MetalJigsaw: 5 Outstanding Home Eagles So Far At CHAN 2018
With the Home-based Super Eagles set to face Sudan in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Wednesday, Completesportsnigeria.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU picks Nigeria’s top five players so far at the tournament…
IKECHUKWU EZENWA
The captain of the team was at his best in Nigeria’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over the Palancas Negras of Angola on Sunday. The Eagles should probably have been home now and not thinking of a date with Sudan in the last four if not for his bravery and heroics in goal. Ezenwa has led by example in the competition even though he was largely tested prior to the Angolan game but he has been a good leader on and off the pitch.
STEPHEN EZE
The tall defender was axed in a couple of test games ahead of the African Nations Championship and that seems to have motivated him as he has worked very hard to become a mainstay in the team’s defence. Eze, who will link up with Bulgarian club Locomotiv Plovdiv at the end of the competition won the man of the match in the game against Rwanda.
DAYO OJO
Dayo Ojo was dropped from the squad to the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda, but he has proved his worth with an impressive showing in Morocco. The Sunshine Stars midfielder scored a screamer in Nigeria’s last group game against Equatorial Guinea and was duly named the man of the match. He also did well in the quater-final clash against Angola, and he was one of Nigeria’s best performers in the game.
KALU ORJI
One of the four players in the team that were part of the squad to the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda. He has formed a formidable partnership with Stephen Eze at the heart of the team’s defence and was sorely missed after going off injured in Nigeria’s quarter-final game against Angola.
OSAS OKORO
The right-back has done his job well in the competition. Originally a right winger, the Enugu Rangers player is a willing runner who always supports the attack and performs his defensive tasks.
Take it from someone who knows, no home based striker would be going to Russia.
Truth is, Nigeria don't really have strikers. We simply don't know how to train strikers. What we have in Nigeria are natural finishers aka goal poachers, not striker. You would understand what I am saying if you've played the game at home and abroad. I thought that I was a super striker when I was in Nigeria and it took me months ... literally, to realize that I was making some elementary school errors. gosh, even our all time best striker, Rasheed Yekini didn't become a good striker until we moved to Ivory Coast.
Hence, I don't see any home-based strikers challenging the likes of Iheanacho, Ighalo, Musa etc for a position the team. Mark my words!
dont be surprised guys if this guy makes it to Russia , i am having the feeling, he has some unique style and so far in this competition he has nt done badly .... has the power and his hold up play is good ... also have a way of coming to the midfield to contribute to the team , i know he has missed some begging chances and one on one ... but he can get better , what if he his been drill and he develop so fast into the kind of beast we will need ? i think stage fright has contributed to his ability , but he keeps improving ... pay attention to him , he is Strong and dangerous . just my opinion
There's no doubt in my mind that Nigeria would shock Croatia if coach Rohr starts the right players. Good players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, VicMo, Etebo, and Awazien have to start this game. But we'll struggle if Rohr decides to stick with the likes of Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon, and John Ogu.
O pari
MetalJigsaw: Croatia Coach, Dalic: Match Vs ‘Young, Potent And Hungry’ Nigerian Team Will Decide Our W/Cup Fate
Croatia head coach, Zlatko Dalic, has described the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a ‘young, potent and hungry’ side with great potentials, admitting that the result of his team’s first match at Russia 2018 World Cup against the three-time African champions will decide their fate in the tournament .
Croatia will open their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D campaign against Nigeria on June 16, in Kaliningrad. This is the first time both countries will clash at the senior level.
Speaking to FIFA.com , Dalic, while assessing Croatia’s Group D opponents, which also includes Argentina and newcomers, Iceland, stated that their opening game against Nigeria will decide how far they will go in Russia.
“Iceland were the best team in our group. We know them very well and had a tough loss against them in Reykjavik.,” Dalic began.
“Argentina are obviously one of the favourites to win the World Cup, while I see Nigeria as a young, potent and hungry team with great potential. That first match against Nigeria is very important – it will set the tone for the rest of our tournament.”
Dalic described Real Madrid star midfielder Luka Modric as the lifewire of the Croatian team, but however stated that the main strength is in their unity.
“For Croatia, he (Modric) is our best player – he’s the engine that makes us go. He’s also a captain who leads by example. He always gives his maximum, he sets high standards with his attitude, aggression and energy on the pitch, and with his behaviour off it.
“We have good players in big European clubs, so obviously we have great individual quality in the likes of Modric, Mandzukic, Rakitic, [Ivan] Perisic, Kalinic and others. But our main strength has to be the team.
“I believe that pride and patriotism show by our players when playing for Croatia is a very important attribute. That’s something we need to combine with our quality; if we do that, we’ll have a good chance of reaching our goals.”
And on his plans ahead of the World Cup, he said: “I plan to travel and meet with players and their club coaches, to talk about their status and form. I am focused on only choosing fully fit players, and they know that.
“We also have two great friendly matches in March against Peru and Mexico in USA, and I hope to have two more strong opponents in June. We want to see how good we are and what we need to improve on before the World Cup, and to play teams with similar styles to those we’re going to face in Russia.”
Kog45: Green Eagles ke,pls don't tell me you belongs to Rablz,icon4s, goldfish80,enomakos era cos they watched both Green and Super and now post Super era.
I still find it difficult to adapt to that new name.
MetalJigsaw: 5 Outstanding Home Eagles So Far At CHAN 2018
With the Home-based Super Eagles set to face Sudan in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Wednesday, Completesportsnigeria.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU picks Nigeria’s top five players so far at the tournament…
IKECHUKWU EZENWA
The captain of the team was at his best in Nigeria’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over the Palancas Negras of Angola on Sunday. The Eagles should probably have been home now and not thinking of a date with Sudan in the last four if not for his bravery and heroics in goal. Ezenwa has led by example in the competition even though he was largely tested prior to the Angolan game but he has been a good leader on and off the pitch.
STEPHEN EZE
The tall defender was axed in a couple of test games ahead of the African Nations Championship and that seems to have motivated him as he has worked very hard to become a mainstay in the team’s defence. Eze, who will link up with Bulgarian club Locomotiv Plovdiv at the end of the competition won the man of the match in the game against Rwanda.
DAYO OJO
Dayo Ojo was dropped from the squad to the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda, but he has proved his worth with an impressive showing in Morocco. The Sunshine Stars midfielder scored a screamer in Nigeria’s last group game against Equatorial Guinea and was duly named the man of the match. He also did well in the quater-final clash against Angola, and he was one of Nigeria’s best performers in the game.
KALU ORJI
One of the four players in the team that were part of the squad to the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda. He has formed a formidable partnership with Stephen Eze at the heart of the team’s defence and was sorely missed after going off injured in Nigeria’s quarter-final game against Angola.
OSAS OKORO
The right-back has done his job well in the competition. Originally a right winger, the Enugu Rangers player is a willing runner who always supports the attack and performs his defensive tasks.
Icon79: Take it from someone who knows, no home based striker would be going to Russia.
Truth is, Nigeria don't really have strikers. We simply don't know how to train strikers. What we have in Nigeria are natural finishers aka goal poachers, not striker. You would understand what I am saying if you've played the game at home and abroad. I thought that I was a super striker when I was in Nigeria and I took me months ... literally, to realize that I was making some elementary school errors. gosh, even our all time best striker, Rasheed Yekini didn't become a good striker until we moved to Ivory Coast.
Hence, I don't see any home-based strikers challenging the likes of Iheanacho, Ighalo, Musa etc for a position the team. Mark my words!
O pari
My man not only football, everything about Nigeria ranging from sports,education etc ask people especially like you who migrated to developed country you just need to learn some basic thing all over again cos those things are aliens in Nigeria
From my observation, Naija coaches are very lazy. They don't pay attention to details at all. They don't know that natural talent can only take you so far.
O pari
Kog45: My man not only football, everything about Nigeria ranging from sports,education etc ask people especially like you who migrated to developed country you just need to learn some basic thing all over again cos those things are aliens in Nigeria
From what I have seen so far, I really dont know how Okpotu became a striker. His body movement speaks more of a no 10 converted to a striker. Maybe because of his scoring prowess in the league, I wouldnt know. If i were Salisu, I will play him as a 10. He is intelligent with passes and personally, i feel he moves like a midfielder as against the striker position he is being touted forin fact between himself and Gabriel, I will chose gabriel as a striker (abeg make una no crucify me for the choice. Na wetin salisu give us be that). He should develop himself more
kennysville: From what I have seen so far, I really dont know how Okpotu became a striker. His body movement speaks more of a no 10 converted to a striker. Maybe because of his scoring prowess in the league, I wouldnt know. If i were Salisu, I will play him as a 10. He is intelligent with passes and personally, i feel he moves like a midfielder as against the striker position he is being touted forin fact between himself and Gabriel, I will chose gabriel as a striker (abeg make una no crucify me for the choice. Na wetin salisu give us be that). He should develop himself more
Icon79: Take it from someone who knows, no home based striker would be going to Russia.
Truth is, Nigeria don't really have strikers. We simply don't know how to train strikers. What we have in Nigeria are natural finishers aka goal poachers, not striker. You would understand what I am saying if you've played the game at home and abroad. I thought that I was a super striker when I was in Nigeria and it took me months ... literally, to realize that I was making some elementary school errors. gosh, even our all time best striker, Rasheed Yekini didn't become a good striker until we moved to Ivory Coast.
Hence, I don't see any home-based strikers challenging the likes of Iheanacho, Ighalo, Musa etc for a position the team. Mark my words!
O pari
i am not saying he is in the same category with those you mentioned , what i have only pointed out are just his attributes , if you have not been paying attention to it , you have an opportunity in tomorrow's match and if he undergoes some special grooming he may become the kind of player we will need in he future . nearest future is the world , and mind you its just a prediction ....
i am not saying he is in the same category with those you mentioned , what i have only pointed out are just his attributes , if you have not been paying attention to it , you have an opportunity in tomorrow's match and if he undergoes some special grooming he may become the kind of player we will need in he future . nearest future is the world , and mind you its just a prediction ....
to be honest dude will play better as a 10....I watched some of his link up play during the wafu cup tourney...his passes were accurate and precise....and he has a good ball control.
yes he is brother , as long as hes wearing the super eagles jersey . is that the new card you want to play
nayyy no new card...at all. just surprise at your shaky predictions... it seems you've not been watching CHAN tourney all this while..
we have had...players who came in time past played better...even won the tournament MVP only to end up in a south Africa and northern Africa league....
with the way okputu is misfiring in all cylinders I fear him not to end up in a north Africa league...
that should be your prayer...not him making the world cup or battling for the future super eagles CF.......
nayyy no new card...at all. just surprise at your shaky predictions... it seems you've not been watching CHAN tourney all this while..
we have had...players who came in time past played better...even won the tournament MVP only to end up in a south Africa and northern Africa league....
with the way okputu is misfiring in all cylinders I fear him not to end up in a north Africa league...
that should be your prayer...not him making the world cup or battling for the future super eagles CF.......
player like Uzoenyi right . lol . i ve been following the CHAN tourney ...
player like Uzoenyi right . lol . i ve been following the CHAN tourney ...
uzoenyi even smelled the world cup.... and played better than the way okputu is playing now...wit a football age of 22 years old...I would have expect by now...the dude becomes our midfield meastro.... only to go flop in south Africa league...despite his huge wage.
please relax your mind on this home based super eagles....one just pray they get good club sides to sign them after the tourney... that will help some resharpen and brush up their skills..
I am sure Marvellous Sir BascoVanVeli stands up for our local boys no matter what. I also commend their spirit and determination shown so far. They have exceeded expectations against the odds despite the many flaws in the team.
I know Sir Basco will be happy to see Okpotu get a look in even if just once but I also know that He is not carried away to suggest that Okpotu be picked ahead of a Musa or a Kayode for the World cup coz there is just no way we are dragging Ighalo and Nacho into the discussion of Okpotu's chances even. Nacho's and Ighalo's spots are no go areas ahead of Russia 2018 barring injuries.
Sir BascoVanVeli may be the undisputed champion of the local boys but he is not blind to the fact that Okpotu cannot displace Nacho, Ighalo, Kayode, Nwakaeme, and co.... Right now.
I believe I am right to think this.
I never called for Okpotu in the main team o, guys are spreading fake news I guess. I always want the player to earn his call up
