Barryseal:


A guy scored 2 goals and assisted one to knock out the current holders of the cup, but it is Chukwueze who deserves the accolades for creating 3 non converted chances. I wonder how missed chances impacts on the result of a football match.

Lol

Oasis007:






Understanding before quoting is becoming rocket science on this Thread. Some of you would only rush-read and jump into conclusion straightaway. Pin point in the Post you quoted where I claimed to have seen his coaching Skills?!

Didn't I give a reason for his Suggestion?! Kindly re-read it again, edit your Response, be more matured and Understanding.

I didn't say you've seen, it's a question I asked, how did you know that Finidi will know better? You guys should cut Rhor some slack he's not been bad, you guys keep making it seem like he's been using Akpeyi as a RB the players he's been using have given a good account of themselves, he's shown he's not afraid to drop non performing players. You people should just quit whining about his tactical proficiency

timay:


So why did u bring up their names

Your response already confirmed that , a winger is more useful as an offensive orchestrator, rather than for his defensive abilities, let the wingers leave defending to the defenders

I dey give you simple example

If you cannot score goals then learn how to defend also ,why won't I bring their names ,or tell me where I take lie ?

A winger wey no dey score or assist goals no dey useful bros

jihday:
I didn't say you've seen, it's a question I asked, how did you know that Finidi will know better? You guys should cut Rhor some slack he's not been bad, you guys keep making it seem like he's been using Akpeyi as a RB the players he's been using have given a good account of themselves, he's shown he's not afraid to drop non performing players. You people should just quit whining about his tactical proficiency

Potassium.

Nigeria's show of character and Ighalo's goals secure AFCON progress


Colin Udoh ESPN

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt -- Three thoughts on Nigeria's 3-2 win against Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.

1. Ighalo leads Nigeria's show of character

As two-goal Odion Ighalo walked off the pitch after being substituted, he took a moment to hit one fist against his palm, indicating to his Nigeria teammates that they must continue to fight. He had done the same thing just before kickoff and again when the Super Eagles went 2-1 down. It was a sign of how far the forward has come and the leadership he brings.

Tapping into reserves of character is something past Nigeria teams have done, but the current group had yet to come back from adversity under Gernot Rohr. That changed on a thrilling Saturday night in Alexandria, when Ighalo scored twice before Alex Iwobi added the winner to see off Cameroon and seal a place in the quarterfinal, where they will face South Africa.

Six days after a shock defeat against Madagascar cost his side top spot in Group B, Rohr restored his regular starters to the line-up and it appeared the instruction was to press high early. Nigeria began with energy, pushing Cameroon back into their half and forcing early errors. After 19 minutes, a free kick led to pandemonium in the Cameroon penalty area and Ighalo pounced.

In the five minutes before half-time, though, two easy goals were gifted to the holders, which meant a gut check was required by the men in green and white. They showed the character required after the break, first withstanding multiple attacks and then, when Ighalo took a chested Ahmed Musa ball in stride and stroked home from close range, drawing level.

Three minutes later, the same combination led to Iwobi slotting under Andre Onana. The remainder of the game brought more examinations, but Nigeria stood resolute, repelling waves of Cameroon pressure to claim victory.

It was a personal triumph for Ighalo, who scored seven times in qualifying, but has since taken plenty of flak from fans, not least for his role in the Madagascar defeat. There were calls for Victor Osimhen to start, but Rohr did not waver from his belief in the abilities of the forward who turned 30 just last week.

And on one of the biggest nights of his career, Ighalo showed why. After an early miss attracted the critics' ire again, he showed a poacher's instinct with both of his goals, first when he reacted quickly to stab past Onana and then, on his second, when he stayed composed to volley home despite Cameroon's claims of offside.

"He is a great striker and I trust him because he scores goals and today, he showed us again what he can do for the team. I like him for his professionalism," Rohr told ESPN after a game in which his faith was rewarded.


Having failed to qualify for the last two Cup of Nations tournaments, NIgeria are two games away from this year's final. Getty
2. Defensive errors persist but Etebo stars again

That the game came close to being lost, despite the fact that the Nigerians controlled it for long periods, was due to a fragility in defence that meant fans could not relax.

Both Cameroon goals were avoidable, but panicked and uncertain play meant pressure was invited from early in the game. Just before the holders equalised through Stephane Bahoken, Kenneth Omeruo mishit a high ball that led to chaos in the penalty area.

Ola Aina looked unsure as he tried to come to grips with the pace and trickery of Christian Bassogog and Clinton Njie, the latter of whom got the better of Aina to score Cameroon's second. There were more hearts-in-mouth moments after Iwobi made it 3-2 -- William Troost-Ekong's hurried clearances did little to bring calm -- and Cameroon will kick themselves for not making more of their chances.

"Like I have said before, we are human beings and we make mistakes," Leon Balogun told ESPN. "Nobody goes out there to play and make mistakes, but we keep doing our best and we work hard to make sure that those mistakes do not happen again."

One player who did much to ensure Nigeria closed the game out was Oghenekaro Etebo. There was concern when the midfielder took a knock midway through the first half, but he had his hip strapped and returned to continue the good work that has made him Nigeria's most influential player -- by some distance -- at this African Cup of Nations.

Ighalo's goals might have won him man of the match, but Etebo's uncompromising attitude and ability to control the tempo of the game was again vital is one they have rode on to three victories. It was evident even when they lost and will be needed if Nigeria are to go beyond the last eight.

3. Rohr's substitutions worthy of questioning?

The Nigeria manager usually leaves his changes until late in games and very often makes switches with which supporters do not agree. His actions in this department during this game were a mixed bag.



He got the first one correct on two counts, bringing on fan favourite Samuel Chukwueze -- sacrificing the defensive attributes of Moses Simon -- with just under an hour played. The impact was immediate; Chukwueze is a harbinger of chaos, with quick feet and an ability to take on defenders that causes constant worry in opponents.

Rohr's second sub -- Paul Onuachu for Ighalo -- fell into the exasperated "oh no, not again" category. The feeling among fans is that Osimhen, or even Henry Onyekuru, would have been better choices to harass a tired Cameroon defence. As if to make that point, Onuachu struggled and there were audible groans each time he gave the ball away.

It was also instructive to see Ahmed Musa screaming to the touchline for Leon Balogun to brought on as the Nigerians tried to see the game out. The defender eventually replaced Iwobi during injury time, which left a feeling that, maybe, Rohr just does not know the right time to change things.

andrew444:

You can't take it away from ighalo

Of course na , the NEPA part was a joke na

Nantes are interested in buying Awaziem permanently but there is also interest in Turkey. Hopefully, he overlooks money and does the right thing.

Cameroon has caused Nigeria some deep pain. The younger folks will not understand the satisfaction, every time we beat them..

Oasis007:
Late Stephen Keshi passing tactical Instructions to Musa on the Touchline. The Pic depicts a Gaffer following a Match tactically and not banking solely on Luck Grits to win.

May his Soul keep resting in perfect peace.

so wettin happen during afcon qualifier

tbaba1234:
Nantes are interested in buying Awaziem permanently but there is also interest in Turkey. Hopefully, he overlooks money and does the right thing.

I hope so too. We need our players in good leagues as good as possible, so as to help their development

timay:


Of course na , the NEPA part was a joke na

Lols

Bunique:


so wettin happen during afcon qualifier

Hailing late Keshi is also a Sub at Rohr too?!

andrew444:


Lol

I just tire guy .. They keep clamouring for onyekuru and osihemen as if they are super stars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUEFARVoZU

Behind the scenes Super eagles celebration after Cameroon win

timay:


I hope so too. We need our players in good leagues as good as possible, so as to help their development

Can't Nigeria develop its own league? Why do Africans have to rely on western countries. What was the point of getting independence?
Sorry for my venting.

andrew444:


The guy no lie ,not that chuks did badly ,abi no be the same match wey I watch ?

Most people here don't want to give credit to ighalo ,person score 2 goals na the one wey no score anything dem dey praise

Smh

I wonder wetin Ighalo do them
the day Madagascar beat us some persons were blaming Ighalo he scored two goals and an assist
and some persons are praising chukwueze?

Barryseal:


A guy scored 2 goals and assisted one to knock out the current holders of the cup, but it is Chukwueze who deserves the accolades for creating 3 non converted chances. I wonder how missed chances impacts on the result of a football match.

Free my people abeg, let them enjoy themselves haha....

This kinda whining is definitely better than Gustav25 and family own...

I ain't a Fan of Ighalo, but trying to rob him of the Accolades he deserved; for his immense Contributions yesterday is uncalled-for and unfair.

I was even praying for him to bag Hattrick, but Luck wasn't on his Side to walk away with Match Day Ball.

I pray he maintains the momentum in the subsequent Matches.

Ighalo has been heavily criticized so he should be praised now that he is producing the goods.

Great to see him come good. He is in rich form so he deserves to start games. A confident player is a dangerous player.

I love the fact that he was motivating the boys when he was getting subbed.

If he keeps up the form and Nigeria go all the way, Ighalo will be the player of the tournament.

If VAR was used Yesterday, Ighalo would have walked away with Match Day Ball.

many fans on this thread hate Rohr not necessarily because of the way we play but because of some of their favourite players not featured by Rohr.
It bagan with Shehu against Ebuehi. Shehu is arguably the most criticised play here irrespective of the team performance Shehu would always be singled out for criticism, up till now the hatred for Shehu is still there.
I am sure if it was Shehu that allowed Bassagog make that cross for Cameroon's equalizer this thread would have been filled with condemnation. I can even recall the panic clearance by Awaziem that landed on the chest of a Cameroon player ThankGod for the poor control.
I am not trying to compare or criticize any player but just to point out the obvious hypocrisy on this thread.

Oasis007:
If VAR was used Yesterday, Ighalo would have walked away with Match Day Ball.

If VAR was used, ighalo's second goal might have been cancelled for offside

Toylove:

If VAR was used, ighalo's second goal might have been cancelled for offside

It was not offside though..

tbaba1234:
Ighalo has been heavily criticized so he should be praised now that he is producing the goods.

Great to see him come good. He is in rich form so he deserves to start games. A confident player is a dangerous player.

I love the fact that he was motivating the boys when he was getting subbed.

If he keeps up the form and Nigeria go all the way, Ighalo will be the player of the tournament.

Agreed without reservation

tbaba1234:


It was not offside though..

Did u watch the women world cup?
Goals were ruled out cos 0.0005meters offside

Toylove:

Did u watch the women world cup?
Goals were ruled out cos 0.0005meters offside

True.

Toylove:

If VAR was used, ighalo's second goal might have been cancelled for offside

He wasn't off Bruh!

Oasis007:


Hailing late Keshi is also a Sub at Rohr too?!

No. but the post was a subtle dig at Rohr

Bunique:


No. but the post was a subtle dig at Rohr

I am not responsible for your understanding or interpretation Bruh.

tbaba1234:
Ighalo has been heavily criticized so he should be praised now that he is producing the goods.

Great to see him come good. He is in rich form so he deserves to start games. A confident player is a dangerous player.

I love the fact that he was motivating the boys when he was getting subbed.

If he keeps up the form and Nigeria go all the way, Ighalo will be the player of the tournament.

Ighalo is one of the leaders in this team who the younger ones look up to. The guy is also the captain of his club, so leadership is not alien to him.
He has done enough to earn the fans respect and yes, he's in the running for being named player of the tournament/ top scorer of the tournament. Emenike got 4 to emerge top scorer the last time. Ighalo can easily score 2 more to tie with Yekini.

Eseose9:


I wonder wetin Ighalo do them
the day Madagascar beat us some persons were blaming Ighalo he scored two goals and an assist
and some persons are praising chukwueze?

Some players dont just jell with the fans.

Me I don't know what some of you are quarreling about sha.

All I know is, we were a goal down, Chukwueze came on, amd within minutes of his introduction, we were two goals up.

The only game we have lost, Chukwueze no play at all.

Others have already explained the tactical aspect of his inclusion