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"The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup - Sports (2704) - Nairaland

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Cameroon's Douala Stadium Artificial Grassfield For AFCON 2019 Stolen / Super Eagles Arrive In Uyo, Train Ahead Of Their AFCON 2019 Qualifier (Pictures) / AFCON 2019: Nigeria To Battle South Africa For A Place (Full Draws) (2) (3) (4)

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Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by soetanoreoluwa(m): 9:04am On Jan 30, 2018
Humility017:

exactly....
let him man up the post in one of the friendlies...in may.
for March friendlies uzoho and let's say maduka should man up the post...

With the looking things now... Ezenwa is taking the lead but we still have 5 months to go... At stand We just have two potential goalie at the moment.. Ezenwa and uzoho
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:13am On Jan 30, 2018
Gernot Rohr: Ikechukwu Ezenwa isn't yet Nigeria's World Cup No. 1
By Ed Dove, KweséESPN



Gernot Rohr has praised the Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa after his outstanding African Nations Championship showing in the quarter-final victory over Angola on Sunday, but has stopped short of appointing him as the first-choice stopper for the World Cup.

Ezenwa won CAF's Man of the Match award following a fine showing in the home-based Super Eagles' 2-1 come-from-behind extra-time victory over Angola in Tanger, after delivering a series of fine stops to keep Salisu Yusuf's side in the game.

The keeper twice denied Mano - including with a magnificent double block - midway through the first half, and palmed away Fofo's effort eight minutes from time after the Angola forward had broken through on goal.
However, despite Ezenwa's superb performance, Rohr has refused to confirm that the Enyimba FC man will be his first-choice stopper at the World Cup.

"It's too early to say," Rohr told KweséESPN. "We can't choose our goalkeeper for June in the month of January.

"[However], he proved today - and already did in the first three matches - that he's in form and he can claim to be one of the three goalkeepers for the World Cup.

"First choice?" the German coach added. "That's for me to decide later."

Ezenwa was installed between the sticks for the Super Eagles following Carl Ikeme's leukaemia diagnosis, but he delivered an uncertain showing in the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Cameroon, and Rohr opted to assess rivals Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho for the friendly victory over Argentina.

Similarly, the spectre of Super Eagles centurion Vincent Enyeama looms large over the squad, with Rohr refusing to rule out a return for the experienced keeper.

"I was very happy for the form of [Ezenwa], who did very well," Rohr continued. "It's good to know for our World Cup that he's in form."

Nigeria fell behind in the 56th minute when substitute Timothy Danladi's attempted clearance rebounded off Va and beyond Ezenwa.

However, they equalised at the death through Anthony Okpotu's close-range finish in the 92nd minute, before Gabriel Okechukwu struck a winner in the 109th minute of extra time to set up a semi final against Sudan in Marrakech.

For his part, hero of the hour Ezenwa insisted he was remaining humble as he sought to prove himself to Rohr.

"The most important [thing for me] was that the manager Rohr was here," he told journalists, "and that he's been watching the performances of Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

"The future's bright," he added. "I still have to make it to the World Cup, but I still have to remain humble - which I am."


Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3364486/gernot-rohr-ikechukwu-ezenwa-isnt-yet-nigerias-world-cup-no-1?device=featurephone


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 135 days to go
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:17am On Jan 30, 2018
Gernot Rohr leaves World Cup door open to Ahmed Musa & Isaac Success
By Ed Dove, KweséESPN



Gernot Rohr tells KweseESPN that Ahmed Musa and Isaac Success can still make Nigeria's World Cup squad if their fortunes improve over the coming months.

The duo are in the midst of miserable campaigns at club level, having failed to make a Premier League appearance - at Leicester City or Watford respectively - since the start of the season.

Musa has started just once for the Foxes - scoring in the League Cup victory over Sheffield United - while Success was barely considered during previous Hornets boss Marco Silva's time as coach, making one brief cameo in the same competition.

The latter also endured injury problems towards the end of 2017, but despite appearing to be outside bets for the Super Eagles' World Cup 23, Rohr has insisted the duo could still make the cut if their fortunes improve before the trip to Russia.

"Everything depends on their recovery, if they re-establish themselves or not," the Nigeria coach told KweséESPN, "if they play in their clubs or not.
"It depends on their form at the moment when we make the list," he added, "and that's only in May - mid-May - that we have to produce our provisional [squad] list."

Former Nigeria first-choice Musa has struggled to make an impact at the King Power Stadium since moving from CSKA Moscow for £16 million in 2016, but salvation could be on the horizon in the form of a loan move back to his previous club.

The 25-year-old shone at the last World Cup - scoring twice against Argentina - but netted just twice in 21 top-flight outings last term.

"I will take the players who are the most in form," Rohr concluded, "and who offer the most guarantees for being able to hold their own in a World Cup."
The German coach is currently in Morocco where he is overseeing the home-based Super Eagles' encouraging African Nations Championship campaign.

Salisu Yusuf's side qualified for a semi-final showdown with Sudan after coming from behind to beat 2-1 Angola after extra time in Sunday's third quarter final.
Morocco will meet Libya, 5-3 penalty victors against Congo-Brazzaville, in the first final-four clash.


Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3364545/gernot-rohr-leaves-world-cup-door-open-to-ahmed-musa-and-isaac-success?device=featurephone


This was shortly before Musa's move was officially announced.....


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 135 days to go

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:21am On Jan 30, 2018
Nigeria's CHAN side have the Super Eagles spirit, says Gernot Rohr
by Ed Dove, KweséESPN



Gernot Rohr has praised Nigeria's character after their 2-1 African Nations Championship quarter-final victory over Angola on Sunday.
The home-based Eagles were up against it after falling behind to Va's 56th-minute opener in Tanger, but rallied to turn the tie around following Anthony Okpotu's stoppage-time equaliser and an extra-time winner from substitute Gabriel Okechukwu.

The comeback prompted Rohr to commend the team's spirit after the match, with the German coach suggesting that he saw the same character as his senior side boast.

"It was a game we deserved to win because we were the better team," Rohr told KweséESPN. "When you concede, you're chasing [an equaliser] for so long, and you score only in the 92nd minute, it means that the players never give up.

"We have the same spirit in the Super Eagles A team, and I'm happy about that," he added. "We're made of the same stuff as well."

Sunday's showdown in Tanger wasn't the first time that Nigeria have had to bounce back in the face of adversity this campaign, with Salisu Yusuf's team also responding strongly to win 3-1 against Equatorial Guinea after conceding first.

'We have continuity in our work and they did very well," Rohr continued. "It was a difficult game because we had to chase after this goal.

"They are a team who never give up, and who push on until the end. There's a good technical and physical level too - because in extra time they had to go and get the win on a pitch that was becoming heavy.

"In two hours of playing, in their fourth match in such a short space of time, it wasn't easy, but they negotiated extra time well," the German coach noted. "The two goals were beautiful."

For long swathes of the contest, it didn't look like the game would go Nigeria's way, as the Eagles toiled for an equaliser and missed a litany of chances.

Before his equaliser, Okpotu was culpable of missing a series of chances, and perhaps should have netted in the opening seconds of the match before being brought down by Angola stopper Landu.

"There was a penalty for us at the very beginning of the match," said Rohr, "but the referee didn't give it.

"Nigeria started well, but they then encountered a difficult period and Angola took advantage to score a rather lucky goal.

"Afterwards, we deserved to come back into the game, even if it was in stoppage time."

Nigeria's triumph sets up a semi-final meeting with Sudan in Marrakech as the Eagles keep alive their hopes of bettering their best CHAN finish - third in 2014.


Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3364590/nigerias-chan-side-have-the-super-eagles-spiritsays-gernot-rohr?device=featurephone


Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 135 days to go

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 9:23am On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:
Huh? You na still youngie naa.... In fact I take that Hybrid elder back! angry You, me, and Safarigirl plus other awesome youngies here occupy the best part of the ground floor, first and second floors... grin

The third floor to the apex floor (7th floor) are filled up by others like Young Hybrid elders, Elders and the Grand Elder Elites..... grin grin





**smiles.....
no problem, the young shall grow....
let's enjoy their wealth of experience small since they're not selfish wit it.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Famocious(m): 9:24am On Jan 30, 2018
Guess Who Wants To Gate Crash Nigeria Team To Russia?

Sammy Ameobi has not given up hope of gate-crashing Nigeria’s World Cup squad.
The Bolton Wanderers winger pledged allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2014 despite previously representing England at Under-21s level.
Ameobi has been in good form since returning from a knee injury sustained in pre-season and has three goals from his 19 starts in the Championship.
Having previously played for Nigeria’s Under-20s in two friendlies in 2011, the 25-year-old would love to make the step up to senior level, emulating his brother Shola, who played at the 2014 World Cup.
Ameobi hopes with regular football he is now getting at the Macron Stadium he may yet impress the international selectors and make his World Cup dream a reality.
“I want to solely represent Nigeria,” he said. “Hopefully that opportunity will come but it will only possibly happen if I play well on a weekly basis, which is what I am aiming to do here at Bolton Wanderers.
“With it being a World Cup year who knows what could happen?
“It would be great to be a part of that, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me if that’s even possible.
“It isn’t easy breaking into the international team. Shola did it and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps!”



Source:http://megasportsarena.com/guess-who-wants-to-gate-crash-nigeria-team-to-russia/
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 9:26am On Jan 30, 2018
soetanoreoluwa:


With the looking things now... Ezenwa is taking the lead but we still have 5 months to go... At stand We just have two potential goalie at the moment.. Ezenwa and uzoho
exactly...reason why I want him to get to play in May friendlies...those friendlies should be use for determining who will get to man the post when the mundial begins...

the Poland and Serbia friendlies are for handpicking those that will get to join ezenwa

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 9:28am On Jan 30, 2018
Famocious:
Guess Who Wants To Gate Crash Nigeria Team To Russia?

Sammy Ameobi has not given up hope of gate-crashing Nigeria’s World Cup squad.
The Bolton Wanderers winger pledged allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2014 despite previously representing England at Under-21s level.
Ameobi has been in good form since returning from a knee injury sustained in pre-season and has three goals from his 19 starts in the Championship.
Having previously played for Nigeria’s Under-20s in two friendlies in 2011, the 25-year-old would love to make the step up to senior level, emulating his brother Shola, who played at the 2014 World Cup.
Ameobi hopes with regular football he is now getting at the Macron Stadium he may yet impress the international selectors and make his World Cup dream a reality.
“I want to solely represent Nigeria,” he said. “Hopefully that opportunity will come but it will only possibly happen if I play well on a weekly basis, which is what I am aiming to do here at Bolton Wanderers.
“With it being a World Cup year who knows what could happen?
“It would be great to be a part of that, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me if that’s even possible.
“It isn’t easy breaking into the international team. Shola did it and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps!”



Source:http://megasportsarena.com/guess-who-wants-to-gate-crash-nigeria-team-to-russia/
abegggg...he should be reminded that keshi is no more incharge of the super eagles...
how his brother made the list the last time is still a mystery...he should pledge his allegiance to England.....instead.
hope he makes Southgate squad.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:32am On Jan 30, 2018
Claude Puel on Iheanacho's attitude in training recently

“I think he makes good progress,” Puel said. “His attitude is better in training. He is more clinical with good concentration.

“He is more demanding of his performance in training. We see this on the pitch.

“It is a good positive attitude and he needs to continue this good work and continue with the team.”


http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/iheanachos-attitude-has-improved-training-1134706


With Newcastle rumored to be knocking on Nacho's door coupled with Puel's recent good words for Nacho.... what then? Nacho still staying? Puel already said Nacho is going nowhere and hopes to give Nacho more playing time this second half of the season.
But could there still be a chance of Puel agreeing to a loan deal? Well..... undecided Time will tell




Kelechi Iheanacho during training on Monday (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by nelszx: 9:38am On Jan 30, 2018
Humility017:


when is Nigeria playing Sudan?
Tomorrow
8:30pm
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 9:38am On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:
Claude Puel on Iheanacho's attitude in training recently

“I think he makes good progress,” Puel said. “His attitude is better in training. He is more clinical with good concentration.

“He is more demanding of his performance in training. We see this on the pitch.

“It is a good positive attitude and he needs to continue this good work and continue with the team.”


http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/iheanachos-attitude-has-improved-training-1134706


With Newcastle rumored to be knocking on Nacho's door coupled with Puel's recent good words for Nacho.... what then? Nacho still staying? Puel already said Nacho is going nowhere and hopes to give Nacho more playing time this second half of the season.




this man should please leave nancho to paint the epl wit goals....

nancho going to new castle gonna be a plus to Rafael Benitez

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 9:39am On Jan 30, 2018
nelszx:
Tomorrow 8:30pm
noted. thanks
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by kennysville(m): 9:41am On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:
Bolton Wanderers' Sammy Ameobi targets World Cup with Nigeria


     
SAMMY Ameobi has not given up hope of gate-crashing Nigeria’s World Cup squad.

The Wanderers winger pledged allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2014 despite previously representing England at Under-21s level.

Ameobi has been in good form since returning from a knee injury sustained in pre-season and has three goals from his 19 starts in the Championship.

Having previously played for Nigeria’s Under-20s in two friendlies in 2011, the 25-year-old would love to make the step up to senior level, emulating his brother Shola, who played at the 2014 World Cup finals.
Nigeria face Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in the group stages in Russia, and Ameobi hopes with regular football he is now getting at the Macron Stadium he may yet impress the international selectors and make his World Cup dream a reality.

“I want to solely represent Nigeria,” he said. “Hopefully that opportunity will come but it will only possibly happen if I play well on a weekly basis, which is what I am aiming to do here at Bolton Wanderers.
“With it being a World Cup year who knows what could happen?

“It would be great to be a part of that, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead for me if that’s even possible.
“It isn’t easy breaking into the international team. Shola did it and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps!”



Source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/15905836.Ameobi_harbours_World_Cup_dream_with_Super_Eagles/


Agents and their agencies! Kai ! Na wah.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 9:41am On Jan 30, 2018
rabzy:


There were a lot of football terms we used growing up that we should be paying copyright dues to this man...e.g he balloon the ball and banana shot, intercontinental ballistic missile....that man deserves a national award.

Do you know how many kids/people went to find out what ICBM is when he mentioned that....that man educated the whole country...lololololol

Oww... man.... you are too much. You too sabi this man.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 9:45am On Jan 30, 2018
rabzy:
Ernest Okonkwo

Nigeria vs Tunisia, 1978
WC Qualifying match
He starts off slowly. “As the game peters out to the dying minutes of this rather engrossing match, a long ball is floated into the Eagles 18 yard box. It seems like an eternity for it to land……(then as the action intensifies, his voice becomes racy)……Godwin Odiye, under pressure from the advancing Tunisian attacker is there to deal with it. Without looking back, he expertly heads the ball backwards toward Okala…..(his voice is now loud). ………Okala is rushing out to retrieve the loose ball. (his voice becomes louder) ……….Oh noooo…..it’s an own goal. Nigeria has scored Nigeriaaaaaa. It was a misjudged header by Odiye, as Okala goes the wrong way and the ball the other way. The ball rolls effortlessly into an empty net.
……(he tones down his voice into a sombre one).
A sad spectacle to watch……What a calamity! (His voice is now slow)…………. The Tunisians are joyous and celebrating victory. And the Nigerian camp is understandably subdued. Odiye bends down in shock as he watches the long towering figure of Emmanuel Okala walk slowly towards goal to retrieve the ball from the net. The stadium is agonisingly silent. You can hear a pin drop. The Green Eagles are rooted to the spot. They can’t believe their eyes. Even Father Tiko is motionless. It was as if someone had just died………to everyone listening, it is with sorrow in my heart that I return you to the studios. Bye-bye Nigeria!”.

Nigeria Vs Egypt
“….and the ball is ballooned skywards out of the Eagles defence by Chairman Christian Chukwu, but Muda Lawal runs towards the ball and controls it superbly with the deft touch of his right boot as if it was glued to it. The midfield maestro strolls majestically with the ball. He then sprays the ball towards Chief Justice Adokie on the left of midfield, who darts to the left and cleverly cuts the ball back in one fast swift motion, losing his marker in the process……he crosses the ball and it reaches Mathematical Segun Odegbami. He exchanges a one two with Muda. Odegbami collects the ball back, sells a dummy and beats another player with a leg over……the crowd roar in delight….. he’s running to the right flank… He calculates one and two, maybe he will find Muda Lawal again at the perimeter circle, but he decides to kick a 50 meter cross close to the 18 yard box of the opponent. Blockbuster Aloysius Atuegbu intercepts the ball. He bamboozles his way past two players using his physical strength. He dribbles one, dribbles two and releases a cannon shot! It’s a goaaaallll!!! Oh no! The Egyptian goalkeeper, Ikrami Ahmed, tips the ball over the bar, just when the ball was flying into the top corner of the goal post! What an intercontinental ballistic missile…what a brilliant world class save by Ahmed. And what a great flowing move by the Green Eagles. Even Father Tiko is standing in admiration”.

Salutations baba....Rest in Peace

Oga where did you get all these from?

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 9:49am On Jan 30, 2018
safarigirl:
brilliant commentary, love the use of figurative speech.

This is obviously much better than what obtains these days, you have to switch to pidgin commentary if you want to enjoy the game

See what you guys missed?

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:50am On Jan 30, 2018
Injured Kalu Orji cleared for CHAN S/Final against Sudan



Defender Kalu Orji has been cleared for tomorrow’s CHAN semi-final against Sudan after injury forced him to quit the quarterfinal against Angola at the weekend.

The player himself told SCORENigeria that doctors have okayed him to play against Sudan after doctors diagnosed his injury not serious.

The defender first suffered the injury, which has now been put down as a hip injury, against Libya, but managed to continue playing with it until he had to be stretchered off the pitch after 10 minutes in the clash against Angola.

“I’m looking forward to the game as doctors maintained that there was nothing serious about my hip injury,” Orji said.

“I’m feeling much better now and I hope to do my best against
Angola.”

The CHAN Eagles could book their first-ever final ticket should they beat Sudan in Marrakech.

They look forward to better their 2014 outing where they beat Zimbabwe to finish third best in the tournament in South Africa.


**By Ikenwa Nnabuogor

Source: http://googleweblight.com/i?u=http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2018/01/30/injured-kalu-orji-cleared-for-chan-sfinal-against-sudan/&hl=en-NG&tg=206&tk=13919423110667579679

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by TheSuperNerd(m): 9:52am On Jan 30, 2018
Icon4s:


See what you guys missed?

Leave am for us..... No be our fault say dem born us when dem born us! angry

2 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 9:54am On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:



Hmmmm.... A Grand Elder here have given his word and I must oblige...

Oga Rabzy... You made me laugh so hard with your recap commentary from the late great king of radio commentary, Ernest Okonkwo. I never got to listen to him but I heard tales about him but right here you have brought me even closer to him.... For that I say thank you. smiley


By the power vested in me by the Honorable Arch-Guardians of the halls of experience and History... Members of the senior citizens realm here (borrowing Safarigirl's words wink ) , I say a BIG WELCOME TO THE HOUSE, GRAND SIR RABZY.....

Your room is upstairs among the other elders led by the amiable Chief Icon4s, their chairman.... Looolll grin

Welcome , welcome and Welcome.... Ahhhhhh... Omo! See Guys wey dey make us feel like neonates... Loolll.. Safarigirl Honey, We gat to build up more of the ground floor oooo to welcome more youngies like us to come sit at the elders' feet.... wink


Sir Elder RABZY.... You are welcome....


Elder rabzy, you are most welcome.

Safarigirl, please arrange for refreshment for our new member of the Elders' council.

1 Like

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 10:00am On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:


Leave am for us..... No be our fault say dem born us when dem born us! angry

No worries, na so una go tell stories too in decades to come.

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by rabzy: 10:12am On Jan 30, 2018
Icon4s:


Oga where did you get all these from?

A tribute was done to him by Tunde Adeleye last year in people's daily newspaper.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 10:19am On Jan 30, 2018
rabzy:


A tribute was done to him by Tunde Adeleye last year in people's daily newspaper.

Wow! Such a legend.

The commentary position of the Teslim Balogun stadium is named after him.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by EEGA: 10:41am On Jan 30, 2018
rabzy:
Ernest Okonkwo

Nigeria vs Tunisia, 1978
WC Qualifying match
He starts off slowly. “As the game peters out to the dying minutes of this rather engrossing match, a long ball is floated into the Eagles 18 yard box. It seems like an eternity for it to land……(then as the action intensifies, his voice becomes racy)……Godwin Odiye, under pressure from the advancing Tunisian attacker is there to deal with it. Without looking back, he expertly heads the ball backwards toward Okala…..(his voice is now loud). ………Okala is rushing out to retrieve the loose ball. (his voice becomes louder) ……….Oh noooo…..it’s an own goal. Nigeria has scored Nigeriaaaaaa. It was a misjudged header by Odiye, as Okala goes the wrong way and the ball the other way. The ball rolls effortlessly into an empty net.
……(he tones down his voice into a sombre one).
A sad spectacle to watch……What a calamity! (His voice is now slow)…………. The Tunisians are joyous and celebrating victory. And the Nigerian camp is understandably subdued. Odiye bends down in shock as he watches the long towering figure of Emmanuel Okala walk slowly towards goal to retrieve the ball from the net. The stadium is agonisingly silent. You can hear a pin drop. The Green Eagles are rooted to the spot. They can’t believe their eyes. Even Father Tiko is motionless. It was as if someone had just died………to everyone listening, it is with sorrow in my heart that I return you to the studios. Bye-bye Nigeria!”.

Nigeria Vs Egypt
“….and the ball is ballooned skywards out of the Eagles defence by Chairman Christian Chukwu, but Muda Lawal runs towards the ball and controls it superbly with the deft touch of his right boot as if it was glued to it. The midfield maestro strolls majestically with the ball. He then sprays the ball towards Chief Justice Adokie on the left of midfield, who darts to the left and cleverly cuts the ball back in one fast swift motion, losing his marker in the process……he crosses the ball and it reaches Mathematical Segun Odegbami. He exchanges a one two with Muda. Odegbami collects the ball back, sells a dummy and beats another player with a leg over……the crowd roar in delight….. he’s running to the right flank… He calculates one and two, maybe he will find Muda Lawal again at the perimeter circle, but he decides to kick a 50 meter cross close to the 18 yard box of the opponent. Blockbuster Aloysius Atuegbu intercepts the ball. He bamboozles his way past two players using his physical strength. He dribbles one, dribbles two and releases a cannon shot! It’s a goaaaallll!!! Oh no! The Egyptian goalkeeper, Ikrami Ahmed, tips the ball over the bar, just when the ball was flying into the top corner of the goal post! What an intercontinental ballistic missile…what a brilliant world class save by Ahmed. And what a great flowing move by the Green Eagles. Even Father Tiko is standing in admiration”.

Salutations baba....Rest in Peace
This man good.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Humility017(m): 10:49am On Jan 30, 2018
Nigeria: Eagles' Okpotu Urges Team Mates to Stay Focused
By David Ngobua


Home-based Super Eagles striker, Anthony Okpotu, has urged his team mates currently vying for honours in the 2018 Africa Nations Championship, CHAN, in Morocco to stay focused on the task at hand.
On Sunday, the Eagles returned from the brink of defeat to win their quarter-final clash 2-1 against Angola.
After missing a glorious scoring opportunity in the first 20 seconds of the highly explosive encounter, Okpotu scored Nigeria's equaliser in the 92nd minute to take the match to extra-time.
Akwa United Gabriel Okechuwkwu then scored the match winner in the second half of added time to hand the Super Eagles their second CHAN semi-final ticket.
In a telephone chat with Daily Trust yesterday, Okpotu said he felt relieved when he scored the vital goal to save the team from elimination.
He said even as he was not happy that he did not take the chance that fell to him, he remained optimistic because he knew he would make amends.


Okpotu also said even the best strikers in the world miss goals so he did not see anything so different about his mistake.
"It was a difficult moment for me as a striker because I should have scored that goal.
"I know what was running through the minds of Nigerians when the semi-final ticket was slipping away from us. But I was focused. I knew we were going to make it.

"I am happy that I scored to make amends. I thank my team mates for believing that we could still do it," said the Lobi Stars danger man.
Okpotu told his colleagues that they may be criticised but it shouldn't dampen their spirits.
"We have two more matches to play so I am urging my team mates to stay calm and focused. We have to concentrate so as to win our next match and if possible, the trophy," he advised.

source : allafrica.com

2 Likes

Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Liamm(m): 11:05am On Jan 30, 2018
Please what's our January FIFA ranking looking like? Now that we're through to the semis and possibly the final.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by somehow: 12:02pm On Jan 30, 2018
Are you making excuses for him or what? Over 70 goals in the NPFL or scored majority of the goals outside NPFL?

He's not having any rough patch oga, it's an excuse for him. He should shape up, I'm a pro NPFL but he's giving the league a bad name by trying to prove to the world and critics that topping the goal chart in the league is only via PKs.

Sure, players often times have droughts but his finishing are giving him away.

Hopefully he will shape up against Sudan and shut the mouth of the critics once again as he did the last time.

And bro, I got your points, just trying to kick against giving too much excuses for him.
BascoVanVeli:


The point is that any striker can have a bad patch. Suarez had his and so did Ronaldo. Age has nothing to do with it because it is expected that Suarez is at the prime of career right now. Okpotu has over 70 career goals in Nigeria alone, the man is a proven striker who happens to be going through a rough patch at the moment. Nigerian football fans should learn to cheer their players especially when they are down because that is when they most need it. There is a difference between a bad decision and an error, if my player is trying his best but just happens to mess up then I have no right to get angry. This is the fundamental reason I like La liga over the premier league.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by edi287: 12:13pm On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:


Arsenal fans like Chief Icon4s, Tbaba, Edi287, etc right now

Finally!! Just a CB left.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Famocious(m): 12:15pm On Jan 30, 2018
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by Icon4s(m): 12:46pm On Jan 30, 2018
TheSuperNerd:

Arsenal fans like Chief Icon4s, Tbaba, Edi287, etc right now
Yeah!!!!
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by DrKlever(m): 12:48pm On Jan 30, 2018
Famocious:
Sunday Olishe sacks..

https://twitter.com/TheOddSolace/status/958293811033190400
Do you mean he has been sacked? i don't get this post.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by BascoVanVeli(m): 1:00pm On Jan 30, 2018
somehow:
Are you making excuses for him or what? Over 70 goals in the NPFL or scored majority of the goals outside NPFL?

He's not having any rough patch oga, it's an excuse for him. He should shape up, I'm a pro NPFL but he's giving the league a bad name by trying to prove to the world and critics that topping the goal chart in the league is only via PKs.

Sure, players often times have droughts but his finishing are giving him away.

Hopefully he will shape up against Sudan and shut the mouth of the critics once again as he did the last time.

And bro, I got your points, just trying to kick against giving too much excuses for him.

How many did Morata miss against Arsenal? How many did Harry Kane score at the last Euro's? These things happen and if me acknowledging that means I am making excuses then so be it.
Re: "The Super Eagles Thread: The Road To AFCON 2023, 2025 And 2026 World Cup by MetalJigsaw(m): 1:05pm On Jan 30, 2018
tbaba1234:


Lol.. I was busy..
Its never your fault my brother. watching that set of sketchy players play is severe torture on its own... You Need to see how I was wincing during that game.

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