EXPOSED: ALGERIA, LIKE NIGERIA, HAVE
RIGHT BACK PROBLEMS AS LEEKENS RINGS
CHANGES

Mehdi Zeffane - Dropped by new Algeria coach Leekens

Algeria, like World Cup foes Nigeria, have
problems at right back and will likely feature a
player from the local league in that position when both countries clash in Uyo.



Rennes defender Mehdi Zeffane has been
dropped by new coach Georges Leekens even
though he has played at right back for Algeria for about a year now.


Zeffane has struggled to get playing time at his
French Ligue 1 side and he was heavily criticised for his performance in the home game against Cameroon last month.


Angers defender Mehdi Tarat as well as Lille
striker Yassine Benzia were equally dropped
because they are struggling at their respective
French clubs.


Otherwise, Leekens plans to keep faith with the
regular defence of the North Africans – Faouzi
Ghoulam at leftback with Carl Medjani, Aissa
Mandi, Hicham Belkaroui and Cadamuro jostling
for first-team shirts in central defence.

The return of Nabil Bentaleb, who is on loan at
Bundesliga club Schalke 04 from Tottenham
Hotspur, is expected to be preferred ahead of
Watford’s Adlene Guedioura and Mehdi Abeid.

The middle will also parade Yacine Brahimi of FC
Porto and Sofiane Feghouli from West Ham.

In attack will of course be the Leicester City pair
of Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani along with
Rachid Ghezzal and Hilal Soudani.

Source: http://africanfootball.com/news/660513/EXPOSED-Algeria-like-Nigeria-have-right-back-problems-as-Leekens-rings-changes

goldfish80:

Why do you guys rate this Daniel Adejo guy so high? At the WYC in Egypt 09, he was shockingly very very bad. He couldn't even trap a football properly in that tourney. Nurruden Oralesi at left back was the best defender we had at that tourney.
Seriously, why do you guys rate Daniel Adejo? Is there something am missing?

This is 2016, bros.

Many water don pass under bridge. He must have improved na or don't you think a former serie-a and currently a serie b player is not good enough?

**smiles** good to know.....

Really wanna see Omeruo fulfill his highest potentials and be counted/rated as Africa's finest centreback or one of africa's very finest.

But Koulibaly na beast and Bailly too.... Omeruo just need that flow of super consistency.

goldfish80:

It may shock you to know that Omeruo is statistically better than Koulibaly. Am surprised to find this out...
Infact apart from Ariel duels won which koulibaly wins hands down because of his height advantage. Every other defensive action, Omeruo actually wins.
They both average 2.0 tackles per game, but interceptions, clearances, blocks Omeruo aces Koulibaly hands down. Interestingly, Omeruo have played 4 games fewer hand Koulibaly..
Honestly, if Omeruo continues with this form, he could get a recall by Chelsea. Koulibaly is not £40m better than Omeruo.

AARON SAMUEL RETURNS TO CHINA IN
JANUARY - CONFIDANT

Aaron Samuel (left)

Nigeria striker Aaron Samuel is to return to China in January after making a full recovery from a major knee injury.


Samuel injured his knee in a cup final in April
while playing for Russian club CSKA Moscow and
was subsequently operated on in Germany.


Close confidant and coach of Aaron Samuel
Academy in Port Harcourt, Ndubuisi Egbu,
disclosed the big striker has now resumed light
training and will be expected to return to his
Chinese club Guangzhou R&F in January.


"Samuel is okay now and he has started doing
ball work and light training, hopefully by January
he will be back in action,” he said.

Coach Egbu, who claimed that Aaron Samuel is
like a son to him, said he hopes the striker rejoins CSKA Moscow because the Russian league enjoys more spotlight than that of China.


"I prefer he should remain in Russia. Signing a
permanent deal with CSKA will be good for his
future instead of going back to Chinese league
that is less followed,” he said.

Source: http://africanfootball.com/news/660489/Aaron-Samuel-returns-to-China-in-January-Confidant

forgiveness:


This is 2016, bros.

Many water don pass under bridge. He must have improved na or don't you think a former serie-a and currently a serie b player is not good enough?

After his spell with Regina, he was released and went on trials at a Scottish club.
If he has improved to merit a call up, his career trajectory wouldn't reflect being released by a seria B club and going for trials in Scotland

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa Cameroon


Nigeria's Carl Ikeme 'touch and go' -Wolves boss.





Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme remains an injury doubt for a World Cup qualifier against Algeria with his club boss describing him as “touch and go”.


Injured Ikeme was forced out of the game at Blackburn Rovers at the weekend due to a sore hip and the Nigeria first choice has been ruled out of this weekend’s game against Derby County.


"We’re going to try and reduce the inflammation. He’s touch and go and we’ll know more in a few days, "said interim manager Rob Edwards, Nigeria will therefore he sweating on the fitness of the experienced goalkeeper ahead of a November 12 World Cup qualifier against Algeria. Ikeme has been the Super Eagles No.1 since last year September when Vincent Enyeama quit international football under a cloud.


He was man of the match in a 2-1 win in Zambia last month after pulling off several game-defining saves.


The two other goalkeepers on the squad for the Algeria are Ikechukwu Ezenwa from FC IfeanyiUbah and Portugal-based Dele Alampasu.


http://africanfootball.com/news/660731/Nigeria-s-Carl-Ikeme-touch-and-go-Wolves-boss

AF Nigeria Premier League 2016/2017Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Liverpool ace Sheyi Ojo announces his comeback close



Sheyi Ojo

Nigeria-born Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo has announced he willsoon be back in action after he was sidelined for several months by back injury.


The 19-year-old Ojo has been sidelined since he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back in pre-season. He complained of discomfort following the tour of America and was initially expected to be out for a month.


The young winger has stepped up his rehabilitation by running and engaging himself in light exercises.


Sheyi Ojo took to Instagram to update his followers on his rehabilitation.
He said: "The return is near. I have started running and doing light exercises.


”Last season, he made 11 first-team appearances for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp after coming back on loan from Wolves.

http://africanfootball.com/news/660729/Liverpool-ace-Sheyi-Ojo-announces-his-comeback-close

goldfish80:


I think Omeruo is better suited at right back than Ndidi. He started out at Ado den Haag as a right back and was excellent...
Judging by his current form, he is statistically Nigerias best defender currently. If he plays RB, I can guarantee you, whoever Algeria field on the left will not have a sniff all night long.
I matched his stats with Eric Bailey's and discovered he is almost on par with Bailey.. infact he edges Eric Bailey in some aspects....
Example, omeruo's pass accuracy is stands at 81% from 54+ passes attempts per game. Bailey attempts just 34 passes with an accuracy of 87%...
In there defensive dashboards, there is nothing in between them, however Bailey edges Omeruo out marginally in interspetions, tackles and clearances with the odd 2% while Omeruo leads in blocks. It must be said Bailey have played 2 more games than Omeruo. This could influence the little +2% he gets over Omeruo in some aspects.

Reason am comparing Omeruo with Bailey is because Bailey is rated Africas best CB. So am matching Omeruo with the very best....

Omeruo must be starting against Algeria as a RB or CB

am not even including Ndidi here. I am judging this between Leon and Omeruo. I would rather have a hustler as a RB and I doubt if Leon plays like that. Omeruo's pass stats like you aptly mentioned is great, Leon's own is not so good, a good fullback needs to be able to pass the ball well and Omeruo is there. Also Moses has the tendency of losing his discipline whenever he plays for Nigeria, and when it comes to one on two marking, Omeruo does it better than Leon so Omeruo can cover his lapses, that said it has to be Omeruo starting there

i wasn't referring to the committed ones like balogun, ikeme, iwobi etc when i made that comment. i meant the other ones like sidney sam, nedum onuoha etc who once they know nigeria is interested in them will be doing shakara. instead of giving a straight yes or no will be giving you excuses that they are not ready blah blah blah but if the other country should call they will be over ready. when they are now completely ignored you will now start hearing rubbish like ''i always felt nigerian'' mcthhwww

BascoVanVeli:


So to u Balogun, Ekong, Ikeme and Iwobi ain't loyal? This is something that will happen once in a while no need to stop our show.

goldfish80:


I think Omeruo is better suited at right back than Ndidi. He started out at Ado den Haag as a right back and was excellent...
Judging by his current form, he is statistically Nigerias best defender currently. If he plays RB, I can guarantee you, whoever Algeria field on the left will not have a sniff all night long.
I matched his stats with Eric Bailey's and discovered he is almost on par with Bailey.. infact he edges Eric Bailey in some aspects....
Example, omeruo's pass accuracy is stands at 81% from 54+ passes attempts per game. Bailey attempts just 34 passes with an accuracy of 87%...
In there defensive dashboards, there is nothing in between them, however Bailey edges Omeruo out marginally in interspetions, tackles and clearances with the odd 2% while Omeruo leads in blocks. It must be said Bailey have played 2 more games than Omeruo. This could influence the little +2% he gets over Omeruo in some aspects.

Reason am comparing Omeruo with Bailey is because Bailey is rated Africas best CB. So am matching Omeruo with the very best....

Omeruo must be starting against Algeria as a RB or CB

Statistically, Ekong is the best defender at the moment.

Omeruo should start at right back. He is the most suited to play that role solidly. Balogun can get caught out for pace.

goldfish80:

After his spell with Regina, he was released and went on trials at a Scottish club.
If he has improved to merit a call up, his career trajectory wouldn't reflect being released by a seria B club and going for trials in Scotland

He was not released. It was because Regina was relegated a year after they lost promotion play off to the Serie-a. That was what prompted him to play in Greece.


In short, he was too loyal to Regina else he would had gone to a serie a team that wanted him after they lost the play off but he stayed behind and the team went on relegation the next season.

He left for Greece league.

Ikeme OUT!. NFF and completesports.

Lets beg Enyeama abeg!

AF NigeriaPremier League 2016/2017Leicester City Algeria fans warn Ahmed Musa Nigeria's danger man




Algeria fans are unanimous in picking Leicester City on-form Ahmed Musa as Nigeria’s most dangerous striker for a crucial World Cup showdown in Uyo.


Nigeria welcome Algeria on November 12 in continuation of the qualifying series for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And after a slow start, 24-year-old Ahmed Musa has now rediscovered his scoring boots at Premier League champions Leicester. He has scored in the club’s last two league games to outshine Algeria top stars Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani.


Leicester are the best followed Premier League club in Algeria thanks to the presence of Mahrez and Slimani and understandably Algeria fans are now very much aware of how dangerous Ahmed Musa could be in front of goal.


“Ahmed Musa is very dangerous!” warned Algeria fan, Mohamed Attia. “He is not only fast, but has shown he can score goals.


”“We must beware of Musa, he’s the most dangerous player for Nigeria. If he is not scoring, he is running down defences before passing for his teammates to score,” added another fan.


The former CSKA Moscow star started in Gernot Rohr’s first game in charge at home against Tanzania, but he was dropped to the bench in lastmonth’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia because the German coach felt he “lacked focus”.


http://africanfootball.com/news/660381/Algeria-fans-warn-Ahmed-Musa-Nigeria-s-danger-man

goldfish80:

It may shock you to know that Omeruo is statistically better than Koulibaly. Am surprised to find this out...
Infact apart from Ariel duels won which koulibaly wins hands down because of his height advantage. Every other defensive action, Omeruo actually wins.
They both average 2.0 tackles per game, but interceptions, clearances, blocks Omeruo aces Koulibaly hands down. Interestingly, Omeruo have played 4 games fewer hand Koulibaly..
Honestly, if Omeruo continues with this form, he could get a recall by Chelsea. Koulibaly is not £40m better than Omeruo.

Bro, forget stats, Koulibaly is a beast!!!. I watched a couple of Napoli games last season and damn that guy is insane. Omeruo has potential, but he's not yet on Koulibalys' level.

An interesting comparison of defensive stats of called up defenders shows Uche Agbo with very good stats. Second only to Ekong.

Based on stats, Ekong, Agbo, Omeruo and Balogun in that order.

See below..

chrisooblog:
i wasn't referring to the committed ones like balogun, ikeme, iwobi etc when i made that comment. i meant the other ones like sidney sam, nedum onuoha etc who once they know nigeria is interested in them will be doing shakara. instead of giving a straight yes or no will be giving you excuses that they are not ready blah blah blah but if the other country should call they will be over ready. when they are now completely ignored you will now start hearing rubbish like ''i always felt nigerian'' mcthhwww

Sidney Sam pissed me off because he had lead Keshi to believe he was interested in playing for us. After he got invited by Germany, he started saying rubbish about never considering Nigeria.

Chelsea Great : Moses Played His Best Game In A Chelsea Shirt Vs Southampton




Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin reckons that Victor Moses played probably his best game in a Chelsea shirt in their win at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday. And the former Scotland international has praised Moses or his professionalism, adding that the Nigerian didn’t complain when he was not considered for the first team and had to be farmed out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham.


With manager Antonio Conte altering his formation to a 3-4-3, Moses has been one of the beneficiaries, starting the last four matches contested by the Blues in the English top-flight as a right wing back. “Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses were colossal and for me Moses had his best game by far in a Chelsea shirt, ” Nevin Nevin stated on Chelsea’s official website.


"So while many would have given man of the match to Diego or Eden, I certainly would not have begrudged Victor getting the nod.


“His tackling was fantastic and bordering on the fanatical at times. No one got past him but he still managed to hammer up and down that right-hand side for most of the match like an Olympic 400 metre gold medallist.


”Moses, 25, has been involved in 11 matches in all competitions so far this season, scoring three goals.
Igho Kingsley.


http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=20937

Algeria Coach : Nigerians Will Know Everything After Two Minutes If....




Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Algeria coach Georges Leekens is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles, and has refused to disclose how he plans to beat the team in Uyo. "We will not reveal all, if not two minutes after the Nigerian coach knows all about our plans, ” Leekens stated.

"It is Algeria, we must be smart and clever,is it not ?.


Although sometimes it is not always the smartest that win. And that’s what I want to introduce into the spirit of this team.


"The former Belgium and Tunisia manager has also defended his players, stating that they do not honour call-ups so they get paid bonuses, but to defend the shirt of the national team.


"The players are not guilty, they do not come for the money, they come to honor the country to raise the flag, together we will try to create a good atmosphere, together we will go to Russia and together we will try to win something in Nigeria, ” headded.


The Algerian Football Federation announced a list of 18 foreign-based professionals summoned for the World Cup qualifier versus Nigeria on Tuesday.

Igho Kingsley.

http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=20933

tbaba1234:
An interesting comparison of defensive stats of called up defenders shows Uche Agbo with very good stats. Second only to Ekong.

Based on stats, Ekong, Agbo, Omeruo and Balogun in that order.

See below..

you have to consider that Omeruo and Ekong has played more games than them, stats tend to decrease with an increase in game time.

edi287:

Bro, forget stats, Koulibaly is a beast!!!. I watched a couple of Napoli games last season and damn that guy is insane. Omeruo has potential, but he's not yet on Koulibalys' level.

a couple of Napoli games against Chievo and Bologna right? Great teams, because I watched him against Juventus this season, he was solid but far far from a beast. See, the simple truth is that Omeruo is just as talented as Puyol and plays almost exactly like him, no nonsense guy. If Omeruo had a white skin, he would have been the first name on the chelsea team sheet, aint nobody who can tell me that Luiz and calamitous Cahill are better than him

HAZARD & COSTA ARE INCREDIBLE BUT IN
MOSES CHELSEA HAVE THE PERFECT
WINGMAN

The 25-year-old Nigerian is discovering his true potential in Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 formation and could be vital if the Blues are to win the Premier League title come May

Antonio Conte’s decision to introduce Victor
Moses into his Chelsea side has proved to be an
inspired one. The winger was instrumental in the Blues’ 2-0 win at Southampton on Sunday
evening, moving them to within a point of leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table.



Chelsea’s upturn in form since Moses has featured is no coincidence. Since the Nigerian has taken up the right wing-back berth in Conte’s new-found 3-4-3 formation, the Blues have won four from four, beating Hull, Leicester, Manchester United and Southampton, without conceding a goal.


During the Blues’ trip to St Mary’s, Gary Neville
made a throwaway comment suggesting keeping clean sheets is down to mentality.

Moses went some way to proving the former Manchester United right-back correct.


Conte’s pronounced actions on the sideline were matched by Moses’s determination to harry the opposition and force them to give up possession.


His pace, power and pure athleticism allowed him to stride up and down the right flank and he found success against a narrow Southampton formation.


It was his clever pass behind the Saints defence
which allowed Eden Hazard to open the scoring –his fifth of the season. He also tested Fraser
Forster in the Southampton goal with two
powerful strikes from wide positions, one with his left foot and one with his right, the former
sparking panic amongst the home defence and
almost leading to another Hazard goal.


But it’s Moses’s work in his own half that has
impressed so much. No player on the pitch
regained possession more times than the Nigerian (9), and he continually tucked in to support Cesar Azpilicueta on the right side of Conte’s back three.



The standing ovation from the Chelsea fans when replaced in the late stages of the game was a reward for his relentless hard work.

So inconsistent over the past couple of seasons,
and often so erratic when powering forward,
Moses is steadily settling into a tailor-made role
under Conte and could very well be key to
Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes come the
end of the season.


Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/4071/premier-league/2016/10/30/29008482/hazard-costa-are-incredible-but-in-moses-chelsea-have-the

Mickael2:


a couple of Napoli games against Chievo and Bologna right? Great teams, because I watched him against Juventus this season, he was solid but far far from a beast. See, the simple truth is that Omeruo is just as talented as Puyol and plays almost exactly like him, no nonsense guy. If Omeruo had a white skin, he would have been the first name on the chelsea team sheet, aint nobody who can tell me that Luiz and calamitous Cahill are better than him

Well he has had a few average performances this season, but last season, he was at a level that Omeruo could dream us.
Omeruo is good but let's us overhype him now. He has regressed since 13/14. I'm glad he's picking up, but he's too inconsistent and hasn't really performed at a world class level before.

Mickael2:


you have to consider that Omeruo and Ekong has played more games than them, stats tend to decrease with an increase in game time.

Ekong has one of the best stats and has played the most games.

That excuse can not be made for Omeruo.

edi287:

Bro, forget stats, Koulibaly is a beast!!!. I watched a couple of Napoli games last season and damn that guy is insane. Omeruo has potential, but he's not yet on Koulibalys' level.

Forget stats? Numbers don't lie. Koulibaly is a top CB am not disputing that. One of the best young center backs in the game.
Am just pointing out that we have a defender who is matching Koulibaly's statistics...
Am in no way disputing Koulibalys or Baileys qualities.

forgiveness:


He was not released. It was because Regina was relegated a year after they lost promotion play off to the Serie-a. That was what prompted him to play in Greece.


In short, he was too loyal to Regina else he would had gone to a serie a team that wanted him after they lost the play off but he stayed behind and the team went on relegation the next season.

He left for Greece league.

From his wiki page, it was stated that he was released by the Greek club Kalloni.

tbaba1234:


Statistically, Ekong is the best defender at the moment.

Omeruo should start at right back. He is the most suited to play that role solidly. Balogun can get caught out for pace.

Ekong's stats was culled from 24 games while Omeruo's numbers come from 7 games... Omeruo's numbers will soar even higher if 20 games are put into consideration...

goldfish80:

Ekong's stats was culled from 24 games while Omeruo's numbers come from 7 games... Omeruo's numbers will soar even higher if 20 games are put into consideration...

Actually, Ekong is more impressive because he has played more games. It is harder to have such percentages with more games than less games. 20 games could actually see a fall in average because you have more data points.

Even Agbo with same number of games has better stats.

tbaba1234:
An interesting comparison of defensive stats of called up defenders shows Uche Agbo with very good stats. Second only to Ekong.

Based on stats, Ekong, Agbo, Omeruo and Balogun in that order.

See below..

Agbo have played more games this season as a DM. It would not be fair comparing his stats with other CBs. Unless you get days of the games he played CB and match with the others

goldfish80:

Agbo have played more games this season as a DM. It would not be fair comparing his stats with other CBs. Unless you get days of the games he played CB and match with the others

Not true, he has played more games as a CB. He only started playing DM when the new coach came.

edi287:

Well he has had a few average performances this season, but last season, he was at a level that Omeruo could dream us.
Omeruo is good but let's us overhype him now. He has regressed since 13/14. I'm glad he's picking up, but he's too inconsistent and hasn't really performed at a world class level before.

thats me, I deal with current form, he hasn't been in such great form so his 'beast' title needs to be put on hold.

Omeruo has regressed but because he has a black sin, nobody could have told me that after his performances for Nigeria at the world cup that Manu wouldn't be pricing him for atleast 30million but since he is black, they'd rather buy an average defender for more

tbaba1234:


Not true, he has played more games as a CB. He only started playing DM when the new coach came.

Nope, he has a long history of playing as a DMF whenever they play a 5-4-1, in fact, in the piece posted here about him, the writer of the article duly mentioned that he has been playing as a DMF before he was moved into a CB position

tbaba1234:


Actually, Ekong is more impressive because he has played more games. It is harder to have such percentages with more games than less games. 20 games could actually see a fall in average because you have more data points.

Even Agbo with same number of games has better stats.

The stats could go both ways with higher number of games.
Omeruo's first 3 games of the season, his stats were pretty basic. His pass average was less than 75%.. With more games his stats are close to Bailey's.
If you watch closely you will discover Ekong in some columns has marginal percentage gain more than Omeruo. With another 10 games Omeruo will cover those +2% patches.