eterisan:
it is a good move, my only fear is these German guys should not do a boateng..... On us..... Appear at the world cup and give us the middle finger after

If I tell you I don't want them I lie but consider the time. If at least one of them could be integrated into the team from this March friendlies it would have been excellent but that's not to be. That's why I am looking at post WC. We stand everything to gain having them play for us. Their chances with Germany is slim.
If they do a Boateng on us(assuming we take them to the WC) na them go lose. No more international football for them and they are still very young

Mujtahida:

Since Rohr came Omeruo has played just one full match so where did jigsaw get the fact to conclude that he's be average in the Gwg?

I think South Africa match did not help Omeruo cause and he still repeat the same mistake against Zambia despite posing a solid performance but i think if he can consolidate on his Argentina performance then he is on his way to Russia.

zicky:
Abeg which Omeruo, the one who's bound to always make one costly mistake every match that will always results to a goal. Balogun might be slow, but he reads the game very well. I love his brutal nature, an attribute of a leader that can lead from the back.

Because you saw him charge against Slimani abi. Okay ooo. Whether na that one go save us when Enano begin to do him thing.
I reiterate my stand: For NOW I go with Omeruo over Balogun. The friendlies will tell us some bit more sha

safarigirl:
please, I have been confused since yesterday. Cuz I don't know any footballer with that name, I just want to be sure, maybe such a footballer exists and I'm just hearing of him

hehehe how are you.

Mujtahida:

If I tell you I don't want them I lie but consider the time. If at least one of them could be integrated into the team from this March friendlies it would have been excellent but that's not to be. That's why I am looking at post WC. We stand everything to gain having them play for us. Their chances with Germany is slim.
If they do a Boateng on us(assuming we take them to the WC) na them go lose. No more international football for them and they are still very young

my guy it is easier to switch allegiance close to a major tourney.... Why not since the qualifiers, like iwobi, moses, balogun... Etc... Well we should give it time.... Good move I say, timing not so sure... Rohr doesn't really fancy omeruo.... So we may have to watch out for that one....

Kog45:
I think South Africa match did not help Omeruo cause and he still repeat the same mistake against Zambia despite posing a solid performance but i think if he can consolidate on his Argentina performance then he is on his way to Russia.

Sir Kog45 do you know Omeruo did not play in the South African match? . It was Ekong and Awaziem that played at the heart of the defence. Omeruo has played just one full match since Rohr and that was the match against Zambia in Lusaka where he slipped and a goal was scored.

Icon4s:


Did you ever see Omeruo at the 2013 AFCON and 2014 WC?

what about Efe who was in the team of the tournament in 2013?

PINNICK: Untold story of Super Eagles qualification for Russia 2018

Mojirade Ojo
8 hours ago

It is not the greatest love story that was almost never told like the Shakespeare secret affair but a journey of passion and grace.

But the process of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 was also as beautiful and some of the intrigues made it even more fascinating. The Super Eagles were well underrated after they failed to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under a lot of scrutiny and their competence questioned.

Those criticisms turned into fuel for the thick-skinned leadership of the NFF and they delightfully turned things around and delivered a precious sixth World Cup ticket for one of Africa’s biggest football powerhouse.

Nigeria qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia in spectacular fashion ahead of favourites Algeria, Zambia and current African Champions Cameroon.


NFF President Amaju Pinnick at an event captures the interesting details of how the Super Eagles achieved such a feat, engaging the services of German Coach Rohr at a time when coaching Nigeria was seen with disdain, playing the necessary politics and the Aiteo partnership which has provided financial security for the National Teams and NFF, reports CHIJIOKE EZEALI.



Planning ahead with Akinwunmi and Dikko

I recall that I was asked “Do you think if (Issa) Hayatou is there we’ll qualify?” For two nights I slept and thought about it – Cameroon being in our group and this man is already 71 years old and possibly if he wins the elections that will be his last time.

What about a parting gift to Cameroon off the field? We looked at Algeria, they had the best record – they had gone about 13 games unbeaten. Zambia were AFCON winner, then I saw a news that in the history of World Cup qualification, the group we are in was the toughest in the history of World Cup qualifier anywhere in the world.

Three of them were AFCON winners and in very rich form. We looked at all these and said to ourselves that we must overcome these. Three of us (Shehu Dikko, Seyi Akinwunmi) held each other and said, ‘let’s go and let do it’ and thank God we did it and, today, we are in Russia.


How NFF arrived at the choice of Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr

The first thing we did was getting a new coach. Of course, we all remember Claude Leroy – to us it was a blessing in disguise. Because when we decided again that we wanted a coach, of course

everyone knows that I’m an Arsenal supporter, so I reached out to Arsene Wenger for consultation for a coach. I tried to reach out to Gerrard Houllier and so many other eggheads in coaching and technical expertise and one name came to fore and that was Gernot Rohr.

I remember, one of them asked “Will he (Rohr) want to leave his lucrative job with the German federation, heading one of their technical groups to come to Nigeria.”

I was told he was a very comfortable coach; he has two hotels, he lives very well and he is very happy. Even at a point, he was going to coach Madagascar free of charge because his wife is from there. I prayed over it and believed he would come – that’s where the journey began.

We called him and because I prayed – I believe in prayer; if you don’t, please start to pray because it is very important and the first thing he said was “if you offer me the job, I will try and redefine Nigerian football because you have huge talent. Where I worked before, we struggled with talent but the kind of talents you have in Nigeria is amazing and I will try but I’m not telling you that Iam going to do this or that but I’ll do my best.

“But one thing you will do is support me because modern day football has a lot of off-the-field arrangements that impact on the field.” And I asked him what and he said: “We need a chiropractor, an Usthropath, a Yoga coach, a match analyst for defence, attack and midfield and everybody will have a major role to play.”

I asked him: “What do you need a yoga coach for, no be Chinese we dey fight nah?” and he said to me: “Yoga training calms you down and gives you concentration.”

Gambling over Gernot Rohr

How are we going to fund this? It was difficult initially and looked impossible but we looked at ourselves and decided to take the risk for Nigeria because if you don’t venture, you can’t succeed.

Good enough, Shehu Dikko is from Zaria, they love taking risk – we know the history of Zaria. Seyi Akinwunmi is the only one that is a bit Lagos boy but he is also an Isale Eko boy whether he likes it or not. Then me, a Warri man – our life is risk.

So, we decided to throw our hat into the ring and take the risk. And one of such risks was me running for the CAF executive committee, so that we can play all the politics necessary. Another risk was that of the coach. He (Rohr) came for the interview after I bought him the flight ticket. The technical committee met at the office of the LMC while I and Seyi were in Lagos – then Shehu ran out to us immediately after the interview and said “President, this is the coach! Trust me; we are in the World Cup.” I swear to God that’s what he said.

He (Shehu) said, “He (Rohr) is matured, calm and even while we tried to run him rough – he was calm and answered every question thrown at him 100%. So, president, please insist that you want this coach.”

We got the report; it was ok by the then technical committee even though there was some off course, we understand, but we went ahead and employed the coach.

It was tough at the beginning because the companies that promised us that they were going to pay for the service of the coach withdrew because there were fundamental changes at some top level.

Aiteo rescued broke NFF

In my area, whenever I’m jogging – I’ll look at one MD that is jogging around and jog behind him. I will just say, ‘I’m the NFF president and we are in a dilemma, can I follow you to your house or can see you later?’ At a point, I will say Seyi, give me N5, 000 and for the first three months it was very tough before the glorious days started coming and that’s the coming of Aiteo.

And once they came in, they didn’t look back. As I speak to you Gernot Rohr has been paid to December 31, 2017. We have offered him a new two-year contract extension. All the details will be worked out by the legal committee and other relevant committee in the federation.

We want to keep him because assuming he won the World Cup, don’t you think that the German federation will want him? We don’t want to be like Arsenal that waited until the last minute to sign Mesut Ozil. We want to be like Barcelona that gave Lionel Messi a new deal with three years still left on his contract.

The combo with Akinwunmi and Dikko

It was a very tortuous journey and the first step we took was when I won election into the CAF Executive Committee. Seyi looked at me and said: “President, I told you – you have won and we are going to qualify for the World Cup. So, all the necessary politics off the field you must play. Everything Nigeria needs to qualify, you will do.”

Another thing that came to mind is when Shehu said to me: “President, we must look for money. We must make sure we interface with the government where necessary and make sure we don’t owe the players anything. Forget that they earn huge salaries, they have families, they have responsibilities in Nigeria – they see what is going on and don’t want to be part of failure after their playing days, so we must encourage them.”

Of course, we interfaced with the government and thankfully they responded and made sure we paid A-Z.

Young and gifted Super Eagles

Who do you think in the premier league is better than Odion Ighalo in attack or better than Victor Moses? During our friendly against Argentina, Sergio Aguero begged to be removed from the game, so we must always have absolute trust and confidence in our players.

The beauty about the Super Eagles is that they are more for the future than today. All our players revolve around 19-22 years. Look at our full backs, Ebuehi and Ola Aina, central: (William) Ekong and Leon (Balogun), look at our midfield and attack while people like Victor Osimhen are still coming. So, we have a rich future.

We have a team already and this is the German model Seyi designed for me years ago. The German model of not just having a Super Eagles of today but one for tomorrow.

Look at Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire, they have just a team for team and that’s what affected them. So, we are also planning for the future. On the part of the federation, I’m not going to tell you that we are 100%, because we are not. I have my problem, the executive committee have their own problem, the secretariat has their problem – everybody has their own problem but because we have this problem, are you going to say every minute we should resign? So, I just want to crave your indulgence that we are out here, wanting to build, develop and strengthen football.


http://thenationonlineng.net/pinnick-untold-story-super-eagles-qualification-russia-2018/amp/

Mujtahida:

Sir Kog45 do you know Omeruo did not play in the South African match? . It was Ekong and Awaziem that played at the heart of the defence. Omeruo has played just one full match since Rohr and that was the match against Zambia in Lusaka where he slipped and a goal was scored.

He's talking about the game that ended 2-2, it was because of that game rohr dropped omeruo for the 2-0 game. Go watch that game and see what ranti did to omeruo

Mujtahida:

Because you saw him charge against Slimani abi. Okay ooo. Whether na that one go save us when Enano begin to do him thing.
I reiterate my stand: For NOW I go with Omeruo over Balogun. The friendlies will tell us some bit more sha

Even the world best defender cannot save us from Messi on his best day.

zicky:
He's talking about the game that ended 2-2, it was because of that game rohr dropped omeruo for the 2-0 game. Go watch that game and see what ranti did to omeruo

That match was not played under Rohr. Rohr’s first match was the dead rubber against Tanzania and then the WCQ against Zambia and so on. We have played SA only once since Rohr took charge of the team and Omeruo did not play in that match.

Mujtahida:

That match was not played under Rohr. Rohr’s first match was the dead rubber against Tanzania and then the WCQ against Zambia and so on. We have played SA only once since Rohr took charge of the team and Omeruo did not play in that match.

am very much aware that match was played under siasia and you think rohr don't watch video of our last meeting for him to opt for awaziem ahead of omeruo

Icon4s:


Did you ever see Omeruo at the 2013 AFCON and 2014 WC?

You're talking about the Omeruo of four or five years ago, bro. That is in the past... We're talking of the present.
Have you forgotten the popular saying: I get am before no be property?

The issue should be on the premise of the present generation- Gernot Rohr's era. Not the exploits of years past. They a no longer relevant.

Icon4s:


Aside the game against South Africa in 2014 and the mis-skewed header against Zambia in Ndola which are years apart tell which other game he had a dismal performance for the SE.

I know Balogun's past performances have been speaking for him @but what of Omeruo's past performances? We're they not good enough to speak for him?

Omeruo's past performances was in the Keshi era- 2013/2014.That was about 5 years ago... He's yet to display an elating performance ever since. Only average at best.

That cannot be appropriately compared to Balogun's which is in recent time.. Under the same coach- the same team of present.

My people,

As you worship today, The God that demoted and disgraced Tammy Abraham will do the same to all your enemies.

Can I get an amen?

Curtisaxel7:
My people,

As you worship today, The God that demoted and disgraced Tammy Abraham will do the same to all your enemies.

Can I get an amen?

wish unto others, as u would like to be wished to u
Happy Sunday

Icon4s:


Kick-off for that game was 8:45pm. It was played under freezing cold conditions and under flood lights. Two major factors that normally work against teams from the sub-Saharan Africa. Immediately I saw that kickoff time, I knew what will follow is a humiliating defeat.

Meanwhile Plateau United have moved their own game to 2pm. Hahahaha. Dem won take the Kano heat finish those Tunisians. Taking the weather as an advantage. I hope it works for them sha.

Lol. Finish who?

Tunisia wey be desert itself?

tbaba1234:
Brazil's 18 y/o GK Chijioke Phillip Ejimadu (Nacional of Sao Paulo) has been called up by USA under 20 team for a friendly. He has Nigerian, Brazilian and USA citizenship

CC: Chriskels, Icon4s

So where was the NFF when the USA was calling him om holiday

zicky:
Abeg which Omeruo, the one who's bound to always make one costly mistake every match that will always results to a goal. Balogun might be slow, but he reads the game very well. I love his brutal nature, an attribute of a leader that can lead from the back.

my brother, the thing tire me!

Mujtahida:

Football is not all about blistering pace all the time. Try and unplug yourself from English brand of football cos all the day long you talk of physicality, pace and power- the holy Trinity of komeknian football philosophy. Busquets has no blistering pace but he's one of the best. So what about pace?

The current philosophy of Manchester city is founded on pace and very quick closing down married with exceptional technical ability.

Pace is not the only attribute to make a player exceptional so stop being devious and misrepresenting my view. That's not honourable.

What I said when you have exceptional technical ability, vision, shooting accuracy the attribute that added to it that lifts you above everybody else is PACE.

Pace without technical ability and vision will not get you far.

What do you think distinguishes Salah, Dembele, Mbappe, Rashford, Martial, Ronaldo, Messi. etc

Humility017:

woe betide that nff official promising them a world cup slot....
so the other players battling for the slots..are not good enough...if the Germans desire the slots...let them fight fr it...
even aina we manage convince is battling for his....

I expect the nff to have talked them to believe they stand a brighter chance of playing in the national team should they opt for Nigeria...and that we need them at this point of time...so as to see to the realisation of our long term project of building a formidable team....
we should be realistic wit our approach.....
and not promise them a world cup slot....they're not better than the ones we have only coming to compliment them...

all being said...I will prefer have them in the team after the world cup....

and please someone should tell the nff...in the sojourn to lure English kids...Tammy and Ibe should be left out of it...we don't need those 2.

WHY

Joebie:
Haha sir. The regulars here know that’s not an allegation. We know u well enough. You are talking about a pool of talents, but I’m waiting for you to make a case AGAIN for at least 5 players in the Championship yet u are busy trying to score a pointless point.

There is no point to score.

You said I have been advocating for a number of players. I simply asked which ones

You made the allegations please complete your allegations with specifics.

Shoo sho Quarrel no deh, ansa your name

maidaboi:
joebie
lets me help him with one Oyedima
komekn i lie?

100% correct undeniably undeniable Lol.

Football evolves and is not static you need to improve and be consistent.

Can I ask you when was the last time I mentioned his name He is now in a kick and rush bulldog mentality team. I find it difficult to see his technical attributes anymore as a result I have been mute about him. A player can loose form in a few months and even motivational focus.

If he was in a side that plays footbal on the deck like Fulham, Derby, Wolves, etc I would be able to be more positive.

Nonetheless, it's possible and very possible that given the opportunity to play technically proficient football he may show good quality for the SE.

I remember Danny Shittu had a horrendous time at Bolton completely frozen out by two clueless managers hardly kicked a ball in two years . He then came to the SE and as a central defender was exceptional indeed some rated him over Yobo.

Sainty92:
So u mean Owen Hargreaves wasn't a success in Bayern Munich, Nor David Beckham a success in Madrid, Milan and PSG or Probably Michael Owen was Scottish wen he played for Madrid?

Can I add going back in history

How many seasons did Steve McManaman play in Real Madrid

Can we talk about Gary Lineker and finally Laurie Cunningham( most technically gifted English player I have ever seen) unfortunately died way too young to be remembered.

komekn:




Can I add going back in history

How many seasons did Steve McManaman play in Real Madrid

Can we talk about Gary Lineker and finally Laurie Cunningham( most technically gifted English player I have ever seen) unfortunately died way too young to be remembered.

better than gascoigne?

forgiveness:



Looking at the bolded not subjectively but critically.

Is/was Iheanacho not a bench warmer? Answer, Yes or No?

Is Iheanacho value what it was when he was in Manchester City? Answer, Yes or No.

The KC debate again.

The truth is too bitter for many ears here to hear and accept.

chrisooblog:
based on your original post was leicester city relegation threatened yes or no?

Has KC's form not picked up?

Where are abraham and dominic form wise right now?

YES, Initially Leicester city was threatened with relegation the board sacked Shakespeare got Puel and things have improved immensely since.

KC has scored one goal in the EPL Tega has scored 4, Tega has scored 3 cup goals and KC 4. Haven't bothered about assists and other stats. In your esteemed opinion who is in better form

KC had a big transfer fee huge expectation and would you say he has delivered

Solanke is not in the reckoning he was bought for literally nothing and has three top class international players standing in his way. So can't really say much because there wasn't much expectation placed on him.

Super Eagles Poland Camp To Open On Monday
March 18, 2018

The camp of the Super Eagles will open in the Polish city of Wroclaw on Monday, ahead of Friday’s international friendly against Poland, the Nigeria Football Federation have announced in a press release.

The two Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup-bound teams will meet at the 43,000-capacity Stadium Wroclaw on Friday night to begin their preparations.

The Super Eagles, who have a 28-man squad for the friendly, will face Serbia at The Hive, London (home ground of Barnet FC and London Bees) four days later.
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor confirmed to thenff.com on Sunday that the Eagles would be staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Wroclaw.

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)



https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-eagles-poland-camp-to-open-on-monday/

Aina Rated Very Poor In Hull Defeat To Birmingham
0 March 18, 2018 9:33 am

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was rated one of Hull City’s worst players following their 3-0 away loss to Birmingham City in the English Championship on Saturday.

The ratings was done by Hull Daily Mail with each Hull player scored out of 10 and Aina, who featured for 90 minutes in the game, got three for his poor display.
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson, was another Hull player who was rated three.

Commenting on Aina’s performance, Hull Daily Mail wrote:”The on-loan right-back produced one his worst displays in City colours. Birmingham exposed him time and again in the first half and allowed his head drop too easily. An abrupt halt to a useful run of form.”

The defeat leaves Hull in 18th position on 39 points, six points from the drop zone in the league table.

Aina who is on loan to Hull from Chelsea until the end of the season, is expected to join up with his Super Eagles teammates ahead of their international friendlies against Poland and Serbia on March 23 and 27 respectively.

Hull player ratings vs Birmingham:
Allan McGregor (
Ola Aina (3)
Michael Dawson (3)
Ondrej Mazuch (4)
Max Clark (5)
Seb Larsson (5)
Markus Henriksen (4)
Jarrod Bowen (6)
Jackson Irvine (5)
Harry Wilson (5)
Abel Hernandez (5)



https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/aina-rated-very-poor-in-hull-defeat-to-birmingham/

komekn:


100% correct undeniably undeniable Lol.

Football evolves and is not static you need to improve and be consistent.

Can I ask you when was the last time I mentioned his name He is now in a kick and rush bulldog mentality team. I find it difficult to see his technical attributes anymore as a result I have been mute about him. A player can loose form in a few months and even motivational focus.

If he was in a side that plays footbal on the deck like Fulham, Derby, Wolves, etc I would be able to be more positive.

Nonetheless, it's possible and very possible that given the opportunity to play technically proficient football he may show good quality for the SE.

I remember Danny Shittu had a horrendous time at Bolton completely frozen out by two clueless managers hardly kicked a ball in two years . He then came to the SE and as a central defender was exceptional indeed some rated him over Yobo.

so team style of play affect a player but you forget about it when it concern nacho