joseph1013:
France is playing Ivory Coast this night. Nigeria needs to start playing these high-profile teams now.

Mickael2:


this is what I always have in mind when I say that we should bench Onazi. Now you are looking at it from another angle though. Mikel hasn't been playing for Chelsea, definetly he is match rusty, so you don't expect him to maintain the same intensity, but every single match we have played under Rohr(Tanzania, Zambia and Algeria), Mikel has always been the central figure of our first half performances up till the 60th minute and we can both agree that our first 60 minutes these past few games have been quite productive, so that's why the coach utilises Mikel's strengths during that period, we keep possession and calm things down, then we strike and grab a couple of goals before fatigue takes hold of Mikel and we have done that perfectly well. But the problem now is, when Mikel gets tired what happens? The midfield collapses entirely because it exposes Onazi's inability to control a game. Onazi is not a possession sensitive player at all, if we want to play on the counter then he is good but he does not really play that possession game that we adopt, now in cases like this the coach introduces another DMF who can control a game. So my question is since Onazi naturally lacks the ability to control a game, why not just start with a DMF who can control a game so that even when Mikel gets tired, we won't get outplayed till he is subbed. This is my criticism of Onazi, you can check all the matches that we have played with the two, once Mikel gets tired, Onazi becomes a headless chicken in the middle which at this point is unsuitable for a team with certain ambitions(like winning the World Cup)

TheSuperNerd:
Dominic Iorfa Jnr's father once said his son will likely play for or consider playing for Nigeria when he turns 22-23 as he wants his son to make the most of the English system.


Iorfa Jnr is both a rightback (predominantly) and centreback.

He will get his chance but how many rightbacks we go invite?? Idowu, Odubajo, Iorfa Jnr, Ebuehi.... etc... All of them??

What about left backs like Josh Debayo for instance?

safarigirl:
aww, 2 consolation posts to Africans who are retired. Let's all jump for joy

You haven't told how pride stopped Dele from playing for us. Last I checked, Dele never offered to play for us, so we should kill ourselves?

Let him enjoy his 3 lions that will never win a medal and a dead international career

OdenigboAroli:
Delle Ali no even wan associate with anything Nigeria. Na insult for that albino to reject a powerhouse in football like Nigeria. I hope Onazi breaks his if we ever get to meet.

forgiveness:


Meaning if you are good enough dem go consider.

Just as Dembele take dey make noise now, Dele Ali sef been dey show himself for league one at the age of 16/17 but the policy dem take overlook Alaba na em dem take overlook d lad.

Remember, TheGoodJoe talked much about that policy.

TheGoodJoe:


Dele Alli never had interest to play for us. Finish. We need those who want to play for us and are proud to play for us.

forgiveness:


Prove it.

Icon4s:


CIV have AFCON in January.We don't.

Besides, we need our players to go back to their respective clubs without injuries.

”@OfficialDiCanio thanks for the inspiration this weekend”, Mikel posted on his official twitter account.

forgiveness:


Prove it.

edi287:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/1762390/spurs-star-dele-allis-heartbroken-dad-in-plea-to-son-after-england-star-refuses-to-have-the-family-name-on-his-football-shirt/
Read this article and tell me why Dele Alli would've wanted to play for us. It's a known fact that Fashanu tried to convince him to play for us.

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
Algerians Launch Petition To Stop Gassama From Officiating Games Over Goal Scored By Mikel
[/size]
An online petition set up by an agitated fan of the Algeria national team aimed at preventing Gambian referee Bakary Papa Gassama has gathered momentum, with over 100 people putting their name to it.


The 37 year old is allowed John Obi Mikel goal, which was seemingly scored from an offside position to stand as Nigeria secure a 3-1 win over Algeria in the CAF 2018 World Cup qualifiers.


Coach of Algeria Georges Leekens has narrowed his side defeat to that second goal scored by Mikel few minute to the half time break, as it somehow killed the game off as a contest after 45 minutes.


Video replays analyzed by soccer experts in Algeria proved, Mikel was indeed offside when he scored the second goal for Nigeria and it has lead to the online petition.


They want FIFA to ban Gassama from games in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers particularly games against them as they are yet to win a game he has handled.

owngoalnigeria.com/2016/11/15/algerians-launch-petition-to-stop-gassama-from-officiating-games-over-goal-scored-by-mikel/
[/b]

terzurum5:
Some football journalists are on this thread. Period. Do not ask me why.
I hail una ooooo.
[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria 3-1 Algeria: Five things we learnt.

Obiweluozo Martins
[/size]
The Super Eagles overpowered the Desert Foxes of Algeria to seize control of the group in the World Cup qualifying campaign with 6 points to their credit following a 3-1 win at home.


The Eagles were in top form with goals from Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel in the 42nd minute in between Victor Moses’ brace in the 26th and 91st minutes of the game to ensure Eagles victory in the encounter.


With the 3-1 win at home the Eagles leads the group with six points above closest rivals Cameroon who just have two points following a 1-1 draw at home with Zambia. The Eagles might have had a buoyant outing against Algeria but we take into consideration some key things as regards to the game.


MESMERIZING VICTOR MOSES

The Super Eagles winger was terrific all night and got a brace to show for it, with one of the goals coming in dying minutes of the game. The Chelsea man drew the first blood in the 26th minute following a mix-up in the Algerian box before applying the finish in the bottom corner to give Nigeria the lead after he was set up in transition by the Eagles skipper for the breakthrough.


The 25 years old who is enjoying a fine moment of his carrier at Chelsea under the management of Italian gaffer Antonio Conte who is a huge admirer of the Nigerian talent, was a threat down the wings as he caught the Algerian back line out of position.


Moses was outstanding in the game and crowned it all with a goal at the closing stage to end any possible chance of an Algerian comeback much to the delight of the home fans in Uyo.


KELECHI NOT A NUMBER 9

The Manchester City forward had a quiet game against Algeria after been deployed as a center forward ahead of more experience point man in Brown Ideye and Odion Ighalo.


It was evident that the Manchester City man was not so comfortable in that position as he was mostly out of play in the course of the 90 minutes.


The forward was deployed in the position due to his potency in front of goal but the golden boy fired blank after he was set up by Ahmed Musa in the 89th minute of the game. It was a game where the young lad was not able to initiate attacking moves as he was the point man causing him wonder mostly alone in the attack.


For a player who have an ability to create and finish himself, it’s no surprise that he is picked to lead the central role as goal scoring is the fundamental of the game but in Kelechi’s case Nigeria must return him to his best position which is behind the striker (free role) to aid this effect in match proceedings for the Super Eagles in the near future.


SHEHU GOOD AT RIGHT BACK

The former Youth international and Kano Pillars star was mostly under-utilized in the Super Eagles, understandably, but after a five star performance at the Olympic Games in Rio, one expected the Super Eagles crew to hand him the right back role especially with the defensive inconsistency in that position playing Omeruo (against Algeria) and Ndidi (against Zambia) was really worrisome and menacing for the Super Eagles as they lack enough fluency to rightly man the right back.


The likes of Yacine Brahimi and Rainford Kalaba were a thorn in the flesh of our right back (Omeruo and Wilfred Ndidi respectively) as they drifted in and out of the duo thus leaving the Eagles backline in imbalance.


Shehu Abdullahi was good and mobile enough and should be allowed to continue in that role in the near future but with credible competitor to keep him on his toes.


ALGERIA JUST UNPROFESSIONAL

At that level of the game you play only to the referees’ instructions and not to whatever you might have taught is the right decision.


Towards the end of the first half with Nigeria leading 1-0, Iwobi retrieved the ball back to Etebo in midfield who viciously found the Eagles skipper free in the box with an Algerian defence keeping him on side.


The referee allowed proceedings and the Super Eagles Captain, Mikel scored the easiest of goals more like a penalty as he turned to hook the ball into the net with the Algerians protesting for an offside which was to no avail as Eagles solidified their advantage with a 2-0 lead in the first period.


AHMED MUSA BETTER FROM THE BENCH..............

Read more here.....
www.soccernet.com.ng/2016/11/nigeria-3-1-algeria-five-things-we.html
[/b]

Icon4s:


CIV have AFCON in January.We don't.

Besides, we need our players to go back to their respective clubs without injuries.