Super Eagles chief coach Gernot Rohr, has released his 24-man list of players to prosecute the double-header 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone later this month.
As earlier reported by Complete Sports on Wednesday, the trio of forwards, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Kalu have been called up by Rohr for the two matches.
Nigeria host Sierra Leone at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Friday, March 27 before flying to Freetown to confront the Stars at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in the return leg four days later.
Complete Sports’ OLUYEMI OGUNSEYIN takes a good look at each of the 24 players that have been invited and also their form at their respective club-sides so far during the 2019/20 season.
GOALKEEPERS:
Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, S/Africa)
Date of birth/Age: Aug 3, 1986 (33)
Caps/Goals: 16/0
Daniel Akpeyi has bounced back in style after his unimpressive display at the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt where Nigeria finished third particularly with an error against Algeria in the semi-final which saw Riyad Mahrez score a late free-kick.
Akpeyi has been in impressive form for Kaizer Chiefs this season, keeping nine clean-sheets in 18 appearances to help his club stay on top of the South African Soccer Premier League standings.
Also Read: Nigeria, Netherlands Woo Zirkzee; Hanegem Pushes For Bayern Boy’s Oranje Bow
However, the 33-year-old made a costly error against Maritzburg United in a recent league encounter which saw Chiefs lose 2-1 that led to another round of criticism from pundits.
But Akpeyi pulled off a string of stunning saves to contribute to a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday and was ultimately named the man of the match as well.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland, Nigeria)
Date of birth/Age: Oct 16, 1988 (31)
Caps/Goals: 19/0
Ikechukwu Ezenwa has never really been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles as he has always had to play second fiddle but going into next month’s AFCON qualifiers, he is doing well.
The 31-year-old has also seemingly disclosed his readiness for the two games against Sierra Leone with his performances for Heartland in recent times which has seen him keep six clean-sheets in ten matches.
Ezenwa said: “Six clean sheets out of ten matches is unbelievable, It gives me a lot of confidence going into the National team camp. I know it is not always easy but it is always great to go into the Super Eagles camp while in top form.”
Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)
Date of birth/Age: Aug 28, 1999 (20)
Caps/Goals: 1/0
Maduka Okoye gives Nigeria a glimmer of hope as he has been promoted to the senior team of Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundesliga from Fortuna Dusseldorf II in the German Regionalliga West.
Okoye who made his national team debut when the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Brazil in a friendly last year has made 13 German Regionalliga West appearances for Fortuna this season from which he has only one clean-sheet while conceding 26 goals.
The 20-year-old was, however, last in goal in a German Regionalliga West encounter which saw Fortuna play out a 2-2 draw with Bonner SC at the Sportpark Nord on 26 January, 2020.
DEFENDERS:
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain)
Date of birth/Age: Oct 17, 1993 (26)
Caps/Goals: 50/1
Kenneth Omeruo is an African Cup of Nations winner, having achieved that feat with the Super Eagles back in South Africa in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi. The former Chelsea defender has been consistent ever since joining Leganes in 2018.
So far during the 2019/20 season, Omeruo has started all of his 18 La Liga games in the colours of the Cucumber Growers with one goal and five yellow cards in his record.
William Troost-Ekong (Udinese, Italy)
Date of birth/Age: Sep 1, 1993 (26)
Caps/Goals: 39/2
William Troost-Ekong is such a strong character in the Super Eagles’ heart of defence and ever since emerging as the deputy skipper to Ahmed Musa, the Dutch-born central defender has developed his game at both club and national team levels.
So far this season, the Dutch-born Troost-Ekong has made 22 starts in all of his 22 Italian Serie A appearances for Udinese with eight clean-sheets to his credit.
Jamilu Collins (Paderborn, Germany)
Date of birth/Age: Aug 5, 1994 (25)
Caps/Goals: 13/0
Jamilu Collins has been a regular for both Nigeria and club, Paderborn so far this season. The Kaduna-born player has been a regular starter for Paderborn after playing 20 Bundesliga games this term with a goal and two assists to his name.
The left-back made a return to the starting XI after missing the 3-2 loss against Bayern Munich more than a week ago through injury but could do little to prevent Paderborn from going down 2-0 away at Mainz 05 last Saturday.
Ola Aina (Torino, Italy)
Date of birth/Age: Oct 8, 1996 (23)
Caps/Goals: 14/0
Ever since making a departure from Chelsea in the summer of 2018, Ola Aina has grown in leaps and bounds as the versatile defensive player has been a regular member of Torino’s starting eleven as he always churns out good performances.
Aina has so far made 15 starts in 20 Italian Serie A appearances for Torino with a hugely disappointing number of just four clean-sheets to his credit.
Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England)
Date of birth/Age: Jun 28, 1988 (31)
Caps/Goals: 31/0
Leon Balogun has rediscovered himself since leaving parent club, Brighton & Hove Albion for Wigan Athletic during the winter transfer window in January with the defender playing regularly.
Wigan have not lost a game when Balogun played and last Saturday, the Latics extended their unbeaten run in that time to five, keeping three clean-sheets while stunning the Championship leaders, West Brom 1-0 at the Hawthorns.
Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain)
Date of birth/Age: Jan 1, 1997 (23)
Caps/Goals: 12/1
Chidozie Awaziem who currently plays on loan at CD Leganes from parent club, FC Porto of Portugal is such a reliable defender and he showed that during the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt with some commanding displays.
So far during the 2019/20 season, Awaziem has made 15 starts in 17 La Liga games in the colours of the Cucumber Growers with four clean-sheets to show for his effort.
Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)
Date of birth/Age: Nov 9, 1993 (26)
Caps/Goals: 9/0
Semi Ajayi popularly known as Semi Ajayi has so far shone like a million stars at West Bromwich Albion this season despite only joining the Baggies during the summer transfer window.
In 34 SkyBet Championship appearances for the Baggies this season, the versatile Ajayi has scored five goals, kept nine clean-sheets, picked up five cautions and a red card.
Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Cologne, Germany)
Date of birth/Age: May 25, 1995 (24)
Caps/Goals: 0/0
Kingsley Ehizibue who was born in Munich, Germany to Nigerian parents moved to the Netherlands at two years of age, growing up in Zwolle, has announced himself to the football world with FC Cologne.
Ehizibue plays as a right full-back for his German club and this season, the youngster has made 20 starts in 21 Bundesliga appearances for Cologne, scoring once and making an assist.
MIDFIELDERS:
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
Date of birth/Age: Dec 16, 1996 (23)
Caps/Goals: 34/0
Since joining Leicester City in January 2017, Wilfred Ndidi has developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the whole of England and this has seen him emerge as the best Premier League tackler for two seasons in a row.
Despite his injuries so far this season, Ndidi is still very much relied upon, having played 22 Premier League matches from which he has two goals, one assist and three yellow cards. Overall, he has played 26 games this season.
Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)
Date of birth/Age: Mar 12, 1993 (26)
Caps/Goals: 27/0
Abdullahi Shehu has been showing his versatility in recent times with the natural right full-back having been moved into the midfield position at his Turkish club, Bursaspor FC.
Shehu recently played his 50th game for Bursaspor against Altay SK since joining the club from Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus. He has three goals in the league which is his best goal return in a single-season for a European club.
Oghenekaro Etebo (Getafe FC, Spain)
Date of birth/Age: Nov 9, 1995 (24)
Caps/Goals: 31/2
Oghenekaro Etebo has not really shone at Getafe and it is quite a surprise that the midfielder got a call-up at all from manager, Gernot Rohr to play for the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone.
Since joining the Azulones on loan from Stoke City in January, the 24-year-old has made six appearances, five in the league and one in the Copa del Rey without scoring or even making an assist.
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Date of birth/Age: Jul 21, 1996 (23)
Caps/Goals: 4/2
Joe Aribo has so far shone for the Nigerian national team after finding the back of the net on two occasions in just four appearances for the Super Eagles in the year 2019.
Aribo has hit the back of the net an impressive nine times in 45 games across all competitions in his debut season for Rangers in Scotland. He also has eight assists.
Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)
Date of birth/Age: Dec 12, 1992 (27)
Caps/Goals: 6/0
Ramon Azeez’s performances for Granada so far during the 2019/20 campaign are enough to earn the former Nigerian youth international yet another call-up to the Super Eagles under Rohr.
Azeez has scored two times in 17 La Liga appearances for Granada so far this season, including once in a shock 2-0 win over Barcelona last year September.
FORWARDS:
Ahmed Musa (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Date of birth/Age: Oct 14, 1992 (27)
Caps/Goals: 87/15
Skipper and one of the most senior members of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa has seen it all in football. He is a proud winner of the African Cup of Nations while he is also the highest-scoring Nigerian player at the FIFA World Cup with four goals.
Musa has four assists in 15 league appearances while in 20 games in all competitions this season, he has two goals for Al Nassr with both coming in four matches in the King Cup.
Alex Iwobi (Everton, England)
Date of birth/Age: May 3, 1996 (23)
Caps/Goals: 38/6
After leaving Arsenal in the summer transfer window, a whole lot of Nigerians felt Alex Iwobi’s game will drop at Everton which is seen as a lesser club but Austin Okocha’s nephew has shown that he is a born footballer.
The Super Eagles winger has netted only once in 18 Premier League appearances for the Toffees while he has two goals and an assist in 22 matches across all competitions.
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)
Date of birth/Age: May 22, 1999 (20)
Caps/Goals: 12/2
Samuel Chukwueze has matured into one of the best wingers in Spain particularly with his electrifying pace and in recent times, he has had numerous transfer links to top clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Sevilla and Real Madrid.
So far during the 2019/20 season, the 20-year-old has netted three times and rendered as many assists after making 25 Spanish top-flight appearances for the Yellow Submarine.
Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux, France)
Date of birth/Age: Aug 26, 1997 (22)
Caps/Goals: 12/2
Samuel Kalu is the most skillful player in the Super Eagles at this very moment and the attacker also shoots with boot feet. He is also good at dead ball situations. Although, his form has stuttered in recent times, he will certainly bounce back.
The 22-year-old has been in and out of the Bordeaux squad this season because of injury, featuring in 19 league games, starting 14, netting just once and making an assist.
Victor Osimhen (Lille, France)
Date of birth/Age: Dec 29, 1998 (21)
Caps/Goals: 8/4
Victor Osimhen has been in the form of his life since joining Lille from Sporting Charleroi of Belgium last summer, netting 18 goals and making six assists in 37 games in all competitions. He is also the Super Eagles first-choice striker.
The 21-year-old is also leading the Super Eagles’s charge in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers having now scored three goals and rendered two assists in only two matches.
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France)
Date of birth/Age: Jul 12, 1995 (24)
Caps/Goals: 30/5
In all competitions so far this season, Moses Simon has hit the back of the net on nine occasions while setting up eight other goals in 29 appearances for Nantes where he is currently on loan from Levante of Spain.
Cyriel Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands)
Date of birth/Age: Dec 8, 1994 (25)
Caps/Goals: 0/0
Belgian-born Dessers who is the current leading scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals in 25 games for Heracles Almelo is now set to realize his dream of playing Nigeria, having attracted interest from both nations.
Currently sitting atop the Dutch scoring charts, the 25-year-old provides an intriguing option in attack for the Nigeria national team whose point-man is Lille forward, Victor Osimhen who will now get a serious competition.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
Date of birth/Age: Oct 3, 1996 (23)
Caps/Goals: 23/7
Kelechi Iheanacho has rediscovered himself with the Leicester City attacker now getting game time on a regular basis for his English Premier League club so far during the 2019/20 season after falling out of favour last term.
The 23-year-old who is earning a recall to the Super Eagles after a long time out has three goals and four assists in eleven Premier League appearances this season while he has eight goals in 16 games across all competitions.
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31 Comments
Nice one @CSN.
u did well, but which of the iwobi u are talking about? iwobi that has drop to square1. iwobi that cant dribble again. and usually shoot ball 5yrs child. no wonder he is scorin goals na. 10goals and 10assists this season, iwobi that confused when ball at feet. offensive midfielder with just 1goal and assist. what kind of offensive he be.
Stop that iwobi is still valuable even when off form!
_ Can we actually beat Sierra Leone? _
Super Eagles face Sierra Leone in a two-legged qualifier later this month with a squad list that will be the envy of any African country.
From French league trailblazer Osihmen to the toast of the town in the South African league in the way of a resurging Daniel Akpeyi, the quality of the list released by Rohr can be regarded as an overkill considering the opposition but, I am not complaining.
The Leone Star, who have only won 1 out of their last 5 competitive fixtures (according to wiki), will be looking to cause a major upset against their more illustrious and (now) high calibre players who have been drawn from highly reputable clubs in leagues in Europe, South Africa and Nigeria.
According to 11v11, we have met the Sierra Leoneans 14 times with 9 ending in victories, 2 losses whilst the spoils were shared 2 times.
The Leone Stars will draw inspiration from the last time they won us, citing the fact that the squad was a high quality one.
The year was 2001 and the coach was Jo Bonfrere whose squad that included Yobo, Yakubu, Okocha, Finidi, Aghaowa, West, Udeze, Oliseh and Idah fell to a Sidique Mansaray solitary goal on 21 April 2001 in a crucial World Cup qualifier. 1:0 it ended in their favour.
Where is Okocha? I hear the Sierra Leoneans ask. Have they ever replaced Aghaowa? Is Ndidi an Oliseh? Has Gernot Rohr won for them Olympic gold? Can Chukwueze ever reach the heights of Finidi George?
If we can beat them in 2001, we sure can beat them now!
And my answer to that is: WRONG!
The Super Eagles are currently unbeaten in 4 competitive matches. Some of those have been against heavyweights Brazil and Ukraine.
This squad of players are exciting, dynamic, resourceful, hungry, determined and focused. I am taking nothing away from the Sierra Leoneans when I say that I expect nothing but maximum of 6 points across the both legs against a team ranked 116 by FIFA.
Am I being arrogant? I guess so, but I will indulge myself. 🙂
***Record against Sierra Leone: 9 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses ***.
My old friend Deo, glad to hear your thoughts on this issue.
My dear Deo, can you give me a minute out of your time?
You has some tangible points in your write up but let look at it this way.
(No1) We have a good squad exception of goalkeeping department as far as I am concerned but I thank God that Yobo is with the team now.
(No2) the technicalility of the Super Eagles coaches are not that good to face an organized team in Africa or outside the continent
Deo my lovely friend, did you watch our last Afcon match that Nigeria eventually won? Did you see how our opponent took the game to us?
God, experience and exposure of our team plus luck won us the game.
This is the reason why I’m happy Imama is not part of the team and let’s see what Yobo can do differently this time around.
Hmmm, Deo baba, don’t be deceived by that list. Football is all about 11 vs 11 on the pitch of play.
If you do, Brazil would have destroyed our team last year but if to say our coaches smart enough in that match, Nigeria would have won the match.
Yes, we are getting there. We can say we are having a team but can the coaches of the team select his first 11 based on the current form? I don’t think so.
Is it about having a good or decent squad without knowing what to do with the team or
Having a good team with better understanding of the game as a coach?
My point here is that, you knew how coach Rohr does his things and for you to be talking like this should be a big concerned.
Some times, instead of coach Rohr to attack his opponents, he defended.
Instead of coach Rohr to search for more young goalkeepers but he’s satisfied with what he have and you are celebrating like this? Ah, well.
If we beat S/Leone in both two legs, it shouldn’t be a news but if they beat us that day then, that is going to be a big news.
I appreciate coach Rohr efforts and I hope the introduction of Yobo would have a good impact on coach Rohr and his team.
For now, let’s be cautioned because football is not mathematics. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja my brother, thanks for reaching out. I trust you are keeping well.
I guess you know this saying: you may please some of the people some of the time, you may even please most of the people most of the time. But you most definitely cannot please all of the people all of the time.
No matter list of players that Rohr releases, it is impossible for him to please everybody.
The players in this list are good. Rohr is a good coach.
Can the list be better? Yes.
Can Rohr be better? Yes.
Can you and I be better as human beings? Yes.
So, let’s make the best of what we have and throw our support behind our national team to get positive results from upcoming assignments.
Stay blessed bro. One love.
Amen. You as well padimi. This is why you are one of my best friends on this platform.
I’m really satisfied with your response.
I hope others will learn from this our conversation.
Deo, hmmmm, it shall be well with you.
Chai, Deo, I love you too much.
Wisdom and understanding will never departs from you.
People should stop abusing each another on this forum.
We can make our points without abusing anyone now.
Hmmm…. Deo, pardon me to quote section 419B of my constitution in this conversation.
“Together we stand, divided we fall”. One love my man. God bless us all. Ire o.
God bless Nigeria!!!
_Iwobi_
I actually agree with you @Chima. It would appear that we have 2 versions of Iwobi: one that delights Super Eagles fans the other that has been less than delightful all round for Everton in the English Premier League.
Everton fans would surely have expected more than 1 goal and 0 assist in 21 games in the league for a £28.8 million rated player (in 15 of those games, he was played as either a right or left winger).
That is shocking!
However, as a Super Eagles fan, we can have no complaints. In his last 8 matches, Iwobi has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in Super Eagles colours.
Now,that is pretty good.
Iwobi is at home playing for the Super Eagles. I guess he is one of those players whose output for the national team does not reflect how he is playing (particularly) at club level.
So,whilst I am happy as a Super Eagles fan for his output for us, I think Everton fans would demand more.
I would love to play the devil’s advocate;
Methinks Iwobi is a victim of his own ability and charisma.
Iwobi is one that follows the instructions of his coach to the teeth. And his ability to play different roles in the forward line as actually turned him to a master of None;especially at the clubsides.
He is always sacrificed to play a role not necessarily suited to him but due to the fact that he can multi task and the coach believes he would always keep to instructions.
that in the long run has affected his style of play.
He mostly comes as a figure cut within two minds when with the ball and due to that, doesn’t really do much with it.
In his Arsenal days, he played as a 10, left winger, right winger, behind the striker, so never really held down a role.
In Everton he has been used all across the forward line and the midfield, with defensive responsibility in addition.
But all these changes in the Super Eagles.
He is given just a major role. More as the l as the man with the role to steer the offense of the team. Although, he is expected to be awake to his defensive duties but not necessarily a must,rather as a supporting act when he has to.
So he enjoys a bit of freedom in the Super Eagles thereby bringing in a bit of positive results.
We can only hope he continues to perform for the Eagles and hopefully sometime sooner than later, the real Alex Iwobi stands up in his clubside.
As you say, Mr Hush, hopefully the stability he enjoys with the Super Eagles in the way of where he plays (attacking midfield) continues to bring out the best of him in national colours.
There has to be a correlation with your submission and Iwobi’s goals-to-games ratio for the Super Eagles because I can’t think of any other way to explain it.
Like I said earlier, with my Super Eagles fan cap on, I am not complaining. But in club football, Everton fans will surely want a more bumper return on their investment.
@Deo
Iwobi’s performance for the Eagles would always justify your belief in his ability as regards his positive return ratio.
The correlation is always in facts and not mere hypothesis.
you would agree with me that even without an assist or a goal in most Super Eagles matches, Iwobi’s all round match work ethic is justifiably 60 – 70 percent positive.
He is always involved or trying to get involved in one or way or the other. He is doesn’t shy away from the ball;more like Bruno Fernandes recent attitude for Manchester United.
That’s what Iwobi always brings to the Super Eagles.
Yes he isn’t really great as a 10 but he is always an enabler.
His understanding with his team mates is good which helps in most of our counter attacks.
The spread when we counter is always even more wonderful with Iwobi in the mix. The opponent is always left unbalanced.
So I am not just talking with my fan’s cap on, I am talking as a logical football fan.
Do I expect more from Iwobi;that would be good. We all expect more from our players;if they are able to produce it. Sometimes, we should understand they do give all but could be limited by a lot as well.
As for him and Everton, I believe the normal British fan thinks per second. They are mostly a fan if things are going right and could turn on you in the nearest second if things go bad. The Arsenal fan never cherished Iwobi while he was there but just recently when Everton visited , he is given a round of applause. Then they realised how good a servant he was to them.
I believe before Iwobi’s time in Everton is over,he would justify his sum. He is not a bad player. He is good. He just need to keep doing his job.
Iwobi is almost like jayjay interms of creativity the problem he is passing through with club is same reason jayjay left PSG and never played with a Big Club. This reason is they cant play as a follower in the field . Though they can play but cant reach their potential as expected. For iwobi to perform good he must be the dictator of the game.just like in the eagles team. The players trust him and are quick to give him the ball and he flows smoothly. But with everton there is this distrust same with arsenal. they never gave him the comand of the game and he is born a commander not a follower. Same case with debrone and cotinho, and rodriguez and chelsea williams. As for shooting with time iwobi will get it right. Its a tipical african problem on comes after series of trying i remember roberto mancini once said obafemi martins needs the right boot on is left foot and left boot on the right to be able to shoot acurately but with time martins became a very powerful shooter. I will never stop loving iwobi
These is the voice/ write up of someone that knows and understands the working of football. Nice one @ Hush. Keep up the good work. I have decided to not even bother reply anyone concerning such gift to SE, Alexander D king Iwobi. because I do ask myself, is it worth wasting my precious time? Definitely not n that gets emphasized by every manager counting on Iwobis service. He is just come back from injury, reason Ancellotti is getting cautious regarding throwing him into the deep end. People like you @Hush, Aphyllidgreat, Drey, Pompeii, Greenturf, Oakfield, Chima n few others here, are the reason I still bother to spend time on this forum.
@ Glory
Respect.
Keep sharing your thoughts.
It is always nice to counter when necessary.
From constructive arguments,thoughts and opinion , things are learned, solution are produced and problems are solved.
Knowledge is always subjective, unlimited but time sticks to facts.
Even if someone’s naivety or arrogance comes to play; that shouldn’t stop us from sharing thoughts.
You never know who might need it.and even in arrogance,fools understands pain.
After all, in one way or the other, we are all naive in a subject matter. Knowledge is not only for naive but even more for the wise.
My salutations to you and to the CS forum.
Bro you go school.
@Goal
Lol..
I hail..
Hi Mr Hush,
Thanks for your submission above. I would always view Iwobi from 2 lenses: one as a Super Eagles fan and secondly from the perspective of club football.
Put aside goals to games ratio, even put aside assists syats. One thing is a constant variable in Iwobi’s performances for club and country is his work ethics.
You can criticise aspects of Iwobi’s game, you can go as far as saying that he is not a complete number 10 but one thing is undeniable: Iwobi is a consummate professional who is hard working and committed, whether it be club football or national football.
At any point in time, I could either by talking about club football or national team football.
As far as national team football is concerned, Iwobi is more than ‘hard working’. He has proven to be reliable and effective for most parts which is why I will say (for the umpteenth time), I am not complaining as a Super Eagles fan.
If we are talking about club football, I think Everton fans want more than he is currently delivering. But, it is just his first season. As – I think you are alluding to – he might yet up his game for them in the coming seasons.
Back to me as a Super Eagles fan. All I can hope for is that his levels of hunger, dedication, passion, desire and drive do not wane in seasons to come.
Although he can be better, He is currently doing well for us.
@Deo
Totally agree.
Couldn’t have stated it better.
iwobi is the only weaken point in super eagle. de dude cant open defence jare.
Alex Iwobi is a very gifted and intelligent player !!!
He is a typical example of players like Jon obi mikel, Samson Saussure and Late Thompson Oliah !!!
Players of such sheer talents can successful fit into many roles… they are always a great source of assets to any coach !!!
They are rare gem… !!
I can allude to that fact that iwobi has not really been up to scratch for his club side but to say his performance in the green and white Jersey of nigeria is questionable, then that summation I will say his falsehood. Iwobi is the heartbeat of this new found form of this present super eagles. The tiki taka game, the transition to the final third, the speed and the panache we see in the attack boils down to the rhythm and iwobi good interpretation acumen of rohrs tactics. No wonder the Brazil coach said, you mark out iwobi, then you render the attackers none effective.
Thanks Mr Hush, if you go back to the genesis of my submission on this matter today,it started with me agreeing with Chima E Samuel that Iwobi performs well in national team colours even if his performance is off-colour in club football.
We celebrate our footballers like Osihmen, Ndidi and Cyriel Dessers when their stats in club football makes for very good reading.
Iwobi’s stats at the moment for Everton “can be better”,to put it mildly.
But (yet again) as a Super Eagles supporter, I am satisfied with his performances (for most parts).
Most of you guys are correct, Iwobi just coming back from a long layoff agreed, but is game is not improving, maybe we are expecting too much from him, like someone rightly said, Iwobi is playing too much to the coaches instructions he needs to express himself more and show more confidence on the field. Ejike and Saka if the later agreed to play for Naija seriously waiting on the wings ready to grab jersey from anybody.
@ Prince. Thanks for bringing back memories of Thompson Oliha. That’s almost a perfect comparison to Iwobi, just Mikel Obi. There is also Carlos Vaderamma. These kinda players, are rare to find, you don’t know how massive they are to a team chemistry until you make the mistake to replace them. I remember Late Big boss Keshi being held in awe of Thompson Oliha ball sense/skill, that he confessed to just being lucky despite his massive football talent. Or is it Mikel, who through out his football career, it’s easy to count no. Of goals he scored both for club n country, but is respected for world over for his inch perfect tactical awareness, whereby you may need 5 Christmases, to take the ball off him, the 5th he only allows, as Christmas present. Or Vaderamma that always see the pass to find team mates in dangerous position n to score goals. These kinda players seldom score but make the team play. @ Prince u know football and reading through the only lady we seem to have on this forum Mercy, you could easily see she is very versed in football matters too. Thumbs up you both.
@ Glory absolutely,also another flamboyant confident player to mention is one Friday Ekpo.
The likes of Oliha of blessed memory,Ekpo,Okocha,Mikel and now Alex Iwobi are highly intelligent midfielders full of elegance and class who have served the country meritoriously and admirably with clever play in different generations.
They usually are the soul of their team and can be very influential and indispensable.
They dictate the tempo of play and their passes are not just made for the sake of it,every pass has a purpose and are tailor made with panache.
Obviously,you get to miss them when they move on from the national team because their kinds are rare,their memories would linger on for a longtime because of the beauty the artistry in display during their fruitful times with the national team.
Hahahaha… O man dem.My brother @Greenturf, apologies for not mentioning Friday Ekpo, another of such players. Westerhoff just didn’t like his face and that was just his undoing, otherwise he had that talent to tantalise the world. These players are like thread used to sew clothing together, you don’t see the thread but the beautiful dress made from the sewing. Take out that thread n everything falls apart.
deo’s Report Card: Super Eagles Squad (1)
For many weeks, we talked about it, we speculated, we waited, we anticipated and then it was released. The list of players to dance their way to hearts and minds of many Super fans this month as I expect them to blow the Sierra Leoneans away with relative ease!
Am I being overly disrespectful to the Leone Stars? I dont think so. I have every confidence in these group of players, not only to get the job done, but to do so in style and by so doing repay the enormous and immutable faith that we invest in them.
As we approach the match, I repeat my version of CSN’s article above by providing’s deo’s report card on each of the listed players:
Super Eagles squad for Sierra Leone
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa): how on earth Daniel Akpeyi is still a Nigeria international to this day is beyond me. I stand to be corrected but the 31 year old must hold the distinction of being the most vilified Nigerian goalkeeper in the last 20 years. I doubt Chidozie Agbim had it this bad.
But, where other have fallen, Akpeyi soldiers on.
Off the wall performances in South Africa means Akpeyi is one of the best African goalkeeper at present.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC): After being named as number 2 in the Afcon, Ezenwa would make his tournament debut against India only to concede Nigeria’s first and second goals of the tournament.
We might as well have been playing India as Nigeria had no business losing to Madagascar in my humble opinion. Many Super Eagles fans will love to see the back of Ezenwa in Super Eagles colours but those fans have a while yet to wait.
Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany): As Uzoho left off injured against Brazil last year, Okoye was called upon to stand in between the sticks. Some thought the young German-Nigerian would be exposed (and I think Okoye too had his trepidations).
But it went well on that occasion.
Many still question the wisdom of inviting a lower league goalkeeper to the Super Eagles – they have to live with it. Okoye seems here to stay!
To be continued
deo’s Report Card: Super Eagles Squad (11)
Defenders:
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain): For all his wealth of experience and accomplishments for Nigeria across different levels of national teams, Omeruo still cuts a figure of indecision at times for the Super Eagles.
He seems to forever be clinging on to his place in the national team by the skin of his teeth but, like a cat with 9 lives, Omeruo lives on through fierce competition.
He was there before Balogun, Ekong, Ajayi and Awaziem. But the Leganes man is not ready to be pushed aside!
Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England): Old German soldier never die. Willing to prove Brighton hierarchy wrong, the 31 year old Baale of Berlin is playing the game of his life in Wigan to win critical acclaim and prove that there is life yet in those German/Niger legs than we thought.
To be honest, Super Eagles fans never gave up on him. We stood by him like the rock of Gibraltar through his trials and tribulations in Brighton hoping that he will come back to add steel to the back for his fatherland.
Balogun has unfinished business in the Super Eagles.
Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain): Having struggled somewhat to establish himself in the centre defence of the Super Eagles, Awaziem found a home in the right back position where he shone like a million stars at the Africa Cup of Nations.
I still remember the image of Awaziem coming to the defence of Akpeyi against Argentina in the famous 2017 4:2 friendly win as the goalkeeper picked the ball up from outside the 18 yard box!
The Leganes man will now have to defend his own rightback position against an existential in the way of the new kid on the block, Kingsley E.
William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy): It is good to see that Ekong has put the craziness of his rugby tackle against Croatia at the world cup behind to score an own goal against Algeria in the Afcon (oops!).
That was a bit harsh of me. For all Ekong fans, I apologise o, before you come out to devour me alive!
Ekong has grown in stature from that defender that (according to him) coach Oliseh never believed in (dat thing pain Ekong no be small!).
Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy): Perhaps his finest hour in the colours of the Super Ealges was that sublime backheel pass for Ighalo to smash home Nigeria’s only goal against Burundi at the Afcon.
I will always respect Aina for not showing bitterness at being dropped for the 2018 world cup. His services to fatherland before and after are very much appreciated.
Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany): Not exactly Celestine Babayaro, Not close to Taiye Taiwo. Even Ifeayin Udeze played with more steel.
But at least, many will pick him ahead of Juwon Oshaniwa.
I think Collins is his own man. It will be unfair to make comparisons. He turns up, gives 100% and always ready when called upon.
Can you ask for more?
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England): I was rather surprised the way Semi was beaten in the air for the first goal Nigeria conceded in a recent qualifier.
That will have to be a minor blot in otherwise largely blemishless overall outings for the Super Eagles thus far.
You see all those goals he scores in the English Championship, we can do with more of those for the Super Eagles from the Wes Brom man.
Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany): If what we have seen from Leon Balogun and Tyrone Ebuehi for the Super Eagles is anything to go back, I guess we ain’t seen nothing yet when it comes to this Kingsley guy.
What I have read and heard about him are highly commendable indeed.
To be continued….
deo’s Report Card: Super Eagles Squad (111)
Midfielders:
Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey): The Turkey-based midfielder has been ever present for Bursaspor in the Turkish tier 2 as they push for automatic promotion back to their Premier League where (I believe) Shehu would like to be playing his football.
In an era where Nigeria has quality options to pick from in more glamorous leagues, some will raise an eyebrow on Shehu’s relevance to this current affluently talented Super Eagles side.
His drive and eloquent cut back for Iwobi’s goal against Zambia in a World cup qualifier remains pleasantly fresh in my mind.
Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain): Playing as a winger, Etebo shone like a million stars for his club in the Spanish La Liga recently.
But, the questions remain as to why he does not perform with such ruthless efficiency week in week out in his centre midfield role.
Etebo has been absent for the Super Eagles recently. As much as most love him, if we ask the question: ‘was Etebo missed?’ it will be interesting what the overwhelming response will be owing to how Aribo has performed in his absence.
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England): This is one player that can do no wrong in the eyes of many Super Eagles fans. Although Ndidi committed the foul that led to the free kick that the magical Mahrez buried against Nigeria in the Afcon semi-finals, many were quick to either overlook his path in the mishap or were quick to forgive the Leicester City midfield maestro.
Akpeyi wasn’t (isn’t) so lucky. Ndidi is fans-favorite number one!
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland): Aribo must arguably be the most popular dual nationality player for the Super Eagles at this time.
His goals against Ukraine and then Brazil coupled with his all round play instantly endeared him to Super Eagles fans thereby propelling him to superstar status overnight.
He brings balance, poise, steel and fluidity to the heart of the Super Eagles midfield. The question now is: should he give way for Etebo?
Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain): You get the sense that Azeez has to be playing regularly (and playing well) for him to continue to be relevant to this Super Eagles set up.
That seems obvious but Rohr has his favourites which he may be willing to “look away” if they have “indifferent” club performances. I don’t think Azeez belongs to that group.
To be continued…..
deo’s Report Card: Super Eagles Squad (IV)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia): 2 goals at the 2014 world cup was only matched by 2 goals at the 2018 world cup for Ahmed Musa to race his name (quite literally) into the record books as Nigeria’s highest goal scorer at the world cup to date.
Now based in Saudi Arabia, I hear that Musa is finding goals hard to come by in the oil rich Middle Eastern league these days.
That being the case, it remains to be seen how long Musa will have to rely on past glory to earn future Super Eagles invitations.
Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England): So long as Iwobi maintains his hunger, drive and determination for Nigeria, I for one will always be satisfied.
His stats for Everton this season have been wretched, but, the journey has only just started. As the saying goes: ‘it is not how you start a race, but how you finish that will be remembered.’ With time, Iwobi might come good in Everton.
Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France): There were worries in some corners that OsiHmen might be slow in filling the mammoth (scoring) shoes left behind by Ighalo. Those fears proved misplaced as the Franc-based goals-getter has hit the ground running for both club and country.
The only thing remaining now is for Osihmen to score goals in the real crucial encounters which will cement his reputation as a big-game-player. And, I have no doubt he will always come good.
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France): the former Gent wing wizard is something of an enigma. Just when he seemed to be spent as a credible winger, Simon goes on to reinvent himself in France in such a manner that he is difficult – in fact – impossible to ignore.
Gone are those delicious stopovers and convincing dribbles. These days, he plays with greater awareness and vision so that, whilst he has moved 5 steps backwards, he has made strides in areas that have added maturity to his all round play.
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain): Many had expected the Villareal man to have made exponential improvements to his all round play owing to the blistering season he had last term.
But, the young man is still developing. As things stands, Chukwueze remains one of the most exciting young Nigerian players out there at the moment. He can only get better.
Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands): For all his goal scoring exploits in Holland, it remains to be seen how Cyriel Dessers will adjust to the rigours of African football.
The striker seems keen; I think he is the keenest dual nationality to want to ply for Nigeria. That is good to see. If all that exuberance can be channelled to his performances on the pitch, we will be in for a ride!
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England): The Leicester man is determined. Whenever he sees Nigeria play, something tells me that Iheanacho sees himself and himself only as the one to be banging in the goals for Nigeria.
Against Zambia (away) in a World Cup qualifier, Iheanacho raced into the zambian defence, after a pass from Ideye, made a fool of the defenders and goalkeeper before burying the chance with relative ease.
The Leicester man wants that etched in our minds as to what he can (still) do if given the chance to reclaim his shirt.
Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France): It now seems clear that in the eyes of Rohr, Kalu can do no wrong. Although he has been absent over a period of time, Kalu came back recently and – by all indications – performed well in those matches.
On his day, Kalu remains one of Super Eagles most ruthless wingers.
And, that’s it folks. thanks for reading.