Daninya11:


Brahimi will definitely play is he is injury free.

Manage - No. We can scout for a reliable left back before the game.

Pray - Yes. But we need to get our acts right. Lol

He didn't play their last game for reasons best known to the coach, that's why I am optimistic.

Mickael2:


A lot actually. Thank God for youtube it isn't hard at all.

2-4 minutes youtube videos.
I know u didnt make that intial ascertion from those youtube videos but from the 10mins he played against Zambia.

Onazi is the man for the DMF job against Algeria abeg. We dnt want any1 that will play with a butter-fly stomach.

Icon4s:
People have been making suggestions like: starting Onazi at LB or RB, starting V. Moses at the left wing so as to provide xover for Echiejile
Some1 has also said we should start Esiti ahead of Onazi.

All these are attempts to unsettle the balance and stability in that team.

We forget the first line of defense is the midfield. If u unsettle the midfield bc of LB u have destabilized the whole team. More like cutting off the head to deal with a running nose.

Let Echiejile remain at LB and Onazi partner with Mikel at the midfield. If the midfielders prevent the balls from getting to Mahrez and Slimani their threats would be minimized.

Moses needs to do more to support the RB also Iwobi needs to support the LB. Iwobi's defensive capabilities and physicality especially as seen at Arsenal has improved.

The strenght of this team lies in our midfield and attack. Let us not destabilize it bc we want to replace Echiejile.

Stability? What stability? They have only played 3 matches together and Onazi didn't start all those games neither did Mikel finish all of them, so we don't have a stable team yet.

Thank God you pointed it out, 'we need to prevent the balls from getting to Mahrez and Brahimi actually, Slimani is the top striker not a winger over there, you watched our last match, was Onazi able to do this? No. Then why shouldn't we be dynamic? Onazi can play games against Zambia and teams like that who depend on sheer strength to get through your midfield, he could also play that Algeria game if only we had great fullbacks, but the truth is that we don't, hence we can't afford to create one-on-one situations between our fullbacks and their wingers, if Omeruo plays as a RB, I will fancy him to hold his ground against Brahimi, but the problem is with Echejile and Mahrez.

So our team is still coming together, it isn't the finished article yet so we can change. Incase you don't remember, we could have lost that game against the Zambians if only they could finish better and all their chances were created from their wingers, none went through the middle so you see that we need to cover our flanks else the Algerians won't be too merciful

Icon4s:


2-4 minutes youtube videos.
I know u didnt make that intial ascertion from those youtube videos but from the 10mins he played against Zambia.

Onazi is the man for the DMF job against Algeria abeg. We dnt want any1 that will play with a butter-fly stomach.

can you give me one good reason why you think that Onazi will do a better job? Please put that your stability theory aside

Loooooooolllll.... Bia Oga Forgiveness... Rapum aka bikonu.... **points in the direction of the legends' and "elders" lounge**

Oya see Oga Icon4s... Go meet am biko... Una two fit well well... Me I wan go check out my "tatas/indomie generation/youngsters" lounge....

forgiveness:


believe whatever you wan believe. No puroblemu!

Hehehe!!

Guediora played there (in place of Brahimi).... And he's also a threat. But Brahimi is the better player.

They played 4-4-2 against Cameroun with Slimani pairing their top scorer, El hilal soudani.

They employed a combined attacking and cautious approach but Cameroun edged them in the midfield battle but Algeria created the most chances as most of their dangerous moves forward came through the flank/wing of one man.... "Mahrez"

Mahrez (as you already know) came from the right-- **somebody pls scream echiejile!!!!!!**

Guediora came from the left while Taider and boudebouz played as their central midfielders...

Feghouli came in later on from the bench.

But now the coach who executed that game and formation is gone and I see Brahimi returning to the first XI.

Also, Algeria just got Ounas of Bordeaux to change his allegiance and he's in line to feature against Nigeria. He's a midfielder doing well with bordeaux... He's 19 though but a special talent.

Truth is, we can edge the Algerians in midfield but the main problem is Mahrez down echiejile's wing. If Iwobi can show his improved defensive side at Arsenal for Nigeria, then mahrez will be limited down that flank.

Also, Victor moses executed the "wing-back" role in a 3-5-2 for Chelsea against hull on the right in their last EPL game. That role involves heavy defensive and offensive duties and Moses excelled. He was even MOTM.

If he can replicate that for Nigeria as on the right wing on his "expected" return, then Omeruo will also shine bright even though Omeruo can hold his own in that position because of his big-game experience and marking/tackling abilities.

So far, looking at our options, I agree with Sir Icon4s' call for Omeruo to fill in Right-back against Algeria. Nothing is guaranteed... He may flop there also... But I think he's a safer bet there especially as Balogun should return to partner Ekong....


And yessss... Sir Mickael2, I agree that playing an Ndidi instead of an Onazi won't be a bad move at all as He's younger, faster and can do a great DMF job in Onazi;s absence. But then I understand Icon4s' point.... "Big game Experience and cohesion with mikel".

Well, let's see how it goes shaa in that DMF role.


I honestly believe we can beat the Algerians and WE MUST.... A five-point lead over Algeria going into next year's four fixtures starting with the Cameroun double header will go a long way in keeping our qualification chances ever bright and maybe secured before going to algiers/blida on last match day.

Mickael2:


He didn't play their last game for reasons best known to the coach, that's why I am optimistic.

The "bolded" names ring bells indeed....

@Paul le guen.... We know this dude naa... Not much to be said

@Paul Put.... Let me remind you that this was the same man who coached Burkina faso to an Afcon 2013 final place finish.... They were Runners-up and they were outstanding at that tournament.

@Philippe Troussier.... Una know am naa... Haba!!! Though I really don't know why he's called the white witch doctor.... The "elders and Ogas" go know #ProudlyIndomieGeneration

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

Algerian Federation In Talks With Coach
Who Rejected Nigeria Job





The Algerian Football Federation have made an
approach to Frenchman Paul Le Guen about becoming their new manager in the wake of the dismissal of Milovan Rajevac.


Le Buteur says the president of the FAF,
Mohamed Raouraoua, has opened a line of
communication with the ex- Paris Saint-Germain
stopper using emissaries, and the parties could
meet again this week.


It would be recalled that Paul Le Guen was
appointed Nigeria coach in July, only for him to
turn down the offer as the Nigerian Federation did not meet his terms and conditions.


Ex-Super Eagles coach Philippe Troussier has been mentioned as a possible candidate, and Paul Put and Safet Susic recently joined to race to succeed Milovan Rajevac.


The FAF have stated they will appoint a coach
before the national team travel to Uyo for the
World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, with Rolland
Courbis thought to be the front-runner for the
job.





Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=20736

TheSuperNerd:
Guediora played there (in place of Brahimi).... And he's also a threat. But Brahimi is the better player.

They played 4-4-2 against Cameroun with Slimani pairing their top scorer, El hilal soudani.

They employed a combined attacking and cautious approach but Cameroun edged them in the midfield battle but Algeria created the most chances as most of their dangerous moves forward came through the flank/wing of one man.... "Mahrez"

Mahrez (as you already know) came from the right-- **somebody pls scream echiejile!!!!!!**

Guediora came from the left while Taider and boudebouz played as their central midfielders...

Feghouli came in later on from the bench.

But now the coach who executed that game and formation is gone and I see Brahimi returning to the first XI.

Also, Algeria just got Ounas of Bordeaux to change his allegiance and he's in line to feature against Nigeria. He's a midfielder doing well with bordeaux... He's 19 though but a special talent.

Truth is, we can edge the Algerians in midfield but the main problem is Mahrez down echiejile's wing. If Iwobi can show his improved defensive side at Arsenal for Nigeria, then mahrez will be limited down that flank.

Also, Victor moses executed the "wing-back" role in a 3-5-2 for Chelsea against hull on the right in their last EPL game. That role involves heavy defensive and offensive duties and Moses excelled. He was even MOTM.

If he can replicate that for Nigeria as on the right wing on his "expected" return, then Omeruo will also shine bright even though Omeruo can hold his own in that position because of his big-game experience and marking/tackling abilities.

So far, looking at our options, I agree with Sir Icon4s' call for Omeruo to fill in Right-back against Algeria. Nothing is guaranteed... He may flop there also... But I think he's a safer bet there especially as Balogun should return to partner Ekong....


And yessss... Sir Mickael2, I agree that playing an Ndidi instead of an Onazi won't be a bad move at all as He's younger, faster and can do a great DMF job in Onazi;s absence. But then I understand Icon4s' point.... "Big game Experience and cohesion with mikel".

Well, let's see how it goes shaa in that DMF role.


I honestly believe we can beat the Algerians and WE MUST.... A five-point lead over Algeria going into next year's four fixtures starting with the Cameroun double header will go a long way in keeping our qualification chances ever bright and maybe secured before going to algiers/blida on last match day.

exactly. You got my points totally. I will go with Omeruo as the RB and I won't be worried about Guediora at all. But Mahrez and Echejile, Lord Have Mercy! The simple truth is that Echejile has zero chance against an in-form Mahrez, even against a half-fit Mahrez so if Iwobi doesn't come back to defend then no matter our combination in midfield we will definetly have issues.

Ndidi or Esiti will start for me, because their passing abilities are better than Onazi and they can still cover a lot more ground than he does. In such a match, you don't need your DMF to be losing the ball every now and again or getting caught out of position, it will be dangerous hence the need for a more discplined DMF. If Mikel does not play any game till november, then he should not start at all for me. We have options.

I agree with SirIcon on other points though, except Onazi, he wants him to start just because of the team 'chemistry'

Mickael2:


Stability? What stability? They have only played 3 matches together and Onazi didn't start all those games neither did Mikel finish all of them, so we don't have a stable team yet.

Thank God you pointed it out, 'we need to prevent the balls from getting to Mahrez and Brahimi actually, Slimani is the top striker not a winger over there, you watched our last match, was Onazi able to do this? No. Then why shouldn't we be dynamic? Onazi can play games against Zambia and teams like that who depend on sheer strength to get through your midfield, he could also play that Algeria game if only we had great fullbacks, but the truth is that we don't, hence we can't afford to create one-on-one situations between our fullbacks and their wingers, if Omeruo plays as a RB, I will fancy him to hold his ground against Brahimi, but the problem is with Echejile and Mahrez.

So our team is still coming together, it isn't the finished article yet so we can change. Incase you don't remember, we could have lost that game against the Zambians if only they could finish better and all their chances were created from their wingers, none went through the middle so you see that we need to cover our flanks else the Algerians won't be too merciful

Mikel and Onazi have been playing that midfield together for over 4 years not jst the last 2 matches. Take note of that. There collaboration all these years has mostly been solid. That is the stability i am talking about.

Coaches come and coaches go but the team remains. Onazi is a big game player. We cannot field an inexperienced Esiti in a game of this magnitude.

As for u saying Onazi allowed so many passes pass through him against Zambia. Him dey carry net dey play ball? U expect the Zambians not to have any through pass to their forwards at all? Did u also not see the number of interceptions he made in that game? Did u nt see how many times he initiated a build up play? Onazi had a good game against Zambia.

Well, Rohr is here to change many things about our national team. "The experienced players are needed for the big games".

You think this is like the era of our local coaches where after u build experience in a team, they distroy it by including players to suit there personal interest dropping the more experienced players. Just like Oliseh fielding Paul Onobi ahead of Mikel. And Silvester Igboun over Sonne Aluko.

Who be Esiti where Onazi dey?

Black Stars held, Super Eagles off to a flying start
(African Football Media) 09 Oct 2016
Algeria's Ryad Mahrez (L) vies with Cameroon's Toko Ikambi Kar
THE MATCH DAY REPLAYED – The Cranes take some of the sparkle out of the Black Stars, Egypt come back in Congo. Burkina Faso miss two penalties and need a last-gasp equaliser for a share of the spoils against South Africa. The Elephants continue an amazing run and Nigeria look strong in the Group of Death. FIFA.com looks back at an action-packed first match day in the group phase of the FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in Africa.

Results
Group A: Congo DR 4-0 Libya, Tunisia 2-0 Guinea
Group B: Zambia 1-2 Nigeria, Algeria 1-1 Cameroon
Group C: Gabon 0-0 Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire 3-1 Mali
Group D: Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde Islands, Burkina Faso 1-1 South Africa
Group E: Congo 1-2 Egypt, Ghana 0-0 Uganda

Match of the day
Congo 1-2 Egypt
Dore 24, Salah 41, Said 58
Egypt's last appearance on the global stage was in 1990 – at a time when most of the present day players in their squad were not even born. Playing their opening Group E game in Brazzaville the Pharaohs' players knew the importance of getting their campaign off to a winning start, but they soon found themselves playing catch-up. Ferebory Dore gave the home side the lead midway through the first half with a header after the Egyptian defence failed to clear the ball. The visitors managed to level matters shortly before the break though as Mohamed Salah made amends for two earlier misses, heading a Mohamed Abdel-Shafy cross home. Worse was to follow for the home fans shortly after the restart as Abdallah Said gave the North Africans a second goal after being set up by Salah. Veteran 43-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary secured the three points for Egypt late in the game, denying the home side a deserved equaliser with a string of good saves.

Elsewhere
The other match in Group E saw Uganda surprisingly hold Ghana's Black Stars to a goalless draw in Tamale. The home side dominated throughout the 90 minutes and should have wrapped matters up, but Dennis Onyango in goals for the Cranes was outstanding. In Group A Dieumerci Mbokani scored twice as Congo DR secured the biggest win of weekend, beating Libya 4-0 to head the group from Tunisia who saw off the Guinean challenge 2-0, with Aymen Abdennour and Anis Ben-Hatira scoring after the break.

In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso missed two penalties and needed a last-gasp goal from Banou Diawara to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Africa, whose goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune saved Jonathan Pitroipa's spot-kicks, while Alain Traore missed his. Group favourites Senegal beat Cape Verde Islands 2-0 to lead Group D from Burkina Faso and South Africa. Ivorian veteran striker Gervinho was one of the scorers for the Elephants as they maintained their excellent World Cup form, beating Mali 3-1 in Bouake in a Group C game, while next year's Africa Cup of Nations hosts Gabon played to a goalless draw against four-time World Cup finalists Morocco in Franceville.

Group B has been termed the Group of Death and sees three of Africa's 2010 and 2014 finalists competing for the one qualifying place. Nigeria had their Premier League contingent to thank for a 2-1 win in Zambia, with Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho scoring for the Super Eagles. In the other match, Cameroon secured a good away point in Algeria, holding the home side to a 1-1. El Arabi Soudani scored for the home side early on, but Benjamin Moukandjo equalised midway through the first half.

Player of the weekend
Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho has been grabbing his fair share of the headlines in England, recently joining an illustrious club of just 16 players to have scored 20 Premier League goals before their 20th birthday. On the weekend the striker scored an important goal for Nigeria's Super Eagles. Iheanacho went around goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and was just about on the line before turning back and scoring from an acute angle despite three Zambian defenders on the goal line.

The number
6 - The times Congo and Egypt have played against each other. None of these matches have ended in a draw, with Egypt's come-back victory in Brazzaville on the weekend their fifth win against the Diables Rouges.

Did you know?
Cote d'Ivoire are on a run of 24 World Cup qualifiers without defeat, going back to September 2005, when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Cameroon. Since then, the Elephants have played 24 matches, winning 17 and drawing 7.

What they said
"To go 1-0 up was great‚ but in those situations I feel we have to seal the game. They missed the second penalty and that gave us another lifeline to hold on to. There's an overall feeling of frustration‚ that we let it slip at the last minute. We want to go to the World Cup and every game will be treated as a cup final. We have to make our home form is one of our strongest points,” Dean Furman, South African scorer in Bafana's 1-1 draw in Burkina Faso.

Source:
http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=10/news=black-stars-held-super-eagles-off-to-a-flying-start-2842248.html

I don't know why they didn't mention Nigeria's record on qualifiers without defeat

Mickael2:


exactly. You got my points totally. I will go with Omeruo as the RB and I won't be worried about Guediora at all. But Mahrez and Echejile, Lord Have Mercy! The simple truth is that Echejile has zero chance against an in-form Mahrez, even against a half-fit Mahrez so if Iwobi doesn't come back to defend then no matter our combination in midfield we will definetly have issues.

Ndidi or Esiti will start for me, because their passing abilities are better than Onazi and they can still cover a lot more ground than he does. In such a match, you don't need your DMF to be losing the ball every now and again or getting caught out of position, it will be dangerous hence the need for a more discplined DMF. If Mikel does not play any game till november, then he should not start at all for me. We have options.

I agree with SirIcon on other points though, except Onazi, he wants him to start just because of the team 'chemistry'

"Team Chemistry". Very very important in modern day football.

Except if Onazi is injured there is no way Esiti or Ndidi will start that game ahead of him in the DMF position. And I dare to tell u that Mikel will be part of that Algeria game irrespective of whether he plays till November or not.

How many games has Mikel played this season yet he was our engine room against Tanzania and Zambia.

And pls which option(s) did u say u have for Mikel?

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa Cameroon
NIGERIAN SPORTS MINISTER BLASTS: NFF planless, poor managers, no goodwill

Nigerian sports minister has fired a salvo at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after blasting them for planlessness, poor management and lacking goodwill.


Sports minister Solomon Dalung had to step in and ensure the government released 100 million Naira for the country to honour last weekend’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia after the NFF claimed they did not have the cash to do so.


The minister was most critical about what he described as “NFF’s fire brigade” approach.


“We must improve on the way we do things. We cannot be writing emergency memos to the President. Personally, I’m not too comfortable (with that). Memos should have gone out much earlier on,” Dalung said.


“That Christmas is on 25 of December, you don’t need anyone to fix that date for you. So, you start planning in January or you save enough to contain the demands in December.


“The economic situation (in the country) is not too friendly, but as I advised, if you have little money, you plan well. Management of resources is also very, very important.”


The top government official is equally disturbed that the NFF led by Amaju Pinnick do not have the goodwill to overcome some of their challenges.


“Everything is not all about money. The image of the federation is very, very important,” he reasoned.


“The NFF were founded in 1945 and if by now you don’t have goodwill, then something is basically wrong.


“People appreciate goodwill more than anything you can think of.”

africanfootball.com/news/654793/NIGERIAN-SPORTS-MINISTER-BLASTS-NFF-planless-poor-managers-no-goodwill

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa Cameroon
Algeria Watford star: I won't talk to 'enemies' Ighalo, Success till after Nigeria clash

Algeria star Adlene Guedioura has revealed he joked with his Nigeria teammates at Watford he will not talk to them until after next month’s World Cup qualifier because he considers them as “enemies”.


Nigeria hosts Algeria on November 12 in continuation of the World Cup qualifiers after they won 2-1 in Zambia and Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Cameroon.


“I said to them I won’t talk to them until next month because they are my enemy now,” the 30-year-old Algeria midfielder told the Watford official website.


“Of course it’s a joke, but it will be a pleasure to play against them.


It’s special to meet teammates who you are used to training with every day and to play against them in one game, so it’s quite good and strange at the same time.


“It’s going to be an important game for us. I’m sure we’ll have a good welcome from the Nigerian people and from Ighalo and Isaac, but when we go into the pitch they’re not going to be my teammates or my friends any more.


“It’s going to be a tough game and I can’t wait for it.”


The Algeria star further said the North Africans were disappointed with the home draw with Cameroon, but still remain confident they will qualify for Russia 2018.


“We wanted to win this game and we expected to win, so it was a bit of a disappointment to draw, but we faced a good team and especially a good goalkeeper,” he said.


“That was our first game of World Cup qualification so we still have five games to go and we have a really good team. I have a big trust in my teammates and in the team.


“It’s been a good moment for Algeria recently. We performed well at the last World Cup and we’ve been at the last two World Cups, so we want to continue and go to the next one.


“People are saying we are maybe the best team in Africa recently, so it’s good for us, but we want to keep that and improve.


“We have big players in our team – people like Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani are playing for the team that won the Premier League last year – so hopefully we will keep improving and qualify.”

africanfootball.com/news/654866/Algeria-Watford-star-I-won-t-talk-to-enemies-Ighalo-Success-till-after-Nigeria-clash

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa Cameroon
Nigeria coach Rohr warns coach sack may fire up Algeria

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has warned that the sensational dismissal of Serbian Milovan Rajevac could well work in favour of Algeria when they visit Uyo next month in continuation of the World Cup qualifiers.


Player-power has forced Rajevac out in Algeria, who tackle Nigeria on November 12 in a crucial World Cup clash after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cameroon.


Nigeria top the qualifying group with three points ahead of favourites Algeria and Cameroon, who are on a point each.


“This (sack) may be the motivation Algeria need to play against us,” warned the experienced Rohr, who led Nigeria to win 2-1 in Zambia at the weekend.


“It will be difficult for a new coach to put together a team in three weeks for our match, but possibly the assistant coaches could manage it.”


The Algeria Football Federation (FAF)have already announced that Rajevac assistants Nabil Neghiz and Yazid Mansouri are in temporary charge and will lead the team for next month’s trip to Nigeria.


FAF president Mohamed Raouraou has admitted it will be impossible to name a permanent coach before next year’s AFCON in Gabon.

africanfootball.com/news/654986/Nigeria-coach-Rohr-warns-coach-sack-may-fire-up-Algeria

Don't mind them for not giving it a mention.... Nigeria's record of 31 unbeaten games in world cup qualifying since that loss to Angola in 2004 is the African record.
Cote d' ivoire's 24 is just second.

dkay51:
Black Stars held, Super Eagles off to a flying start
(African Football Media) 09 Oct 2016
Algeria's Ryad Mahrez (L) vies with Cameroon's Toko Ikambi Kar
THE MATCH DAY REPLAYED – The Cranes take some of the sparkle out of the Black Stars, Egypt come back in Congo. Burkina Faso miss two penalties and need a last-gasp equaliser for a share of the spoils against South Africa. The Elephants continue an amazing run and Nigeria look strong in the Group of Death. FIFA.com looks back at an action-packed first match day in the group phase of the FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in Africa.

Results
Group A: Congo DR 4-0 Libya, Tunisia 2-0 Guinea
Group B: Zambia 1-2 Nigeria, Algeria 1-1 Cameroon
Group C: Gabon 0-0 Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire 3-1 Mali
Group D: Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde Islands, Burkina Faso 1-1 South Africa
Group E: Congo 1-2 Egypt, Ghana 0-0 Uganda

Match of the day
Congo 1-2 Egypt
Dore 24, Salah 41, Said 58
Egypt's last appearance on the global stage was in 1990 – at a time when most of the present day players in their squad were not even born. Playing their opening Group E game in Brazzaville the Pharaohs' players knew the importance of getting their campaign off to a winning start, but they soon found themselves playing catch-up. Ferebory Dore gave the home side the lead midway through the first half with a header after the Egyptian defence failed to clear the ball. The visitors managed to level matters shortly before the break though as Mohamed Salah made amends for two earlier misses, heading a Mohamed Abdel-Shafy cross home. Worse was to follow for the home fans shortly after the restart as Abdallah Said gave the North Africans a second goal after being set up by Salah. Veteran 43-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary secured the three points for Egypt late in the game, denying the home side a deserved equaliser with a string of good saves.

Elsewhere
The other match in Group E saw Uganda surprisingly hold Ghana's Black Stars to a goalless draw in Tamale. The home side dominated throughout the 90 minutes and should have wrapped matters up, but Dennis Onyango in goals for the Cranes was outstanding. In Group A Dieumerci Mbokani scored twice as Congo DR secured the biggest win of weekend, beating Libya 4-0 to head the group from Tunisia who saw off the Guinean challenge 2-0, with Aymen Abdennour and Anis Ben-Hatira scoring after the break.

In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso missed two penalties and needed a last-gasp goal from Banou Diawara to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Africa, whose goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune saved Jonathan Pitroipa's spot-kicks, while Alain Traore missed his. Group favourites Senegal beat Cape Verde Islands 2-0 to lead Group D from Burkina Faso and South Africa. Ivorian veteran striker Gervinho was one of the scorers for the Elephants as they maintained their excellent World Cup form, beating Mali 3-1 in Bouake in a Group C game, while next year's Africa Cup of Nations hosts Gabon played to a goalless draw against four-time World Cup finalists Morocco in Franceville.

Group B has been termed the Group of Death and sees three of Africa's 2010 and 2014 finalists competing for the one qualifying place. Nigeria had their Premier League contingent to thank for a 2-1 win in Zambia, with Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho scoring for the Super Eagles. In the other match, Cameroon secured a good away point in Algeria, holding the home side to a 1-1. El Arabi Soudani scored for the home side early on, but Benjamin Moukandjo equalised midway through the first half.

Player of the weekend
Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho has been grabbing his fair share of the headlines in England, recently joining an illustrious club of just 16 players to have scored 20 Premier League goals before their 20th birthday. On the weekend the striker scored an important goal for Nigeria's Super Eagles. Iheanacho went around goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and was just about on the line before turning back and scoring from an acute angle despite three Zambian defenders on the goal line.

The number
6 - The times Congo and Egypt have played against each other. None of these matches have ended in a draw, with Egypt's come-back victory in Brazzaville on the weekend their fifth win against the Diables Rouges.

Did you know?
Cote d'Ivoire are on a run of 24 World Cup qualifiers without defeat, going back to September 2005, when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Cameroon. Since then, the Elephants have played 24 matches, winning 17 and drawing 7.

What they said
"To go 1-0 up was great‚ but in those situations I feel we have to seal the game. They missed the second penalty and that gave us another lifeline to hold on to. There's an overall feeling of frustration‚ that we let it slip at the last minute. We want to go to the World Cup and every game will be treated as a cup final. We have to make our home form is one of our strongest points,” Dean Furman, South African scorer in Bafana's 1-1 draw in Burkina Faso.

Source:
http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=10/news=black-stars-held-super-eagles-off-to-a-flying-start-2842248.html

I don't know why they didn't mention Nigeria's record on qualifiers without defeat

Icon4s:


Mikel and Onazi have been playing that midfield together for over 4 years not jst the last 2 matches. Take note of that. There collaboration all these years has mostly been solid. That is the stability i am talking about.

Coaches come and coaches go but the team remains. Onazi is a big game player. We cannot field an inexperienced Esiti in a game of this magnitude.

As for u saying Onazi allowed so many passes pass through him against Zambia. Him dey carry net dey play ball? U expect the Zambians not to have any through pass to their forwards at all? Did u also not see the number of interceptions he made in that game? Did u nt see how many times he initiated a build up play? Onazi had a good game against Zambia.

Well, Rohr is here to change many things about our national team. "The experienced players are needed for the big games".

You think this is like the era of our local coaches where after u build experience in a team, they distroy it by including players to suit there personal interest dropping the more experienced players. Just like Oliseh fielding Paul Onobi ahead of Mikel. And Silvester Igboun over Sonne Aluko.

Who be Esiti where Onazi dey?

Thank u my guy for your good analytical comment.Esiti and Ndidi over Onazi!i laugh,this is world cup qualifiers where there must be no room for gambling.The last match against Zambia,Rohr gambled with RB and he was nearly paid for it.Please for now it's Mikel and Onazi combo except we find a highly rated midfied player talented like iwobi and iheanacho not all these Esiti or Ndidi.

I heard somebody saying Mikel should be dropped for lack of playing time at Chelsea, well if there is replacement why not but for now where is d replacement.

I watched Zambia match again and realized that only Mikel knows how to possess ball and this gave us fluidity in d game,pls watch d 2nd goal by iheanacho and look at d combination of Mikel, iwobi and iheanacho during d match,then it w remind u of xavi,iniesta and messi of old barca.

I see nothing wrong with the last squad except our RB(Ndidi)LB(echiejele) and our right sided midfield (Simon Moses)

It is now left for Rohr to adjust and good we have capable replacement from d squad with availability of Balogun, Omeruo can shift to RB and Victor moses replaces simon but LB is an issue which to me Echiejele is a suspect but for now no capable replacement,Amuzie that i watched in Olympics cannot displace Echijele.Nevertheless this team is going places.

Zambia Shot Stopper Explains Why Iwobi’s Goal Was Difficult To Stop

[img]http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/zambia-shot-stopper-explains-why-iwobis-goal-was-difficult-to-stop/[/img]
Arsenal rising star Alex Iwobi has earned praises from Kennedy Mweene, the goalkepper of Zambia for his goal in Nigeria 2-1 win over Zambia in a World Cup 2018 qualifiers played in Ndola.


Iwobi was first to a loose clearance from the Zambian defence after a cross, and the 20 year old used refined technique to volley home the opening goal for Nigeria, keeping his well hit strike low and on target.


Mweene, who got his hands to the effort but couldn’t keep it out confessed, the goal which played a very big role in helping Nigeria to a 2-1 win, was hard for him to stop due to factors beyond his control.


”To start with, He (Iwobi) hit the ball with lot of power despite the difficult nature of how the ball dropped for him and secondly I saw it late due to the defender in front of me” He said.


”I did my best to keep it out but not many goalkepper can save a shot inside the box, that is as powerful as that of Iwobi. We are sad to have lose the game in front of our fans but we will bounce back”.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/zambia-shot-stopper-explains-why-iwobis-goal-was-difficult-to-stop/

REVEALED: The Nickname Super Eagles Players Privately Call Gernot Rohr
[img]http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/revealed-the-nickname-super-eagles-players-privately-call-gernot-rohr/[/img]
Players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have given the German coach of the team Gernot Rohr, a new nickname which they call him only when they are speaking to each other.


One of the player, who spoke with Owngoalnigeria.com said, they resorted to giving the former coach of Mali, a nickname to clearly differentiate him from other coaches during discussions.


Rohr who has been widely praised by the players for his man management skills, has rejuvenated the spirit of players of the Super Eagles, which has helped them win their first two games under his guidance.


We gathered the players have resorted to calling him “Baba”, a name which most people call their father in Nigeria or anybody in authority or advanced in age.


”We call him coach to his face, like every other coach but behind, we mostly refer to him as “Baba” (laughs), he is the eldest among the coaches and also to us the players, a fatherly figure” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/revealed-the-nickname-super-eagles-players-privately-call-gernot-rohr/

Kog45:
Thank u my guy for your good analytical comment.Esiti and Ndidi over Onazi!i laugh,this is world cup qualifiers where there must be no room for gambling.The last match against Zambia,Rohr gambled with RB and he was nearly paid for it.Please for now it's Mikel and Onazi combo except we find a highly rated midfied player talented like iwobi and iheanacho not all these Esiti or Ndidi.

I heard somebody saying Mikel should be dropped for lack of playing time at Chelsea, well if there is replacement why not but for now where is d replacement.

I watched Zambia match again and realized that only Mikel knows how to possess ball and this gave us fluidity in d game,pls watch d 2nd goal by iheanacho and look at d combination of Mikel, iwobi and iheanacho during d match,then it w remind u of xavi,iniesta and messi of old barca.

I see nothing wrong with the last squad except our RB(Ndidi)LB(echiejele) and our right sided midfield (Simon Moses)

It is now left for Rohr to adjust and good we have capable replacement from d squad with availability of Balogun, Omeruo can shift to RB and Victor moses replaces simon but LB is an issue which to me Echiejele is a suspect but for now no capable replacement,Amuzie that i watched in Olympics cannot displace Echijele.Nevertheless this team is going places.

Thank u. I jst tire.

That has been our problems in recent past.
Too many changes. This upsets the balance of the team.

Keshi, Oliseh and Siasia have done a lot of experiments. Rohr should jst hit d ground running with d results of the experiment. Thank God coach salisu was part of those experiments. He would jst relay the results to Rohr.

I blieve Coach salisu has been making so much inputs in the team selections.

After the Algeria game, Rohr cam then perform his own wild experiments. Bt i suggest that for d last two friendlies before d Cameroun double header we should field close to our best squad for team cohesion. Remember Cameroun and Algeria would be at d AFCON. That will aid cohesion for their teams
So we also need our best crop to play a couple of games together

terzurum5:
REVEALED: The Nickname Super Eagles Players Privately Call Gernot Rohr
[img]http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/revealed-the-nickname-super-eagles-players-privately-call-gernot-rohr/[/img]
Players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have given the German coach of the team Gernot Rohr, a new nickname which they call him only when they are speaking to each other.


One of the player, who spoke with Owngoalnigeria.com said, they resorted to giving the former coach of Mali, a nickname to clearly differentiate him from other coaches during discussions.


Rohr who has been widely praised by the players for his man management skills, has rejuvenated the spirit of players of the Super Eagles, which has helped them win their first two games under his guidance.


We gathered the players have resorted to calling him “Baba”, a name which most people call their father in Nigeria or anybody in authority or advanced in age.


”We call him coach to his face, like every other coach but behind, we mostly refer to him as “Baba” (laughs), he is the eldest among the coaches and also to us the players, a fatherly figure” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/10/13/revealed-the-nickname-super-eagles-players-privately-call-gernot-rohr/

So we get na. "Baba".

Icon4s:


Mikel and Onazi have been playing that midfield together for over 4 years not jst the last 2 matches. Take note of that. There collaboration all these years has mostly been solid. That is the stability i am talking about.

Coaches come and coaches go but the team remains. Onazi is a big game player. We cannot field an inexperienced Esiti in a game of this magnitude.

As for u saying Onazi allowed so many passes pass through him against Zambia. Him dey carry net dey play ball? U expect the Zambians not to have any through pass to their forwards at all? Did u also not see the number of interceptions he made in that game? Did u nt see how many times he initiated a build up play? Onazi had a good game against Zambia.

Well, Rohr is here to change many things about our national team. "The experienced players are needed for the big games".

You think this is like the era of our local coaches where after u build experience in a team, they distroy it by including players to suit there personal interest dropping the more experienced players. Just like Oliseh fielding Paul Onobi ahead of Mikel. And Silvester Igboun over Sonne Aluko.

Who be Esiti where Onazi dey?

yes, for the past 4 years and within that period we have failed to qualify for the previous 2 Afcons. That does not even add anything to their portfolio at all, they only time they succeeded was when they were paired with Sunday Mba at the Afcon and Babatunde at the World Cup. So don't sound as if they have been killing giants for the past 4 years.

Esiti came in and had almost thesame number of successful passes as Onazi. You think it's all about gaining possession? What do you do with the possession, that's important. Onazi hardly initiated any build up play that led to a good chance, all his long balls were unsuccessful but I can instantly remember 2 of Esiti's long range passes that were successful.

You seem not to get my point. I don't want Onazi to start for 2 reasons, one his passing abilities is far far inferior to our other DMFs. 2, that game is going to be a techinical game,do you know why Leichester lost to Arsenal twice last season? Because Kante, whose game is similar to Onazi's, couldn't cope with the passing game. The Algerians have technical players, they will come to pass the ball, not to dribble excessively and that requires sound positioning and discipline, Onazi lacks both or dont you agree?

Icon4s:


"Team Chemistry". Very very important in modern day football.

Except if Onazi is injured there is no way Esiti or Ndidi will start that game ahead of him in the DMF position. And I dare to tell u that Mikel will be part of that Algeria game irrespective of whether he plays till November or not.

How many games has Mikel played this season yet he was our engine room against Tanzania and Zambia.

And pls which option(s) did u say u have for Mikel?

are you trying to be sarcastic or you are really asking me if Nigeria has another CMF who is talented? So all the names we have been mentioning on this thread you no get any of them? Nosa Igiebor wasn't invited to warm the bench alone you know? If I mention Ogu now you will say 'team chemistry', so Igiebor is there. I also believe that Iwobi can play that position thus opening up space for Isaac Success to occupy the wing position, nothing difficult there

Nigeria: Don't Celebrate Yet, Adokiye Warns Eagles

By Jacob Ajom

Former Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka has warned Nigerians, particularly, Super Eagles players and their technical crew not to go into premature celebration, with the thought that Russia 2018 ticket has been achieved following Nigeria's 2-1 away victory over Zambia at the weekend.


Amiesimaka congratulated the Eagles for the victory, but said, "I am already hearing people saying we have already qualified. It is a lie. It is not over until it is over.


That is the spirit I want the players and the coaches to adopt because the other teams in our group are no pushovers."


Looking at the Zambia match, which the Eagles ran away with maximum points, Amiesimaka said, "I think what enabled us to beat the Zambians was the attack.


We are better when we adopt free-flowing attack anchored on wing play."


However, the former Nigeria international picked holes in the defence. "We are not practically competent to maintain a solid regime in the defence. That is what the coaches have to dwell on before the next match."


On the new Super Eagles coach, he observed that credit must be given to Gernot Rohr for achieving victory over Zambia, but insisted, "there is nothing exceptional about Rohr, to prefer him to Siasia or Oliseh."


Amiesimaka frowned at the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, for owing indigenous coaches while the Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has been paid up to date. "It is discriminatory, colonial retrogressive mentality. No other country in the would would permit that to happen to her citizens, except Nigeria," he said.

allafrica.com/stories/201610130661.html

i have to agree with mickael that the mikel onazi combo needs to be tweaked. two of them playing together as a double pivot hasn't really worked since our AFCON triumph in 2013. in most matches i watched involving them after the AFCON it was always a case of one of either of them being poor and the other having to cover their mess. onazi particularly after that tackle by matuidi in the world cup has not been great. for me he has lost a lot of that positioning ability. i don't mind an additional body joining them in midfield to make it more compact especially against stronger sides like algeria. ndidi or esiti can provide this. i remember reading the comments of a poster in one of those foreign football threads. he mentioned that his ideal midfield of three would include a passer, a runner and a marker/blocker. i think i share his thoughts. so for us this would be passer=mikel, runner=onazi, marker/blocker=esiti/ndidi. i feel this would give our midfield more balance. for example look at how our midfield calmed down with esiti's introduction against zambia. plus onazi was able to go further up the pitch to intercept passes.

look at how they might line out

esiti/ndidi
onazi mikel
v.moses iheanacho iwobi

good thing about this setup is depending on opponents we are facing and personnel available we can also go like this

esiti/ndidi/mikel
onazi iwobi

v.moses iheanacho success/musa/simon

The Passer-Marker/blocker-Runner Midfield triumvirate only works in a 4-3-3.

Will Rohr go with a 4-3-3 against Algeria??

I don't know. But He seems to just love the 4-2-3-1 from which he can easily switch to 4-5-1, 4-4-2, 4-3-3 (like seen against Zambia when Esiti came in and joined Mikel and Onazi), and even the "untested-under-rohr" 4-4-1-1.



Note: Keshi played 4-4-1-1 in a couple of games for Nigeria at Afcon 2013 and then some.

Let's keep watching Rohr... His formation against Africa's no.1 side AT HOME will reveal a lot.

chrisooblog:
i have to agree with mickael that the mikel onazi combo needs to be tweaked. two of them playing together as a double pivot hasn't really worked since our AFCON triumph in 2013. in most matches i watched involving them after the AFCON it was always a case of one of either of them being poor and the other having to cover their mess. onazi particularly after that tackle by matuidi in the world cup has not been great. for me he has lost a lot of that positioning ability. i don't mind an additional body joining them in midfield to make it more compact especially against stronger sides like algeria. ndidi or esiti can provide this. i remember reading the comments of a poster in one of those foreign football threads. he mentioned that his ideal midfield of three would include a passer, a runner and a marker/blocker. i think i share his thoughts. so for us this would be passer=mikel, runner=onazi, marker/blocker=esiti/ndidi. i feel this would give our midfield more balance. for example look at how our midfield calmed down with esiti's introduction against zambia. plus onazi was able to go further up the pitch to intercept passes.

look at how they might line out

esiti/ndidi
onazi mikel
v.moses iheanacho iwobi

good thing about this setup is depending on opponents we are facing and personnel available we can also go like this

esiti/ndidi/mikel
onazi iwobi

v.moses iheanacho success/musa/simon

Mickael2:


are you trying to be sarcastic or you are really asking me if Nigeria has another CMF who is talented? So all the names we have been mentioning on this thread you no get any of them? Nosa Igiebor wasn't invited to warm the bench alone you know? If I mention Ogu now you will say 'team chemistry', so I given or is there. I also believe that Iwobi can play that position thus opening up space for Isaac Success to occupy the wing position, nothing difficult there

If Mikel is out,it's either Iheanacho or Iwobi moving to CMF not Ogu or Igiebor.Mikel shoe is too big for d likes of Igiebor.

[quote author=TheSuperNerd post=50167705] The Passer-Marker/blocker-Runner Midfield triumvirate only works in a 4-3-3.

Will Rohr go with a 4-3-3 against Algeria??

I don't know. But He seems to just love the 4-2-3-1 from which he can easily switch to 4-5-1, 4-4-2, 4-3-3 (like seen against Zambia when Esiti came in and joined Mikel and Onazi), and even the "untested-under-rohr" 4-4-1-1.



Note: Keshi played 4-4-1-1 in a couple of games for Nigeria at Afcon 2013 and then some.

Let's keep watching Rohr... His formation against Africa's no.1 side AT HOME will reveal a lot.

[/quote

Kog45:
If Mikel is out,it's either Iheanacho or Iwobi moving to CMF not Ogu or Igiebor.Mikel shoe is too big for d likes of Igiebor.

it will have to be Iwobi. I doubt if Iheanacho has even played as a CmF in his life

Leon Balogun is back in Training.

TheSuperNerd:
The Passer-Marker/blocker-Runner Midfield triumvirate only works in a 4-3-3.

Will Rohr go with a 4-3-3 against Algeria??

I don't know. But He seems to just love the 4-2-3-1 from which he can easily switch to 4-5-1, 4-4-2, 4-3-3 (like seen against Zambia when Esiti came in and joined Mikel and Onazi), and even the "untested-under-rohr" 4-4-1-1.



Note: Keshi played 4-4-1-1 in a couple of games for Nigeria at Afcon 2013 and then some.

Let's keep watching Rohr... His formation against Africa's no.1 side AT HOME will reveal a lot.

what he said can still make sense in a 4-2-3-1. The 'marker' and the 'runner' will be positioned as the double pivot, obviously the runner will be the one who will move further up the pitch to intercept passes when the opponents are still in their half while also being able to come back and cover as the second DMF when we lose possession. The passer can be the person behind the striker which is still the AMF, while Iwobi and Moses will still occupy the flanks. Infact a passer, a marker and a runner can work in almost every formation except a rigid 4-2-4 formation, the only thing he did is that he replaced Ideye with Esiti unlike the like for like replacement i mentioned.

And if you consider this, it makes sense, somebody duly mentioned that when Onazi pushed forward he was able to intercept passes further up the pitch, something Mikel wasn't able to do for a long time, so let's play to Onazi's strength, he loves to run, let him cover more ground, once he intercepts the passes then Mikel(who is the passer) and any of the LMF or RMF(depending on the position of the play) can immediately come and take the ball from his feet, in this way he won't have to misplace too many long balls. It will get him into shooting positions too and maybe, just maybe he will injure Bentelab or whoever is their DMF like he injured Babatunde or better still, score a cracker. This works for me

TheSuperNerd:
So uhmmm.... No more Ahmed Musa ba??

Mikel neva play for Chelsea since Rio... E apply to am ba??

Droppin mikel is something he can't try @all

chrisooblog:
i have to agree with mickael that the mikel onazi combo needs to be tweaked. two of them playing together as a double pivot hasn't really worked since our AFCON triumph in 2013. in most matches i watched involving them after the AFCON it was always a case of one of either of them being poor and the other having to cover their mess. onazi particularly after that tackle by matuidi in the world cup has not been great. for me he has lost a lot of that positioning ability. i don't mind an additional body joining them in midfield to make it more compact especially against stronger sides like algeria. ndidi or esiti can provide this. i remember reading the comments of a poster in one of those foreign football threads. he mentioned that his ideal midfield of three would include a passer, a runner and a marker/blocker. i think i share his thoughts. so for us this would be passer=mikel, runner=onazi, marker/blocker=esiti/ndidi. i feel this would give our midfield more balance. for example look at how our midfield calmed down with esiti's introduction against zambia. plus onazi was able to go further up the pitch to intercept passes.

look at how they might line out

esiti/ndidi
onazi mikel
v.moses iheanacho iwobi

good thing about this setup is depending on opponents we are facing and personnel available we can also go like this

esiti/ndidi/mikel
onazi iwobi

v.moses iheanacho success/musa/simon

now somebody is making sense, although I would go with Iwobi as a more ideal passer if Mikel doesn't get game time, then he came be subbed in later in the game when we need to overload our midfield. But all in all, I made mention of it, Onazi and Mikel only works when we have an extra body in the middle. Iheanacho cannot provide that extra body,his AMF style is different from that of Mba and Babatunde and we don't really need that if you ask me