Whether you are sentimental about foreign-bred or not, I must say we must give Pinnick and co praise for turning a new chapter in the war for players' allegience. I must say Pinnick and in fact the new NFF has made playing for the Super Eagles more attractive than ever before, regardless of the problems we still face in national football matters. We have improved in packaging and the use of influence and better approach (compared to the past) in the way we go about convincing these young talents to turn up for Nigeria.

Let's give credits when it is due. However there is still room for improvement especially is it has to do having a solid football structure domestically.

TheGoodJoe:


Ogbeche suffered from lack of service. People keep making analysis without looking at the background. There came a point in time Jay-jay was more interested in his rep than team performances. That was why he could even become one of the top scorers with the strikers starving, including Martins.

We need the best in the team. It is this kind of arguments that repeatedly argued against Ezenwa. Players of quality have reason from obscure league. A good example is Shaqiri from Switzerland league. I think Arnautovic from Austria. We need the best. That is the only way to build a formidable force.

Ogbeche wasn't lack of service. He just wasn't good enough. How did he fare afterwards both for club and country?

Learn More About Ola Aina: Prefers Ronaldo To Messi, Likes Eba & Wizkid





The Nigeria Football Federation Media Team threw some quickfire questions at Chelsea loanee Ola Aina while he was with the national team at their get-together in Uyo earlier this month.

The Hull City right back is on the brink of making his debut for the Super Eagles after Fifa approved his one-time switch to Nigeria on September 1, on the same date the national team thrashed Cameroon 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier.


Nigerians can know more about Ola Aina based on his answers to these questions:

D'banj or Wizkid?: Wizkid

Corporate or Casual? : Casual

Ronaldo or Messi? : Ronaldo

Champions League or World Cup Trophy? : World Cup trophy

Money or Trophy? : Trophy

Eba or Salad? : Eba


Ola Aina had suited up for England U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 national teams before he committed his international future to the Super Eagles ahead of the Three Lions.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Source: http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=24713

iamdynamite:
i think abwo was with the 2005 set not in the winning side, but the ghanian import and micheal ochie.were also immense, i cant forget dolphin run to the final of confed cup in....thet had quality players too, kelechi osunwa, endurance idahor , efosa eguakun.etc

Abuo was part of the 2004 set although as fringe player. He became a regular after his exploits at the 2005 U20 WC.

And eah those Dolphine players you mentioned.

The Super Eagles becoming interesting. No player can do us shakara again. Tammy Abraham, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, KC Iheanacho, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina etc on the rise. But we must maintain this success for the good of our football.

Swansea City boss Paul Clement admits he would like to see Tammy Abraham choose England over Nigeria
The young striker is set to turn his back on England for Nigeria, but Clement admits he would rather Abraham choose the Three Lions

Swansea City manager Paul Clement admits he would like to see striker Tammy Abraham stay with England - but he insisted he would not influence the Chelsea loanee's decision.

Abraham, who has gone through the England youth system, appears set to switch his national allegiance to Nigeria, according to the Nigerian Football Federation.


The striker is eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his father, but Clement admits he would rather see him pull on the Three Lions jersey.


Swansea City manager Paul Clement
"I don't know about that," said Clement. "I have seen the article but I have not asked him as there are more pressing issues at the moment.

"There would be more travel involved, but whatever he chooses to do is up to him.

"From a personal point of view I would like him to stay with England. I say that because I am English and he is a talent you want involved in the national side."

Swansea City's Tammy Abraham set to switch international allegiance, according to Nigerian Football Federation president
However, despite his preference for the player to choose England over Nigeria, Clement was adamant that he would offer impartial advice to the 19-year-old - and not try and sway his decision.

When asked whether this sort of situation was more prominent in modern football, Clement said: "It is, and it is down to the player.

"They may see a better opportunity to play regularly at international level or it can be a belief that is where their identity lies.


"But it is down to the player. I have no idea what Tammy will do, he has come through the English system puts him at an advantage.

"I will give advice if he wants it, but I will not try to influence him. It is down to him and his family."

The debate surrounding Abraham's nationality comes as the young striker continues to adapt to life in the Premier League, having scored 26 goals in the Championship last season with Bristol City.

The major selection dilemmas facing Swansea City as big stars face huge disappointment this weekend
And Clement has been impressed with how Abraham has dealt with moving up to the top tier, saying: " He has made the biggest step of his career, I am not surprised at how he has done.

"He has done fine and will get better. When you make a step like this, going to the Premier League, it is challenging and difficult.

"He has done some good things and some that could have been better but we are working to help him and the players get better."

TheSuperNerd:

John Ogu's place on the bench is because of A fast-rising Wilfred Ndidi....

I feel he should have been given the opportunity to play when Mikel was subbed. I trust Rohr's choice though, I just feel for Ogu sha. He was the sacrificial lamb for Uchebo at the last World Cup yet he remains so committed. I guess he doesn't have a choice - seems he needs the SE more than the Super Eagles need him.

Work Permit Delays Amuzie’s Lugano Debut
By Johnny Edward





Super Eagles left-back Stanley Amuzie is yet to make his much-awaited debut for his new Swiss League side FC Lugano because he has yet to procure his work permit, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Amuzie joined FC Lugano on a season loan deal from Italian side Sampdoria. He will play no part in their clash against Sion on Thursday due the work permit issue.

The former Nigeria U-23 defender has continued to shine in training for the Swiss club, and could be named in the squad for their weekend’s clash with Grasshoppers.


“My registration isn’t ready yet, I’m still waiting for my work permit,” Amuzie told Completesportsnigeria.com.
FC Lugano are sixth on the table with eight points from seven matches.

Amuzie made his debut for the Super Eagles against Egypt in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2016 in Kaduna.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/work-permit-delays-amuzies-lugano-debut/

TheSuperNerd:
Yes you did and you were so spot on. But in the midst of that loss and the many negative comments and players chopping going on... I just had to take the backseat and say little.

Sir TheGoodJoe, I know I have known you here since my debut on NL in 2015 but I admit that I still stand in awe of the way and manner in which you see and analyse the beautiful game. I love and respect your high standards for how you wanna see the Super Eagles play and excel in matches and competitions. I understand it is because you know and believe in the quality atvour disposal and I believe we can get there. This is why sometimes I urge you to be patient with this lot because I actually understood what you mean by "negative football" in Yaoundé... it is well shaa... Nigerian football can be great again and I hope Rohr stays post-2018 as half as long as Joachim Low... so that we can forge a truly powerful team that can dominate Africa for decades upon decades and also storm the world to finally translate Nigeria's boundless potential into world class impact, performance and ultimately Achievement.


I insist that Nigeria remains the only nation in Africa capable of reaching a senior world cup semis and even lifting the World cup itself. But we must get it right in players selection and much more.... we must never allow sentiments rule or allow deliberate blindness to quality because of one or two poor games to affect our bright judgment of players' quality and potentials for greatness.


Africa looks to Nigeria in soccer and Nigeria know this... we know we hold it within ourselves to rise and conquer but we are the ones holding ourselves back. We have to unleash the beast mode within us. It is no crime or arrogance to be aware of what one is fully capable of based on the potentials and evidence of greatness on ground.... I only pray we as a football nation can finally make things happen again and add another beautiful story to the pages of football, The beautiful game... in ways than Leicester did in 2016.... or in the manner in which Aguero and Man City did in 2012 (was it? or when again? u know that photo-finish...) or even Spain in the golden era of 2008-2012.


It is possible.

I will draw inspiration from sentiments and history to say if we don't do it for Africa at the world cup who will? Only after we open the gates will other African nation go through. (I am not unmindful of the fact that we have not gone past the second round in the WC which Cameroun and Ghana have done)

Yes... it should have been Ogu for Mikel against Cameroun in Yaounde and not Agu bcoa of Ogu's ball holding/retention abilities but all the same sha... I wanna believe Rohr has taken note. And Ogu is in line for his world cup debut for Nigeria. I see him making the final squad this time but not as a starter.

He is a quality back-up to have on the bench and that is the kind of bench I speak of. A bench that oozes quality.

Mujtahida:

I feel he should have been given the opportunity to play when Mikel was subbed. I trust Rohr's choice though, I just feel for Ogu sha. He was the sacrificial lamb for Uchebo at the last World Cup yet he remains so committed. I guess he doesn't have a choice - seems he needs the SE more than the Super Eagles need him.

I think transfermarkt. com is one tool many of us should master. I have learned a lot from there. Also whoscored. com . Let's all learn how to search with these and more. I like whoscored .com for stats and ratings. I consider their player of the week most objective, because it considers actual stats with a level playing field in view. We can all come up with our best XI and we will hardly agree all the time, but stats removes all sentiments. Which is why a paper can name Awaziem in its best XI but another paper would not name him there. However, editors are a professional voice, and their opinions should also be respected.

Mujtahida:

Ogbeche wasn't lack of service. He just wasn't good enough. How did he fare afterwards both for club and country?

TheSuperNerd:
Tammy is as good as gotten and dusted. The deal on him switching has kicked off. He is convinced. I think we have bagged Tammy.

As for Dessers... he will get his call-up soon I believe to ward off Belgium but for now Tammy na priority and also among the likes of Dessers, Success or Aaron, Success will offer more now if ever there is a need for an extra body from outside the regulars to come in and do some damage. Dessers is still a newbie but is quality but remember this is the Super Eagles. Aaron is not it for now. But Success is always a danger man. His build and skillset is just enough to fit in with the team.

Rohr still rates Success and I do too and he is still useful to the team. Hope he can sort out his club game time soon enough or make a good move if need be but his quality is not in doubt. If Rohr invites him I have no major complaints.

Dessers is easier than Tammy. He has not played for Belgium and has declared interest in Nigeria. His own is a breeze.

Like Rohr rightly said, nobody complained when Agu replaced Mikel in Uyo. Hahaha..
it didn't seem like we missed Mikel one bit in that game. I remember we even scored another after he was subbed-out.

But hey, we all want to see what Ogu can bring in a competitive match, though it is clear Rohr consider Agu ahead. Let's not forget Agu also once started in a friendly and did wonderfully well -- if I'm not mistaking.

Have you not seen my squad for Algeria already? I'm not going to throw Tammy in yet, because I don't expect that switch to be official before the year runs out.

TheSuperNerd:
Yes... it should have been Ogu for Mikel against Cameroun in Yaounde and not Agu bcoa of Ogu's ball holding/retention abilities but all the same sha... I wanna believe Rohr has taken note. And Ogu is in line for his world cup debut for Nigeria. I see him making the final squad this time but not as a starter.

He is a quality back-up to have on the bench and that is the kind of bench I speak of. A bench that oozes quality.

Yes... and Dessers will eventually be called up I am sure. Not sure when... but I hope soon after qualification is officially bagged.

Right now, Tammy plays at a higher level then Dessers so he is definitely a keen priority.

Bag Tammy and ward off England... then bag Dessers with Belgium not even looking his way hopefully and hia declared interest already. So no harm done... we win on both sides..

tbaba1234:


Dessers is easier than Tammy. He has not played for Belgium and has declared interest in Nigeria. His own is a breeze.

TheGoodJoe:


It is hard because I foresee us parking the bus against Zambia. It disturbs my heart because I know we have the right blend of talents to blow Zambia. However, we will tuck our legs and maybe win with a narrow margin or draw.

With a more offensive set-up, that is how we can go far in the game. I know Rohr does not want to risk losing the points he gathered but Yaounde was the best place to light the dynamite.

This is truly a special set we have now but we can not wait for the foreign clubs to build them for us. We need our junior teams playing Friendlies. We need to have a team B of the Super Eagles playing. We need to monitor them and get the best blend.

We also need an offensive strategy and get the best players in the Super Eagles. That is how we can make a monumental impact.

Goodjoe I understand how you feel about negative football but truth is if parking the bus would take us to Russia so be it. When we get to Russia we would open the bus. If Cameroun had parked the bus in the Uyo game perhaps things would have been different.
With Zambia we should be daring and precise in front, enterprising in the middle and impenetrable at the back.

Exactly.... nobody noticed in the first leg because we were already home and dry.. and the Lions were well wounded and stripped of their claws by the time Agu walked in... loolll

But in a different scenario, we saw the limitation of that substitution. Rohr has taken note of this I am sure.

Hindsight ehn... very funny. Always right because it speaks based on a result of something... lol

And yes Agu started against Togo in that 3-0 win. He did well in the game. Maybe Ogu and Agu together for Algeria after bagging the ticket against Zambia? loolll

And plsss don't include Tammy biko... his switch will be made official when it will be made official... I dey even put am for latest early next year in January/February or march sef... lolll

Put Dessers upfront instead... Or maybe Nwakaeme or Larry Kayode... your choice man.. your list... your call...

Joebie:
Like Rohr rightly said, nobody complained when Agu replaced Mikel in Uyo. Hahaha..
it didn't seem like we missed Mikel one bit in that game. I remember we even scored another after he was subbed-out.

But hey, we all want to see what Ogu can bring in a competitive match, though it is clear Rohr consider Agu ahead. Let's not forget Agu also once started in a friendly and did wonderfully well -- if I'm not mistaking.

Have you not seen my squad for Algeria already? I'm not going to throw Tammy in yet, because I don't expect that switch to be official before the year runs out.

Joebie:
I think transfermarkt. com is one tool many of us should master. I have learned a lot from there. Also whoscored. com . Let's all learn how to search with these and more. I like whoscored .com for stats and ratings. I consider their player of the week most objective, because it considers actual stats with a level playing field in view. We can all come up with our best XI and we will hardly agree all the time, but stats removes all sentiments. Which is why a paper can name Awaziem in its best XI but another paper would not name him there. However, editors are a professional voice, and their opinions should also be respected.

Not sure this is meant for me. However let me say that I have never been good with numbers and when I started watching football the only stats that we had on our minds were the goals and quite later on the prize of a player. So making the switch to follow stats that look at tackles, passes, blocks, interceptions etc as is the norm today is difficult for me. I no kukuma like numbers.

Nigeria vs Benin has kicked off.... I am not watching plsss... but following updates okay.


Cc BascoVanVeli, Icon4s, Tbaba1234, Joebie, TheGoodJoe...
et al


Wishing The Lads the best...

Fly you Eagles....

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria vs Benin has kicked off.... I am not watching plsss... but following updates okay.


Cc BascoVanVeli, Icon4s, Tbaba1234, Joebie, TheGoodJoe...


Wishing The Lads the best...

Is it 40 year old rabiu Ali, you are calling lad...

Bros, respect ya elders..

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria vs Benin has kicked off.... I am not watching plsss... but following updates okay.


Cc BascoVanVeli, Icon4s, Tbaba1234, Joebie, TheGoodJoe...
et al


Wishing The Lads the best...

Fly you Eagles....

So who is givining us the updates?

Lemme re-phrase biko.. don't want The stick of the elders abeg....

Wishing the Lads and Pa Ali the very best
Fly you Eagles...


Abeg pardon me oooo... hahahaha

tbaba1234:

Is it 40 year old rabiu Ali, you are calling lad...
Bros, respect ya elders..

Lemme try shaa......

Icon4s:

So who is givining us the updates?

Icon4s:


The Nigeria vs Zambia game. One of the major reasons why i believe we will trash zambia is because just like Cameroon they need nothing less than a win hence they will come up offensive and that will really expose them.

Rohr knew Cameroon would come all out to attack which was why he adopted the counter attacking approach.

The Zambians may be good going forward but their fragility at the back will be their major problem.
In the AFCON qualifiers SA sat back and absurbed the pressure from our attack within the first 40mins. I dont see Zambia doing this. They would want to attack because they need an early goal and i trust Rohr to exploit their defensive fragilities. They could be as much as 2 or 3 goals down at half time

What if Zambia learns a thing or two from our SA defeat and from the rashness of Cameroun who came out smoking and went home crying. What if they choose to play safe in the first half, frustrate us and look for that one prime counter sting? What if they press through Echiejile to keep Moses busy helping defensively?

Inspite of all this What ifs we must win oooo

This guy called Charnel Gomez of Benin Rep is causing some wahala from time to time with his footwork and moves... but Nigeria have been dealing with the threats so far... Osas Okoro has been his victim once or twice now.

Ariwachukwu tried to float a long ball to okpotu but Okpotu was offisde..

Osas Okoro's wing again.... he us skinned by Bah yare here...


And we have a goal!!!! Pa Ali has scored!!!! He drilled home a delightful strike...

Rabiu Ali just scored

Nigeria leads Benin 1-0 Rabiu Ali the scorer

Mujtahida:

What if Zambia learns a thing or two from our SA defeat and from the rashness of Cameroun who came out smoking and went home crying. What if they choose to play safe in the first half, frustrate us and look for that one prime counter sting? What if they press through Echiejile to keep Moses busy helping defensively?

Inspite of all this What ifs we must win oooo

Hahaha they need the win more. If they refuse to come out and play we will just be passing the ball around and let the clock keeping thicking and lets see if they will not come all out to attack.

Rabiu Ali... Pa Ali scores a sweet goal... He was put through on goal by a fine pass and what a strike... 1-0 To Nigeria... on 11mins.

TheSuperNerd:
This guy called Charnel Gomez of Benin Rep is causing some wahala from time to time with his footwork and moves... but Nigeria have been dealing with the threats so far... Osas Okoro has been his victim once or twice now.

Ariwachukwu tried to float a long ball to okpotu but Okpotu was offisde..

Osas Okoro's wing again.... he us skinned by Bah yare here...


And we have a goal!!!! Pa Ali has scored!!!! He drilled home a delightful strike...

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! Pa ALI....

no let ma ALi catch you ooo

On 14 mins... Benin win a freekick which was floated in but Ariwachukwu did well by heading away and out of danger....

nelszx:
Nigeria leads Benin 1-0 Rabiu Ali the scorer

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

TheSuperNerd:
On 14 mins... Benin win a freekick which was floated in but Ariwachukwu did well by heading away and out of danger....

Ariwachukwu is back in the starting line up? I thought he was replaced by Adeleye?

Midified:

Eze is the one not playing.