Mujtahida:

Nooo I no be area ooo. I copied it. Read the preface

OK

No Shakin

Well he's more of a central midfielder per say and more of attacking than defending. At least he's known to be an attacker than a defender.

tbaba1234:


I am aware of the stats. All his goals are from inside the box usually from indirect set-pieces. That does not make him an offensive player.

Can some of the attackers play in the midfield role? Yes...

Humility017:


going wit that scenario it means....
he may go wit either 9 defenders or forwards...
but that won't be rational...
because right amongst the midfielders...we have onazi and ndidi who can both play full back role....
also....in the forward role...nancho and musa can both play the CF role...besides Ighalo.

having up to 6 midfielders.....will.be of help as it will provide more options should incase of any imjury

I Have gone through comments of so many sport loving Nigerians here. And you know what have got to Discovered? Is that Nigerians can never be Satisfied. We all clamoured for the inclusion of Joel Obi, J. Ajayi, and some CHAN Stars and the Gaffer did. And some are still here crying for some old names and new annoying names like Martins,Ejide,Cyril whatever, and co.

It's so bad

Truidstar:


Mikel, Joel and ndidi midfield combo.

This has always been my dream Midfield combo.

It's appealing but only on PAPER.

Playing both Ndidi and Joel as DM and CM respectively in a 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 formation will lead to gaps been created in our midfield...

But I expect team tactic(s) and strategy to fix this.

In that case, Ajayi would have to wait until 2022 because I am quite sure that Kelechi and Ighalo would make the team. So if Musa makes it then there would be no chance for Ajayi, right? Even if he's scoring in the moon


O pari o

TheSuperNerd:



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...

Omo, have you seen them play together before? So how did you reach this conclusions


O pari

AIG07:
This has always been my dream Midfield combo.

It's appealing but only on PAPER.

Playing both Ndidi and Joel as DM and CM respectively in a 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 formation will lead to gaps been created in our midfield...

But I expect team tactic(s) and strategy to fix this.

Metal, just ignore the naysayer. Anybody who has any problems with the list of players invited to these two friendly games is NOT being sincere. The man has done the best job he could do with the talents at his disposal.


O pari

MetalJigsaw:
I Have gone through comments of so many sport loving Nigerians here. And you know what have got to Discovered? Is that Nigerians can never be Satisfied. We all clamoured for the inclusion of Joel Obi, J. Ajayi, and some CHAN Stars and the Gaffer did. And some are still here crying for some old names and new annoying names like Martins,Ejide,Cyril whatever, and co.

It's so bad

Someone wrote an article on ESPN on J. Obi. Someone should please post. I haven’t got the time. I think he is rather more offensive going by what I saw if him in GWG in the past.

tbaba1234:
What does Joel Obi Offer?

1. Ball retention: He boasts of one of the best ball retention stats of Nigerian midfielders this season with over 80% average pass accuracy. Mikel Obi and John Ogu are the other two who help to keep possession. He loves the short passing game.

2. Loves a tackle: No one beats Ndidi in this category but Obi will win tackles for you. He also reads the game very well and is strong with interceptions. He appears to be returning to his best form in Torino after a torrid time with injury.

3. Mobility: Box to Box kind of player, lots of energy to burn.. Similar to Etebo on his day. He reminds me a lot of edgar davids in this regard.

Can he be a replacement for Mikel?

Not really, he is more of a defensive midfielder than an offensive one. However, he has shown the ability to score from inside the box this year so playing him behind a striker might not be a bad idea. He is skillful, intelligent and can do those short one-twos. Right now, no one can control the midfield like Mikel, maybe with Joel we can take another approach when Mikel is not playing.

I totally agree with you, Komekn. I watched the game as well. I think Juve won the game based on experience and luck, not any cleverly devised system by coach Allegri. Inexperience cost Spurs big time and they were unlucky too, with the goalline clearance and then the Harry Kane header that barely hit the bar with Buffon well beaten.


O pari

komekn:


Watched the game I don't think Tottenham was stifled possibly limited but it was very very close right to the last second.

Juventus were lucky two off the line clearances.

But still a testament to the quality of the EPL consider which league has the overwhelming highest number of teams in the last 16.

I was referring to this post

TheSuperNerd:
Does Joel Obi's Super Eagles lifeline come too late?
By Dami Ugbane, KweséESPN



Gernot Rohr has handed an international lifeline to Joel Obi, who was named in his 28-man Nigeria squad for the upcoming friendlies and has the opportunity to return to the Super Eagles team for the first time in almost four years.

The left-footed playmaker's career has been blighted by recurring injuries, but he now has the opportunity to gatecrash the World Cup party.
However, does the chance come too late for the promising talent to fulfil his international potential?

Together with Chinedu Obasi and Onyekachi Apam, Obi has been regarded in Nigeria football circles as one of the great nearly men of the nation's game. The trio had the quality to achieve superstar status, only to be denied by persistent injuries.

While the aforementioned duo unfortunately failed in their bid to stage a comeback to the international scene with Nigeria, Obi has the opportunity to muscle his way into the Super Eagles' talented midfield unit.

A showing at the World Cup could go some way to compensating for the missed opportunities of recent years.

At the time of his arrival on the international stage with Nigeria seven years ago, the hardworking midfielder instantly became a fan favourite due to a combination of factors, notably his commitment, work rate and technical ability.

In a two-man midfield partnership with John Mikel Obi under coach Samson Siasia, the duo held sway.

However, it was the younger Obi who just eclipsed his compatriot with each passing game, and appeared the more focused of the pair.
Fast forward to present day, and the previously maligned Mikel has taken over the mantle of leadership as the Super Eagles' captain, while Obi's international career has gone largely unfulfilled.

He struggled to establish himself at Internazionale, largely due to injuries, but has finally begun to realise his potential at Torino where he's demonstrated the consistency that has clearly piqued the interest of Rohr.
Injury concerns linger, but he's netted four goals and contributed two assists in the Italian top flight so far this term, and offers something a little different from the likes of Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu.

Perhaps the need to have tactically flexible and versatile players for a tournament environment has forced Rohr to consider Obi, who can play in a deeper playmaking role, as a No. 10, or on either flank.

He's also played in wing-back or full-back positions earlier in his career, and this ability to serve Nigeria across the park may see him edge out one of his more one-dimensional midfield rivals.
Obi's experience, high energy levels and technique mean that he wouldn't be fazed should Rohr opt to change formation before or during a match.

Could the same be said for Mikel Agu or Uche Agbo?

It's perhaps going too far to suggest that World Cup inclusion would make up for Obi's years of watching on for the sidelines or missed opportunities with the Super Eagles.
However, while he's unlikely to be a starter, his plethora of qualities could make him a valuable option from the bench, and a unique asset for the Eagles.

He could, at last, demonstrate that he deserves to be considered among the top Nigerian players of his generation.


Source: http://kwese.espn.com/football/nigeria/story/3410326/does-joel-obis-super-eagles-lifeline-come-too-late?device=featurephone

Russia 2018 WC Countdown: 98 days 6 hours 18 mins to go

congo4ka:
Review
------------------------------

Poland vs Nigeria
Italy vs Argentina
Mexico vs Iceland
Peru vs Croatia
-------------------------------
Nigeria vs Serbia
Peru vs Iceland
England vs Nigeria
Iceland vs Norway
Czech vs Nigeria
Croatia vs Senegal

what is the time of the bolded match and which tv channels is to show them?

It looks like Iceland is most concerned with Argentina, based on their friendly schedule. They are already familiar with Croatia and they assume that Nigeria is a walkover. Good let them keep thinking that way


O pari

congo4ka:
Review
------------------------------

Poland vs Nigeria
Italy vs Argentina
Mexico vs Iceland
Peru vs Croatia
-------------------------------
Nigeria vs Serbia
Peru vs Iceland
England vs Nigeria
Iceland vs Norway
Czech vs Nigeria
Croatia vs Senegal

I agree. That should be Mikel's role but he doesn't like playing that role for the Super Eagles. In absence of Mikel, Onazi plays the role but with Joel Obi poised to start Onazi is likely to start on the bench. Let's see what Rohr comes up with sha.


O pari

asha80:
ndidi is not the type that sits in front of the defence..you will not get the best of him from there..that isnt even his role in leicester..he is the type that breaks up play and bettles in the middle

Guys how much do you know about Lokosa in the NPFL and do you think he deserves a chance in the SE?

I learnt he's on 10 goals for Kano Pillars in the league... That is excellent!

Icon79:
Metal, just ignore the naysayer. Anybody who has any problems with the list of players invited to these two friendly games is NOT being sincere. The man has done the best job he could do with the talents at his disposal.


O pari

And it's not like it's a World Cup list. Other players will surely get their chance in the subsequent friendly matches after the upcoming March ones. So why all the fuss?? Everyone cannot be invited at the same time!

Too early for the SE, he should wait till after WC

MetalJigsaw:
Guys how much do you know about Lokosa in the NPFL and do you think he deserves a chance in the SE?

I learnt he's on 10 goals for Kano Pillars in the league... That is excellent!

somehow:
Can some of the attackers play in the midfield role? Yes...

how many of them have been tested and trusted wit that responsibility since rohr era?

MetalJigsaw:
And it's not like it's a World Cup list. Other players will surely get their chance in the subsequent friendly matches after the upcoming March ones. So why all the fuss?? Everyone cannot be invited at the same time!

I don't think there is any fuss about the list,normal for guys to talk about two or three players which means Rohr is on course.

asha80:
lol


just re-watching highlights of our qualifiers and the friendly against argentina on youtube..if there is one strong aspect of the present day eagles(apart from some others) it is that their counter attacks are more deadlier that eagles of the past.

Exactly...
Nigeria officially announced themselves as a dangerous counter-atacking team in the game against Argentina. Even the commentator kept stressing about that Super Eagles' inexplicably malevolent capability that tore the Argentines apart.

Kog45:
I don't think there is any fuss about the list,normal for guys to talk about two or three players which means Rohr is on course.

But they mostly felt somewhat disappointment about he list.

somehow:
Too early for the SE, he should wait till after WC

Have you watched him play before? how good is he?

Good point, but I doubt it tho. I mean, players who are already in the system (Onyekuru, Osimhen, Alampasu, or Nwakali) could possibly still get an invite for the subsequent matches, but I won't expect Rohr to start reconsidering folks like Martins, Kayode, and Ideye at this stage.


O pari

MetalJigsaw:
And it's not like it's a World Cup list. Other players will surely get their chance in the subsequent friendly matches after the upcoming March ones. So why all the fuss?? Everyone cannot be invited at the same time!

MetalJigsaw:
But they mostly felt somewhat disappointment about he list.

Well good list to me and let see how it goes

Icon79:
Good point, but I doubt it tho. I mean, players who are already in the system (Onyekuru, Osimhen, Alampasu, or Nwakali) could possibly still get an invite for the subsequent matches, but I won't expect Rohr to start reconsidering folks like Martins, Kayode, and Ideye at this stage.


O pari

You mean you don't see Kayode and Ideye returnig to the team?

MetalJigsaw:
Exactly...
Nigeria officially announced themselves as a dangerous counter-atacking team in the game against Argentina. Even the commentator kept stressing about that Super Eagles' inexplicably malevolent capability that tore the Argentines apart.

even in the days of the 1993 to 1998 eagles they were not too good or maybe even willing to go on counter attacks

Icon79:
Good point, but I doubt it tho. I mean, players who are already in the system (Onyekuru, Osimhen, Alampasu, or Nwakali) could possibly still get an invite for the subsequent matches, but I won't expect Rohr to start reconsidering folks like Martins, Kayode, and Ideye at this stage.


O pari

Pls which Nwakili?Osimhen invitation on what ground,Alampasu should go to lower league and have games.Hope Oyekwuru recover on time to fight for a place.

I think Ideye and Kayode just need to shake up in the remaining part of the season.

Martins has lost out cos is not even in the consideration.

Icon79:
It looks like Iceland is most concerned with Argentina, based on their friendly schedule. They are already familiar with Croatia and they assume that Nigeria is a walkover. Good let them keep thinking that way


O pari

Yes oo... I say a big Amen to that LOL. Its an advantage for us

Icon79:
Omo, have you seen them play together before? So how did you reach this conclusions


O pari

One question @ Opari Master.

If both players play in the system I stated above, who among them will sit deep to cover the defence?

Is it Ndidi who is a ball fighter or an offensive Joel who is a box to box player?

Note: I am not writing their combo off as you're insinuating, I am only trying to forsee what could happen-just like anyother analyst will do(I might be wrong or right as my assumptions are base on what have seen-the players style of play.

My first statement tells u about my admiration for the combo and the last statement suggest possible measures that can make the combo work.

asha80:
even in the days of the 1993 to 1998 eagles they were not too good or maybe even willing to go on counter attacks

The 1994 WC team was a counter attacking side.

MetalJigsaw:
Guys how much do you know about Lokosa in the NPFL and do you think he deserves a chance in the SE?

I learnt he's on 10 goals for Kano Pillars in the league... That is excellent!

not again please...we can bring this up after the world cup.....

Iwobi and Iheanacho can play AM.

Humility017:

how many of them have been tested and trusted wit that responsibility since rohr era?