Kog45:
Good list

you can say that again

MetalJigsaw:
una still get time to discuss that guy? Him Never see anything

@boss Metaljigsaw... Wish ur broad well,weda he plays for us or not,his blood is still green

Loogan:

Ajayis callup was deserved! Nothing like formality. If gernot could give nwakeame a chance why not ajayi?
Kayode won the MVP in the Austrian league he was invited and given his chance. Nwakeame won MVP he was invited and given his chance, so why not ajayi?

Ajayi must play out of his skin to get a shirt. And he was not MVP in Egypt, was he??

Is it a formality? maybe.. Ajayi must be ready to show the coach something new in training.

Icon79:
OK. But when was the last time Ahmed Musa started a game for the Super Eagles?


O pari

Wether he starts for eagles or not, that's not the issue. Compare Musa's chances of going to Russia to Ajayi's. That's where the answer lies my bro.

Loogan:

Ajayis callup was deserved! Nothing like formality. If gernot could give nwakeame a chance why not ajayi?
Kayode won the MVP in the Austrian league he was invited and given his chance. Nwakeame won MVP he was invited and given his chance, so why not ajayi?

Just calm down and wait till d friendly and see if he will get another call up.. it's up to him to perform well in camp

tbaba1234:


Ajayi must play out of his skin to get a shirt. And he was not MVP in Egypt, was he??

Is it a formality? maybe.. Ajayi must be ready to show the coach something new in training.

I wonder why some people think Ajayi will just come and gatecrash d WC list.. The Opari master even recommended dropping Musa for him... very funny something...


Anyway, there were higher expectations from d likes of Nwaekeme,Onyekuru and Kayode when they got their own call ups...

elyte89:




And for d AGU SUPPORTERS,DT HE shld replace Etebo,he's above ogu in d pecking order etc ...dis is an indication dt he might not make d list to d world cup after all

I don't tie myself to any player. I look at performance. I am tied to the team not a player per se

Danielnino00:



I wonder why some people think Ajayi will just come and gatecrash d WC list.. The Opari master even recommended dropping Musa for him... very funny something...


Anyway, there were higher expectations from d likes of Nwaekeme,Onyekuru and Kayode when they got their own call ups...

Good experience for Ajayi but he is unlikely to gatecrash the list.

I think I stumbled on a site that reports About yakubu and Obasi stating their interest in helping Nigeria in Russia with their "experience"

What do you think, guys

The strategy of the just released list as it applies to the newbies (Ajayi, Obi, Stephen Eze, Gabriel Okechukwu)
1.Let us open the door for anybody that truly has ability more than those we have already to gatecrash the team
2. Let us invite them in case any last minute injury befalls any of the core players. The newbies will easily slot in having had a go during the friendlies
3. Let us invite them so that them no go say we no invite them

Yes they can come along to motivate the team.

MetalJigsaw:
I think I stumbled on a site that reports About yakubu and Obasi stating their interest in helping Nigeria in Russia with their "experience"

What do you think, guys

Eze lost today with Locomotiv Plovdiv away. They let in 3 goals.

Modified
He and Musa Muhammad clocked 90mins

Mujtahida:
The strategy of the just released list as it applies to the newbies (Ajayi, Obi, Stephen Eze, Gabriel Okechukwu)
1.Let us open the door for anybody that truly has ability more than those we have already to gatecrash the team
2. Let us invite them in case any last minute injury befalls any of the core players. The newbies will easily slot in having had a go during the friendlies
3. Let us invite them so that them no go say we no invite them

Champions league isn't about gra gra but for the experience.

Quote by Abusule

MetalJigsaw:
I think I stumbled on a site that reports About yakubu and Obasi stating their interest in helping Nigeria in Russia with their "experience"

What do you think, guys

Martins not Yakubu... They also talked about Ejide

somehow:

The media houses are there, they can contact the government so as to reduce the easy access to foreign league. We Nigerians are normally lazy when it comes to thinking so we tend to grab the easiest thing available.

You really meant what you typed up there?

It's too late to regulate our access to foreign leagues...

MetalJigsaw:
I think I stumbled on a site that reports About yakubu and Obasi stating their interest in helping Nigeria in Russia with their "experience"

What do you think, guys

Ehen....y not haruna ilerika

Nigerians are really funny people, very colourful lot. Behold I present to you guys the new name of Nigerian football playing philosophy. It's called Gra - Gra football as eloquently set forth by kingmaker a commenter on Completesportsnigeria.com website. This, my brothers is for your enjoyment

---

So, what is the Nigerian Secret?
Football is a team game, and a physical sport which requires lots of energy, intelligence, concentration, skill & determination for the entire duration of 90 min to win.
Other factors that determine a winner are the technical & tactical engagements of the Coach upon good team preparation.
All past winners of the WC have relied on these methods.
But, the tactics of foreign Managers deployed have failed to produce results against a physically balanced Nigerian side in U-17 finals, especially.
The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s led U-17 gold winning team of 2015 is the best ever Nigerian Team, in my opinion, since 1973.
That team had all the winning elements, in quality and physical robustness, in addition to its fluidity.
The Team exhibited the playing style and characteristics of its gaffer..
That team won because it took GRA-GRA Football approach to its most refined form & expression.
Gra-gra system of football is an indigenous grassroot style of play common in Nigeria, and in Edo-Delta, especially.
It deploys robust attack & defensive play, involving everyone chasing after the ball & the boy.
It is fiercely fought in the midfield to determine control and dominion.
It is a duel, a rumble, only the strong survives.
In Warri where I had my elementary education, it is called Gra-gra. It was the style.. unorthodox.
Wilson Oruma & Oghenekaro Etebo are typically the best expressions of this play at the international level.
Today, we have Nigerians playing technical gra-gra across Europe, Wilfred Ndidi for example, his statistics amazes the media.
Here, players chase down the ball, until the boy is disposed of the ball.
Gra-gra is physical, technical, intensive, gritty, exhausting, energetic, effective & rewarding in the end.
It leaves your opponents panting, fatigued, worn-out, fainting & capitulating.
Gra-gra thrives on player’s fitness & high work rates.
Europe, Asia or South American football don’t have answers to this method of robust play.
Neymar said of Nigeria after the WC draw, ..”they run a lot and are very physical in their approach.. Happy to avoid them”
He was making reference to ‘Nigerian Gra-gra play’.
If Nigeria is serious, and hungry to WIN the WC, please Gra-gra system is what Gernot Rohr must continue to anchor on in whatever approach he might choose.
Our football administrators should start building tactics around it.
We saw Argentina; players were left panting & Aguero fainting (later hospitalised) in their high profile FIFA exhibition match last November in Russia.
Boastful & arrogant Argentina fell by 2-4 to Gra-gra. (Watch it again).
Algeria were in awe; Etebo & Ogu stampeded & rustled them.
Cameroon & Zambia were also in rude shock.
Our players are already high on Gra-gra. Onazi, Etebo, Ndidi, Ogu, Iheanacho, Musa, Ighalo, Mikel, Moses & co are Gra-gra masters.
They rustle, roughen & stampede opponents until the ball is recovered, & the midfield subdued.
It might not always be fluid but it is efficient & effective in getting the points.
I love the system because it’s where our dominance & victory lie.
Believe it or not, it was Gra-gra that gave us the WC ticket.
With well coordinated Gra-gra approach, i am confident Nigeria can WIN the WC.
Gra-gra gives Nigeria a clear edge over European, Asian & Latin American teams.
With FIFA’s highest decision making organ giving the assurances that the best Nation can win, it has sent a good signal that the Fifa global event can be won by an African Country.
Nigeria can Win it, and should, trust me.
Coaches must jettison political pressure to apply federal quota in selection of the best players. Or, forget everything.
To be crowned champions only requires Winning 7 straight High Profile Matches.
SE must go for the crown.
The potential is there; the pedigree, & foundation for success has already been laid.
Only Nigeria can defeat Nigeria.
Should this be allowed to happen?
No. Failure is not an option!
Let us give 100% support to the SE, the Crew & Nff.
It’s our year!
I vote for Gra-gra..
Thank you for reading.
Good luck, Super Eagles!
Copied

Mujtahida:
Nigerians are really funny people, very colourful lot. Behold I present to you guys the new name of Nigerian football playing philosophy. It's called Gra - Gra football as eloquently set forth by kingmaker a commenter on Completesportsnigeria.com website. This, my brothers is for your enjoyment

---

So, what is the Nigerian Secret?
Football is a team game, and a physical sport which requires lots of energy, intelligence, concentration, skill & determination for the entire duration of 90 min to win.
Other factors that determine a winner are the technical & tactical engagements of the Coach upon good team preparation.
All past winners of the WC have relied on these methods.
But, the tactics of foreign Managers deployed have failed to produce results against a physically balanced Nigerian side in U-17 finals, especially.
The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s led U-17 gold winning team of 2015 is the best ever Nigerian Team, in my opinion, since 1973.
That team had all the winning elements, in quality and physical robustness, in addition to its fluidity.
The Team exhibited the playing style and characteristics of its gaffer..
That team won because it took GRA-GRA Football approach to its most refined form & expression.
Gra-gra system of football is an indigenous grassroot style of play common in Nigeria, and in Edo-Delta, especially.
It deploys robust attack & defensive play, involving everyone chasing after the ball & the boy.
It is fiercely fought in the midfield to determine control and dominion.
It is a duel, a rumble, only the strong survives.
In Warri where I had my elementary education, it is called Gra-gra. It was the style.. unorthodox.
Wilson Oruma & Oghenekaro Etebo are typically the best expressions of this play at the international level.
Today, we have Nigerians playing technical gra-gra across Europe, Wilfred Ndidi for example, his statistics amazes the media.
Here, players chase down the ball, until the boy is disposed of the ball.
Gra-gra is physical, technical, intensive, gritty, exhausting, energetic, effective & rewarding in the end.
It leaves your opponents panting, fatigued, worn-out, fainting & capitulating.
Gra-gra thrives on player’s fitness & high work rates.
Europe, Asia or South American football don’t have answers to this method of robust play.
Neymar said of Nigeria after the WC draw, ..”they run a lot and are very physical in their approach.. Happy to avoid them”
He was making reference to ‘Nigerian Gra-gra play’.
If Nigeria is serious, and hungry to WIN the WC, please Gra-gra system is what Gernot Rohr must continue to anchor on in whatever approach he might choose.
Our football administrators should start building tactics around it.
We saw Argentina; players were left panting & Aguero fainting (later hospitalised) in their high profile FIFA exhibition match last November in Russia.
Boastful & arrogant Argentina fell by 2-4 to Gra-gra. (Watch it again).
Algeria were in awe; Etebo & Ogu stampeded & rustled them.
Cameroon & Zambia were also in rude shock.
Our players are already high on Gra-gra. Onazi, Etebo, Ndidi, Ogu, Iheanacho, Musa, Ighalo, Mikel, Moses & co are Gra-gra masters.
They rustle, roughen & stampede opponents until the ball is recovered, & the midfield subdued.
It might not always be fluid but it is efficient & effective in getting the points.
I love the system because it’s where our dominance & victory lie.
Believe it or not, it was Gra-gra that gave us the WC ticket.
With well coordinated Gra-gra approach, i am confident Nigeria can WIN the WC.
Gra-gra gives Nigeria a clear edge over European, Asian & Latin American teams.
With FIFA’s highest decision making organ giving the assurances that the best Nation can win, it has sent a good signal that the Fifa global event can be won by an African Country.
Nigeria can Win it, and should, trust me.
Coaches must jettison political pressure to apply federal quota in selection of the best players. Or, forget everything.
To be crowned champions only requires Winning 7 straight High Profile Matches.
SE must go for the crown.
The potential is there; the pedigree, & foundation for success has already been laid.
Only Nigeria can defeat Nigeria.
Should this be allowed to happen?
No. Failure is not an option!
Let us give 100% support to the SE, the Crew & Nff.
It’s our year!
I vote for Gra-gra..
Thank you for reading.
Good luck, Super Eagles!
Copied

I read this yesterday.

A few comments
1. The under17 WC (then U16) started in 1985.
2. What exactly is gra gra football? There was no proper definition.

Abusule007:
Rohr invites Mikel, Onazi, Moses, 25 others for Poland, Serbia friendlies



Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has listed captain Mikel John Obi, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and playmaker Victor Moses in his 28 –man squad to battle Poland’s fellow Eagles and Serbia in pre-FIFA World Cup friendly matches this month.




Home –based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who stood between the pipes for the very crucial last four World Cup qualifying games (home-and-away to Cameroon, home to Zambia and away to Algeria), leads the goalkeeping section and will be joined by new boy Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi.



Former junior international Kenneth Omeruo is back among the defenders, as Joel Obi among the midfielders, while Eagles’ B stalwarts, defender Stephen Eze and forward Gabriel Okechukwu, are also handed opportunities.



Russia –based Brian Idowu, who scored against Argentina on his debut in a friendly in Krasnodar in November last year, and Al Ahly of Egypt’s Junior Ajayi, who earned an Olympic bronze in Brazil in 2016, are also called.



Three –time African champions Nigeria will trade tackles with the Bialo-Czerwoni (White and Red) or Eagles, as the Senior National Team of Poland is known, at the 43,000 –capacity Stadium Wroclaw on Friday, 23rd March 2018.



Four days later, the Eagles will take to the pitch against the Senior National Team of Serbia at The Hive, London - home ground of Barnet FC and London Bees.



These are the first two in a list of six friendly encounters planned for the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the 21st FIFA World Cup finals in the Russian Federation this summer.



THE FULL LIST



Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)



Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium); Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria)



Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas, Spain); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy)



Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Gabriel Okechukwu (Akwa United)

No German boys as speculated. So, what was the noise for?

Agbo wey no contribute received invitation ahead of Agu. So, it is no longer about what you contributed to the world Cup qualification, na your current form be koko. Hmmm! We should be expecting new inform players.

Was Gabriel among the best 3 players during the CHAN tournament?

No be this same player wore our number 10 when he was clubless? Make I dey still observe?

I think Rohr should have considered Brown Ideye ahead of him because I just think it is a waste of space and time having him on the list. He's contending for nothing and going nowhere.


Phew! Joel Obi made the list at last. Hope he lives up to the expection of we his fans. That's is a good one.

From the look of things, Rohr doesn't want to add quality to the attack. Maybe he doesn't want to drop any of his attackers for a player that could shine if given the chance hence the invitation of Ajayi. If he is dropped nobody will raise an eye brow. Nevertheless, kudos to him for calling him up based on current form and not necessarily talent though he deserves it.

Even if he shines, I don't see him going to the world Cup.


Bia... Rohr, I hope you are not planning to take one central forward to the world Cup? We need atleast 3 CFs.

Ighalo is number 1, Iheanacho though not a CF for my eyes but he is regarded as 2 and the 3rd slot should be filled with a good striker.

elyte89:

Ehen....y not haruna ilerika

haba!!

tbaba1234:


Martins not Yakubu... They also talked about Ejide

do you think we need them?

MetalJigsaw:
do you think we need them?

No... but the decision is not mine...

forgiveness:



No German boys as speculated. So, what was the noise for?

Agbo wey no contribute received invitation ahead of Agu. So, it is no longer about what you contributed to the world Cup qualification, na your current form be koko. Hmmm! We should be expecting new inform players.

Was Gabriel among the best 3 players during the CHAN tournament?

No be this same player wore our number 10 when he was clueless? Make I dey still observe?

I think Rohr should have considered Brown Ideye ahead of him because I just think it is a waist of space and time having him on the list. He's contending for nothing and going nowhere.


Phew! Joel Obi made the list at last. Hope he lives up to the expection of we his fans. That's is a good one.

From the look of things, Rohr doesn't want to add quality to the attack. Maybe he doesn't want to drop any of his attackers for a player that could shine if given the chance hence the invitation of AjayI. If he is dropped nobody will raise an eye brow. Nevertheless, kudos to him for calling him up based on current form and not necessarily talent though he deserves it.

Even if he shines, I don't see him going to the world Cup.


Bia... Rohr, I hope you are not playing to take one central forward to the world Cup? We need atleast 3 CFs.

Ighalo is number 1, Iheanacho though not a CF for my eyes but he is regarded as 2 and the 3rd slot should be filled with a good striker.

which attacker do you think can easily displace any of the ones on the list?

Daejoyoung:

8 goals and 9 assists in 23 games in Al Ahly Egypt l guess.
Let's wait until the friendlies though, l like lghalo, but is lghalo a consistent finisher? lghalo is good but he is the only true no 9 in the team, and he is not the most effective under pressure. [b]Ajayi could be a good substitute for him[b], if Ajayi proves himself in the friendlies.

Ighalo may not be consistent when it comes to goal scoring... But he is all head and body above Ajayi.

The bolded agrees with my earlier post where I stated that Ajayi's performance can only get him the 3rd spot in d CF and not to displace Ighalo as some are already foreseeing...

But as you say, let's wait till after the friendlies.

Infectious disease kwa? Simon Moses with Niger passport? Abi am I reading right? Bia where is ANS pulling this trash from? is this their own subtle way of campaigning against Simon Moses' WC chances?? Nonsense!

tbaba1234:
ANS appears to be implying something about Simon Moses.. Read the thread below

tbaba1234:

No... but the decision is not mine...

make den no try am o!

MetalJigsaw:
which attacker do you think can easily displace any of the ones on the list?

Obafemi Martins of course.

TheSuperNerd:
Infectious disease kwa? Simon Moses with Niger passport? Abi am I reading right? Bia where is ANS pulling this trash from? is this their own subtle way of campaigning against Simon Moses' WC chances?? Nonsense!

It sounds like a pull down campaign. If he had 'an infectious disease' , he won't be with the gent team. Clubs always test and treat their players

Icon79:
Hmm. I was honestly unaware that Ahmed Musa has a lot of fan in this forum.

Unfortunately, you guys might be left a little disappointed on this one. I think Musa burned his bridge with Rohr when he declined to be the assistant captain, after Mikel was made the permanent captain. I don't see him going to Russia with Rohr unless there's an order from the above ... and there should be. After all, this is Nigeria we're talking about


O pari

Burned what bridge with Rohr? Bia Messi Man, e be like say na only Messi news you dey pay attention to oooo.....

Oya see the pic The likes of Dedebanky85 and co wanted you to go see on Musa's IG page.... You need to catch up man...

Danielnino00:




Egypt not Tunisia Sir..


But honestly, what some people here don't understand is that Ajayi callup was more of a formality.. He made the CAF XI(not on merit self) and is in good form in Egypt. If Rohr didn't call him up,the Nigerian media might start criticizing him..
One thing is for sued though,if Ajayi doesn't impress well enough in camp,he mayn't even make d 30 man list... Chidi Nwakali was invited last year and some people said he was d solution to our overdependence on Mikel.. where is Chidi now??

Rohr already has the list of at least 80% of d players going to Russia.. save for the GK role,he might just b looking for backups for d other roles..

thanks, I've corrected it.

Let's be patient. The friendlies are not far away. I only hope he gets to play.

Icon79:
Hmm. I was honestly unaware that Ahmed Musa has a lot of fan in this forum.

Unfortunately, you guys might be left a little disappointed on this one. I think Musa burned his bridge with Rohr when he declined to be the assistant captain, after Mikel was made the permanent captain. I don't see him going to Russia with Rohr unless there's an order from the above ... and there should be. After all, this is Nigeria we're talking about


O pari

So even you have doubts about musas chances? Let's wait and see

mazimee:



Nigeria really dodged a Bullet in Tammy Abraham. When I look back how the whole incident played out, I come to believe more that every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.

Imagine if wasn't arrogant and rude to Nigeria, he would have agreed with that red carpet mentality. Nigeria would have had no choice but to give him a shirt.

Talent is not determine the way you see it.

Abraham might have gotten the invitation to play for England into his head.

Let us wait for another season before we make any conclusion on em.