Mujtahida:

This is precisely what I don't understand. Footballers would play football for ninety minutes and they expect everything to be sleek and prim? Every tackle must be perfect, every dribble on point, every goal bound move leads to a goal, every pass, excellent, every run is well timed. May football never be like that.

Humility017:

this guy will definetely flourish in the SE with Pass masters like mikel and iwobi....

to be honest super eagles is not short of Hungry and quality wingers...at the moment...the defense i believe urgently need surgical operation

forgiveness:


Joel Obi is not an AMF neither Aluko any.

Joel Obi is largely a CMF and LM.

Joebie:
All we are doing is monitoring their progress. Many things can happen between now and then. Onyekuru is in the current SE set up. And that's a good thing.

Kog45:
Oh Iheanacho and thegoodjoe is like Ndidi and Michael2, Akpeyi,Mikel and icon4s, Komne and Nigeria born English player, Ajagun and forgiveness,Awaziem and Safarigirl,Mikel and Kog45 just to mention a few.

I believe when it reach a certain stage in d course of our discussion or arguments we should put aside our love or hate for a player and let football reason take over.

This is d only way we can have good and constructive analysis.In one of my comment yesterday i said Awoniyi was like a son to me but did u ever see me mentioning his name has a potential player to be in d WC team,not yet for him but if he make it fine.

Dele Aiyenugba very closed guy to me,am one of d people that make sure he signed his first professional contract as a footballer but I read all d heated arguments about him yesterday and my comment on him was on football reason,i did not allowed my judgment to be based on personal relationship.

Good to love a player but when it comes to reality we should face it and talk football without sentiments.

I can mention some monikers(icon4s, safarigirl,Bascon velli,tbaba1234,Humility, enomakos,Joseph1013) despite their likeness for a player when it reach certain point they come out and say d truth,this is more reason i hold Jobie and mujtahida in high esteem when it comes to unbiased football analysis.

For instance,i remember safarigirl was one of d championing of Tammy Abraham but now one of d strongest antagonist coz she believe he insulted Nigeria.

komekn:


Seyi Ojo

TheGoodJoe:


For a start, Iheanacho can not have a poor performance as Ighalo did against Zambia. Iheanacho moves better, presses better unlike us relying on Mikel Obi to assist in pressing. Ighalo is there because of our conservative approach.

You are making it look as if Ighalo is of the same quality as Gabriel Jesus. He is not. Ighalo can not even have a chance at City because his style of play will not come close to fitting the system. Let alone staying there and blowing the net open.

It seems you must be talking about another player if you think Iheanacho's game has nothing to do with the build-up plays. Go back and see some of Iheanacho's performances under Guardiola. There were build-up moves especially during counter. Also, Iheanacho does not wait in a spot to score. He makes lots of movements to evade markers to get into scoring positions.

On losing minutes, Nacho made a move to a manager who is lost at getting the best from his team. In a more offensive team, he will flourish. Time and time again, it is proving that losing playing time does not kill talent. As long as the young man keeps working hard, he will get his chance to flourish.

I am more interested in us playing our best than all these starting time selection.

Dedebanky85:
Has Musa Mohd been playing? If so what club? That's a player I really want to progress cos of his all action style.

tbaba1234:


He is in Bulgaria, i believe

EEGA:
Presently,both of them lack the quality to lead our attack.
Nacho missed chances against Senegal before his equalizer and was poor against S.A.

Ighalo on his part is not that good on our Jersey,failed to score with a mid-field of such quality.

You can't take any of the two as a starter to the WC.

Kc might also fail to score if he was picked for the Zambian game.

Hence, the need for a good nine.

I expect Iheanacho to step up his game and claim the No.9 position,since he and Ighalo are now in the same position.

We should not rule out the possibility of a new invitee becoming our WC no.9 since the both of them have failed.

Our team works this way"when u get ur chance, give ur best and in face of competition, step-up your game.If you fail to abide by this rule you are out.You can ask Omeruo and Shehu.

Dedebanky85:
What's making him the best option? All the attackers trained and Rohr selected Ighalo ahead. So on what grounds are you basing "best option" for us? Mind you, with every passing day the guy is losing shirts, minutes and value on all fronts. I don't get this overtly praise for Iheanacho. I valued him very well back then but now I don't really hold him high cos he cannot vary his game play, and does not do well when he has a stiff competition.
If you put Ighalo in front of the MC midfielders he'd blow the net open. Forget all those stats of last season. Gabriel Jesus came and equalled and usurped those stats. All the attackers that have played in City from Nacho's era till date have scored relentlessly given the sweet MF they posses.
Also his game style is becoming to limited, just waiting to pounce and score. Coaches don't want those kinda strikers anymore. If you can't be part of the game play and build play as well as score then, I'm sorry to say this, very few coaches would play you as a striker. He needs to add aggressiveness and stamina to his game else he'd always be benched in any club in the epl. He may cut it in Italy cos they are laid back and don't run much.
Also, since Iheanacho dribbled Mweene to score can someone kindly remind me of any successful dribble that he attempted. Forget all those sorry stats that are never consistent online. I'm talking of what we used our korokoro eye to watch.
Boy needs to step up his game big time cos he's been on a very STEADY declining slope. Look at all the people he's been compared to have become stalwarts in their club while he prays for minutes. Rashford has gone on to become a very peripheral figure, Chai em even get mind de hold ball for freekick. And em de score am set. Chai I don suffer. Its Iheanacho that cause all these things sha. I dare anyone to say Rashford won't become a mainstay in City's squad? He'd successfully wrestle a shirt from Jesus and I'm positive about it. I digressed....

On the national side, Nacho is losing his shirt. From starter to bencher, Soon it'll become from bencher to making announced 23man squad, then from there to standby list. This is how it starts. Lets call a spade a spade and stop using all these ninteen-keredem stats to rationalize the stark obvious.
If it's based on stats do you know how many people would be great. Sani Emmanuel had a crazy stats in 2009, Same with Isaac Success in 2013.
Truth is if Iheanacho flops in Liecester, I don't even want to think of how he'd be categorized by true football pundits. I'd keep supporting him as a Nigerian but he needs to wake up and fast!

Fringes:


You didn't reply my last mails. Had huge expectation after such good convo, you know.

Mujtahida:

Even if he misses out to Russia, definitely post Russia he would be in.

tbaba1234:
Rohr's interview summary

1. Ebuehi was injured before zambian game, that is why he was placed on standby.

2. Fringe players will start against Algeria.

3. Enyeama might be back

4. Acknowledged Elderson weaknesses, says an german under 20 player will be joining the team soon. (Either Torunarigha or Uduokhai)

5. Friendlies against European and south American teams are being lined up.

Discuss..

Mujtahida:

But I just read Ebuehi on allnigeriasports. com say that although Rohr called him after he didn't make the list but that Rohr didn't explain why he was dropped. So what's happening here

forgiveness:


Meaning Tiago Ilori showed signs of outstanding quality to have played for Sporting Lisbon. Nice!

komekn:


Seyi Ojo

Dedebanky85:
Not looking good for Musa Mohd. I'm thinking his club has played 11 games cos an attacker had played 11times. If out of 11 he's played 3 times then it's a poor return. Well I hope he moved late to that club, that's the only good excuse I could think of.... Why can't this guy be the first choice at any club he goes to?

TheGoodJoe:


For a start, Iheanacho can not have a poor performance as Ighalo did against Zambia. Iheanacho moves better, presses better unlike us relying on Mikel Obi to assist in pressing. Ighalo is there because of our conservative approach.

You are making it look as if Ighalo is of the same quality as Gabriel Jesus. He is not. Ighalo can not even have a chance at City because his style of play will not come close to fitting the system. Let alone staying there and blowing the net open.

It seems you must be talking about another player if you think Iheanacho's game has nothing to do with the build-up plays. Go back and see some of Iheanacho's performances under Guardiola. There were build-up moves especially during counter. Also, Iheanacho does not wait in a spot to score. He makes lots of movements to evade markers to get into scoring positions.

On losing minutes, Nacho made a move to a manager who is lost at getting the best from his team. In a more offensive team, he will flourish. Time and time again, it is proving that losing playing time does not kill talent. As long as the young man keeps working hard, he will get his chance to flourish.

I am more interested in us playing our best than all these starting time selection.

Humility017:

this is what you like....you've meet your twin brother....
I think oga michael took the criticism too far though...
I am not just too comfortable wit rohr conservative approach...
...had it been he gets to start aina against Zambian...just imagine how many passes of that kind he flipped to Moses....our frontline would have enjoyed...

elderson with all due respect, nothing personal....could not make one of such pass....

Mujtahida:

This guy don vex.

komekn:


Absolutely 100%.

However, he came to Liverpool and couldn't cope with the speed, intensity and the physicality.

Yes I did see him when he first came, to us it was obvious he was light weight. He was promptly sent to the gym to beef up.

He was use to playing pretty tip tap football in the Portuguese league. He couldn't cope and never played one game for Liverpool in the premiership after near 4 years. That in my book is sadly a failed project and an indication of very limited ability. Or alternatively you could say good for the Portuguese league but woeful for the EPL.

The EPL is not for everyone it's the most competitive, physically intensive and fastest league in the World. Not everyone can cut it, unfortunately Ilori is one of those that couldn't cut it.

safarigirl:
if there was a dislike button. I would have disliked his comment with four different monikers, I swear.

I read the first three lines and I was pissed on behalf of Kelechi. He need not attack the boy like that just to hurt Goodjoe....damn, even me wey fit dislike some players, I no fit write that kain epistle just to prove how much they have regressed.

Haba! People should have a heart mbok. Na pesin pikin Kelechi be and na work wey e dey do, e no fit pain you say e dey regress pass as e dey pain the boy.

Joebie:
Kennysville, at the time I wanted to tackle this your post I discovered that I had already served some hours of my ban on NL, which I believe lasts for 24 hours.
Well, now here I come. My first thought was that you probably had some personal negative experience dealing with whites maybe in the UK, hence your sentiments-filled opinion. Granted, everyone is entitled to theirs.
However on these TAMMY matters and many others for that matter, sound opinions can only be given when sentiments are not attached.
Let me take you as well as others who gladly clicked “like” to your post to the reality of the world as it were, and even till this day.

Responding to your paragraphs one at a time:

Paragraph 1:
I have heard that common saying times without number here in Nigeria -- “a country of over 200 million CANNOT…. “
Let me put that question to you.. why don’t we SEEM to have the best doctors, engineers etc. as well IN NIGERIA despite our population? The first and paramount reason is Brain Drain, which is caused by we ourselves failing to create the environment for ourselves to thrive here in Nigeria. The effect, many intelligent ones go abroad and become experts. Or many go to schools there and become professionals. Many of these would love to come back but for the reason that the situation still hasn’t changed. Even those who go abroad to take on menial jobs bring up children there who become experts in their field. And you expect those parents to tell them sweet sweet stories about Nigeria in nostalgia, and ask them to return.. FUNNY.
Go to the Uk, US, Canada etc., they would always give preference for experts and promising talents from Nigeria etc. when considering them for Work Visas.
Now let me take you back to football, and yes we are still talking human resources. The situation is somewhat the same.
You can choose to live in caves if you want, but the reality of the world since the past till this very day is, advanced nations stay ahead because they know how to use the talents of other countries to advance themselves further in almost every field for that matter. Yes, their policy is if their indigenous population cannot fill a NEED then they must fill that vacuum with talents from another country. Of course this policy enforced strictly, since the government policy does not hold in many companies, some of which are also foreign-owned. Most of the time these countries will not only give chances to any person that they are confident will add value to their country, but they will also provide the environment for these foreign nationals to grow in their system. And I don’t want to make a generalization because racism does exist. But you are taking it way too far.

Do we still have textile industries in Nigeria? Our local shoes made in Aba, would you rather buy them? It’s easy to talk. The things that you own, are they locally made or made abroad? Most of the things we think are locally made are actually made in China haha


Over to Kanu Nwankwo. He and many others were a product of our U17 team. A system we have maintained till today. Over the years we have over-relied on our cadet teams to supply talents for the future. That is a failed youth developmental system, because when our junior teams miss out of the world cup it always spelled danger for us. Looking back and insinuating that was a period of excellence, is highly misleading. We’ve never had it right in this regard. But all of a sudden some people are speaking ill about the quest for foreign-breds to fill a need here, as if that’s the reason why we have not developed our own. That reasoning is misplaced.

The big sin many of us are committing is misdirecting our anger. I will be the first person to call for the Pinnick-led NFF to take steps to building a solid developmental youth football structure here in Nigeria. However, showing interest in foreign-bred players will in no way affect our developmental agenda should we have one -- Apples and Oranges.

Countries that are far more advanced in football compared to Nigeria have all used several foreign-born or foreign-bred players when these players have demonstrated they can add value to their teams. If you want me to name names I will. It is misleading to single out England. Even Germany, Spain, Italy are noteworthy examples. And I’m talking heavyweights in world football.
I asked a question about Ejaria, and only komekn dared take a stab on it, although his answer was not satisfying to me. Let me bring it up again. Ejaria had long shown his interest playing for Nigeria. He even trained with our U17. Why did UK make a move for him, knowing that he wants to play for Nigeria? NOBODY called it begging. Why did Ejaria accept the offer to play for their U20? Yet NOBODY insinuated he made a U-turn. Ejaria still keeping up with the Super Eagles. But we are here trying to crucify Abraham because the 19 year old said he was still available for the England U21s, in the midst of a possible PR nightmare.


I became convinced when I read your more recent post about conspiracy stuff. I’m going to tackle that post here as well. I’m not surprised by your remark. I had already sensed it. I’m even more convinced now that your opinions are borne out of sentiments, and even more so, your conspiracy beliefs. Nigeria won the Olympics in 1996. And here you are believing that the white countries/coaches have all ganged up to prevent that from happening for a second time, as if that will stifle our progress at the senior level. Let me clear you on this.
Rio 2016 facts:
Fifa had released an official statement in September 2015 that Rio Olympics was not in the FIFA calendar but appealed to clubs to release players.
“The event is not part of the international match calendar,” FIFA said in a press release. “However, FIFA is asking for support from the clubs to allow players who are called up by their national teams to be given the chance to be part of the Olympic experience.”
http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2015/09/25/fifa-olympics-release-players-clubs-soccer-rio-2016-qatar-2022-world-cup/
The prior Olympics?
“In 2012, FIFA ordered club teams to allow under-23 players to compete in the Olympics. In 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Barcelona did not have to release Lionel Messi to compete in the Olympics, though Messi did end up winning gold with Argentina anyway.” – same source.

So please can you tell us, was FIFA targeting Nigeria in their 2015 release as well? Did FIFA conspire with the European club coaches as well? Did other countries not miss out from fielding some notable players? Even at the U20 stages, countries like Germany are not represented by their best players in that category. Especially players already established in their clubs. Was that also an attempt by the coaches to hijack the football development of their respective countries? Will you be balanced now in your reasoning?


In fact, Infantino said this when he visited Nigeria, “It is difficult to include the Olympics in the FIFA programme because the international match calendar is already congested and the start of the of the season clashes with the Olympics. This is why clubs insist in having their players, leaving the players with the dilemma of choosing between club and country.
“We are discussing with the clubs to allow the players to serve their nations at the Olympics. In fact for some players once they miss one opportunity they may not get it again to play at that big stage and this is not good,”

I can’t wrap my head around the idea that clubs would conspire against Nigeria, not considering their need for the players. Let’s give Pep etc. the benefit of the doubt. They wanted to see as much of their players during preseason. If you can come up with names of players from other countries these coaches released for Rio, name them. Who did Pep etc. release instead? Hmmmm

I think my earlier analogy fits you perfectly well. One I gave safarigirl –- coincidentally. But I will modify it. It goes like this:
One very bright sunny morning a boy called Tunde (lol) approached a beautiful sexy girl he had known for a while and asked her to marry him, holding a ring. He had his friend shoot, and other passersby also joined in shooting while he popped the question in that beautiful moment. Behold! although the setting looked perfect this girl blatantly said no in a very very rude way. In fact, she hissed and walked away.. that video went viral.. Since that day Tunde has been suffering from a very very low self esteem, he would take any girls every body language and remark to mean rejection. The story of Onuora statement vs. other England-bred players’ comes to mind in this analogy.. For those of you who tow this line of reasoning, that no clear statement in favor of Nigeria means rejection, I hope you get the analogy. You don’t have to be in the shoes of tbaba1234 , komekn etc. or myself to relate or understand the situation of these foreign-breds. It only calls for deep thinking and consideration to have sound judgments like Mujtahida ‘s and a few others’. Yes, It is left for the player to decide where his allegiance lies. Either way it should be respected without hard feelings. It is a professional decision. Many of you, in their shoes, WILL even do worse.

To your next paragraph, it’s illusory of you to think that anyone is suggesting that they, foreign-breds are “the best thing that has happened to our football”. Side note: I like to use the term foreign-bred because as a matter of fact, a handful of these players we refer to were actually born in Nigeria.
Even Komekn who I must admit seem extreme sometimes, I have to concede with him anytime he is able to prove that any of those foreign-breds he mentions are better than what we have right now in terms of position of play. Let’s think straight and be progressive in our approach to discussing these matters. Every country wants excellence and wants the best.. Sentiments removes from excellence – just as “rotation” does. If you can argue for a player or two who are home-grown and can prove that they are better than these foreign-breds make your arguments without sentiments, and I will concede. These players are all known to us.. We can check the facts. Videos can demonstrate their strengths.. If your desire is to hit back at whites for treating you in any specific way don’t take it on foreign-bred who happen to be biracial sometimes. IF YOUR CLAIM IS TRUE , that they are only second fiddle in that country, then why do you want to also treat them as such here. If you were in their shoes will you cherish being caught at the middle that way?
Ekong said Oliseh said oyibo are soft (something like that), if that similar remark was said by a foreign coach to a black player abroad won’t we shout racist remark? And somebody said Ekong should forget the past. Haha. But he never forgot because he is human too.
Please someone correct me if I’m reading your intentions wrongly.

As regards England, England is a special case. But one thing is sure, they have now won the U20 because of us—yes I see them as us. And we have NEVER won that tournament. They are doing better at the junior levels because of us. Not like we --Nigeria—who are so so blessed, but have done great at the senior level either. Those Nigerian players they capped and “shoved aside”, how were their club careers at the time? Which coach will dump an ourstanding player just because he wants to prove a point with so called white English players? It happens most times here in Nigeria with our tribalistic “rotation” mindset. Ameobi’s case is that special one. Because he did do well at some point even after insisting on playing for England. I would rather blame the England coach at the time, than blame the country. (Let me chip in although I didn’t want to earlier, 50% of my immediate family are UK citizens and are doing well in their fields. And we even extend to Australia, so I have a world view in some of these matters).

Back to what I was saying before I digressed, as long as Dele Alli and Ross Barkley stay outstanding they will always get the nod at the senior level (Check Barklay’s form now). Understandably, any player that hits a rough patch does not deserve an invite in any national team for that matter. You don’t use National teams to fix player’s careers. It’s not done that way. That’s bringing sentiments in where excellence should be the watchword. You want to invite the best at all times. John Fashanu, only 2 games for England. He played roughly 90 Premier league matches his entire career, and scored just about 20-something. I think his number of England caps is commensurate with his club performance. Victor Moses especially will be an England international today if not for his switch – going by his recent performances. How has Jordan Ibe been performing? Hahaha
England national coaches are hawks but they are not as sentimental as most of our indigineous coaches.


And lastly, to your last paragraph, “They need Nigeria more than Nigeria needs them” ,.
The fact actually is, the need is mutual. If Fashanu had played for Nigeria, I’m sure many of us would have loved it for him to run our FA?.. A section of us wouldn’t for some obvious sentimental reasons. You see where I am going?

What we have today in Nigeria is a result of years and years of incompetence at all levels of leadership. We can be sentimental for all we want, but that will not fix the problem even for our unborn children.

Joebie:
As regards Players list for world cup, most of you are jumping the gun.

Let's talk about Algeria and the coming friendlies. How about Nations Cup qualifiers? A lot can happen between now and Russia.

elyte89:
Iheanacho is well utilized as a SS,d only tin helping iheanacho to thrive as a top 9 is because of his positioning



But if a team wants to render him useless,d midfield shldnt function optimally as dey ought to

And dts where strikers like ighalo comes in,he has d individual brilliance to change d game,prior to our first goal against Cameroon at uyo,our midfield wasn't OK and balanced yet,d Cameroonians were aving upper hand,but immediately d pass from Mikel was connected to ighalo,d individual brilliance made by ighalo to score d goal changed d game,WC iheanacho to me,doesn't av,taking on defenders one on one

So in general,iheanacho is not an ideal 9ine to me,but with oda qualities he posses like passing,dribbling, he will thrive well as 8

komekn:


WHEN WILL WE PLAY ENGLAND OH
I want to paint Wembley Green.

EEGA:
Presently,both of them lack the quality to lead our attack.
Nacho missed chances against Senegal before his equalizer and was poor against S.A.

Ighalo on his part is not that good on our Jersey,failed to score with a mid-field of such quality.

[b]You can't take any of the two as a starter to the WC.[b]
Kc might also fail to score if he was picked for the Zambian game.

Hence, the need for a good nine.

I expect Iheanacho to step up his game and claim the No.9 position,since he and Ighalo are now in the same position.

We should not rule out the possibility of a new invitee becoming our WC no.9 [b]since the both of them have failed.[b]

Our team works this way"when u get ur chance, give ur best and in face of competition, step-up your game.If you fail to abide by this rule, you are out.You can ask Omeruo and Shehu.

safarigirl:
if there was a dislike button. I would have disliked his comment with four different monikers, I swear.

I read the first three lines and I was pissed on behalf of Kelechi. He need not attack the boy like that just to hurt Goodjoe....damn, even me wey fit dislike some players, I no fit write that kain epistle just to prove how much they have regressed.

Haba! People should have a heart mbok. Na pesin pikin Kelechi be and na work wey e dey do, e no fit pain you say e dey regress pass as e dey pain the boy.