top league in the 2014 World cup??

Yet, they went to quarters and were only knocked out by penalties.

Shuooor! Nna behead kwa? Front of family sef. You na bad guy sha. Bro don't carry on with his kinda hateful thoughts, it leads to shortened life span. Cos you'd ffuckk with the wrong person by saying some wrong stuff. Please take it easy. We are just all faceless anonymous people giving our views. No need for hateful speeches.

OMANBALA1:


My comment was a reaction to his many sins. I am allergic to bullsshit and I dont care what anybody thinks.
And you cant say what standard is acceptable because we have different ideologies and principles.

One of my ideologies is to behead every tribalist and corrupt individual in the presence of their family....I hate the way Nigerians behave,they are too weak and ignorant and thats why the country is a sshit hole. Nigeria need a total bloodshed to instill law,order and discipline in them.

Komekn, I'm sorry to say this, you make the EPL as if it's the holy book for club football. I rate the epl but it's not the only league. You always refer to players in almost all tiers of English football - I want to assume that's your environ so you have to praise it to high heavens. Truth is, very few coaches rate Championship players for technicality. English leagues are good but should never be used as the holy book for accessing a players invitation to the EPL. Mikel Obi that we are praising today started from Lyn Oslo. Even Ighalo played in Norway. Due to the rough terrain in Nigerian players making it in European leagues, Norway is like a sprouting ground for them. I read an article where Attah Aneke was advising players to come to Norway and use it as a foundation to a successful European career. Nwakali even signed a contract extension with City. I doubt they'd want to offer an extension to a talentless player. I don't think it's fair to judge a player by the type of club they play in. Mbark Bousoffa that is the main pillar of Morocco plays in UAE. I think ability should be paramount rather than type of club. If Nwakali was born in UK he would have been loaned to a lower division club in England and would your opinion change about him?

komekn:


I appreciate and respect your insight as one with depth. I think you are being diplomatic.

The player is in a team that is third from bottom and his league is in the real backwaters of European football and rated near number 30 overall. That is simply abysmal.

You know football. Scoring in the EPL, Championship, LaLiga, Bundesliga, etc and scoring in the Norwegian league are a thousand miles apart. That's the reality.

You know why the EPL, is so competitive is the speed at which you are closed down. So scoring is not easy the same goes for the Bundesliga, La Liga, Seria A, etc.

Yesterday evening, I was with a Nigerian U20 player who has played a couple of games for an EPL first team. He is left footed fast and I am not talking about Seyi Ojo. I have said he is not ready, with this kind of selection I don't know what to say to him.

with most national teams you know what the established criteria is for selection and you work towards those standards. In this case we are left bewildered.

Dude I know hundred of scouts and a least 10 heads of recruitment in English premiership and Championship clubs they would all find this bewildering. There response to me well you know you Nigerians and how you operate.

He's a MF. Please see below. Songdals games I have watched he played MF.
http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/10/22/norway/eliteserien/sogndal-idrettslag/fotballklubben-sparta-sarpsborg/2384050/?ICID=PL_MS_08

soetanoreoluwa:


I was suprised when his team started using him as wingback... But think is getting the job done...
Remember he also have a very good eyes for goals...
I See him playing too in either matches ... Dunno maybe he will start... He can play left back too... Let see what Rohr will do with him

Ocheje only played the first match vs Scotland. Thomas also played that CRC game and the next vs Scotland. Ezenwa played the last 3. No injuries whatsoever. From the aforementioned, Ezenwa looks like the 1st choice to me.

Icon4s:


Moses Ocheje was first choice.

You could have updated it then. Wikipedia can never be sited as an authoritative source. On every Wikipedia page there's an edit icon, meaning it can be modified by anyone. Wikipedia only helps point to an idea of what it may possibly be. Vanzekin does not play professionally again. Warri Wolves squad has not been updated for a while. Even When i is listed as their player but mind you the document is as at 2016. For professional purposes I won't advise you cite wiki.

eitsei:
but wikipedia says vanzekin is still playing at Warri wolves and he's been there since 2009

At the 2007 WYC, Ezenwa was 1st choice. Except maybe at the AYC which I didn't watch.

Icon4s:



Ambrose Vanzenkin was first choice in 2005 U20 , Akpeyi was second choice. Where is Vanzenkin today. See where Akpeyi is today.

Moses Ocheje was first choice in 2007 U20, Ezenwa was second choice, Femi Thomas was 3rd choice. But where is Ocheje today compared to Ezenwa and Thomas.

That is football.

Azubuike is not chopping bench. Our injured as at 4 weeks ago. Injured and was pulled out 44mins due to hamstring.

forgiveness:


It seems NFF are monitoring this lad. He has played all the matches for Lugo this season from start to finish and Lugo is currently topping the league.

Instead of people clamouring for Azuibike who is currently chopping bench in his club, I will rather go for Ramon Azeez.

http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/valencia-coach-whips-players-into-shape

It will be good for Iheanacho and any other Naija player finding it rough in their present clubs to read this article. Look for a coach that'll bring out the best in you. Simone Zaza and Guedes left their previous clubs and are doing very well now. Especially Zaza, he didn't have to die at West ham before he knew that league was not for him.

What different view/angle would the full match differ from this highlight? I watched the game and even the commentators exclaimed he missed an open goal. It must not be a Yakubu style b4 it's classified an open net miss. Please how would you classify Charlie Adam's miss yesterday? Abeg all na open net whether work or no work. And I watched the full game wella

Oasis007:






I saw the Match bro not the Highlight. He fought his way into the Position, dribbled the Keeper in a very tight Space and aimed the Net, but couldn't score. That's ain't a big Yakubu Miss Bro

He still has about three weeks. It's normally 2 weeks to game day and Rohr has always waited till last minute. So I'm looking forward to the week of the 1st till the 4th of Nov. It should be out by then. Argentina just rushed and released theirs. Dunno know y.
Algeria hasn't even released theirs yet.

Icon79:
I believe that I asked the same question on Monday. The game is barely two weeks away and we still haven't seen who's invited for the match.

Strange!


O pari

What always killed us was the Nations cup in a world cup year. We had stupid administrators that used that as a yardstick and opportunity to boot the qualifying coach out if they didn't win the Nations cup. Happened to Amodu twice. In 1998 they wanted first class coach. But in 2014, there was no moral justification to remove Keshi as you cannot base a sack on friendly games.
But while they respected late Keshi, he selected his team in a criteria that was beyond any logical human comprehension. Though, we had an ok first 11, we had a rubbish bench and you need a good bench for competitions. He succumbed to the cries of journalists and agents. Hence, I like Rohr, cos he would not fall for this yama yama suggestions of players I see everywhere. He has that tough German coaching mentality and that would help us a lot.
Radical changes to a team never helps a team regardless of how good the new players are.

Icon4s:
Goke7 and realpoacher's posts just sparked some thing off my mind.

Can we do an x-ray of reasons for our failures in our last 5 participations?

Best way to solving a problem is actually to get to the root of the problem.

We as fans will not play for the Super Eagles in Russia. We are not part of the coaching crew. But we can make our own contributions by profiling the reasons for our 5 previous failures to go beyond the second round of the world cup.

As I have always said here, do not underestimate the contributions we make here. They go very far.
To be honest , some times, I feel Rohr and his crew get some things from here because we have seen things play out severally after we discuss them here.
Plus I know a couple of officials visit here. Eg Amuneke's U17 media officer and Siasia's late U23 media officer.

Most of us here know the history of Super Eagles participation and performances better than Rohr. So he may just learn a thing or two from us.

I expect opinions and counter opinions. All the same we can keep the discussion or arguments constructive.

To discuss this issue I need enough elders in the house as we may need to go back in time to address issues even from 1990 when Westerhof took over.
The younger generation too can equally contribute as a lot of those old games are available on YouTube.

enomakos, Kog45, forgiveness, tbaba1234, TheGoodJoe, Goldfish80, Michael2, Joseph1013, joebie, komekn, safarigirl, mujtahida, terzurum5, icon79, do4luv14, omanbala1, Chriskel, Chrisoblog, Orkpekyandega, Humility017, elyte89, Dedebanky85, soetanoreoluwa and many others.

It must not be in any order. Discuss any one you followed from 2014 to 1994.

Just outta curiosity, how do you know this info? Is there something you know that we don't?

Ok, I seem your responses to other forumites. I don't really believe most of these papers cos they merely speculate false news. That's why Naija players are the most actively transferred players on NAIJA controlled newspapers and internet. E.g. Etebo and Azuibike to Monaco, Moses Simon to West Brom. Also they come up with SE camp distorting news. Thats how I read somewhere that Rohr was set to dismiss Mikel as his captain. Smh. Just don't believer all u read

forgiveness:



NFF board members are fighting hard to stop Rohr from inviting Vincent Enyeama to the National team because they perceived Rohr is not disposed in taking Ezenwa to the World Cup.

They even threatened to terminate his appointment if he insist on bringing back Enyeama from retirement.

They don't want any retired Super Eagles players in the world cup except those who participated in the world cup qualifiers. Opening the door for players like Ambrose and Obafemi Martins are exempted because they participated in the world cup.

My point is, if Rohr have is way, Ikechuckwu Ezenwa should kiss the world cup, good bye. This is going by the report I read on newspaper.

I'm just fantasizing an attacking line up of Kayode, Onyekuru, and V.Moses with Iwobi behind them. That would be very electrifying. Especially if V.Moses decides to pass to teammates that day, it'll be a very fast paced and productive attack

In 2014 WC buildup, can you name one team that called more than 35 to 40 players to camp. Nobody does that. The trend is towards the end of the season a coach names a 35man squad. By the tine the season ends without even coming to camp sometimes, like 5-6 names are then eliminated based on whatever parameter the coach chooses to use. I think sometimes it's based on your season end form. Then the season ends and camping/cohesion session begins for like 2 to 3 weeks. Then the scary part comes where the 23 man list is announced and some placed on standby. I think FIFA wants you to announce your squad a week b4 the competition to allow for injuries and replacements.

Also, some other teams directly name their 23 man squad straight up while players are still in their season's. Some name only 25. In recent times I have not seen any team call 100 players to camp. It's very local African nations that may still adopt your approach. But even at that they don't call a 60 - 100 man training camp.

Just name any team that used your approach. I have checked Google and I thought either of Costa Rica, Honduras or Iran may have used your approach. They named very small squads. Maybe I didn't check well, but just help me with any team that has done it in recent competitions. Thanks

TheGoodJoe:


I am still asking about the 90's. You guys are just hiding under the shell of 80's. In 1994, we camped a huge number. A lot from foreign clubs. So why was it practical in 1994 with foreign players and impractical now?

This guy you de crack me up always. Once I see your name, I be like what's this guy about to say today....

elyte89:



D guy deserves a spot in d squad going to world cup

Why are you answering him? He's a very funny dude. I doubt he's serious with this 27 to 29 yrs brouhaha. But in a serious note, anyone that claims a player is above agr with ridiculous statements such as I know him, I know his older brother, or he grew up in my area, just kindly leave a pics of you and that player. It's easy for anyone to say they know a player and all of his upbringing, whereas they may not even know what state such player either hails from or grew up at. I was pained on Twitter today when some Nigerians on Spanish laliga twitter page were bashing Uzoho after they acknowledged him for being the youngest goalie. If it was foreigners, I for understand, but na Naija peeps de mess d guy up pass. Smh

TheGoodJoe:


Stop the ridiculous lies. It too childish. Iheanacho passed the MRI. Finito.

Tunisia and DRC can't make it at the same time. I think you intended to put Morocco instead of DRC. Those groups would be mouth watering tho.

Icon79:
Meanwhile.......

2018 World Cup pots (if the highest-ranked teams all prevail in playoffs/final round of games)

Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

Pot 2: Spain, Peru*, Switzerland*, England, Colombia, Italy*, Mexico, Uruguay

Pot 3: Croatia*, Denmark*, Iceland, Costa Rica, Tunisia*, Egypt, Senegal*, Iran

Pot 4: DR Congo*, Serbia, Nigeria, Australia*, Japan, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

*denotes teams yet to qualify heading into playoffs/final round of games

Four different Group of Death scenarios
*Germany, Spain, Egypt, Japan
*Brazil, England, Senegal, Serbia
*Argentina, Mexico, Croatia, Nigeria
*Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Korea


O pari

Mahrez as 10, Iborra and Ndidi as the alternating DM and CM. 433

Chrismario:


We must win tactics

433, with Iheanacho as the point man or false 9. But they may never put Vardy on the wings.

Mickael2:



Vardy, Okazaki and Nacho upfront? Which formation is that?