iSlayer:
There's an Effiong, Nwoko and Mbong in the Maltese national team. The NFF should go for them, they're all foreign born

iSlayer:
There's an Effiong, Nwoko and Mbong in the Maltese national team. The NFF should go for them, they're all foreign born

charlesemeka85:

charlesemeka85:
Gernot Rohr enjoyed the biggest scoring road win of his time as Nigeria coach as the Super Eagles came from a goal down to beat Lesotho 4-2 in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Maseru on Sunday.

It all came on the back of some sexy frontline chemistry.

Victor Osimhen was the standout player, contributing to all four of the goals as the Eagles negotiated difficult conditions to emerge victorious and open up a two-point lead at the top of the qualifying standings.

What was there to unpack from the game? Lots. Osimhen will dominate the headlines, and deservedly so, for what is possibly a seminal performance for him as an international. And that performance deserves a standalone look.

Here we go, then.

OSIMHEN’S BREAKOUT GAME

Could this be the day that Victor Osimhen finally announces himself to Africa? Perhaps. Nigerians have always known that the youngster possesses bags of talent. His time at Wolfsburg shaped him, Charleroi prepared him and now Lille have given him the Champions League stage express himslef.

In doing that, Osimhen has stepped in excellently to fill the big shoes left by Odion Ighalo. And, this could be heresy now but is entirely within the realms of possibility.

Osimhen has the talent to be one of Nigeria’s greatest ever strikers. He has speed, he has finishing and he has the close control to conjure up magic in the box.

He has two assists on the night, but in truth that should have been at least four. He could have also had a hat trick but for a superb goalkeeping effort.

One could say that this the game that Osimhen finally breaks out as a Super Eagles striker, but that might not be true. He can actually get better. And that should be a scary thought for the rest of the continent.

EAGLES BUILDING CHARACTER

There are different ways that teams react to going behind. Either panic and try to get back in it immediately, opening up to a sucker punch, or staying calm, sticking to the game plan and earning the result.

Nigeria already had enough adversity going into the game. They arrived only on the eve of the match, in order to counter the effects of the altitude, and then had to play on artificial turf, something most players detest. Then of course, there was the partisan crowd cheering on the hosts.

And so when they went behind on 12 minutes, it would have been almost understandable if the Super Eagles had gone for option, try to force things and then leave themselves open to that sucker punch. They did not.

Instead, they stayed calm, they stayed patient and they stuck to the game plan.



SEXY FRONTLINE CHEMISTRY

It may be only Lesotho, but the chemistry between Osimhen, Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi was supremely satisfying to watch.

Each seemed to know where the other was and their constant combination plays with each other left proved to be a constant source of trouble for the Lesotho defense. It was only a matter of time until they combined for a goal.

And when they did, it was loin-stirring chemistry in motion.

But to be fair, the glue that keeps it working in perfect sync is Osimhen. His skill, vision, determination to keep the play going going and positional awareness, not to mention his unselfish attitude is what makes it all look so easy on the eye. For a striker, that is an amazing compliment.

The ball to set up Iwobi came from his never say die spirit to continue to chase after what looked a lost cause.

And his assist for Chuwkueze’s goal was mouthwatering action attraction at its best. The forward, who by then was being double-teamed, peeled away from his markers to receive a punt from Chidozie Awaziem, giving himself time and space to control it with one touch, then heft it into the path of Chukwueze with the second.

The Villareal man, who had seen his teammate receive the ball, was already making the run in behind before Osimhen had finished his first touch and when the ball came to him, he had the awareness to take a leap and head past the advancing goalkeeper.

This is the stuff of dreams.

That combination - which started at the under 17 level - is one to look forward to in the future. Adding Iwobi to the mix, just makes it heavenly. Now imagine Ebere Obi providing an additional body there. My oh my. . .

AINA DESERVES CREDIT

When he was dropped from the 2018 World Cup squad, Ola Aina was devastated. But Rohr assured him he would be back. And how he has stormed back. The former Chelsea man continues to show his versatility either side of defence, be it right back or left back. And once again, he was imperious, as he stepped in for Jamilu Collins, who has looked a shade off kilter the last couple of games.

Aina is a coach’s dream. Apart from being able to slot in at either right or left back, he can also play as a midfielder, giving the coach plenty of options in one body.

His performance has already put regular right back Shehu Abdullahi on notice, Chidozie Awaziem is a centreback deployed at emergency right back. And now, Collins may have to step up his game significantly if he wants to win this and take ownership of that spot for good.

Mujtahida:

Add Anthony Nwakeme and Simy Nwakwo

TheSuperNerd:

....

darkelf:


Nice writeup.

I now understand better the adversities the SE has to face playing other African teams away. I'll go easy on my criticisms henceforth

Mujtahida:

I don laugh tire especially with Nwakeme as Prof

charlesemeka85:
Better for u

OMANBALA1:


Add Kayode, too

sdmtavern:
Alhassan Yusuf is the future of Nigeria's midfield. The kid is not just a good player, he is actually gifted like Mikel in 2005.
Mark my words, he will still displace Aribo and Ramon Azeez in that midfield. Time will prove me right. The Sweedish have allready seen this and want to naturalize him.

TheGoodJoe:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTZDkJ0Rs2U


Mikel plays 100% with his brains. This kid needs to perform at an insane level to be compared to Mikel who shone above the likes of Fabregas, Gago and David Silva in the 2005 WYC.

Wish Yusuf the best.

Danielnino00:


What happened to your "Lion in a small league" proposition?
Or it doesn't apply to the players you dislike??

Starboytwo:
Here is what I'm predicting for osihmen and others

Victor will transfer from Lille, but not this January.... Off course nowhere else we want him but the EPL, maybe for a top eight side( I'm sure he would scatter the league upandan, if Tammy can score 11 goals already, then osi can do like 14)... Let's say he do like 20- goals all season, next thing, MAN U, GBAM


But one thing I'm very sure of is this boys are the new golden generation and they would rule Africa, not once, not twice. .

gamaliel9:
I went to youtube looking for a certain Alhassan Yusuf.. hum....all i saw was ` welcome to barcelona`...i clicked only to see one NIGERIAN TEAM PLAYING CAF FOOTBALL....and then one guy doing his thing......now i went to IFK GOTENBURG..where `our` Alhassan plays...hum again...i saw a movement from the left flank...hum...one black guy was rushing....was rushing...the goalkeeper was equally rushing out....hum.....let me stop there...let me not confuse anyone

Starboytwo:
Here is what I'm predicting for osihmen and others

Victor will transfer from Lille, but not this January.... Off course nowhere else we want him but the EPL, maybe for a top eight side( I'm sure he would scatter the league upandan, if Tammy can score 11 goals already, then osi can do like 14)... Let's say he do like 20- goals all season, next thing, MAN U, GBAM


But one thing I'm very sure of is this boys are the new golden generation and they would rule Africa, not once, not twice. .

Eartquake1:


Alhassan stop wasting time on the internet go back to training

Danielnino00:


I'm assuming that the people he is referring to are the top officials in the NFF and not Nigerians..
Osimhen just had a good season in Belgium while Iheanacho was condemned to the bench..no sane Nigerian opposed Osimhen inclusion in that AFCON squad... it was on this thread that people voiced their displeasure at Iheanacho inclusion in the provisional squad self...
Ironically,Rohr himself told us during the AFCON that he wasn't giving Osimhen and Onyekuru game time at the AFCON because he thought they were lightweight

Starboytwo:
Here is what I'm predicting for osihmen and others

Victor will transfer from Lille, but not this January.... Off course nowhere else we want him but the EPL, maybe for a top eight side( I'm sure he would scatter the league upandan, if Tammy can score 11 goals already, then osi can do like 14)... Let's say he do like 20- goals all season, next thing, MAN U, GBAM


But one thing I'm very sure of is this boys are the new golden generation and they would rule Africa, not once, not twice. .

iSlayer:




Once Dele is on form he'll walk straight back into the team.

Danielnino00:


Kellycute doesn't need to send any screenshot. I remember vividly when u said Solanke was a better striker than Iheanacho... several times U used Solanke to downgrade Iheanacho...

TheGoodJoe:


Let Osimhen avoid the EPL totally. The favouritism there is baffling. He can go there see him benching for one English lad unfairly.

darkelf:

No, he wouldn't bro

maidaboi:
add those in the china team lol

komekn:


Yes he does because l have called him a BLATANT ATTENTION SEEKING SHAMELESS LIAR.

And if you want to jump on his bus do it with substance not with your opinion.

l look at specifics the diction and the context in which it used to get clarity of meaning. I don't use perception. You have vividly remember wrongly.

There are two aspects ; First, Where it is alleged l called him some special talent and implied l wanted him in the SE.

Secondly, where it is alleged once again completely falsely l said Solanke is miles better than KC.

On this thread not one person has been able to substantiate thier self birthed nonsensical false presumptions.

chrisooblog:
lol abi how when solanke was signed from chelsea to liverpool there was hype and celebration

TheGoodJoe:


Let Osimhen avoid the EPL totally. The favouritism there is baffling. He can go there see him benching for one English lad unfairly.

charlesemeka85:
I hope united signs him, he will bang in loads of goal for the team but currently Ed Woodward n solkjear re more interested in norwagian wonder kid haaland.

That boy na another monster in front of goal

charlesemeka85:
With his rugged and robust style of play the Italian Serie A will suit him