Kog45:
Good talk but Echiejele needs to show us he deserves d position.Honestly how i wish Echiejele is living up to his billing as d most experience defender in d eagles but new guy like Leon was d one dictating.

Echiejiele is not consistent. Save for the match against Algeria he's not been solid. A good team will just press and keep pressing through that soft spot and use it to run your tactical set up ragged.

That Leon is something else. His intensity is priceless and I think he's the one that brings out the music in Ekong. It's not for nothing that we do well with him in the defence, Moses in the attack and Onazi - yes cos he plays like a horse-in the middle and Mikel spraying passes. Let's qualify. When this team jells and the issues in defence is sorted out we would see the face of Mona Lisa when our team is playing.

komekn:


You don't seem to get my emphasis.

I am not advocating dropping Shehu but increasing competition, it may be that in the absence of a true left back that Aina can do a good job at LB in the short term. However, I really want to see Aina play RB and see if he is better and or as good as Shehu. Whatever, the outcome let the best man play.

I have watched Aina since he was 16 and he has played RB and LB but his preferred position is RB, he is currently within weeks the best RB in the Championship. It could be he may bring more to the RB position than Shehu, we simply do not know .

I agree with your notion that we should go with the best player for the RB position. But one apparent flaw in that logic is that it operates in isolation, It doesn't factor in the team as a whole.

Okay let's run a simple simulation. Let's assume shehu is rated 7/10 as a RB and Aina is rated 8/10 as a right back and 7/10 as a left back. Echiejile on the other hand is rated 5/10 as a LB. We can decide to play Aina as the RB cos he's obviously better, this then leaves us with Echiejile as the undisputed LB.

A technical team will always exploit this lacuna by playing a fast and skillful right winger. At this point, our desperation for a world class RB would seem foolish because for all his good works at the right flank, he'd always be sabotaged by our weak link(LB).

On the other hand if we decide to play shehu and Aina as wing backs both with a 7/10 rating, they'd be to an extent balance in the team.

Of course these are all assumptions. The only reason we should allow Aina slug it out with shehu for the RB position is if we find a competent replacement for uwa. Only then can we welcome the competition of having Aina and shehu slug it out as right backs.

But I don't think Rohr is planning on that. From his last list, uwa was the only natural LB which means Rohr is looking at converting either Aina or Ebuehi to LB.

soetanoreoluwa:





So which position should he play... So far is so good as LB and RB and you also want the coaching crew to retain shehu as RB...

AIna statistics is mine blowing right now...

It is simple,where are we having problem RB or LB?

94 worldcup qualifiers in Durban,NIG vs SA.Backpass by SAn defender intercepted by Yekini and a beautiful goal was scored which was overruled.Bad officiating and must be revisited. Fifa please do something, the point earned by SA during the 94 qualifiers can be deducted from their future qualifiers to serve them right.


#NIGvsSAreplay if possible.

adegwurulez:

I agree with your notion that we should go with the best player for the RB position. But one apparent flaw in that logic is that it operates in isolation, It doesn't factor in the team as a whole.

Okay let's run a simple simulation. Let's assume shehu is rated 7/10 as a RB and Aina is rated 8/10 as a right back and 7/10 as a left back. Echiejile on the other hand is rated 5/10 as a LB. We can decide to play Aina as the RB cos he's obviously better, this then leaves us with Echiejile as the undisputed LB.

A technical team will always exploit this lacuna by playing a fast and skillful right winger. At this point, our desperation for a world class RB would seem foolish because for all his good works at the right flank, he'd always be sabotaged by our weak link(LB).

On the other hand if we decide to play shehu and Aina as wing backs both with a 7/10 rating, they'd be to an extent balance in the team.

Of course these are all assumptions. The only reason we should allow Aina slug it out with shehu for the RB position is if we find a competent replacement for uwa. Only then can we welcome the competition of having Aina and shehu slug it out as right backs.

But I don't think Rohr is planning on that. From his last list, uwa was the only natural LB which means Rohr is looking at converting either Aina or Ebuehi to LB.

top notch analysis

Leon Balogun is a solid and intelligent defender. I really don't see the intensity in his game, per se but his reading of the game is top notch. He reminds me of the legendary Uche Okechukwu, at his best.

But let's not go overboard or get carried away, it isn't him who "brings out the music in Ekong". Ekong is a solid defender on his own, OK. If you watched the Rio Olympics soccer team, Ekong was a rock in our defence. Got it


O pari

Mujtahida:

Echiejiele is not consistent. Save for the match against Algeria he's not been solid. A good team will just press and keep pressing through that soft spot and use it to run your tactical set up ragged.

That Leon is something else. His intensity is priceless and I think he's the one that brings out the music in Ekong. It's not for nothing that we do well with him in the defence, Moses in the attack and Onazi - yes cos he plays like a horse-in the middle and Mikel spraying passes. Let's qualify. When this team jells and the issues in defence is sorted out we would see the face of Mona Lisa when our team is playing.

Icon79:
Leon Balogun is a solid and intelligent defence. I really don't see the intensity in his game but his reading of the game is top notch. He reminds of the legendary Uche Okechukwu at his best.

But let's not go overboard, it isn't him who "brings out the music in Ekong". Ekong is a solid defender on his own, OK. If you watched the Rio Olympics soccer team, Ekong was a rock in our defence. Got it


O pari

Well said. Balogun does play with quiet intensity, tirelessly and with awareness. No exaggeration.

The thing is if you watch our match with SA though Ekong was good, Awaziem made the defence wobbly. That's what I mean by saying Balogun brings out the best in him ie they rub off well on each other, chemistry. Doesn't take anything out of Ekong's game. If you ask him he might just say: I play better with Balogun by my side.

No question. They form a good partnership. We haven't had anything that good since Uche Okechukwu and Chidi Nwanu at the USA '94 World Cup.


O pari

Mujtahida:

Well said. Balogun does play with quiet intensity, tirelessly and awareness. No exaggeration.

The thing is if you watch our match with SA though Ekong was good, Awaziem made the defence wobbly. That's what I mean by saying Balogun brings out the best in him ie they rub off well on each, chemistry. Doesn't take anything out of Ekong's game. If you ask him he might just say: I play better with Balogun by my side.

Fenando Adi Demands Eagles’ Invitation

September 7, 2017NG Players Abroad0152
Fenando Adi Demands Eagles’ Invitation
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Portland Timbers of USA all-action striker, Fanendo Adi has spoken out with a declaration that he deserves an invitation to the Super Eagles, considering that he has set several goals’ records in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Though he admits Nigeria is blessed with several good players and stopped short of faulting the current set of invitees, the former Golden Eaglets trialist questioned his continued snub by Eagles’ selectors.

Adi, who has previously seen action in Denmark and Ukraine, had been invited to the Eagles early last year, but he eventually did not get to make his debut for the country, and is now asking for another chance to make his mark in the green-and-white.

The badging striker, whose huge size often scares opposing defenders, said he will now focus on his career in the MLS, while also wondering why he has continued to be overlooked by national team selectors.

“My continued exclusion from the team is questionable. In fairness to the players, they have done well by making the country proud and I wouldn’t want to say I am better than them or I would have done better.

“For me, I have moved on, I think I am not needed in the team so I have to concentrate on my club football.

“What I believe is that the door is not closed and I am not going to point accusing fingers to anybody over my non-inclusion, but it’s not because I am not ready to play for the team, but unfortunately I can’t invite myself and that’s just the basic fact.”

Source: http://www.footballlive.ng/footballnews/fenando-adi-demands-eagles-invitation/

Icon79:
No question. They form a good partnership. We haven't had anything that good since Uche Okechukwu and Chidi Nwanu at the USA '94 World Cup.


O pari

Such strategic partnerships at core areas -and every area is core in the team- is vital. It makes the team to play seamlessly. And it's my desire that it pervades the whole team. It takes good quality players for a team to reach that level.

"We are working on getting Abraham," said Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick

Icon79:
Leon Balogun is a solid and intelligent defender. I really don't see the intensity in his game, per se but his reading of the game is top notch. He reminds me of the legendary Uche Okechukwu, at his best.

But let's not go overboard or get carried away, it isn't him who "brings out the music in Ekong". Ekong is a solid defender on his own, OK. If you watched the Rio Olympics soccer team, Ekong was a rock in our defence. Got it


O pari

Yea no need for comparison but Balogun is a leader and it was so glaring to see.Taribo West said Balogun was one of d greatest thing to happen to Nigeria defence.

Ekong very good defender who improve in every match.Ekong we have now is more better than Ekong of Olympics,d guy is growing everyday

Good to have d two coz they are growing in partnership and it w be good for Nigeria defence at d world cup.

Rohr is definitely onto something good. He's gradually developing the team's structure and organization. The two matches against Cameroun along with the match against Algeria is the most organized Super Eagles team I have seen since 1994. If that continues, I expect a good outing at the World Cup next year.

My only concern is that the NFF would come with their corruption and unnecessary interference once we qualify .... they would start dictating to him whom to invite and whom to play. Or they may even fire him and try to hire "a world class coach". Remember what then Sports Minister, Jim Nwobodo, did after Philippe Trousier had qualified Nigeria to the 1998 World Cup, with a game to spare - Nwobodo fired him and hired Bora Multinovic, in the name of getting "a world class coach".

Nigeria is a very funny and corrupt country.


O pari

Mujtahida:

Such strategic partnerships at core areas -and every area is core of the team- is vital. It makes the team to play seamlessly. And it's my desire that it pervades the whole team. It takes good quality players for a team to reach that level.

Yup. I was first to say that, all things being equal, I see a future Super Eagles captain in Balogun.


O pari

Kog45:
Yea no need for comparison but Balogun is a leader and it was so glaring to see.Taribo West said Balogun was one of d greatest thing to happen to Nigeria defence.

Ekong very good defender who improve in every match.Ekong we have now is more better than Ekong of Olympics,d guy is growing everyday

Good to have d two coz they are growing in partnership and it w be good for Nigeria defence at d world cup.

Mujtahida:

Well said. Balogun does play with quiet intensity, tirelessly and with awareness. No exaggeration.

The thing is if you watch our match with SA though Ekong was good, Awaziem made the defence wobbly. That's what I mean by saying Balogun brings out the best in him ie they rub off well on each other, chemistry. Doesn't take anything out of Ekong's game. If you ask him he might just say: I play better with Balogun by my side.

Icon79:
Leon Balogun is a solid and intelligent defender. I really don't see the intensity in his game, per se but his reading of the game is top notch. He reminds me of the legendary Uche Okechukwu, at his best.

But let's not go overboard or get carried away, it isn't him who "brings out the music in Ekong". Ekong is a solid defender on his own, OK. If you watched the Rio Olympics soccer team, Ekong was a rock in our defence. Got it


O pari

A defense always needs a leader. That is what Balogun represents, a leadership figure that marshals the defense. It is no coincidence that Ekong plays better with Balogun. Awaziem is a terrific defender in his own right but he is still fairly inexperienced and can not assume a leadership role. I have no doubt that this year in Ligue 1 will be good for him.

What we lacked against south Africa was not ability but leadership.

Thank you! I could not have put it better.. The problem is while most of us think, player A versus player B, coaches look at the big picture. The team picture as u put it. Some of us want to see who is the best RB, but the priority should be fixing the most crucial problem, the LB.

And who says Torunarigha won't displace Aina at LB tomorrow? And like wise Aina displace Shehu at RB. But the reality is we will not be finding any new LB to face Zambia on Oct 7th.

adegwurulez:

I don't think you understand completely what joebie is trying to say. Joebie is looking at the big picture, the team picture. Aina is good as both LB and RB. Presently, we're more pressingly in need of a left back than a right back. If Aina displaces shehu, it only solves the problem of our right back, we still have to search for a good left back. On the other hand, if we allow shehu to continue as RB and switch Aina to the LB position, we would effectively solve both problems, killing two birds with one stone. It's smart actually.

tbaba1234:




A defense always needs a leader. That is what Balogun represents, a leadership figure that marshals the defense. It is no coincidence that Ekong plays better with Balogun. Awaziem is a terrific defender in his own right but he is still fairly inexperienced and can not assume a leadership role. I have no doubt that this year in Ligue 1 will be good for him.

What we lacked against south Africa was not ability but leadership.

I was on the Awaziem train Pre SA match and I still do have faith in him. He's had his baptism of fire- he can and should get better going forward.
For more dynamism I'd love to see how he plays with Balogun. Yes, Balogun provides leadership cos he keeps dishing out instructions. Reminds one of the liberos of the past. Hopefully Enyeama will make the defence tighter too with his sense of responsibility.

Even if Aina proves he is a better RB compared to Shehu today, would u prefer he play as RB? Then how do u fix the LB problem. Competition for positions is a continuous process.

Right now we need to fix our LB urgently and I'm sure Shehu won't be playing there. So would U rather leave Shehu on the bench and Uwa on the pitch just because Aina is a better RB?

Shehu is indeed very comfortable as RB now. It's working for us now. And it don't need to be fixed. Team building is a continuous process.

komekn:


You don't seem to get my emphasis.

I am not advocating dropping Shehu but increasing competition, it may be that in the absence of a true left back that Aina can do a good job at LB in the short term. However, I really want to see Aina play RB and see if he is better and or as good as Shehu. Whatever, the outcome let the best man play.

I have watched Aina since he was 16 and he has played RB and LB but his preferred position is RB, he is currently within weeks the best RB in the Championship. It could be he may bring more to the RB position than Shehu, we simply do not know .

One other thing I noticed in the Cameroon matches was that, ighalo most times drifts with the ball to the right when the middle is choked. This movement draws a central defender with him to the side leaving space behind. Now ighalo sees this space and intends to drop a pass only to notice there is no Nigerian player there. What does he do? He holds the ball a little while, waiting for a green Jersey, but by the time one gets there, the defence has already regrouped.

I believe if we were playing with a typical SS, we would have seen lots of goals. But our formation doesn't allow this so it therefore lies on either the AM or the Right winger to take up this space.

Mikel is slow and won't get there on time, it therefore falls on Simon to take up these spaces and free up for a pass.

A case in point is our world Cup match versus Bosnia. Emenike drifted to the right, received a pass, bullied the Bosnian defender, and osaze was there to receive his pass.

Ighalo also for all his energy is surprisingly deficient in pressing. This is one area he should learn from iheanacho.

I believe this team just needs some few tweaks and we'll be good for Russia.

I duff my hat for you!!!

adegwurulez:

I agree with your notion that we should go with the best player for the RB position. But one apparent flaw in that's logic is that it operates in isolation, It doesn't factor in the team as a whole.

Okay let's run a simple simulation. Let's assume shehu is rated 7/10 as a RB and Aina is rated 8/10 as a right back and 7/10 as a left back. Echiejile on the other hand is rated 5/10 as a LB. We can decide to play Aina as the RB cos he's obviously better, this then leaves us with Echiejile as the undisputed LB.

A technical team will always exploit this lacuna by playing a fast and skillful right winger. At this point, our desperation for a world class RB would seem foolish because for all his good works at the right flank, he'd always be sabotaged by our weak link(LB).

On the other hand if we decide to play shehu and Aina as wing backs both with a 7/10 rating, they'd be to an extent balance in the team.

Of course these are all assumptions. The only reason we should allow Aina slug it out with shehu for the RB position is if we find a competent replacement for uwa. Only then can we welcome the competition of having Aina and shehu slug it out as right backs.

But I don't think Rohr is planning on that. From his last list, uwa was the only natural LB which means Rohr is looking at converting either Aina or Ebuehi to LB.

Oh where have you been?!

adegwurulez:
One other thing I noticed in the Cameroon matches was that, ighalo most times drifts with the ball to the right when the middle is choked. This movement draws a central defender with him to the side leaving space behind. Now ighalo sees this space and intends to drop a pass only to notice there is no Nigerian player there. What does he do? He holds the ball a little while, waiting for a green Jersey, but by the time one gets there, the defence has already regrouped.

I believe if we were playing with a typical SS, we would have seen lots of goals. But our formation doesn't allow this so it therefore lies on either the AM or the Right winger to take up this space.

Mikel is slow and won't get there on time, it therefore falls on Simon to take up this spaces and free up for a pass.

A case in point is our world Cup match versus Bosnia. Emenike drifted to the right, received a pass, bullied the Bosnian defender, and osaze was there to receive his pass.

Ighalo also for all his energy is surprisingly deficient in pressing. This is one area he should learn from iheanacho.

I believe this team just needs some few tweaks and we'll be good for Russia.

Icon79:
Rohr is definitely onto something good. He's gradually developing the team structure and organization. The two matches against Cameroun along with the match against Algeria is the most organized Super Eagles team I have seen since 1994. If that continues, I expect a good outing at the World Cup next year.

My only concern is that the NFF would come with their corruption and unnecessary interference once we qualify .... they would start dictating to him whom to invite and whom to play. Or they may even fire him and try to hire "a world class coach". Remember what then Sports Minister, Jim Nwobodo, did after Philippe Trousier had qualified Nigeria to the 1998 World Cup a game to spare - Nwobodo fired him and hired Bora Multinovic, in the name of getting "a world class coach".

Nigeria is a very funny and corrupt country.


O pari

Let them eat since they must eat, na Niger way but let them work. And so far it looks like they are doing well. Just hope it becomes better. Once we qualify, there's going to be a burst of excitement and expectation right from the seedings till the world cup that would bring in a lot of good will which the NFF can capitalise on to give us a fine run. I read that each FA get 12 million US dollars for qualifying, out of which 2m will be given to the teams for preparation. The article also hinted that FIFA wants to avoid the incidence that bedevils African teams regarding payment issues.

Joebie:
Thank you! I could not have put it better.. The problem is while most of us think, player A versus player B, coaches look at the big picture. The team picture as u put it. Some of us want to see who is the best RB, but the priority should be fixing the most crucial problem, the LB.

And who says Torunarigha won't displace Aina at LB tomorrow? And like wise Aina displace Shehu at RB. But the reality is we will not be finding any new LB to face Zambia on Oct 7th.

I remember very well when balogun came into the team pre-worldcup, he was a central defender but at that time the oboabona-omeruo partnership was working excellently. Ambrose on the other hand was proving to be a big headache. What keshi did was to ease balogun into the team as a RB.

Barring injury, balogun would have been our RB at the world Cup.

I remember that very well. And for a while we have been improvising for the RB. Now that Shehu has finally settled in there, We need to turn our attention to the LB and do it quickly.

adegwurulez:

I remember very well when balogun came into the team pre-worldcup, he was a central defender but at that time the oboabona-omeruo partnership was working excellently. Ambrose on the other hand was proving to be a big headache. What keshi did was to ease balogun into the team as a RB.

Barring injury, balogun would have been our RB at the world Cup.

Download AND INSTALL your FIFA 17 with this link http://www.blazinginfo.com/2017/09/guide-to-download-fifa-17-apk-and-data.html?m=1

Zambians trolling us everywhere even on Super Eagles official Facebook page they are spitting and promising us hell in Uyo . One can't read news without seeing their boasting.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1309124809196542&id=587631111345919

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1309350385840651&id=587631111345919

October 7 please come fast and our team should remain injury free particularly to key players so we can chase these guys and quash that illusion they are in.

Joebie:
7 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Guardian (Lagos)
Nigeria: Super Eagles' Fringe Players to Face Algeria After Zambia Clash
NigeriaSoccerSportWest Africa
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By Christian Okpara
The Super Eagles' technical crew will give players, who have not had the opportunity to play for the country in the on-going Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying series to feature in the last game against Algeria. That is, if the Eagles beat Zambia next month to confirm Nigeria's qualification for the Copa du Mondo.

Zambia surprised bookmakers on Tuesday when they went to Algiers to beat Algeria in their matchday four game. That victory took Zambia seven points, three lower than Nigeria, who will host them in Uyo on October 7.

A win in that game guarantees Nigeria the ticket to Russia 2018 World Cup. The Guardian learnt that fringe players, including home-based stars and some based in Europe were originally billed to take on Zambia until the Chipolopolo took the decision out Coach Gernot Rohr's hands in Algiers.

One of the officials, who pleaded anonymity, said in Yaoundé on Monday that the qualifiers also serves as preparation for the World Cup, adding that it has given the coaches the opportunity to assess the mentality of the players that have featured in the series.

"The coaches know what the players in the CHAN team can do, but they also want to see them in grade A games. "If as expected We beat Zambia to qualify for the World Cup, there will be no need to play against Algeria with the players in the main team," he said.

Na wa ooooooo! Where dis kin mental dey come from? I hope say..... dem never qualify dem don dey look down on Zambia as if say dem come watch fine stadium for Uyo.

Ok, na.

Lol my brother, I too said something similar, remember? My hope was that we beat Cameroon in Yaounde and Algeria beat Zambia. Then I said our last two games will be for experimenting. But behold! Well, let's take it a step at a time.

Modified
I'm sure Rohr will be taking the OCT 7th match seriously, doing the needed preparation for what will most likely be the final fight.

forgiveness:


Na wa ooooooo! Where dis kin mental dey come from? I hope say..... dem never qualify dem don dey look down on Zambia as if say dem come watch fine stadium for Uyo.

Ok, na.

The dream i had yesterday..... We qualified buh we were drawn in another group of death Belgium Brazil Germany Nigeria...

Na dream sha...but e fit happen

komekn:


Why is Martins not being considered Is he older than Ribiere, Defoe, Alves, Evra and Christiano Ronaldo, etc, etc

But we find it very easy to consider players who are playing in back water mediocre leagues. Who have not attained anywhere near the level players like Aluko, Martins, and others have attained. Based on assumed potential or past youthful glories of sometimes even 3 years ago.

To them once you are 30 you are not good even if you score 100 goals per seconds.

Hahahaha! That's Nigeria for you ooo. Past youthful glories.


You have said it very well.

pyrex23:
The dream i had yesterday.....
We qualified buh we were drawn in another group of death
Belgium
Brazil
Germany
Nigeria...


Na dream sha...but e fit happen

It can't happen cos the first 3 teams in your dreams will be seeded i.e top 8 so it will continue to remain a dream

Joebie:
Lol my brother, I too said something similar, remember? My hope was that we beat Cameroon in Yaounde and Algeria beat Zambia. Then I said our last two games will be for experimenting. But behold! Well, let's take it a step at a time.

Modified
I'm sure Rohr will be taking the OCT 7th match seriously, doing the needed preparation for what will most likely be the final fight.

I understand your point or mindset before the second match against Cameroon but now wey sand sand wan enter garri na nko!

We can't handle this game with kids gloves.

However, I noticed that this Zambians carried out the replica of our plan against Cameroon in the second match. They were just defended and luckily they had a goal.

It's not as if I am scared of them but I don't want us to start for the world cup when we have not finished the job.

On thing about the Zambians is that they are very inexperience but youthful, and I hope we use their offside traps against them.