Truidstar:


Oga, you are nothing but a CONFUSIONIST. We had a bad year. We won the U17 back to back under the same leadership, Awcon, qualify easily for Nations cup and Worldcup. So we should all just throw it all away just cause we had a not too great year. Bless the stars people at the top dont reason like you.

I believe godspeed has said what's on my mind. So, no need dragging this issue further.

One more thing, please desist from name calling and behave. I gave an opinion without attacking you. Please behave. If you have an opinion, share without insults. That's why we are here because we learn from each other but if you can't behave, I'll desist from mentioning you henceforth. Good day.

Blueelf:


I believe godspeed has said what's on my mind. So, no need dragging this issue further.

One more thing, please desist from name calling and behave. I gave an opinion without attacking you. Please behave. If you have an opinion, share without insults. That's why we are here because we learn from each other but if you can't behave, I'll desist from mentioning you henceforth. Good day.

i did not insult. i said it as it is. Dont need your mentions.

Komekn, it is unfair to owe a player his wages and treat him like crap because he didn't measure up to par. I'm sure you would raise hell here if it was Ovie , Tammy or Ojo that was treated that way. Rangers and Gerrard were wrong to treat Sadiq that way and I'm sure they'll regret it sooner than later.

Football is business and part of the business is risk. Sadiq not measuring up was as likely as him scoring 50 goals. It was either one or the other and I'm sure they kept that in mind when they loaned him. If a player you loaned isn't measuring up, you send him back to his parent club. No need for maltreatment.

So, stop supporting evil. Okay.....we know today but don't know tomorrow. It could be Tammy's turn tomorrow. This is soccer and it is quite unpredictable

Blueelf:


Apart from his goal, nothing really special here

I think Aribo is a good inclusion but I kind of laugh when people imply he is indispensable. I will like to see him play more against African opponents to get a complete assessment. Without any doubt Aribo has an eye for goal and maybe an edge over Etebor in passing ability but Etebor is a workhorse. I wish Etebor can improve his passing game ,perhaps , that will encourage the coach to push him further where he actually belongs. Etebor and Iwobi are not midfielders.

However, I think playing Etebor and Ndidi is a bad combination because here are two very energetic players who want to contest for a every ball and tackles-duels. This is a problem because there must be a sort of moderator for that midfield to gell. This is why Mikel-Onazi combination worked so well. Its always chaotic whenever you have Ndidi and Etebor playing at the same time. Aribo, on the other hand is much calmer and a natural midfielder unlike a convert like Etebor who started off as an attacker.

OMANBALA1:


I think Aribo is a good inclusion but I kind of laugh when people imply he is indispensable. I will like to see him play more against African opponents to get a complete assessment. Without any doubt Aribo has an eye for goal and maybe an edge over Etebor in passing ability but Etebor is a workhorse. I wish Etebor can improve his passing game ,perhaps , that will encourage the coach to push him further where he actually belongs. Etebor and Iwobi are not midfielders.

However, I think playing Etebor and Ndidi is a bad combination because here are two very energetic players who want to contest for a every ball and tackles-duels. This is a problem because there must be a sort of moderator for that midfield to gell. This is why Mikel-Onazi combination worked so well. Its always chaotic whenever you have Ndidi and Etebor playing at the same time. Aribo, on the other hand is much calmer and a natural midfielder unlike a convert like Etebor who started off as an attacker.

I quite agree with you. However, aribo did quite well against the two African teams he has faced so far. Although, he was quite anonymous in the Lesotho game, I'll attribute his performance to burnout due to starting many games for both club and country.

I would like a 4-3-3 formation with a midfield combo of Ndidi- Aribo-Iwobi. If Eze chhoses to rep us tomorrow, fine but we need more creative guys on the bench and not carpenters.

Please note that I'm not referring to Etebo as a carpenter but I'm not satisfied with having just him as the only reliable CM on the bench

Oh, yes, I forgot we have Ramon Azeez now
My bad. That makes it two reliable CMs on the bench. Not bad

you made a point and also contradicted the same point.

no one told you that aribo is indispensable neither did any said or insinuate that etebo is not needed in the team anymore.

aribo brought something to the team that is lacking in etebo's game which is better passing ability and goal scoring while etebo energetic style of play is still vital to the team which solely depends on the opposition and approach the coach intends to deploy.

if mikel at a point became dispensable in the team i see no reason aribo wont be benched if he doesnt maintain the level and standard he has created for himself since his debut. the beauty of the whole scenario is having a good depth of players which brings competition for shirt and also to replace with ease any important member of the team who is injured or lose form

OMANBALA1:


I think Aribo is a good inclusion but I kind of laugh when people imply he is indispensable. I will like to see him play more against African opponents to get a complete assessment. Without any doubt Aribo has an eye for goal and maybe an edge over Etebor in passing ability but Etebor is a workhorse. I wish Etebor can improve his passing game ,perhaps , that will encourage the coach to push him further where he actually belongs. Etebor and Iwobi are not midfielders.

However, I think playing Etebor and Ndidi is a bad combination because here are two very energetic players who want to contest for a every ball and tackles-duels. This is a problem because there must be a sort of moderator for that midfield to gell. This is why Mikel-Onazi combination worked so well. Its always chaotic whenever you have Ndidi and Etebor playing at the same time. Aribo, on the other hand is much calmer and a natural midfielder unlike a convert like Etebor who started off as an attacker.

Odion Ighalo with a goal from the spot for his club

Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria John Obi Mikel has hailed the impact of Joe Aribo who inherited his number ten shirt in the senior national team of Nigeria following his retirement from international football.

Mikel quit the senior national team of Nigeria after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after leading the team as captain to a third place finish at the tournament. They lost 1-2 in the semi-final to eventual winners Algeria.

Coach Gernot Rohr handed the number ten shirt won by Mikel who inherited it from Austin Okocha to Joe Aribo and the Rangers of Scotland midfielder has so far impressed with two goals to his name from four games for Nigeria.

Aribo according to Mikel only took his shirt number but his playmaker role in the team was inherited by Alex Iwobi right from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

” Congratulations to the team they have done well in my absence although I have always insist that they can cope without me. I like the man who took my number Aribo but many people don’t understand that Alex Iwobi is the player in my role”, Mikel told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Iwobi started playing that role from the 2019 AFCON and I have been impressed with how he has settled in properly. We all know he is a good player so it’s no surprise that he has done well so far”.

Blueelf:
Oh, yes, I forgot we have Ramon Azeez now
My bad. That makes it two reliable CMs on the bench. Not bad

And , yes , with Azzeze pushing for a starting position Etebor really need to up his game. Because 1; he is not a DM and Mikel Agu and Azubike will start ahead of him , 2; Aribo and Azzeze are natural midfielder/CM who are seemingly ahead of Etebor. Etebor need to straighten up, really fast.

Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze says he understands Lille forward Victor Osimhen better than any of his teammate in the senior national team of Nigeria.


The duo combined to score Nigeria’s second goal against Lesotho with Osimhen picking out Chukwueze with a pass which was nodded home by his ex U-17 teammate to put Nigeria ahead for the first time in the game won 4-2 by Nigeria.

Chukwueze’s partnership in attack with Osimhen and Samuel Kalu dominated the headlines in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw against Ukraine in a friendly game but it’s his combination with Osimhen that he believes is the best.

” We are both playing at a level we dreamt about when we first met at the Nigeria U17 camp four years ago. We trained for months and did same again at U20 and now in the Super Eagles. It’s very easy for me to combine with him”, Chukwueze told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” I know how he want his passes and he also know how I want balls either to feet or in space. I really think if there’s any player I can play with eyes closed then it’s Osimhen. On and off the pitch we understand each other really well

charlesemeka85:
Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria John Obi Mikel has hailed the impact of Joe Aribo who inherited his number ten shirt in the senior national team of Nigeria following his retirement from international football.

Mikel quit the senior national team of Nigeria after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after leading the team as captain to a third place finish at the tournament. They lost 1-2 in the semi-final to eventual winners Algeria.

Coach Gernot Rohr handed the number ten shirt won by Mikel who inherited it from Austin Okocha to Joe Aribo and the Rangers of Scotland midfielder has so far impressed with two goals to his name from four games for Nigeria.

Aribo according to Mikel only took his shirt number but his playmaker role in the team was inherited by Alex Iwobi right from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

” Congratulations to the team they have done well in my absence although I have always insist that they can cope without me. I like the man who took my number Aribo but many people don’t understand that Alex Iwobi is the player in my role”, Mikel told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Iwobi started playing that role from the 2019 AFCON and I have been impressed with how he has settled in properly. We all know he is a good player so it’s no surprise that he has done well so far”.

Mikel is different from Aribo.

Mikel is note calm and calculating while Aribo is more of a box to box MF

DID ANYONE SAY HE IS A MIKEL TYPE OF PLAYER?

Blueelf:


Mikel is different from Aribo.

Mikel is note calm and calculating while Aribo is more of a box to box MF

Blueelf:


Mikel is different from Aribo.

Mikel is note calm and calculating while Aribo is more of a box to box MF

Aribo is also calm and calculating

on the bold i'm really surprised how etebo just completely lost his scoring touch. someone who scored goals for fun with the u23s and olympic team. even on his debut (i think) against egypt he popped up with a goal just don't understand why this is so. even if we say it's because of the deeper role etebo plays in midfield Aribo has shown that one can still venture forward.

i'm the more puzzled considering from recent past antecedents he has shown an appetite to get forward yet Obi Mikel who barely gets forward had more goals than etebo during rohr coaching stint

charlesemeka85:
you made a point and also contradicted the same point.

no one told you that aribo is indispensable neither did any said or insinuate that etebo is not needed in the team anymore.

aribo brought something to the team that is lacking in etebo's game which is better passing ability and goal scoring while etebo energetic style of play is still vital to the team which solely depends on the opposition and approach the coach intends to deploy.

if mikel at a point became dispensable in the team i see no reason aribo wont be benched if he doesnt maintain the level and standard he has created for himself since his debut. the beauty of the whole scenario is having a good depth of players which brings competition for shirt and also to replace with ease any important member of the team who is injured or lose form

Midfield hierarchy for SE

Starters:
1 Ndidi
2 Aribo
3 Iwobi

Options:
4 Azeez
5 Agu
6 Azubuike
7 Esiti

Standby:

7 Etebo

Anybody that doesn't like should go and kill himself

agree especially the point you make in your second paragraph about not playing etebo or ndidi together. infact it's no longer breaking news that their combination at the AFCON was why our midfield transitions weren't so smooth which proofed ultimately costly against the algerians. etebo for now should be a backup for ndidi incase of injury or loss of form. both should only be on the pitch at the same time when we want to park the bus

OMANBALA1:


I think Aribo is a good inclusion but I kind of laugh when people imply he is indispensable. I will like to see him play more against African opponents to get a complete assessment. Without any doubt Aribo has an eye for goal and maybe an edge over Etebor in passing ability but Etebor is a workhorse. I wish Etebor can improve his passing game ,perhaps , that will encourage the coach to push him further where he actually belongs. Etebor and Iwobi are not midfielders.

However, I think playing Etebor and Ndidi is a bad combination because here are two very energetic players who want to contest for a every ball and tackles-duels. This is a problem because there must be a sort of moderator for that midfield to gell. This is why Mikel-Onazi combination worked so well. Its always chaotic whenever you have Ndidi and Etebor playing at the same time. Aribo, on the other hand is much calmer and a natural midfielder unlike a convert like Etebor who started off as an attacker.

charlesemeka85:
Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze says he understands Lille forward Victor Osimhen better than any of his teammate in the senior national team of Nigeria.


The duo combined to score Nigeria’s second goal against Lesotho with Osimhen picking out Chukwueze with a pass which was nodded home by his ex U-17 teammate to put Nigeria ahead for the first time in the game won 4-2 by Nigeria.

Chukwueze’s partnership in attack with Osimhen and Samuel Kalu dominated the headlines in Nigeria’s 2-2 draw against Ukraine in a friendly game but it’s his combination with Osimhen that he believes is the best.

” We are both playing at a level we dreamt about when we first met at the Nigeria U17 camp four years ago. We trained for months and did same again at U20 and now in the Super Eagles. It’s very easy for me to combine with him”, Chukwueze told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” I know how he want his passes and he also know how I want balls either to feet or in space. I really think if there’s any player I can play with eyes closed then it’s Osimhen. On and off the pitch we understand each other really well

Excellent partnership! Proud products of our illustrious Youth system.

We only need both of you to keep your heads down and continue working hard to improve on your game.

etebo is most definitely better than numbers 5-7

Eartquake1:
Midfield hierarchy for SE

Starters:
1 Ndidi
2 Aribo
3 Iwobi

Options:
4 Azeez
5 Agu
6 Azubuike
7 Esiti

Standby:

7 Etebo

charlesemeka85:
DID ANYONE SAY HE IS A MIKEL TYPE OF PLAYER?

Oga, no need for the belligerence. I bus pointed out something without any ulterior motive. Papa Aribo

chrisooblog:
etebo is most definitely better than numbers 5-7

Etebor is not a DM...he is a makeshift. Thus , the placing. That's the complex we must remember.

chrisooblog:
etebo is most definitely better than numbers 5-7

What is Agu and Esiti doing there.

They are faculty members in the Carpentry Unit (Nigerian Campus)

Blueelf:


Oga, no need for the belligerence. I bus pointed out something without any ulterior motive. Papa Aribo

You no see as I ignored him.

chrisooblog:
agree especially the point you make in your second paragraph about not playing etebo or ndidi together. infact it's no longer breaking news that their combination at the AFCON was why our midfield transitions weren't so smooth which proofed ultimately costly against the algerians. etebo for now should be a backup for ndidi incase of injury or loss of form. both should only be on the pitch at the same time when we want to park the bus

It will be hard pressed to have Rohr play a non DM in the presence of abundant quality DM.

Blueelf:


Mikel is different from Aribo.

Mikel is note calm and calculating while Aribo is more of a box to box MF

Mikel is NOT calm ? I thought that was his strength

chrisooblog:
etebo is most definitely better than numbers 5-7

Better at what? Atleast Agu and Esiti break up play

OMANBALA1:


Mikel is NOT calm ? I thought that was his strength

I wanted to say Mikel is more calm

It was a typo

yes he's not a DM but other aspects of his game (endless running and harrassing of opponents) fits what we are looking for in that DM role think of him as a poor man's Kante

OMANBALA1:


Etebor is not a DM...he is a makeshift. Thus , the placing. That's the complex we must remember.

Joao Felix has won the Golden boy award.

But I think Haaland deserved it IMO

Esiti is a carpenter player. He is just average or even pure rubush. Alhassan Yusuf should at least be on standby lust

Eartquake1:



Better at what? Atleast Agu and Esiti break up play

which break up play? of the top of your head can you recollect any good performance (not even asking for great) from the duo?

Eartquake1:


Better at what? Atleast Agu and Esiti break up play