Thursday Nuggets (enjoy):

"One day, Jorge Valdano [former player, coach and director at Real Madrid] made me the following reflection, 'At Barcelona the leader is [Lionel] Messi; at Madrid it is [president] Florentino Perez, and the Atletico de Madrid [leader] is [Diego] Simeone," Emery said in quotes that were translated into French on the Culture PSG website.

Unai Emery - PSG Coach

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/sports/guardiola-number-one-city-psg-153501484.html


O pari

Mickael2:




prior to yesterday Roma never conceded a goal at home in the UCL and when you consider that they played against Barca and Madrid and Chelsea that should tell you that you should be laughing at yourself.

by the way let me ask, na Allison be that guy wey misplace the pass that led to the first goal? Na Allison be that tall guy wey head ball give Wijnaldum? I am not sure I get your point if there is any

Honestly speaking, some views expressed here can be too simplistic at times. Allison conceeded a couple of goals and all of a sudden we have an excuse for Uzoho. Sometimes, too much of native intelligence is not good.

Guys like Sergio Rico at Sevilla or Rulli at Sociedad are highly rated keepers who concede a lot. Celta Vigo have a good keeper Alvarez but he concedes loads.

Statistically, keepers are rated by shots saved per game . Keeping a clean sheet is about the general performance of the defenders and defensive midfielders.
The last I checked, Allison had above 80% save percentage and 100% save from shots outside the box. This is an outrageous stats if you ask me.
Before we loose guard of our expectations, I hope Uzoho's stats is close to those numbers.

Read somewhere dt Alloy agu would b in south Africa to train Akpeyi.it shld b d oda way round ..


Olodo dey teach olodo

BascoVanVeli:



Trapp has not been the number one this season and nobody knows Leno outside Germany. I am sure Karius will be getting a look in sooner or later with Germany.

Nobody will know leno because peeps only watch EPL and his team has not being in the champions league,Trapp is a better keeper than Karius

He has not being a much starter for psg recently but was regular for the past 2 season,I am not sure if Karius will get a look for now,even if he get a look he will struggle for 1 cap....... Manuel Nuer,Ter stegen,Leno,Trapp,Neur is injured but karuis will not still go to the world cup despite being a regular for liverpool

Even ulriech of bayern is a good goal keeper forget about the error against madrid.

elyte89:



Aw can a country be so blessed with abundant talent in d gk dept wyle we re struggling with "mediocres" Uzoho,akpeyi,alampasu...c dier names sef

Lol funny you Germany is the country with the best goal keepers follow by the spanish

mazimee:
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/

@bolded.

I mentioned this before..

One of the reasons, Rohr does not fuss about salaries is that he is very comfortable. He owns two hotels and is financially stable with or without the super eagles job.

elyte89:



Aw can a country be so blessed with abundant talent in d gk dept wyle we re struggling with "mediocres" Uzoho,akpeyi,alampasu...c dier names sef

Since I got to know about football, the Germans have always been blessed there.

elyte89:
Read somewhere dt Alloy agu would b in south Africa to train Akpeyi.it shld b d oda way round ..


Olodo dey teach olodo

Alloy Agu was far better than Akpeyi at his prime.

andrew444:


Nobody will know leno because peeps only watch EPL and his team has not being in the champions league,Trapp is a better keeper than Karius

He has not being a much starter for psg recently but was regular for the past 2 season,I am not sure if Karius will get a look for now,even if he get a look he will struggle for 1 cap....... Manuel Nuer,Ter stegen,Leno,Trapp,Neur is injured but karuis will not still go to the world cup despite being a regular for liverpool

Even ulriech of bayern is a good goal keeper forget about the error against madrid.

There is absolutely nothing special about Leno from what I have watched so this high rating kind of shocks me. Trapp lost the number 1 shirt at PSG so that tells us everything we need to know. No matter how we put it Karius is in the Champions league finals and that put above the rest.

BascoVanVeli:


There is absolutely nothing special about Leno from what I have watched so this high rating kind of shocks me. Trapp lost the number 1 shirt at PSG so that tells us everything we need to know. No matter how we put it Karius is in the Champions league finals and that put above the rest.

Leno is rated higher than Karius in Germany. Even with UCL trophy, Karius is still an outsider

BascoVanVeli:


There is absolutely nothing special about Leno from what I have watched so this high rating kind of shocks me. Trapp lost the number 1 shirt at PSG so that tells us everything we need to know. No matter how we put it Karius is in the Champions league finals and that put above the rest.

Leno will not be special because you think football is all about EPL and you don't watch bundesliga,even if karius win the champions league he will not make the German team,take it or leave it

So because trap lost his number 1 shirt he is not good?

Mignloet lost his number 1 shirt to karius and the World know mignolet is better than him.

Karius is starting because klopp bought him and they are both German.

Chrismario:


Leno is rated higher than Karius in Germany. Even with UCL trophy, Karius is still an outsider

Bros help me tell am,once player no dey Epl dem see am as not good enough,because Nigerian watch Epl highly they only see EPL

Iwobi should be subbed in. I feel like he can make a difference for Arsenal

Bolowolowo:
Iwobi should be subbed in. I feel like he can make a difference for Arsenal

Welbeck is having a lot of time to produce shit and draggy part 2.

Oh dear!! Bellerin.... Why was Costa so open?

I no blame u. If Rohr don drop u since u for dey talk so now?

MetalJigsaw:
Echiejile: I’m Focusing On World Cup, Not New Deal With Cercle Brugge
3 May 2, 2018

Elderson Echiejile says that is not thinking about signing a contract extension with Cercle Brugge, but concentrating on being in great form to make Super Eagles final squad to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Echiejile’s six-month loan deal at the Belgian club expires this summer, and he has an offer to extend his stay at the newly promoted top division side, Completesportsnigeria.com gathered.

Cercle Brugge defeated Beerschot Wilrijk 3-1 in March to seal their return to the elite division after three years.

“The World Cup is around the corner and we’ll see what happens next,” Echiejile told Completesportsnigeria.com.

“I haven’t thought about it yet; I have another a year contract with Monaco and I am very happy. I just think about the end of the season and to stay in good shape and form for the World Cup.”

Echiejile played for Turkish side Sivasspor at the start of the 2017/18 season before joining Cercle Brugge in January in search of regular football.

The left-back who missed out on the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil due to injury, has made 53 international appearances for the Super Eagles and scored twice.



https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/echiejile-im-focusing-on-world-cup-not-new-deal-with-cercle-brugge/

Arsenal needs some serious restructuring. This is sad to watch.

Bolowolowo:
Arsenal needs some serious restructuring. This is sad to watch.

they have not been blown away, this is Athletico for goodness sake

Na Salzburg go win this Europa Cup

Joebie:
Na Salzburg go win this Europa Cup

Dem Neva qualify naa,still on extra time

The super eagles bench have local league players that have a better sense of football than Welbeck. that's a plus. tokunbo oniranu

daveP:
The super eagles bench have local league players that have a better sense of football than Welbeck. that's a plus. tokunbo oniranu

honestly welbeck is terrible. several situations where he should have been running into space, he chose to remain static. appalling performance from him.

Joebie:
Na Salzburg go win this Europa Cup

Baba joebie,wetin u go talk now


Abi u sef wan turn to TB JOSHUA

Good as iwobi didn't play ooo. Don't want him risking any injury now. Koscielny is out for 6 months and won't be going to the world Cup. Somebody that just came back not long from injury

Dem go disqualify Masseile. Have faith

elyte89:



Baba joebie,wetin u go talk now


Abi u sef wan turn to TB JOSHUA

Joebie:
Dem go disqualify Masseile. Have faith

if that match was play in nigeria that ref will have go home with broken bones
i support VAR from now on

andrew444:


Leno will not be special because you think football is all about EPL and you don't watch bundesliga,even if karius win the champions league he will not make the German team,take it or leave it

So because trap lost his number 1 shirt he is not good?

Mignloet lost his number 1 shirt to karius and the World know mignolet is better than him.

Karius is starting because klopp bought him and they are both German.

Where did u get what u are saying from? First and foremost I am an FCB fan so all that EPL only talk is bogus. Also I have watched Levakusen multiple times this season and their keeper never caught my eye as a top keeper.

Just last season Kayode Olanrewaju was the best player in the Austrian league that produced this eyes catching Salzburg team but surprisingly his talent is not noticed by 'to whom it may concern' in Nigeria.

Obviously, this Austrian league is good.

I don't think Man City was blind to have bought him as wants us to believe.

Well, I just dey observe.

forgiveness:
Just last season Kayode Olanrewaju was the best player in the Austrian league that produced this eyes catching Salzburg team but surprisingly his talent is not noticed by 'to whom it may concern' in Nigeria.

Obviously, this Austrian league is good.

I don't think Man City were blind to have bought him as wants us to believe.

Well, I just dey observe.

best player abi highest goalscorer

Mickael2:



best player abi highest goalscorer

Both.

Olarenwaju Kayode voted Austrian Bundesliga player of the year

AYODELE

30 MAY 2017
Nigeria’s international Olarewaju Kayode has been voted the best player in the Austrian Bundesliga.

The Austria Wien’s forward has been sensational form this season, finishing as top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga with 17 goals and recording 24 goals in all competitions.

http://www.punchng.com/olarenwaju-kayode-voted-austrian-bundesliga-player-of-the-year/amp/

Francis Uzoho trained with the first team at Depor today.

forgiveness:
Just last season Kayode Olanrewaju was the best player in the Austrian league that produced this eyes catching Salzburg team but surprisingly his talent is not noticed by 'to whom it may concern' in Nigeria.

Obviously, this Austrian league is good.

I don't think Man City was blind to have bought him as wants us to believe.

Well, I just dey observe.

Red Bull Salzburg is miles ahead of any other team in Austria.

Their performance in Europe is not a reflection of the standard of the league.

Just like leipeig in Germany, Red Bull has helped make Salzburg a formidable force in Austria.