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Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has named Odion Ighalo in his starting line-up for today’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, Competesports.com reports.
Ighalo, who is making a return to the team after over two years absence will pair Napoli forward Victor Osimhen in attack.
Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho dropped to the bench for the experienced striker.
Rohr sticked with the same 3-5-2 formation he used in the Super Eagles last two games against Central African Republic and Liberia.
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Watford new boy Maduka Okoye kept his place in goal, while the trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong also remain the central defenders.
Versatile Moses Simon and Jamilu Collins will once again operate as wing-backs.
Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi will take charge of the midfield.
Super Eagles X1 Vs Cape Verde
Okoye
Awaziem, Balogun, Troost-Ekong
Simon , Collins
Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi
Osimhen, Ighalo
By Adeboye Amosu
Pix by Ganiyu Yusuf
45 Comments
Even though this is a VERY IMPORTANT match, this starting role should be good enough for his confidence.
Like I always say in my comments, I HOPE ROHR KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING SHA!
Whether this was a worthy gamble or not, we shall see by the end of 90mins.
Another sideways passing in the midfield system. This 3.5.2 is too conservative for Nigeria footballers. It’s not our football orientation hence we keep struggling with such system.
I don’t agree to that @Glory,we have done so well playing that system.
We have won important games under Rohr with that formation and hopefully we shall carry the day this evening.
@ Greenturf, I haven’t said, we will not win. But we struggle to get wins with that system. All the time Rohr won beautifully and with good goals margin, we played 4.3.3 or 4.4.2. Most of our players are tall/long. 3.5.2 work well for short players, as their height helps them with quick turns as well as easily covering blade of grasses. Again every country’s footballers has football orientation in their gene. Ours thrives easily on latent skills, speed, power/robustness but with 3.5.2, speed and latent skill is subdued. OUR FOOT SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS FLOURISHED ON THAT GOD GIVEN 4.3.3/4.4.2 SYSTEM. IF EVER WE DECIDE TO GO WITH 3.5.2 SYSTEM, THEN MANY MANY MONTHS OF CAMPING THESE PLAYERS TOGETHER ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED FOR THEM TO GEL INTO IT BUT SADLY WE CAN NEVER GET SUCH LUXURY OF LONG-TERM TERM CAMPING OF PLAYERS.
@Glory dear,
Please, what pattern would you have suggested if not the same 3:5:2 that took this this this far?
The players are all average (by the level/worth of their respective clubs [Victor Moses inclusive]) so the gaffer is left with managing with “the best” formation that had worked for him. Should he try other formations? YES… Should he try other formations TODAY? NO.
The players and the coach have more to lose if they PLAY A DRAW in this match… and (worse still) if they LOSE? THIS TEAM WILL BE DISBANDED with that going back to our NIGERIAN Drawing board – reset button.
For now, 3:5:2 is the default… How they carry out the formation is left to be imagined. I for one and like many will not rock this boat that has been steadied by GR for 4 years. Do you notice he doesn’t use the ‘young team’ phrase? This is the day the eagle must fly after having shed its beak and feathers for a new flight.
A smart coach will predict the cards GR will play and make sure the home team does not score until the 80th minute… That is when the ACE will be played, by then your formation will not be effective as this team tends to lose concentration from the 80th minute (again I stand to be corrected).
This is my 1st time commenting on this forum and I hope I’m welcomed by all, I come in peace.
wow! welcome @Abdunuela, just asking are you He or She? going by that name and the way you replied @Glory, you deserve a bottle of Hero larger.
I duff my cap. You took the words out of my mouth. Let me see what @Glory makes out of this.
Why are we calling all the players average. Of course an average player won’t be doing what ndidi I doing inntg EPL making him ine it the best in Europe bin that position. An average player will not be able to do what iheanacho did last season.an average player will be abke to do ehat aribo is doing in rangers..They are young and they will grow.
Salah was a misfit at Chelsea at early stage butbhe is world class now. What about mane. What about eto at real Madrid at tge early stage.
We have suoer player who are still growing. A lot of factors are contributing to this boring football today. Even at that they are even winning. The hallmarknof players with a big heart.
Tge CAR gane was good we lost. To teach thrm a lesson.
Common stop calling growing players average.
Finally my orayer is for iwobi. Anytine he clicks we do very well.
Brodaman, our players are definitely not average. The system 3.5.2 is making them look average. Our natural system is 4.3.3 or 4.4.2 or 4.2.4. This 3.5.2 has got the French genetics in it, reason most french country do very well playing such system. The fact that we are grinding out result despite the very conservative system should tell you that our players are hugely being under-rated by you lots. Mind you, I have always been a Rohrs fan n still remain one though not too happy with his recent selection of players, which I strongly believe have too many external influence. Most of Rohr’s decent performances with SE has always been when we played the 4.3.3 formation. Many of us just watch premier League and come shouting down the neck of the national team manager to play all sorts of strange systems forgetting that at club level players play a whole year together mastering a particular system and besides that the managers have the luxury of funds to buy the perfect fit for a system. Pep Guardiola will always go for shorter players with good balance. There is a reason for that. Some will go for big powerful players and there is also a reason for that. That reason has everything to do with the system the manager wanna play.
You spot on and you welcome.
Fantastic line up
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. Win or draw, the gaffer should ensure his tactics work. Up Super eagles.
I WANT TO BRING THIS TO EVERYBODY NOTICE THAT: FROM BETKING SIMULATED REALITY LEAGUE (SRL) GAME AT 10:00AM TODAY.
NIGERIA 0 — CAPE-VERDE 1
THIS IS A WARNING SIGNAL TO SUPER EAGLE….
Chukwueze missing AGAIN from the Starting XI?
Hmmmm….
After some reviews and analysis this morning, I came up with this line up exactly. It is our safest bet, since there is no room for experimentation at this point.
Fellow Nigerians, congratulations in advance!!!
If really hope Aribo and Iwobi will have a good game today.
Let Ndidi sit back and protect the back three, and let Iwobi and Aribo push up and do their thing.
Aribo especially is my worry. If he can just try and do for Nigeria what he does week in, week out for Rangers, he would be such an asset. It’s just that in Nigeria colors, especially against African opponents, he just doesn’t show up.
Aribo, come out of your shell and roar like the lion we see playing for Rangers!
@ Pompeii, most of our players are struggling not because they are not good but because of this 3.5.2 system. It is the very reason our games are boring. Worst still we’ ve got two wing back lacking good crosses/ quick n sharp burst forward to open up for the midfielders to deliver forward passes to them. In this formation, we are left with only sending long, often wayward thrust from defence to the attackers. We will surely beat Cape Verde by atleast 2 goals to nil but no one should expect anything entertaining aside the goals.While going forward, we should try revert to our ever more flamboyant 4.3.3 or 4.4.2 system our footballer are used to. Perfecting that 433/442 system which our footballers are used to, will bring the best outta these players n we all are sure to start watching SE dismantle teams with reckless abandon. With that system, we were able to put Argentina pants down and spanked them really hard. We did same to Spain when they were the No 1 in the world. Nigeria’s national teams are almost unplayable with that system.
Glory if he uses technically sound players like Aina and Zaidu the chances of pressure and miscontrol or wayward passes will reduce. Every sound team needs players that can make use of the ball and not players who will be thinking and making back pass or can not control ball. I will watch the match but I hope smile at the end of the day because we can’t afford not to be at the world cup.
Chima nwanne mo, bros i am sorry to say but Nigeria is along way from World cup. Specially with Rohr.. If he thinks he won’t need to beef up this list in March then it is bye bye world cup. Quota system times corruption will be our undowing. If we scale through, the next list go shock you.. Don’t be suprise pinnick and Rohr conclusion will be to bring another so call experience player back. Bro Rohr has lost the plot. Dem go finish this team.
Why not lock down that midfield with Ndidi x Onyeka, Chukwueze and Ejuke should have started.
Maybe his Thinking was Moses Simon for his tracking back but with Ndidi and Onyeka the reinforcement is stronger.
Anyway the Line up is okay but, I would have thought Rohr would be proactive. this is the reason Rohr is a Boring coach
Hi Ugo,
I see the juice in your suggestion. The manpower you propose shows imagination and dynamism but the current coaching crew can be hidebound and slightly mechanical. I hope it works well.
In any event, good luck to the Super Eagles.
I have had replies to a wonderful comment by @ Hush on another thread not published by CSN despite sending several times. Just watching CSN very closely now.
For the sake of continuity, one can understand why Rohr would stick by and large with similar starting line up from thr last encounter with a solitary replacement. However, this scarcely wets the imagination of fans itching to see others in action.
Good luck to the Super Eagles – they need it.
That Collins isn’t a good player , Start Ola and this 3-5-2 will be okay . Ola can dribble and even delivers crosses , Another boring game, we only hope for the best .
Osimhen please drop deep to help pick balls and feed Ighalo , na only you I believe .
On a good day , the selection is okay , the only problem is obviously the doggedness. These eagles should please fight not play today .
Why start Collins and Simon again.
Isn’t clear enough this guy are the weak link.
Aina and Zaidu should start ahead of the duo.
Please any links to watch the game for those of us who do not have supersports
Its live on YouTube,just search Nigeria vs capeverde and watch it on fifa youtube channel.
It’s not available in many countries . You must use a Good VPN to be able to watch it. You choose canada or Luxembourg as your location. Either of the two should work
For so many reasons I don’t want to be judgemental anymore nor critical as it will do my faith more good even though there are too many mismanagement going on in the national team selection. Honestly speaking this line up will not survive a tactical team because I am looking far above the teams in our group. My questions however is how can we have ola aina in bench or Zaidu in bench these two players will do better as wing backs if that’s the formation the coach prefers and give better service both defensive and attacking wise but the coach always chooses the weakest option from time to time. It saddens me but I wish the team well, and hope he comes clean when we cross this hurdle to the final stage where there’ll be no hanky panky escape for anyone as only the best and transparent will sail through to world cup.
Bros you have my support in this, Sanusi for Collins and Ola for Simon…
Simon is not bad just that he is better at attacking but defensively he lacks idea and the formation says wingback so why use him over Ola who’s natural at both ends? Sad!
The lineup make sense Small…apkoguma for balogun,Aina for Collins. Iwobi shouldn’t be starting matches….that guy no Sabi Ball. Aribo,free ur body play this game,u Sabi am na! I feel Aribo d fear to make mistakes make naija no fry egg for him head
Iwobi and Iheanacho are players that are good any day anytime Nigerians are quick to forget it is sad.
I never knew CSN removes forumites comments.
Why was my comments removed, I didn’t use any foul word or anything close
Any link to watch the match…pls drop here
Hesgoal.com
Maybe for continuity sake. The reason why Moses and Collins are starting ahead if zaidu and aina. Going forward, rohr should allow healthy competition. Aina and zaidu will do a great job in this system.
I pray ighalo ick today with oshimen. I pray so. Best of luck eagles. Fans relax. Eagles will win this match convincingly.
IT IS DUE TO LAZINESS & UNSERIOUSNESS OF IHEANACHO, ONUACHU AND OTHERS THAT GIVE ROOM FOR IGHALO BACK TO EAGLE STARTING LINE-UP.
ALTHOUGH THAT’S THEIR OWN CUP OF TEA.
Again, this line-up clearly shows the technical capacity of the best coach in the world Dumbo Rohr..
Why continue to use the same set of players that have failed to deliver with this 352 system.
352 system is well-suited for wingers who can attack and provide crosses efficiently and effectively. Some players on this team are used to this tactic because it’s the formation used by their clubsides.. Aina and Zaidu are the perfect wing backs for this system. Aina has provided many assists and scored for club and country with this formation.
I can say without fear that Roar is just a tool used by his employees to pollute the team with their corrupt practices. The same guy dropped Aina for a retiree at the last Wcup only for the same player to be signed by a club in top 5 leagues months after.. Perhapps, Aina is the most valuable defender on this team, he holds the transfer record and wages record. This is one if the reasons, Roar has remained trophyless in his career..
This team would have been one if the most feared coach with an average coach that is trust worthy, discipline and has winning mentality. Can you imagine this team is leaving out some our best players in top leagues in Europe : Awo, Dennis,Amoo etc.
When a coach sticks to underperforming players for years, then Bribery and Corruption has mostly likely kicked in..
Roar lacks the confidence and mindset to win trophies.
Next ANC will reveal more about our next steps.
SE will never sink with Roar !!
With that laziness attitude that mean more old players to come back.
BRING BACK:
***VICTOR MOSES FOR MOSES SIMON
***JOHN OGU FOR ETEBO
***BRIAN IDOWU FOR COLLINS
Although, It is clear that Roar has seen much of lazy Iheanacho and one dimension Onwuachu. In the last three matches,Nacho has underperformed and was one of the worst performer in the three matches.
If Iwobi, Moses, Ekong and Collin repeat same performance like the last time and fail to step up today, then they should give way for Chukzy, Aina, Akpo, and Zaidu respectively.
With exception to the exclusion of Zaidu Sanusi in the starting line up, who I think offers more offensively than Jamilu Collins, the starting line up is very okay, I believe the gaffer works more closely with this players and knows them better, he picks the players that best suit his tactics, I stand with the coach on this, it doesn’t necessarily translates that our starting eleven is the best players in camp at the moment, how players fits into his game plan matters and it is not out of place for a Nigerian or any football lover earthwide to constructively oppose his starting eleven, Odion Jude Ighalo has alot to prove today, hopefully he will deliver the goods today and brings his wealth of experience to the team which Gernoht Rohr thinks the team lacks and prove many Nigerians wrong myself inclusive( I reiterate we have seen the best and worst of Ighalo before now ).
For some weird reasons, I believe Nigeria will beat the Cape Verdeans with a convincing scoreline( just a hunch ), many will say otherwise because of our boys unconvincing victories and losses in recent matches which have culminated in some sections of Nigerians to lose faith in him and question his technical ability, besides Central Africa Republic got a victory right there at the Teslim Balogun stadium, I can emphatically say the Central Africa republic debacle is a one off thing, if only our players and coaches learn their lesson never to let their guard down and make most of their goalscoring opportunities count, there are no minnows in football anymore, underrate any low ranked team at your own peril, Gernoht Rohr should tinker the boys for better performances in subsequent matches, today match offer the best platform to begin with it.
Let us try and be civil in this platform and learn to respect other people’s opinion irrespective if it is totally against our ideals, many times I have drawn alot of valid point from those who critises Gernoht Rohr both constructively and destructively, no man is an island of knowledge,let us open our mind to learning, we all love our darling super eagles, though sometimes some of us go overboard and let our emotions get the better of us the name calling is needless, we can do better, I support super eagles, I stand with Gernoht Rohr( He got his many flaws), thumbs up to Mr Pompeii, Dr drey, Oakfield, Aphillydegreat for your expository observations and comments on this platform, Up Super Eagle!! Go for Victory.
Goallllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!! Yes it’s the SuperEaglesssssss. Oluwa ṣa ma sin wa lọọọọọọ
I can’t believe I decided to skip a shift and loose 395 pounds to watch this game . To be honest this is the greatest proof that this coach cannot take us beyond this level. Now is the time to change him . The hand writing is crystal clear .
Ighalo should have come off the bench
And Kelechi should have started