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5 Things We Learnt From Super Eagles’ Draw Vs Leone Stars

5 Things We Learnt From Super Eagles’ Draw Vs Leone Stars

Following the Super Eagles lacklustre 4-4 draw against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City on Friday, November 30, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU highlights five remarkable observations from the game

Okoye, Akpoguma, Sanusi Struggle On Home Debut

The trio of Maduka Okoye, Kevin Akpoguma and Zaidu Sanusi made their home debut for the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone on Friday and they all struggled to impress.

Okoye conceded four times and failed to make any big save in the game. He never reached the standard he set in Super Eagles’ international friendlies against Algeria and Tunisa.

Akpoguma, who was selected by Gernot Rohr for the right-back role ahead of Tyronne Ebuehi, and Chidozie Awaziem, was the main target by the Sierra Leoneans. He struggled to cope with the pace of the game and failed to make forays upfront.

Sanusi also put up a below par showing despite bagging an assist

Also Read – AVERAGE: Super Eagles’ Players’ Rating In 4-4 Draw With Sierra Leone

Same Old Joe Aribo – Poor Against African Opponents

The Glasgow Rangers of Scotland star scored two goals in his first two outings for the Super Eagles against Ukraine and Brazil. He has however struggled against African oppositions.

The midfielder was criticised for his poor performance against the Squirrels of Benin and and Crocodiles of Lesotho (Super Eagles first two group games) and also failed to cover himself in glory after another shambolic display against Sierra Leone on Friday.

Etebo Showed His Versatility Again

Nicknamed ‘Double Engine’ by his teammates, Oghenekaro Etebo showed his versatility by occupying the holding midfield role in the absence of the injured Wilfred Ndidi.

The Galatasaray star was Nigeria’s best performer, especially in the first half. He dominated the midfield and shielded the defence well before the team capitulated in the second half.

Defence Crumbled After Balogun’s Substitution

Leon Balogun picked up a knock after the break and was later replaced by Semi Ajayi. The defence looked out of sorts after his substitution, conceding three times afterwards.

His replacement, Semi Ajayi, was awful all through, while William Troost-Ekong couldn’t cope without his regular partner.

Captain Musa Failed To Justify Starting Berth

A surprise inclusion in the starting line-up, Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, failed to justify his inclusion in the starting lineup ahead of Chidera Ejuke and Emmanuel Dennis. His inactivity at club level may have played a role in his poor showing in the game.

The winger was duly hauled off after the break after a subdued showing.


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COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 15
  • Ahmed 3 years ago

    Go back to uyo stadium period

  • Olusegun.B. 3 years ago

    Yesterday was disappointing to me as I watched the AFCON qualifier btw Nigeria and Sierra Leone and I must confess never have I seen such a disappointing match as this one . A match that started with the SE scoring 4 goals only for them to allow the opponent to equalize . Honestly they’re a full of crap . This kind of attitude is not surprising , for that was the same mentality they displayed in the two friendly matches that they played : the one with ukraine and brazil in which the SE had the chance to win both matches .

    The other two matches : Algeria and Tunisia showed that the team didn’t have creativity as well as the knack to win .

    They showed that they’ve got no driven power to win a match .

    Gernot Rohr has the materials but doesn’t know how to make a winning team out of his materials. It sure is disgraceful.

    Though it’s up to the NFF to decide what to do with him but in My own views I believe that he has got to go and also that we get a better coach .

    The team needs to be a winning team again .

    • Ralph 3 years ago

      @ Olusegun. Nice write Bro, I like that name Rijkaard because he`s still a legend of the game and one of my favourites as a big fan of Ac Milan ( Forza Milano, Numero Uno)
      But Rijkaard for SE? I`m not really sure about that.

      Since Rijkaard retired in 94, he has coached 5 teams ( Dutch National Team, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia National Team) And apart from the 3 successful seasons spent with Barcelona ( 5 seasons in all, 1st Season they merely escaped relegation and the last season not so good and he was replaced by Guardiola).

      The rest of his managerial career apart from the Euro 2000 semi-final loss to Italy, he only lasted a year in all these other teams, with not really good records, you can look these up, that doesn’t make him a bad pick as he still remains one of the best, but he left the game in 2013, 7 years ago! So how is gonna make any difference in this SE?. That is not really impossible, I mean he might be a success but he will need a significant amount of time to really make an impact, so the question is WHERE IS HE GONNA GET THE TIME AND SUPPORT FROM?? THE NFF, THE FANS, EX-PLAYERS or THE MEDIA?

  • MAJOR FLEX 3 years ago

    So if osimhen and chukwueze no dey, Nigeria no fit win game, MAJOR FLEX is weak. Na ma hand ah fold as i dey talk na

  • Larry 3 years ago

    Lopsided reporting is one of the reasons why the country is where it is today.. I can’t imagine how a reporter can be so economical with the truth. It is highline CSN outsource some of their reporting to some great members of this forum..
    Let me help you a bit:
    To some of us, we didn’t learnt anything different from what we have always pointed out. The headline could have been
    5 inefficiency of WORLD CLASS GR

    1. Lopsided invitation of players (10 defenders for a match against 120th ranked team and recycling underperforming players). invitation of players should be well structured to provide the balance.

    2. Tactically and technically inept: more than 4yrs on the job no pattern of play, no balanced first 11, selecting converted player ahead of natural ones for the same position, inability to maintain crucial lead or draw. I raised the question of keeping Aina on the bench in friendly matches when he is at his peak. Same GR left Aina out of the world cup only for a more technical coach to discover his extraordinary ability. Aina is no fluke, he is the most expensive defender in SE, he chose Nigeria and GR is trying to destroy his career.

    3. Favoritism and Corruption ; Competition for places is limited because limited opportunities are given to players who can add values to the team. There are reports than GR and some players are connected with a sport management group DFW. Most of the invited players are signed on the DFW.
    GKs: Mathew Yakubu and Dele Alampasu were invited but unused in friendly matches, A serious coach could have tried at least one if the GKs..
    DF: The last friendly exposed a lot of things about our defence. It showed the leadership and effectiveness of Balogun, it exposed clearly what many of us have known about the deficiencies (passing, positioning, marking ability) of Ekong, It showed that Akpo/Balogun partnership is more effective.. The coach rigidity and oversabi made him ignored vital observations from the friendly matches and committed a blunder. It was clear that there was a master plan by the leone stars bench to get Balogun out of the game..
    MF: Samson Tijani showed great promise in the few minutes he had in the friendly games. He performed better than Onyeka but when it was time to invite players the deluded coach chose Onyeka ahead of Samson.
    ATT: Most of us voiced out the negligence on the part of GR in this area,; Maja and Kalu are in the same club but Maja is the one that has played more number of matches,spent lesser time on the bench. The coach has continued to ignore this versatile young lad. Moffi is doing greatly in france, Olayinka has never stopped performing in Europe, Kayode and Junior Ajayi are in the form of their life. Yes, Onuachi is doing well in Belgium but if you observe him closely especially in European competition, you’ll discover that he is not in the same league with Olayinka and Kayode. Maja and Moffi are the closest options to Osimhen in terms of youthfulness, skills and speed.
    Olayinka, Kayode and Junior can add great value to this team.

    4. Substitution: Inability to effect the right changes at the right time was responsible for our loses to Argentina and Algeria.. Why immobile and one dimensional onuachi when you have multi dimensional Emmanuel Dennis.

    5. Mentality: GR does not have the capacity to instill winning mentality on the team. Stephen Keshia (RIP), Amodu and Garba are not the most technically sound SE xoaches but they understand the mentality of 9ja players and they know how to tune it to the highest level. The exception with Nigerian coaches is bribery. Bonfire Jo and Westerhof who are more technically gifted explored their understanding of 9ja strong mentality to win games and trophies.

    I do understand that GR is under contract to win the next ANC and reach semis of WC, but the fact is that he lacks the wherewithal to achieve this targets. Some might say it us too late to sack him now but the case of Belmadi phenomena with algeria is a good testimony that it is possible and it can be done. A young and aspiring young world class coach will take this SE to the next level. GO GET FRANK RIJKAARD FOR SE..

    • Proudly 9ja 3 years ago

      @Larryi wow, great write up, I really enjoyed reading your piece. you summarized it perfectly. But with less than 5 days, u agree now is not the best time to replace the coach? I think if the coach doesn’t win the next match against SL I agree he should be relieved of his job. You will also agree that with the exception of Onuachu, Semi Ajayi, Musa and maybe Iheanacho, all the other players deserve a call up to the team. I agree that Olayinka deserves a place, maybe a Mikel Obi to help in the midfield (but will he come back? and will he be willing to start from the bench?), remember Ndidi is yet to come back. Let’s say we forget moses Simon, we still need Samuel Kalu. Sofar lets say we have Mikel obi, Ndidi, and Kalu there is only 1 spot left, who should the coach call up from Moffi, Maja, Ajayi, Sadiq etc, also we are probably gonna get Lookman, Ejaria as well.

      Can the corrupt idiots in NFF pay Frank Rijkard? They are presently owing GR. NFF know the kind of people they can hire, coaches from Eastern Europe or coaches who can get clubs in Europe too leagues, that’s they can tell what to do,that’s a fact. I do agree that the best bet is to employ an indigenous coach like Amuneke and Manu Garba combination, Give them Enyeama and Carl Ikeme to do the goalie coaching department. Yobo in my view has nothing to offer. Bring in also that Egbo to add some foreign experience, I think we will be good to go, but they will need time to stamp their authority on the team, but it could work. As regards Belmadi he took charge after their failed WC qualifier in 2018, so we can do the same. I will suggest NFF talk to Amuneke and let him know the job is his after GR but let him understudy GR to familiarize himself with GR coaching philosophy and discard what doesn’t work but keep what works so when he eventually takes over, the transfer of power will be seamless. just my take, but yeah your write was great to read and devoid of sentiments.

      • Larry 3 years ago

        @Proudly 9ja, thanks. I do agree with the invitation of Mikel, add Victor “the catalyst” Moses to that.
        Here is my suggestion.

        At this point, I will suggest we make SE more competitive, give same opportunities to all.
        Musa can remain as captain, Balogun as assistant and start grooming Ndidi as the next captain after WC.

        GKs: Yakubu, Alampasu, Osigwe, Lawal,Akpeyi, Uzoho, Okoye.
        Coach; Enyeama/Carl

        DFs: Aina,Ebuehi,Zaidu,Balo,Akpo,Awaziem,Ekong, Ajayi, Collins

        CMFs; Ndidi, Mikel, Aribo, Nwobodo, Etebo,Azeez, Nwakali/Samson

        ATMF; Iwobi,Ejaria,Chukz, Chidera, Simon,V.Moses,Kalu and lookman..

        FWD; Osi, Olayinka, Sadiq, Nacho, Musa, Taiwo, Dennis, Maja, Moffi, Kayode, Ajayi,

        Coaches; Rijkaard (TA), Egbo (Head coach), Manu (A.coach), Yobo (A.coach), Olofinjana (A.TA).

        • @Larry…

          If all this ur world best players are invited at a time, how about others that also come here to present their own favoured players?

          You pple should try and add a little sense to ur analysis now….

          Has hatred towards a fellow human like u beclouded your sense of reasoning too?

          As things stands in this qualifiers, we need just 4 points from the remaining 3 matches to qualify for the afcon, then take time and prepare for the tournament and u pple are here exhibiting the way u pple were brought up at home(@ lack of proper home descipline)….

          Rohr is under a contract of winning afcon and reaching the world cup semis which we all knw that failure to attain this height means bye and bye for him.

          Then why are we suggesting players to be invited for him?

          Invite OKOYE, he did and it back fire…. Invite ONUACHU, he did and it back fire…. Invite ONYEKA, he did and it back fire….

          Yet still u pple are still suggesting all these average players to him…

          WATCH UR DOINGS COS UR OWN TURN WILL COME.

  • Empire 3 years ago

    We were leading 4-2 at 78 minutes, the coach brought in Onuachu and they scored their 3rd goal just 2 minutes after, a tactical sound coach will bring in a defender or  defensive midfielder, someone like John Obi Mikel, he will surely start holding ball and get free kicks, sat on the floor and arrange his socks and on the process slow the game down.

    • @Empire….

      This is earth, we’re not in dream land neither are we in MARS…. Or is it that u are high on drugs?

      Where did u see mikel obi in the national team again?

      Shun hatred u would not listen….

      See hatred can cause to a black man with a black mind and a black mentality….

  • Michel 3 years ago

    I still can’t understand why Aina didn’t play that game,he got us the penalty against Benin republic when we were 1 goal down,he made an assist in Lesotho to osimehn,in nation’s cup proper ,he made another wonderful backheel assist to ighalo,he plays with both legs,why on Earth will Apkoguma be preferred ahead of him.semi ajayi is a serial looser in England and does not have a winning mentality,why him when an akpoguma can be drafted in the middle of d defense,chidozie awaziem can do a better job than ajayi and lastly,a goal keeper was brought in and forced in us from Germany 4th division which to me is a big embarrassment to our football, friendly match is different from a competitive game,uzoho,apkeyi ,ezenwa etc have all played through the ranks and have gained some experience from d youth teams,I think it’s unfair to okoye to just throw him to d senior team ,rather than start with the youth team,going forward,he should be drafted to the youth team for proper exposure .

  • @Larry.

    From ur “USELESS” double standard & empty analysis, let me buttress ur clueless NO.2 & 5.

    “…No balanced first 11…”
    HOW DO U EXPECT HIM TO HAVE A BALANCED FIRST 11 WHEN U & UR FELLOW WAILERS KEEP CRYING FOR PLAYERS IN MEDIOCRE LEAGUES TO BE INVITED.
    SEE THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS U LISTED FOR INVITATION.

    FOR UR USELESS NO.5;
    “…GR doesn’t have the capacity to instil winning mentality into the team…”

    THE GAMES AGAINST CAMEROUN(TWICE), ALGERIA, ARGENTINA, ICELAND, POLAND, EGYPT, S.AFRICA, ZAMBIA(TWICE), LYBIA(TWICE) i don’t want to mention those MINOs.
    All ended in draws abi?

    How many big countries did ur “african quardiolas beat?”
    Did they ever make attempt of engaging a big football country like BRAZIL, ENGLAND, UKRAIN, POLAND, ARGENTINA in friendlies?

    What most of u on this forum are doing is just pure “WITCH CRAFT”….

    When Rohr beat bigger nations u don’t see, but once he fumbles u quickly turn “TOWN CRIER”….

    ROHR would leave one day and ur quardiolas would come and sink the SE again.

  • De Star 3 years ago

    @Larry , maximum respect once again to the progressives group 1st eleven top striker, for your sublime great analysis, only that I disagree with your last recommendation of sacking clueless Rohr to bring another white Coach  , I beg let Oga Rohr be the last foreign coach in SE, having an average failure coaches in SE is continuous insult to the biggest black nation in the world that is widely known for football great export , Charity begins at home; I will go for  @Proudly 9ja position of Amunike- Egbo & Cal Ikeme & Enyema as goalkeeper Trainners is the best option or any other combination of Oliseh – Peter Rufai (since they it appears NFF would want Siasia career to be perpetual destroyed without support for his case ); then makes their salaries independent of NFF to guarantee steady salaries ( methods greatly used by NFF  to get our local coaches exposed to want to rely on the bribes or tips from the players , the method Oliseh rightly walkout on the team and NFF, having paid salary of his assistants coaches and funds of the team for good 6 months from his pocket without having salary for 6 months  ) .

    @Proudly 9ja , I agreed with you 99% but don’t ask Amunike to ever understudy this average clueless coach Rohr , what would he understudy in Rohr  ? a coach that cannot read matches and correctly make positive good change in the team ? a coach that will continually invites underperforming and underserved players into the team like ( minus Musa as team captain ) , a coach with  favouritism kept out a deserving  players who could have added valued where the teams lack simply because such players play in Egypt ( could anyone remind Oga Rohr that  Amokaci as local young player in Kaduna club, not even great Rangers , 3SC, etc was brought to the SE and played ahead of players in super foreign league , would anyone remind Oga Rohr that Sunday Mba playing in a written off Nigerian league was called ahead of the so called overrated foreign based players and equally benched foreign based players and became great added advantage in the team , a coach that lacks ideology, lacks medal winning mentality, that is always tutored of the football rudimentary by a local coach of Algeria, a coach that always failed woefully and get sacked unceremoniously in all the national teams he ever coached in his career? If not for African inferiority mentality with  mixture of corruption how on earth would have made NFF to employ a 3 times concurrently sacked coach for dismal woeful records with other African national team be employed ( honestly I am embarrassed as a Nigerian) . 

    I have always been saying it , Rohr can never win ordinary Afcon that was effortlessly won by our underfunded  and unpaid local coach Keshi in less than a year on the saddle with a team that equally failed to qualify for the previous Afcon tournament, let alone performing magic in the WC. The other last time , those who knows technicality of the game , played the games to the high level , the soccer great analysts the @Larrys , @ Goal, @Omo9ja,@ ChairmanFemi & all the Progressives members said the golden truth that Rohr should not have extra one day added to his disgraceful 4 years awuf tenure, relaxing in his country hike sitting room getting alert every month ending , but his followers who were his greatest enemies believe he is a super coach that had already prepared better food with finished product that can beat any team in the world let alone Afcon , they claimed now that Rohr had produced first class team , they would not allow any other person to reap from Rohr’s glory ( I think they would have realized that given Rohr 2 decades he cannot win Afcon let alone getting into any meaningful level at the WC proper ) .

    When they want to defend Rohr , they would say he qualified for tournament with a games spares , what a way of defending , would anyone remind them that qualifying and wasting big money on jamboree attendance in a tournament is disgraceful and should not be celebrated but only a coach that takes his team to a tournament and wins the cup or set a record that was rarely gotten in the past, are the achievement that worth celebrating.

    • Goal ⚽️ 3 years ago

      Thumps up De ⭐️ ! You never go wrong.

      Manu Garba, Egbo, Emanuel Amuneke, oliseh and so on are all available.

      We need change!

    • Dr. Drey 3 years ago

      “….would anyone remind them that qualifying and wasting big money on jamboree attendance in a tournament is disgraceful and should not be celebrated but only a coach that takes his team to a tournament and wins the cup or set a record that was rarely gotten in the past, are the achievement that worth celebrating…..”
      .
      .
      .
      Hahahahaha….but all the coaches you are listing to replace rohr who is on his way to qualifying for his 3rd consecutive tournament with games to spare…..could not even qualify for AFCON when they were given their own chance to coach the team…..LMAO.

      You seem to have also forgotten the team has now been in more disarray and in terrible shape with questionable selections since your 4/5 = 90% contract of pay cut and authority to interfere with team selections by NFF officials was signed….LMAO…..or are you not the ones that suggested the recommendations in the contract anymore…?

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