hahaha. Oga I don't believe that.

Kog45:
I believe getting national team called up required a lot of things and only coach can unravel it.

Okay actually Ambrose was red carded in the AFCON opener (Burkina Faso). So Onazi played as RB in the next match, when we drew with Zambia at the group stage.

But i've just checked. I know the period you are talking about. It was the AFCON qualifiers in October 2014. It was a double header against Sudan. Ambrose got yellow carded in the first match. I don't know the reason for his absence in the next. But that was when Onazi took Ambrose spot at RB, and Lawal played Onazi's role. Hence a similar situation -- lack of options at RB.

Kog45:
Yea try to confirm

forgiveness:


Seriously!!?

There are many players ahead of Kelechi Nwakali but you want to specially groom Kelechi because those waiting in line, playing regularly two four seven, being nominated consecutively for MOTM & team of the week, week in week out etcetera are all mumunies from Somalia, ba?

Roben and Ribery are also injury prone. Why dem country no dey drop dem?

Joel Obi is miles a better player than John Ogu, Azuibike, Abdul, Etebor and Agu combined.

This is in regards to CMF position. Gbam!

Agreed but on injury i w rather take injury prone Balogun to WC than Joel Obi and he cannot be compared to d likes of Ribery and Roben who are valuable players in their national teams.

Hope u remember Etim Esin story how he was shot before 1987 U20 world cup and how Nigeria make sure d guy was operated on and made d team,not all player enjoy this privileged.

Joel Obi must be super ft to make d team not coming to camp and be having a day off in training coz of knocks or getting hamstring in training and u expect Rohr to sweat on him with d presence of Mikel,Iwobi,Ndidi,Onazi,Etebo, Agu,Ogu.

Agu is more of a defensive midfielder.

Joel Obi is fast and good with both feet. In fact it would be a delight to have both himself and Mikel because they can easily switch roles as AM and CM. Mikel can offer more defensively when needed, or when we need to hold on to the ball. Mikel can also go forward of course. Both players will have the freedom to roam provided there is a dependable DMF.

I think the battle is actually between Agu, Ndidi and Onazi, speaking defensively. Ndidi is also very good going forward, but he is young. He will get even better. Ndidi and Joel Obi no be mate, offensively.

Lastly, size will not be a big factor at the world cup. Ogu is not mobile enough.

somehow:
I think if Agu is to make the world cup squad, I would rather we go with Joel Obi than him, Mikel Agu isn't really a player you can hand over the SE midfield to judging by the 2 games I have seen him play for us of recent.

He's not really that good with reading the game unlike Joel Obi. Another point is that we have too many right legged players in the midfield and with Obi, a left legged player is achieved.

There was a particular shot Mikel Obi should have taken in our recent match if he was a left legged player but couldn't do that, it was a clear goal scoring opportunity I think in Uyo.

Lastly, Joel Obi can hold the ball and boss the midfield better than Mikel Agu.

I say we drop Agu and pick Obi (they play same position).

For size, I want Ogu to make the team incase we need to play against big body players which means Onazi would have to sit on the bench.

Midfielders I want to see in Russia

Mikel Obi, Joel Obi
Onazi, Ogu
Ndidi, Etebo

Alex iwobi either as an attacker or a midfielder.

Joebie:
Okay actually Ambrose was red carded in the AFCON opener (Burkina Faso). So Onazi played as RB in the next match, when we drew with Zambia at the group stage.

But i've just checked. I know the period you are talking about. It was the AFCON qualifiers in October 2014. It was a double header against Sudan. Ambrose got yellow carded in the first match. I don't know the reason for his absence in the next. But that was when Onazi took Ambrose spot at RB, and Lawal played Onazi's role. Hence a similar situation -- lack of options at RB.

No, Ambrose and Echiejele were dropped to d bench coz of series of poor performance but d Sudan match nailed it.

Lawal had not been in SE for a about a couple years prior to the Sudan double header. In the first leg, he came in for Ambrose in the 75th minute. Elderson clocked 90 minutes in that game.

In the second leg, Ambrose was not listed. Elderson was dropped to the bench -- Oshaniwa took his place.

Modified
Hence, Lawal never pushed Onazi to the RB position, but for lack of options at RB

Kog45:
No, Ambrose and Echiejele were dropped to d bench coz of series of poor performance but d Sudan match nailed it.

junnyjake:


And then divorce her after getting his papers.

Firstly, I am advocating killing two birds with one stone. However, I am making the assumption that the man is sold out 4 Christ no compromise.

There is NUTTIN like divorce and if that's his intention I will NEVER ADVOCATE that in a million years. No too many heart broken ladies decieved by our sharp guys and vice versa.

Joebie:
Agu is more of a defensive midfielder.

Joel Obi is fast and good with both feet. In fact it would be a delight to have both himself and Mikel because they can easily switch roles as AM and CM. Mikel can offer more defensively when needed, or when we need to hold on to the ball. Mikel can also go forward of course. Both players will have the freedom to roam provided there is a dependable DMF.

I think the battle is actually between Agu, Ndidi and Onazi, speaking defensively. Ndidi is also very good going forward, but he is young. He will get even better. Ndidi and Joel Obi no be mate, offensively.

Lastly, size will not be a big factor at the world cup. Ogu is not mobile enough.

Joel Obi no doubt a very good player that i wish to partner Mikel in d midfield but something is glaring,for him to make d team is 40%,first is injury records,two he is not part of d team yet.

If he can shake off his injury issue then i can say getting to d team is half done,all he need to do is get Rohr attention for invitation,come to camp and prove himself.

Joebie:
Lawal had not been in SE for a about a couple years prior to the Sudan double header. In the first leg, he came in for Ambrose in the 75th minute. Elderson clocked 90 minutes in that game.

In the second leg, Ambrose was not listed. Elderson was dropped to the bench -- Oshaniwa took his place.

Modified
Hence, Lawal never pushed Onazi to the RB position, but for lack of options at RB

OK

somehow:
Most players want to go to the EPL not because of the quality of football but because of the exposure and MONEY.

Really depends on what you mean by quality?

The EPL is not the most technically superior league in Europe, but with regards to speed and physical intensity it is numero 1 indisputable.

Not every top player cam cope with the EPL I actually think Neymar would not find it easy in the EPL.

Yes, to get Rohr's attention I think Rohr will firstly need to identify that he needs reinforcement in midfield. Next, and should Joel Obi be injury-free, fit and in form at that time, he will easily get a look in. Rohr knows the quality of the Italian league.

Kog45:
Joel Obi no doubt a very good player that i wish to partner Mikel in d midfield but something is glaring,for him to make d team is 40%,first is injury records,two he is not part of d team yet.

If he can shake off his injury issue then i can say getting to d team is half done,all he need to do is get Rohr attention for invitation,come to camp and prove himself.

Technicality and beautiful football is low in the EPL unlike other major leagues and I rate these 2 higher than strength and speed. Football is entertainment first before "war".

komekn:


Really depends on what you mean by quality?

The EPL is not the most technically superior league in Europe, but with regards to speed and physical intensity it is numero 1 indisputable.

Not every top player cam cope with the EPL I actually think Neymar would not find it easy in the EPL.

I agree with you sir to a large extent.. But I think the most challenging league for an attacker is the Italian league.
Neymar will fare better in the EPL than in Serie A

komekn:


Really depends on what you mean by quality?

The EPL is not the most technically superior league in Europe, but with regards to speed and physical intensity it is numero 1 indisputable.

Not every top player cam cope with the EPL I actually think Neymar would not find it easy in the EPL.

Joebie:
hahaha. Oga I don't believe that.

OK u don't believe that,OK tell me why Aron Samuel was in d standby instead of Kayode or Oyekwuru?can u explain this,honestly only coach can tell u d reasons for invitation.

The Zambians have gone all spiritual on this one

you are somehow oh. Entertainment first?!

somehow:
Technicality and beautiful football is low in the EPL unlike other major leagues and I rate these 2 higher than strength and speed. Football is entertainment first before "war".

That's how we do when we meet big countries na..

So that says a lot that they hold us in high regard.

Danielnino00:
The Zambians have gone all spiritual on this one

Joebie:
That's how we do when we meet big countries na..

So that says a lot that they hold us in high regard.

I thought dem dey do shakara before

Yes, the reason football is played is FIRST for entertainment. forget the money craze going on right now. remove entertainment from football and watch it crumble!

Joebie:
you are somehow oh. Entertainment first?!

Golf is a very high paying sport but how many people watch it? because its boring and very dry.

Aaron didn't get a look in until the Cameroon double header. Yes, someone must have suggested Samuel based on the physical aspect of his game when Rohr was looking for such. Don't forget that's how Nwakaeme also may have gotten into the picture. But Rohr still put Samuel on standby then.
Recommendations are legal. But the coach's decision is final. Rohr has ran the rule over Kayode. Kayode may have been left out for any of these reasons:
1. Rohr is not convinced enough with Kayode
2. He already sees Kayode's attributes in some of the players we already have
3. Rohr is still giving Kayode time to hit the ground running at his new club (Girona).
4. He doesn't feel Kayode is needed for Zambia

My brother there is no foul play. I can list a number of players that initially got a call up but were never recalled. Do you suspect foul play in their case as well?

Kog45:
OK u don't believe that,OK tell me why Aron Samuel was in d standby instead of Kayode or Oyekwuru?can u explain this,honestly only coach can tell u d reasons for d invitation.

Napoleon55:
Obi,to b honest,i have not watched him play recently because he is always injured,but i have watched him several times in the past,i've watched him in nigeria's colours,so i know him. we will not hoping on that type of player if we want to win anything,or win any serious match
the earlier we start grooming KELECHI NWAKALI to take over from Mikel the better for us

Until Nwakali starts to prove himself in his current loan team and make some very big waves sadly nothing for him. He cannot progress to the SE on past youth football glories.

He is in a low rated league, and a low rated team, this can be a two edged sword. It means by now if has ambitions to play for Arsenal then he should be among the top 3 midfielders if not the best in the Eredivisie. He should be making big waves that's why he is on loan to prove his quality. Has he won any MOTM awards for his team, is he in the team of the week or player of the month awards, etc I have not been able to find any high ratings about him in any of the player rating portals online for the Eredivisie.

The possibility of him making it into Arsenal looks bleak to me as it stands. So many young outstanding players in Arsenal making Wenger forget he even exists.

Napoleon55:
is it not d same players u use for nations cup u r still going to use for world cup. joel obi has no place in this team more than ogu.

we have our first team players,ogu is not even there,how much more joel.

1-AKPEYI,

2-SHEHU

3-ELDERSON

4-NDIDI

5-BALOGUN

6-EKON

7-MOSES V.

8-ONAZI

9-IGHALO

10-MIKEL

11-IWOBI

12-IHEANACHO

13-ETEBO

14-MOSES SIMON

15-EZENWA

16-MUSA

these are our first team regulars,for any other player to displace any of these players,he has to be excellent,in the case of AINA,after his debut

Until you give players the chance how will you know? There is a co- relationship with your performance with your club and your justification to be in the SE.

Joel Obi deserves a call up if we can invite Osimhen then Joel is far more deserving.

Aina is already being recognised as the best right back in the championship. I can imagine he may move to the EPL in the transfer window. So he is already proven tested and established not just in the SE for now. Is Shehu better than him we do not know yet. But if he is better than Shehu we drop Shehu best players play no sentiment.

Joebie:
I agree the EPL seems to be the apex based on the competitiveness and it being highly commercial. But wanting our young players to go there prematurely is not good for their development.

100% very concise and filled with observational deep seated wisdom.

I would add that playing in the championship even League 1 prior to the EPL may give you the required orientation of what is needed.

Unfortunately the work permit issues prevent our young potentials from getting in. They then play in obscure leagues and although bought by these big clubs are too easily forgotten. Essentially they struggle to see them make the step up to the premiership.

I will still say I won't take an injury prone Joel obi to d world cup even if he's fully fit b4 d world cup,what if he plays very well in d first match and he gets out injured 3weeks during d tournament,DT scenario alone has a negative psyche on d team full of young players
Let's kuku go to d world cup wout him,same scenario played out against France wen onazi was injured by maltuidi,d midfield became flat and we lost at d end
Its better to go with an average players ready to pull efforts together and far in d tournament(Ghana 2010 team is a gud example), dan aving someone to depend on,dts so sure won't carry us far due to injury


Cos dt Joel obi guy,remove dt injury prone stuff,d guy is d best Midfielder I av ever seen in eagles set up since 2012,late keshi even attested to dt

elyte89:
I will still say I won't take an injury prone Joel obi to d world cup even if he's fully fit b4 d world cup,what if he plays very well in d first match and he gets out injured 3weeks during d tournament,DT scenario alone has a negative psyche on d team full of young players
Let's kuku go to d world cup wout him,same scenario played out against France wen onazi was injured by maltuidi,d midfield became flat and we lost at d end
Its better to go with an average players ready to pull efforts together and far in d tournament(Ghana 2010 team is a gud example), dan aving someone to depend on,dts so sure won't carry us far due to injury


Cos dt Joel obi guy,remove dt injury prone stuff,d guy is d best Midfielder I av ever seen in eagles set up since 2012,late keshi even attested to dt

Has he had any major injury beyond the normal knocks and muscle strains that he has had to be off for more than 2/3 weeks this season.

Are you able to answer that question.

Sometimes a player can overcome years of injury from wrong treatment with the right specialist programme and approach that could be the case of Joel.

Joebie:
Aaron didn't get a look in until the Cameroon double header. Yes, someone must have suggested Samuel based on the physical aspect of his game when Rohr was looking for such. Don't forget that's how Nwakaeme also may have gotten into the picture. But Rohr still put Samuel on standby then.
Recommendations are legal. But the coach's decision is final. Rohr has ran the rule over Kayode. Kayode may have been left out for any of these reasons:
1. Rohr is not convinced enough with Kayode
2. He already sees Kayode's attributes in some of the players we already have
3. Rohr is still giving Kayode time to hit the ground running at his new club (Girona).
4. He doesn't feel Kayode is needed for Zambia

My brother there is no foul play. I can list a number of players that initially got a call up but were never recalled. Do you suspect foul play in their case as well?

My man am not suspecting any foul play regards player invitations.My point is this only coach can tell u d reason for any player invitation.

On Aron Samuel i w say as a football pundit I w not extend invitation to him based on his current form,recently i read something about him in his club how his poor form led to his omission from d main squad and to d extent he was giving a chance to start against a lowly team in a Russian Cup but couldn't leave up to expectations.

But d same Aron Samuel got d invitation over likes of Oyekwuru and Kayode, meaning only Rohr c explain this,he is in charge.

Am not criticising him for Aron invitation coz he has his reason which u already pointed out but as a football lover i w never pick Aron over Kayode or Oyekwuru presently.

FLASH BACK:

Take a look at Sunday Oliseh's second match in charge (a friendly against D.R. Congo) of the Super Eagles. What does the starting line up tell you? See the picture below.

Also consider, Olusegun "Mathematical 7" Odegbami made these observations in "his humble advise to the team", after Nigeria's boring draw away to Tanzania, which was Oliseh's first match in charge of SE. (How true is it today?):

1. I think Mikel still has a few more years of service he could render the Eagles. The only proviso are that he must relinquish his captaincy and be ready to play strictly as a defensive midfield player, never venturing upfront for anything, providing additional cover for the shaky central defense Nigeria has been parading for some time now, and keep floating those immaculate passes of his to running forwards on both wings. No more, no less.

2. Onazi is still critically needed in the midfield with his endless running, tackling and shooting from a distance. His temperament must be kept in check.

3. Joel Obi, when healthy and fit, has the experience and skills from the Italian league to play as the creative attacking midfielder in the Super Eagles.

4. Victor Moses is still definitely needed in Nigeria’s line-up. His dribbling skills, acceleration and inventiveness for now are still unmatched. His presence in the team will help boost the confidence of the new comers and make them want to also freely express their individualism, a trait on which successful Nigerian players thrive.

5. Add to these tested warriors some of the emerging talents from the junior teams, and a new team would start to emerge. I am still not so sure what to make of Iheanacho’s ability, but Awoniyi is surely ready for a place in the front line of the Super Eagles.

Citation: Mathematical7.com
Odegbami, Olusegun. “The baptism of Nigeria’s new coach: Sunday Oliseh.”
http://mathematical7.com/m7/?p=528, 13 Sept. 2015

We have too many DMs with almost equal abilities, having a tall and strong DM is a BIG plus and it matters. Air ball, reach, strength, agility and all that adds to a DM's qualities. Ogu is not that slow, way faster than Busquet and some known DMs out there. I would take an Ogu before any Agu who kept losing the ball in the midfield away to Cameroon.

Joebie:
Agu is more of a defensive midfielder.

Joel Obi is fast and good with both feet. In fact it would be a delight to have both himself and Mikel because they can easily switch roles as AM and CM. Mikel can offer more defensively when needed, or when we need to hold on to the ball. Mikel can also go forward of course. Both players will have the freedom to roam provided there is a dependable DMF.

I think the battle is actually between Agu, Ndidi and Onazi, speaking defensively. Ndidi is also very good going forward, but he is young. He will get even better. Ndidi and Joel Obi no be mate, offensively.

Lastly, size will not be a big factor at the world cup. Ogu is not mobile enough.

You have made a valid point. Even reports had it that Aaron did poorly in SE camp the last time.
However, I don't think Rohr expects to change his playing personnel against Zambia.
Hence, there is no cause for alarm.

Kog45:
My man am not suspecting any foul play regards player invitations.My point is this only coach can tell u d reason for any player invitation.

On Aron Samuel i w say as a football pundit I w not extend invitation to him based on his current form,recently i read something about him in his club how his poor form led to his omission from d main squad and to d extent he was giving a chance to start against a lowly team in a Russian Cup but couldn't leave up to expectations.

But d same Aron Samuel got d invitation over likes of Oyekwuru and Kayode, meaning only Rohr c explain this,he is in charge.

Am not criticising him for Aron invitation coz he has his reason which u already pointed out but as a football lover i w never pick Aron over Kayode or Oyekwuru presently.

Yes, some people towed your line of reasoning after the second match against Cameroon, and Rohr was asked about it. Let's see if Rohr will try Ogu instead next time. Everything will depend on how the players fare in SE colors prior to Russia.

somehow:
We have too many DMs with almost equal ability, having a tall and strong DM is a BIG plus and matters. Air balloon, reach, strength, agility and all that adds to a DM's quality. Ogu is not that slow, way faster than Busquet and some known DMs out there. I would take an Ogu before any Agu who kept losing the ball in the midfield away to Cameroon.

Joebie:
You know, the Rio olympics afforded Rorh an opportunity to look at some of our players at that level. Shehu and Troost-Ekong were the beneficiaries. Rohr also spoke highly of Etebo at the time, but I think Etebo was injured so he didnt get an immediate call up. Did Rohr not see Azubuike enough? -- I can't say. But one thing I believe, Okechukwu will have a long spell with SE in future. Let's see how our bench fare against Algeria, then we can have more discussion about the options we still have out there.

Azubuike cannot make the squad now because of the quality we have already in the midfield and not because he is not good.

Ekong could easily walk into that defense because Ambrose and Obaobona fell down the pecking order.

Shehu Abdulahi is at RB because of lack of credible options.

But so cannot be said of the midfield where we have Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, and John Ogu.
Azubuike if he continues working hard and keeps improving he will get his call back.

Joebie:
FLASH BACK:

Take a look at Sunday Oliseh's second match in charge (a friendly against D.R. Congo) of the Super Eagles. What does the starting line up tell you? See the picture below.

Also consider, Olusegun "Mathematical 7" Odegbami made these observations in "his humble advise to the team", after Nigeria's boring draw away to Tanzania, which was Oliseh's first match in charge of SE. (How true is it today?):

1. I think Mikel still has a few more years of service he could render the Eagles. The only proviso are that he must relinquish his captaincy and be ready to play strictly as a defensive midfield player, never venturing upfront for anything, providing additional cover for the shaky central defense Nigeria has been parading for some time now, and keep floating those immaculate passes of his to running forwards on both wings. No more, no less.

2. Onazi is still critically needed in the midfield with his endless running, tackling and shooting from a distance. His temperament must be kept in check.

3. Joel Obi, when healthy and fit, has the experience and skills from the Italian league to play as the creative attacking midfielder in the Super Eagles.

4. Victor Moses is still definitely needed in Nigeria’s line-up. His dribbling skills, acceleration and inventiveness for now are still unmatched. His presence in the team will help boost the confidence of the new comers and make them want to also freely express their individualism, a trait on which successful Nigerian players thrive.

5. Add to these tested warriors some of the emerging talents from the junior teams, and a new team would start to emerge. I am still not so sure what to make of Iheanacho’s ability, but Awoniyi is surely ready for a place in the front line of the Super Eagles.

Culled from Mathematical7.com
The baptism of Nigeria’s new coach: Sunday Oliseh
SEP 13, 2015

Hmmm that backline of Shehu, Ekong , Balogun and Echiejile has really come a long way.