1st Round 2nd Leg results:

Flying Eagles To Face Guinea Bissau In Next U-20 AFCON Qualifier
By Adeboye Amosu





Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face Guinea Bissau in the First Round of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after they eliminated Sierra Leone on Saturday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Guinea Bissau who won the first leg 1-0 a fortnight ago held their hosts to a goalless draw at the Bo Stadium on Saturday to book a date with Nigeria.

The young Djurtinhos will host the Flying Eagles in the first leg on May 11, 12 or 13 with the return leg to hold in Nigeria a week later.

The Flying Eagles will be hoping to stage a return to the competition after they failed to qualify for the last edition hosted by Zambia.

Nigeria have won the most titles (seven) in the competition having emerged winners in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

The side now tutored by Paul Aigbogun are currently preparing for the qualifier in Abuja.

The final tournament will be hosted by Niger in 2019 with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/flying-eagles-edge-sierra-leone-face-guinea-bissau-in-next-u-20-afcon-qualifier/

Bologna Duo Orji Okonkwo & Kingsley Michael, Villarreal Chukwueze Named In Flying Eagles Foreign Pros List For Guinea Bissau Tie




Coach of the Nigerian U20 team Paul Aigbogun has extended invitation to the foreign based trio of Orji Okonkwo, Kingsley Michael and Samuel Chukwueze , Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The trio are part of the foreign based players called up to beef the Nigerian U20 team ahead of their AFCON 2019 Qualifiers clash against Guinea Bissau next month as Nigeria bid to stage a return to the African youth scene after their failure to qualify for the last tournament.

Okonkwo is expected to beef up the attack of the team following his exploits with Bologna in the Serie A, where he scored three league goals before heading on loan to Serie B side Brescia, while Kingsley made the first team squad last week for their league game against Sampdoria, thanks to his strong performances for the youth team.

Chukwueze is living up to expectations at Villarreal and he is already tipped for rapid progression to the first team if he continue to progress as expected at the club, where he is teammates with his ex U17 colleague Jack Ipalibo.

They are part of the players of the last U20 team that failed to qualify for the last edition of the African Youth Championship who are still eligible to play for the present team.


**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/23/bologna-duo-orji-okonkwo-kingsley-michael-villarreal-chukwueze-named-in-flying-eagles-foreign-pros-list-for-guinea-bissau-tie/

Actually, 2nd round.

TheSuperNerd:
Flying Eagles To Face Guinea Bissau In Next U-20 AFCON Qualifier
By Adeboye Amosu





Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face Guinea Bissau in the First Round of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after they eliminated Sierra Leone on Saturday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Guinea Bissau who won the first leg 1-0 a fortnight ago held their hosts to a goalless draw at the Bo Stadium on Saturday to book a date with Nigeria.

The young Djurtinhos will host the Flying Eagles in the first leg on May 11, 12 or 13 with the return leg to hold in Nigeria a week later.

The Flying Eagles will be hoping to stage a return to the competition after they failed to qualify for the last edition hosted by Zambia.

Nigeria have won the most titles (seven) in the competition having emerged winners in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

The side now tutored by Paul Aigbogun are currently preparing for the qualifier in Abuja.

The final tournament will be hosted by Niger in 2019 with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland.


Source: https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/flying-eagles-edge-sierra-leone-face-guinea-bissau-in-next-u-20-afcon-qualifier/

Bnei Sakhnin Ex Nigeria U17 Goalkeeper Udoh Dazzles In Flying Eagles Training




The Nigeria U20 team continued their preparations for their upcoming African Youth Championship Qualifiers with another training session at their training camp in Abuja ahead of their clash with Guinea Bissau.

Israel based Akpan Udoh showed the reason why he is so highly rated in the session watched by Owngoalnigeria.com with string of impressive saves and reflexes . A performance which will no doubt make the coaches of the team excited as goalkeeping is one area of concern.
Udoh is part of the foreign based players called up by coach Paul Aigbogun to beef up his squad for their first qualifiers game against Guinea Bissau next month , and for now he remains the only player among the invited foreign based players in training yesterday.

The former Nigeria U17 World Cup winning shot stopper has been consistent in his performances for the B team of Bnei Sakhnin with over 20 games under his belt this season, and it has lead to talks about a possible promotion to the first team next season.


**Ade Emmanuel


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/27/bnei-sakhnin-ex-nigeria-u17-goalkeeper-udoh-dazzles-in-flying-eagles-training/

Kano Pillars Teen Star Nazifi Yahaya Shuns Club Brugge, Begins Training With Danish Side Brondby




Highly rated Kano Pillars 17 year old boy wonder Nazifi Yahaya has shunned his proposed trails with Belgium side Club Brugge for a chance to earn a deal at Danish giants Brondby.

Club Brugge were the front runners to land the highly coveted forward but they suffered so many setbacks in their bid to secure a visa for him. The last of which made the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) to handle the process on his behalf but to no avail.

Brondby stole a march on the Belgium side by handing a trial period to the forward and he arrived Denmark three days ago for training in his bid to secure a deal at the club.


”Nazifi is in Denmark training with Brondby. He started training few days ago and hopefully he will bag a deal at the club. He is that talented, so we are hopeful “, his agent Cem Sagar told Owngoalnigeria.com in an exclusive chat.

The Diamond Sports Management agent also revealed that plans are underway to have some Nigerian players go on trials in European side after a successful scouting event last year in Nigeria.

”Nazifi is one of the players we will be taking for trails from Nigeria. Plans are underway for four more of our boys, if not more to also head out on trials in the coming days”, he concluded.

**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/27/kano-pillars-teen-star-nazifi-yahaya-shuns-club-brugge-begins-training-with-danish-side-brondby/

Flying Eagles Forward Jesse Akila Rejects Big Money Move To Egyptian Side Smouha




Nigeria youth international striker Jesse Akila has sensationally turned down a big money move to Egyptian side Smouha, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Akila was approached by the Egyptian side after the Nigeria U20 friendly game against Egypt, but the 17 year old who is linked with a move to an European side in the summer turned it down.
Smouha were willing to pay a transfer fee in the region of $100,000 with several add ons which could see his total worth rise to over $250,000 , but the money didn’t sway his primary owners GBS Academy to sanction the deal.

Ahmed Ibrahim popularly known as coach Bros, who runs the famous GBS Academy of Jos wasn’t keen on the deal apparently due to interest in the forward from teams based in Europe following his breakthrough season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for MFM FC of Lagos.

Plateau United have secured his signature for the second round of the league bringing an end to his brief stay with the Lagos side after his move before the start of the season from GBS Academy.

”He could be the next big thing to the world from GBS if he keeps working hard. Strong, quick and with an eye for goal. Hopefully he will come good with the Flying Eagles and command a big fee higher than what Smouha were offering”, Owngoalnigeria.com transfer expert Daniel Martins revealed.


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/27/flying-eagles-forward-jesse-akila-rejects-big-money-move-to-egyptian-side-smouha/

Wasiu Alalade Hit Hattrick For Ten Man Flying Eagles In Friendly Win




The Nigeria U20 team continued their preparations for the upcoming Africa U20 World Youth Championship Qualifiers with a dominant 3-0 win over Joseph Yobo Academy of Lagos in a friendly game played earlier today.
Yesterday they thrashed Diamond Academy of Umuahia 3-1 at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, and at the same venue earlier today they put three past the Jos based academy named Box-to-Box despite losing red hot striker Jerome Akor.

Akor was sent off for an off the ball incident, a low from his dominant display in yesterday’s friendly win when he was among the goal scorers. This time around Enyimba forward Wasiu Alalade stole the headline.

Alalade scored a first half hattrick to hand the Flying Eagles another friendly win , which happens to be their fourth win in a row since the back to back friendly games against Egypt.

Coach Paul Aigbogun and the rest of the team will resume training on Monday, and Owngoalnigeria.com exclusively gathered that two friendly games have been lined up as the date for their qualifiers tie against Guinea Bissau draws near.


**Ade Emmanuel

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/27/wasiu-alalade-hit-hattrick-for-ten-man-flying-eagles-in-friendly-win/

Spanish LaLiga Side Villarreal Promotes “Nigerian Robben” Samuel Chukwueze





Highly rated former Nigeria U17 Star Samuel Chukwueze who is now a member of the U20 team has been promoted by Spanish LaLiga side Villarreal.
Chukwueze joined Villarreal officially after turning 18 in May, a news first reported by Owngoalnigeria.com and he was immediately sent to the U19s where his progress will be monitored before elevation through the ranks.

Already he has taken to life with the U19s like a duck to water with dazzling performances which included a hattrick among the six goals he has scored for the team alongside seven assists as well.

His progress hasn’t gone unnoticed hence he has been elevated to Villarreal II who are campaigning in the Spanish Segunda B, and he has already settled down in his new surroundings with two games under his belts so far.

He featured in the 1-1 draw against Sabadell on the 15th of April before making another appearance on the 22nd of April in their game against Badalona which ended 0-0.


As exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com the 18 year old is in the list of foreign based players expected to be called up by coach Paul Aigbogun of the Nigeria U20 to boost the team ahead of their AFCON 2019 Qualifiers against Guinea Bissau
next month.


**Michael James


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/28/spanish-laliga-side-villarreal-promotes-nigerian-robben-samuel-chukwueze/

TheSuperNerd:
Bologna Duo Orji Okonkwo & Kingsley Michael, Villarreal Chukwueze Named In Flying Eagles Foreign Pros List For Guinea Bissau Tie




Coach of the Nigerian U20 team Paul Aigbogun has extended invitation to the foreign based trio of Orji Okonkwo, Kingsley Michael and Samuel Chukwueze , Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The trio are part of the foreign based players called up to beef the Nigerian U20 team ahead of their AFCON 2019 Qualifiers clash against Guinea Bissau next month as Nigeria bid to stage a return to the African youth scene after their failure to qualify for the last tournament.

Okonkwo is expected to beef up the attack of the team following his exploits with Bologna in the Serie A, where he scored three league goals before heading on loan to Serie B side Brescia, while Kingsley made the first team squad last week for their league game against Sampdoria, thanks to his strong performances for the youth team.

Chukwueze is living up to expectations at Villarreal and he is already tipped for rapid progression to the first team if he continue to progress as expected at the club, where he is teammates with his ex U17 colleague Jack Ipalibo.

They are part of the players of the last U20 team that failed to qualify for the last edition of the African Youth Championship who are still eligible to play for the present team.


**Osas Mahawi


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2018/04/23/bologna-duo-orji-okonkwo-kingsley-michael-villarreal-chukwueze-named-in-flying-eagles-foreign-pros-list-for-guinea-bissau-tie/

Now this is what I am talking about.

This trio are alot more matured both in the game and psychologically than they were two years ago under the Amuneke U20.

I hope they are released for the game.

This crop of Flying Eagles will be bad....

No much noise is being made about them yet... But I think we can really put together a very powerful U-20 side with good experience too. They will indeed be bad if all are available abeg....

Icon4s:


Now this is what I am talking about.

This trio are alot more matured both in the game and psychologically than they were two years ago under the Amuneke U20.

I hope they are released for the game.

This crop of Flying Eagles will be bad....

Well done TheSuperNerd. Good updates

The flying Eagles' proposed friendly with Benin is now off and they are now scheduled to take on Katsina Utd in Katsina on Wednesday (May 2) in continuation of their preps.

Source: ScoreNigeria

TheSuperNerd:


No much noise is being made about them yet... But I think we can really put together a very powerful U-20 side with good experience too. They will indeed be bad if all are available abeg....

I like that word good "experience". Though many do not agree but it is very vital at this stage. The U20 is not for academy players but mostly for young professionals with 1-3 years senior professional experience.

I just hope all the invited pros will be available. This team will be Super.

I agree better with you now because even the England U-20 side at the last U-20 WC was a perfect case study. We know all those players and how much experience each commanded... experience is vital and yes it was also the Achilles' heel of Manu Garba's U-20 side- the 2015 debacle- but I also still believe that the team would have at least gotten to the Semis if Manu had played the best we had instead of benching them. Experience is vital at the U-20 grade... so vital infact that it is the single most important ingredient to make an U-20 side dangerous... France U-20 side of 2013 is another case study with Pogba and co.

A good level of Experience is definitely the most vital parameter at U-20 level... but Super Talent is still key too. Super Talent can also be the difference between victory and defeat. Manu's team had fine talents but lacked enough experience... but even when we were crippled in the Experience dept... Manu also crippled us in the talents dept by benching his very best talents. That 2015 debacle still hurts honestly.

Icon4s:


I like that word good "experience". Though many do not agree but it is very vital at this stage. The U20 is not for academy players but mostly for young professionals with 1-3 years senior professional experience.

I just hope all the invited pros will be available. This team will be Super.

Top Dutch prospect Hamdi Akujobi thrilled with Flying Eagles experience


Rotterdam-based forward Hamdi Akujobi has told SCORENigeria he is thrilled with his experience with the Nigeria U20s, the Flying Eagles.
Hamdi, who clocked 18 in January, is the son of one-time Heracles Almelo striker Chika Akujobi.

He has already pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria even though he is also eligible to play for Holland.

“I am really excited to be part of the Flying Eagles squad,” he told SCORENigeria

“It’s a dream come true for me and I’m really honoured to be back in Nigeria training with this great team.
“The players have been great and coach Paul Aigbogun has been a father. I couldn’t have hoped for more.”
This is only his second visit to his father’s native country after he first visited at the age of three.
“Things are a bit different than Holland, the language, the food and the weather, but I’m enjoying every minute here,” he said.
On Friday, the versatile attacking player, who is on the radar of several top clubs in Holland and beyond, got 25 minutes playing time as the Flying Eagles soared past Yobo FC 3-0.
“It was a very physical game, but it went well in the end,” he recounted.
“I had to play smartly to avoid a lot of physical contacts.
“I played as a left winger, I will score myself above average and one of the coaches came around and congratulated me after the game.”


Source: http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2018/04/28/top-dutch-prospect-hamdi-akujobi-thrilled-with-flying-eagles-experience/

TheSuperNerd:
I agree better with you now because even the England U-20 side at the last U-20 WC was a perfect case study. We know all those players and how much experience each commanded... experience is vital and yes it was also the archilles heel of Manu Garba's U-20 side 2015 debacle but I also still believe that the team would have at least gotten to the Semis if Many had played the best we had instead of benching them. Experience is vital at the U-20 grade... so vital infact that it is the single mist important ingredient to make an U-20 side dangerous... France U-20 side of 2013 is another case study with Pogba and co.

A good level of Experience is definitely the most vital parameter at U-20 level... but Super Talent is still key too. Super Talent can also be the difference between victory and defeat. Manu's team had fine talents but lacked enough experience... but even when we were crippled in the Experience dept... Manu also crippled us on the talents dept too by benching his very best talents. That 2015 debacle still hurts honestly.

Yeah, I perfectly agree with you especially with the English and French case. Also on the area of talent without much experience and experience without much talent.

But what I crave for is talent plus experience. We can assemble players with both. That is what makes a very deadly U20 team bro.

I am glad you now understand why I was really worried about the Manu's U20 boys and even more still the Amuneke's U20 boys that were all academy players.

The Manu's U20 boys, could they have overcome Germany in that game if Iheanacho and Yahaya had started? Not sure bro.

TheSuperNerd:
Top Dutch prospect Hamdi Akujobi thrilled with Flying Eagles experience


Rotterdam-based forward Hamdi Akujobi has told SCORENigeria he is thrilled with his experience with the Nigeria U20s, the Flying Eagles.
Hamdi, who clocked 18 in January, is the son of one-time Heracles Almelo striker Chika Akujobi.

He has already pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria even though he is also eligible to play for Holland.

“I am really excited to be part of the Flying Eagles squad,” he told SCORENigeria

“It’s a dream come true for me and I’m really honoured to be back in Nigeria training with this great team.
“The players have been great and coach Paul Aigbogun has been a father. I couldn’t have hoped for more.”
This is only his second visit to his father’s native country after he first visited at the age of three.
“Things are a bit different than Holland, the language, the food and the weather, but I’m enjoying every minute here,” he said.
On Friday, the versatile attacking player, who is on the radar of several top clubs in Holland and beyond, got 25 minutes playing time as the Flying Eagles soared past Yobo FC 3-0.
“It was a very physical game, but it went well in the end,” he recounted.
“I had to play smartly to avoid a lot of physical contacts.
“I played as a left winger, I will score myself above average and one of the coaches came around and congratulated me after the game.”


Source: http://scorenigeria.com.ng/2018/04/28/top-dutch-prospect-hamdi-akujobi-thrilled-with-flying-eagles-experience/

The coach scouting for players all over. Not when you limit your squad to the previous U17 crop.

Way to go.

@Bolded... well let me not dwell on what ifs shaa... it is past and they never got the chance to make us know. But personally I am convinced we would have gotten past Germany with Iheanacho and Yahaya with Success also starting that game. But like I said... it is all in the what if realm.

Icon4s:


Yeah, I perfectly agree with you especially with the English and French case. Also on the area of talent without much experience and experience without much talent.

But what I crave for is talent plus experience. We can assemble players with both. That is what makes a very deadly U20 team bro.

I am glad you now understand why I was really worried about the Manu's U20 boys and even more still the Amuneke's U20 boys that were all academy players.

The Manu's U20 boys, could they have overcome Germany in that game if Iheanacho and Yahaya had started? Not sure bro.

TheSuperNerd:
@Bolded... well let me not dwell on what ifs shaa... it is past and they never got the chance to make us know. But personally I am convinced we would have gotten past Germany with Iheanacho and Yahaya with Success also starting that game. But like I said... it is all in the what if realm.

"What if" realm. Remember that Etebo and Junior Ajayi were supposed to be part of the team but were dropped. So what if they were in the team? Don't you think the team would have also been more deadly?

Icon4s:


"What if" realm. Remember that Etebo and Junior Ajayi were supposed to be part of the team but were dropped. So what if they were in the team? Don't you think the team would have also been more deadly?

Manu Garba messed up by leaving his best players on the bench for whatever reason. The clubless players were starting whilst the foreign based were left on the bench.

tbaba1234:


Manu Garba messed up by leaving his best players on the bench for whatever reason. The clubless players were starting whilst the foreign based were left on the bench.

Who were the clubless players he started?

Icon4s:


Who were the clueless players he started?

Clubless or locally based... Awoniyi, Saviour Godwin, Bulbwa, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi Matthew etc had not secured foreign deals..

Players like Nwakali, Iheanacho, Ezeh, Success, Yahaya, who had joined foreign clubs were mostly benched

tbaba1234:


Clubless or locally based... Awoniyi, Saviour Godwin, Bulbwa, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi Matthew etc had not secured foreign deals..

Players like Nwakali, Iheanacho, Ezeh, Success, Yahaya, who had joined foreign clubs were mostly benched

The only clubless player on that your first list was Awoniyi. The other players were playing senior team football in their respective NPFL clubs.

From the list of players in foreign clubs you listed, the only player that was already playing senior team football was Success. Yahaya as at then was still waiting to clock 18 before signing a professional contract, he was practically clubless because he spent months in Kano while waiting.

Ifeanyi Mathew, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Benerd Bulbwa, Godwin Saviour, and Kingsley Sokari were very strong members of that midfield. They seemed to have offered more than the benchers like: Chidi Nwakali, Akinjide Idowu and Musa Yahaya. Remember some of those players alongside Ndidi were amongst those that failed the MRI. A lot of them would have startets at the U17 WC.

That team was obviously talented but was lacking in Experience.

i think victor osimhen need to be invited to this team if still eligible

enomakos:
i think victor osimhen need to be invited to this team if still eligible

The next year's tournament is for players born on or after January 1st 1999. Osimhen was born on December 29th 1998. So he is just 3 days older.

He will definitely join the U23 party. Other notable players that are eligible for the U23 include: Taiwo Awoniyi, Sadiq Umar, Samuel Kalu, Kelechi Nwakali, Chidozie Awaziem, Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Azubuike Okechukwu, Benerd Bulbwa, Ifeanyi Mathew, Musa Yahaya, Sunday Faleye etc. And of course they will be joined by players who excel from the 2019 U20. Also of course we expect to see some home lads and new players that will spring up in Europe in the next two years. The "Borough borns" will not also be left out.

If most of these players can be available I see us producing strong U20 and U23 teams.

Etebo and Ajayi could have provided some level of experience. But sadly Manu thought otherwise... He had other fine options but still decided to have them benched for "God-knows-what reasons." We were parading a team crippled in the experience dept yet Manu still made us weaker even in the talents dept by benching our finest.

Icon4s:


"What if" realm. Remember that Etebo and Junior Ajayi were supposed to be part of the team but were dropped. So what if they were in the team? Don't you think the team would have also been more deadly?

Icon4s:


The only clubless player on that your first list was Awoniyi. The other players were playing senior team football in their respective NPFL clubs.

From the list of players in foreign clubs you listed, the only player that was already playing senior team football was Success. Yahaya as at then was still waiting to clock 18 before signing a professional contract, he was practically clubless because he spent months in Kano while waiting.

Ifeanyi Mathew, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Benerd Bulbwa, Godwin Saviour, and Kingsley Sokari were very strong members of that midfield. They seemed to have offered more than the benchers like: Chidi Nwakali, Akinjide Idowu and Musa Yahaya. Remember some of those players alongside Ndidi were amongst those that failed the MRI. A lot of them would have startets at the U17 WC.

That team was obviously talented but was lacking in Experience.

Beyond experience, Iheanacho was already making a bit of a name for himself at Man city and was ahead of several players there but was barely given a look. Saviour Godwin was not anywhere near Yahaya or Iheanacho at that point

Bulbwa at that point did not have a club and was not ahead of Yahaya who was already signed by Spurs. Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was not ahead of Nwakali or Idowu.

Experience is one factor but poor selection is another factor.

tbaba1234:


Beyond experience, Iheanacho was already making a bit of a name for himself at Man city and was ahead of several players there but was barely given a look. Saviour Godwin was not anywhere near Yahaya or Iheanacho at that point

Bulbwa at that point did not have a club and was not ahead of Yahaya who was already signed by Spurs. Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was not ahead of Nwakali or Idowu.

Experience is one factor but poor selection is another factor.

The first game against Brazil revealed a lot about Yahaya and Iheanacho.

Manu fell back to players who could give more.

Icon4s:


The first game against Brazil revealed a lot about Yahaya and Iheanacho.

Manu fell back to players who could give more.

That was still our best game in the tournament especially in the first half... Manu just needed to make sure the players understood what he wanted from them.

In the other games, we were grinding out results without playing particularly well..

tbaba1234:


That was still our best game in the tournament especially in the first half... Manu just needed to make sure the players understood what he wanted from them.

In the other games, we were grinding out results without playing particularly well..

What are you talking about?

We won the other group games very comfortably. 4-0 against N. Korea and 2-0 against Hungary.

Iheanacho and Yahaya did not start those games. The defence and midfield were so very compact in those games.

Yahaya and Iheanacho were forward thinking players and never did enough to support the midfield which was largely why we conceded 4goals against Brazil.

Godwin Saviour, Benerd Bulbwa and Kingsley Sokari did excellently well in the midfield in those other 2 games. So why bench them against Germany?

Icon4s:


What are you talking about?

We won the other group games very comfortably. 4-0 against N. Korea and 2-0 against Hungary.

Iheanacho and Yahaya did not start those games. The defence and midfield were so very compact in those games.

Yahaya and Iheanacho were forward thinking players and never did enough to support the midfield which was largely why we conceded 4goals against Brazil.

Godwin Saviour, Benerd Bulbwa and Kingsley Sokari did excellently well in the midfield in those other 2 games. So why bench them against Germany?

North Korea were the weeping boys of the group.. They were beaten 5-1 by Hungary and 3-0 by Brazil...

In the Hungary game, we were not very good for large spells.

Bulbwa and Savior were average offensively, they fell back to defend which appeared to be what Manu was looking for but we lacked penetration and we paid for it when we faced a quality side.