Joebie:
Kodi box

Icon4s:


The goal keeping was atrocious. Still trying to recall that guy that kept in that 2nd half against Holland.

Awful.

Mujtahida:

Amokachi was not tearing anything in Belgium. He joined super eagles while he was in ranchers bees of kaduna. He later went to Belgium. Siasia was warming the bench in Belgium. Kog45 has given a list of the club's the golden generation were playing in and they were all average players playing for average teams. Some were not even playing. They were permanent bench warmers. When i pointed it out to you the last time you said now is not 94 but here you are hyping amokachi. You guys hammering on the fact that our team is average don't understand what a team is all about. Its the same mentality that gets Nigerians hooked to certificates. We need a team with a winning mentality. That's all that matters. The story of the rabbit (stellar player/team) and the tortoise (average player/team) comes to mind.

joseph1013:

On your second point, the form of the '94 squad cannot be compared with this one.

Yekini was a top scorer at Olympiakos
Amuneke was at Sporting.
Amokachi at Club Brugge
Okocha at Frankfurt
Adepoju at Santander at La Liga

In fact save for Keshi, the first team was filled with players playing REGULARLY for their teams in Europe.

That team was solid. It was not for nothing that everywhere you go in the world, it's the members of that team that foreigners keep asking you about.

Even player for player, the '98 team was more solid player for player than this present team.

So it's only someone who has not followed the Eagles for long that agrees that all we've ever had are average players.

But that's a distraction. This team is my favourite team. And it's because of the unity and love they exhibit.

I'm 80% certain we will qualify from that group. And 50% we'll get to the semi finals. And it's all because they play for each other.

terzurum5:

Liki liki defence

These eagles weren't motivated.

tglobal:


It was Willy Opara

Didn't have time to comment earlier, but I was surprised when folks insinuated that he was overlooked in the national team.

Willy was actually the second choice keeper in France 98 and took part in two friendlies prior to the tournament: He was at the LG cup and played the second half friendly games against Germany and Holland. However, he never inspired confidence in the fans - not unsimilar with Daniel Akpeyi.

Kog45:
Thank you.I can say it anywhere that our US 94 team were average but solid as a team.

Mujtahida:

Amokachi was not tearing anything in Belgium. He joined super eagles while he was in ranchers bees of kaduna. He later went to Belgium. Siasia was warming the bench in Belgium. Kog45 has given a list of the club's the golden generation were playing in and they were all average players playing for average teams. Some were not even playing. They were permanent bench warmers. When i pointed it out to you the last time you said now is not 94 but here you are hyping amokachi. You guys hammering on the fact that our team is average don't understand what a team is all about. Its the same mentality that gets Nigerians hooked to certificates. We need a team with a winning mentality. That's all that matters. The story of the rabbit (stellar player/team) and the tortoise (average player/team) comes to mind.

tglobal:
Catalonia vs Nigeria (5-0)

Check out the 5th goal at 5:19. Helps to understand why Opara wasn't the fans favorite:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOs1wIdAsE

Truidstar:


I beg to differ, its all about TIME AND CHANCE. If you recall the great Brazil once had a Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho all at once, each player on his own capable of changing the outcome of a match. Apart from Neymar today who else? The number of academies in Brazil have tripled since then, but how many players of such quality have they produced. Spain set up a system and philosophy in the early 90's, it was not until the early to mid 2000's technicians like Xavi and Iniesta emerged that fit that system, England had Owen, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, Terry, scholes in a generation, how many do they have today? Their academies are many but how many are emerging? Belgium did not do anything special but they are currently dripping with talents. Germany right now does not have players in the calibre of messi or Ronaldo but they have an efficient and effective team. Closer to home ivory coast had a golden generation brimming with talent, how many do they have now? "The battle is not for the strong, the race is not for the swift nor the riches for a man of wisdom, TIME AND CHANCE happens to all"

owbabs:
Nigeria Results in 1998

Nigeria vs Germany 0-1
Nigeria vs Yugoslavia 0-3
Nigeria vs Holland 1-5
Nigeria vs Spain 3-2
Nigeria vs Bulgaria 1-0
Nigeria vs Paraguay 1-3
Nigeria vs Denmark 1-4
Nigeria vs Catalonia 0-5

Was this team overrated or what?

tbaba1234:


We were atrocious in the run-up to France 98 defensively

owbabs:
Nigeria Results in 1998

Nigeria vs Germany 0-1
Nigeria vs Yugoslavia 0-3
Nigeria vs Holland 1-5
Nigeria vs Spain 3-2
Nigeria vs Bulgaria 1-0
Nigeria vs Paraguay 1-3
Nigeria vs Denmark 1-4
Nigeria vs Catalonia 0-5

Was this team overrated or what?

TheGoodJoe:


Catalonia was after France 98. Just wanted to point this out.

realpoacher:


Hmmmmm,... Now I am forced to agree with you. Honestly I now see the angle you are coming out from.

Truly we have a very big and deep rooted problem on our hands that calls for a radical different approach from our grassroots developmental football.

This problem, I do not see a solution to under 6 months to the world cup. There is no way in hell we can get our players firing on all cylinders before the the world cup.

So what should we do?

Asking them to force the hands of their respective clubs for a loan or transfer move is not a sure solution as no one can guarantee that they will hit form at their next destination.

To me, instead of the hue and cry about their non performance. They should be encouraged to work hard in training in order to keep shape and deliver for us in the GWG!

junnyjake:
Five Super Eagles players who need January loan moves
Jide Alaka

The January transfer window will open in three days and it must be a window of opportunity for some Super Eagles players desirous of being in Gernot Rohr’s 23-man squad to feature at the 2018 FIFA World Cup that kicks off in Russia on June 14.

The mix of these 23 players who will be in Russia is still fluid in Rohr’s thinking with insiders revealing the German trainer has six to eight vacant places left to fill. Some of the players who featured in the qualifiers are not sure bets for Russia 2018 on account of not getting enough minutes at their various club sides so the transfer window in January will be very important.

Here are six players who need January loan moves:

Kelechi Iheanacho
Based on goal scoring stats, this should be a no-brainer, but the former U-17 World Cup MVP is not getting the minutes at Leicester City. After his £25 million summer move from Manchester City, Iheanacho has played just 555 minutes in the EPL and in the Carabao League Cup, EFL Trophy, and with the U-21 side in PL 2. He has scored just twice.
But for Nigeria, he played six matches in 2017 – three friendlies and three 2018 World Cup qualifiers, and he scored four goals. Between now and the World Cup, the Super Eagles will play five friendly matches, which are not enough to keep Iheanacho sharp for matches against Croatia, Iceland, and Argentina.

There are teams in the EPL looking for a proven goal poacher or even teams outside of England. He must play consistently between January and May to have a place in Gernot Rohr’s 23-man squad not to talk of a starting shirt!


Ahmed Musa
One of the assistant captains of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa’s time at Leicester has become catatonic. When he transferred from CSKA Moscow in 2016, we thought he would be Jamie Vardy’s competition but now he is not even making the bench under Claude Puel. Musa has not featured for Leicester in the EPL this season but has played 448 minutes for the U-21 side in PL 2 and in the EFL Cup, scoring three goals.

This club form has carried over to the Super Eagles where he has become a fringe player with the likes of Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi ahead of him in Rohr’s thoughts. Musa is still the only Nigerian player to have scored twice in one match at the World Cup, and at 25, still has a lot more productive years ahead. There were rumours he would make the switch to Hull City, but the manager, his former manager at CSKA, Leonid Slutsky, has been sacked.


Vincent Enyeama
One position the Super Eagles do not boast a sure starter is between the posts. Former No.1, Enyeama, is back training with Rohr casting furtive glances at the Eagles centurion. But, if he wishes to be in Russia, the place is definitely available, the question is if he wants to be there. If he pursues a loan move in January from Lille, it would be a pointer to his ambition of coming out of international retirement with Rohr waiting with open arms.


Brown Ideye
The central striker started the World Cup qualifiers but has since fallen on hard times at Chinese side, Tianjin Teda. With Henry Onyekuru likely to miss the World Cup because of injury, Ideye could still get on the plane but he needs to sort out his transfer quickly. A proposed move to La Liga side, Alaves, is said to have broken down but in a recent interview, the 29-year-old revealed to Score Nigeria, “What happened in China happened, I still have two years left on my contract there, but I am looking forward and hopefully I will soon get myself a good offer and focus on playing again.”


Isaac Success
A lot of promise is going to waste here. Rohr actually rates Success very highly and any sort of good form between January and April will convince the German to include the 21-year-old because he offers a lot of options for the team’s attack. A bundle of power, pace, and trickery, Success can operate across the front lines but he needs to be match-fit and focused to get in the 23. A loan move in January to teams like Brighton; Huddersfield would see him get the minutes and sharpness to convince Rohr. Success has played just once this season – an EFL Cup encounter against Bristol City in which he scored.

Premium times.

joseph1013:

Can we have a bet on it?

Rohr WILL be sacked if we don't qualify from that group.

Wanna bet? No time for stories, bro.

owbabs:
Nigeria Results in 1998

Nigeria vs Germany 0-1
Nigeria vs Yugoslavia 0-3
Nigeria vs Holland 1-5
Nigeria vs Spain 3-2
Nigeria vs Bulgaria 1-0
Nigeria vs Paraguay 1-3
Nigeria vs Denmark 1-4
Nigeria vs Catalonia 0-5

Was this team overrated or what?

Mujtahida:

hahahaha. I am not a good gambler. I am only trying to say I don't think he would be sacked at least from indications but if you say so then perhaps you have facts informing your assertion. in any case dropping out first round is not what we hope for.

Kog45:
Yes you are correct cos i have some pals that were in the squad that played that match,guys like Sani Abacha,Friday Ejedegba,Lati Alanamu.

Icon4s:


The team was not overrated.

The real class in that team showed when they played against Spain and Bulgaria.

What affected the team was lack of early preparation. We didnt take part in the 1998 AFCON due to ban as a result political interference by the Nigerian government in 1996.

We found out our deficiencies too late and we quickly tried to make amends by making some fire brigade calls.

That team was loaded with individual quality but there was no coordination as a team.

In that Catalonia game I think Amodu was in charge. Following the disappointment of losing 4-1 to Denmark there were loud calls for the inclusion of "Hungry" home based players into the team. We had a couple of strange names and faces that night. And we were trashed 5-0. We got the hint that home based was not the answer.

I cannot forget the loud jubilations in the streets that even after we beat Spain 3-2.

We saw the highs and lows of Nigerian football that year.

So many high scoring matches.

Mujtahida:

Out of 23 players you could only mention 4 yet you guys keep hammering on the point as if we had players in the 94 set lighting up the top leagues in Europe. Siasia was a bench piece not a regular. I respect the 94 team but I will not lose sight of what is beautifully unfolding before my eyes. For you guys the team will change from average to super once players like martins, solanke etc are in the team. But that is a fraud. Fact is Nigeria doesn't produce stellar players in the ilk of the greats of the game. How many Nigerian players have played consistently for the top three teams in the world from the mid 90's to present?
Average but they will get the job done. Just watch and see.

Kog45:
My man France 98 squad was overrated.A team with players who have passed their prime, players like Rufai,Yekini,Eguavoen, Iroha,Okafor.

Hope you remember we took injured Amokachie to WC,Oparaku was not that solid like Atlanta 96 even his club status was suspect,Taribo was a suspect all through,check Denmark match,Kanu not able to replicate his Atlanta magic,just playing like normal player,Finidi form had dropped,Amuneke not the real guy again,Okocha as usual continue where he stopped against Italy,playing to the gallery.

The business minded guys in that team are Sunday Olishe,Adepoju Mutiu,,Celestine Babayaro while Victor Ikpeba, Wilson OrumaTijani Babaginda,Godwin Opara who are ready to prove a point where always on the bench,remember Ikpeba,Oruma,Babangida had a goal each at France 98.

My point is this based on paper the players look solid but as a team they are not solid,beating Spain was one of those things and beating Bulgaria was the confidence of US 94.

My man i don't rate this team.

Icon4s:


Hmmm....those were some of the strange names that donned our jerseys that day.

With the exception of Sani Abacha who was part of the 1995 Eaglets we no even know where them pick some of those other players from.

Tomorrow now wikipedia will refer to one Lati Alanamu as former Super Eagles international and we go dey wonder when him play for us. I still Nova recall that Ojokojo own. Hahahaha.

Kog45:
Thank you.I can say it anywhere that our US 94 team were average but solid as a team.

Mujtahida:

you see how easily you've been sucked into the fiction i have struggled to inject realism into? and thats why i say the dire impression being given is not in line with the reality.
okay now, pray tell me out of the players in our team, tell me how many are not playing regularly in their clubs. it's a fiction to extend what applies to three or so players players out of 30 from which we can pull 23 to form the WC team. just below your post is a report on players who need a loan move. how many? just five. out of the five enyeama is not a member of the team, ideye and success are effectively outsiders to this team. that leaves just iheanacho and musa. all the rest are busy playing hard for their clubs.

as for average : I am not worried cos we've always been average even at our best. The kwestion is can this average bunch get it done? so far they've not failed and I pray their winning mentality as a team be stronger than their individual abilities

Kog45:
My man France 98 squad was overrated.A team with players who have passed their prime, players like Rufai,Yekini,Eguavoen, Iroha,Okafor.

Hope you remember we took injured Amokachie to WC,Oparaku was not that solid like Atlanta 96 even his club status was suspect,Taribo was a suspect all through,check Denmark match,Kanu not able to replicate his Atlanta magic,just playing like normal player,Finidi form had dropped,Amuneke not the real guy again,Okocha as usual continue where he stopped against Italy,playing to the gallery.

The business minded guys in that team are Sunday Olishe,Adepoju Mutiu,,Celestine Babayaro while Victor Ikpeba, Wilson OrumaTijani Babaginda,Godwin Opara who are ready to prove a point where always on the bench,remember Ikpeba,Oruma,Babangida had a goal each at France 98.

My point is this based on paper the players look solid but as a team they are not solid,beating Spain was one of those things and beating Bulgaria was the confidence of US 94.

My man i don't rate this team.