Victor Boniface and Igoh Ogbu have been named in the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Best X1.
The Team of the Group Stage is compiled by authoritative statistics website WhoScored.com.
Boniface and Ogbu played pivotal roles in their respective clubs progress into knockout round.
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Forward Boniface netted four times in five outings for Bayer Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten in the competition this season.
The 22-year-old was joint-top scorer in Europe’s second tier club competition last season with six goals.
Former Flying defender Igoh Ogbu has shone in the competition for Czech side, Slavia Prague this season.
The tall centre-back has registered two goals in six appearances.
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COMMENTS
The deafening silence on this kid-sensation centreback Igho Ogbu on this forum isn’t baffling at all.
Of course, there is no “Kabiru” or “Mohammed” or “Rabiu” that needs to be chased out of the central defence of the SE with some conspiracy theories at the moment.
The guy must be good. Haven’t see him play though but the hype he got at every europa match speak volume and since he always play in 3 man defence and centrally to be precise, I think he will be a good addition to the team if we’re to play 3-5-2 which i believe is the best formation for SE
Since we’re lacking creative midfielders, let’s just pack the midfield with 2 quality wing backs. Aina, Osayi and Onyemachi can do well in that role. Also heard of a guy in the NPFL who already had 8 assist this season playing from wing back. His team fans has compared him to the Almighty Dani Alves. If the Coach can get him in the team that will be fine
Also this Luton defender Gabriel Osho is doing well in a 3 man defence. Him, with Bassey and this Igho Ogbu will be solid for Eagles.
Then Ndidi, Iwobi & Onyedike in the midfield while Ihaenacho pair Osimhen upfront because he understand Osimhen better than any of the wingers or midfielders in that SE
Lastly. Get a decent Goalkeeper because Uzoho will break lot of heart if the Coach stick with him
I kind of think why he is not getting a look at in SE is the fact that he is not playing in mainstream Europe. His agent should leverage on this performance and get him a club in 5 top league in Europe.
As I read this news on owngoal before seeing it here, what was going on in my mind was how can I defender be doing so well in Europe and not invited to the Super Eagles to fight for a shirt. I stand to be corrected I think this guy is about the only CB (not FBs)of Nigerian origin playing match after match in a European continental competition. Why is the guy being overlooked, does Peseiro want to tell us he doesn’t follow the Europa League that is if we assume he doesn’t follow the Czech league at least he should have seen or read of him in UEL now. It is well
As much as goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has been assailed here for his poor display, some of the goals we have conceded of late has been as a result of our porous central defense. I have continually suggested that Igho Ogbu, Fredrick Benjamin and Olisah Ndah who is back playing regularly again be given a chance.
I believe the trio will perform better than Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey in that central defense of ours.
Our defending or lack there-of, is the main reason why I believe we don’t stand a chance in next month’s Nations Cup tournament.
That guy, Igoh Ogbu has always been a good defender from his days with the U20’s till date with fine ball÷playing skills nd tremendous heading ability. Infacr, he has all that characterise a modern day central defender. U just have to watch his highlights nd check the statistics that he has got.
Our coaching crew should just do the best there is to infuse our very best players nd not just that ti fish out the missing links in the team that as for me are above average players with exceptional techniques nd leadership skills to move the team forward otherwise, it’s just a circus game for the coaches/technical team without routes or channels to really improve the team.
Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Ndidi, Osimhen, Simon and perhaps, Boniface( only due to his club form or current rating) should be the main players, let’s just forget gra gra abeg. I also like Calvin Bassey’s passion nd energy when in National colors too.
My starting team for the Nation’s cup nd going forward:
Goalkeepers:
1) Osigwe(if fit)/ Nwabili
2) Okonkwo/ Uzoho
3)Okoye/Adeleye
Defenders:
4) Osayi÷Samuel,
5) Ola Aina
6) Bruno Onyemaechi
7) Zaidu Sanusi
8) Igoh Ogbu
9) Tosin Aderabayo(if he has switched his allegiance)/Semi Ajayi
10) Calvin Bassey
11) Jordan Torunarigha
Midfielders:
12) Ndidi
13) Onyedika
14) Onyeka
15) Iwobi
16) Alhasan Yusuf
17) Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Attackers:
18) Osimhen
19) Boniface
20) Terem Moffi
21) Iheanacho
22) Simon
23) Lookman
24) Chukwueze/ Chiderah Ejuke
25) Chuba Akpom/Gift Orban
26) Cyril Dessres/ Moses Akor
27)
I think ogbu onyedike need to be given chance in super eagles on which i believe can do better than our central defenders
Guys i have spotted this guy’s defending abilities. Since 2019 when under20 WC was hosted by Finland. This guy (Igoh Ogbu) paired Valentine Ozornwafor in that tournament.
In the heart of the then Nigeria U20 CB a lot of people including Gernot Rohr was shouting and overhyping Ozornwafor and I was laughing at them because I knew quite well that the best CB for Nigeria then is Igoh Ogbu.
I am always surprise that behind my keyboard here players of Nigeria descent I scout everyday what then happened to the authorities in this field? Wetin come be their work?
The day Slavia praha played against Mourinho’s Roma and beat them 2-0 it was that day Mourinho penciled this guy down for more scouting…
Let me be straightforward here guys; forget about experience these guys in the glass always use to deceive you no defender in the super eagles of today is better than Igoh Ogbu of Slavia praha!
Igoh Ogbu is a ball playing CB with high level of Aerials power. He is a hard tackling defender with full concentration on the field for more than 120mins.
Some times, people will be talking ignorantly that super eagles lack balance in the defence and Midfield and I will keep saying that it is a big lie. It is just that José Peseiro is not inviting the rightful combination of players that can complement one another in these mentioned departments of the team.
Why is it that Alhassan Yusuf has not been invited till date to complement Ndidi and Iwobi ? Guys hear this again, in terms of ball playing as well as defensive Midfield dirty works no one today is better than Alhassan Yusuf of Royal Antwerp of Belgium in the Super Eagles
Alhassan Yusuf plays exactly like Lobotba of Napoli but in terms of marking and Ruggedity Yusuf is better than Lobotba. Why is he not playing in the Super Eagles team since all this while? See my 3man Midfield set-up with Yusuf in the super if I am the coach.
Iwobi…….. Yusuf…….. Ndidi.
And why is Yusuf not playing for Napoli or Chelsea or inter Milan today?
Well we can still give him a chance. You see I am just tired about hyping these players before they are called. Do you remember how many we have hyped and they have not given us what we wanted.
@Abdul what a write UP That guy called Yusuff is a blessing to us. Watched his game against Barcelona, he covered everywhere on the pitch. Never tired of running and marking, he unsettled and break opponent’ threat.
Don’t know why he is not being called to compete
The question is judgement, do we trust the nff and this coach to pick the right players? I certainly do not.
The truth iis there is an explosion of football talents in this generation but NFF will waste this golden generation. Wisdom is defined as the ability to do right and the SE handlers do the opposite. Why has it taken this long to get a stable and dependable goal keeper? It is not that there haven’t been good ones but the coaches NFF employ have consistently ignored the opportunity to try out better options. To be fair to Rohr, he tried in this regard. He brought in uzoho,ezenwa,okoye and gave them opportunity to hold that postion down but same can not be said of peseiro. How come jonathan rasheed os not called? Some of the media are part of the problem, they have started to hype Uzoho again and the coach needs to be very careful during this period.
A position nobody is worried about is the 6 position. Have we not noticed that any time Ndidi is out of the team we struggle?Yusuff is like a kante, unbelievable stamina and running power, he can easily provide that shield but this coach continues with onyeka.Onyedika appears to have improved and the opportunity to play him in the 6 came during the last international break was there but this coach who is obviously bereft of football knowledge played onyeka. If you want to really put things in perspective, compare nigeria to France. France is probably the only team in the world that will rival Nigera in terms of talent pool. They are getting results with theirs and we are wasting ours. It does not take a century to build a formidable team, rather it takes knowledgeable people who understand how to put the pieces together.
My team for the afcon:
Goal keepers:
1. Jonathan Rasheed
2. Stanley Nwabili
3. Amas obasogie
Defenders:
4. Calvin Bassey
5. Tosin Adarabioyo
6. Zaidu sanusi
7. Bruno onyemaechi
8. Ola Aina
9. Bright osayi
10. Igho ogbu
11. Kenneth omeruo
12. Semi Ajayi
Midfielders
13. Ndidi Wilfred
14. Onyedika Raphael
15. Alhassan Yusuff
16. Alex Iwobi
17. Onuche Ogbelu
18. Fisayo dele bashiru
Strikers:
19. Moses simon
20. Ademola lookman
21. Samuel chukwueze
22. Chidera ejuke
23. Victor osimhen
24. Victor Boniface
25. Adams Akor
26. Kelechi iheanacho
27. Dessers/ Moffi
Good list. I have no qualms with the gk but the striker I will include sodiq. If we play a defensive team with low block. Thereby denying osimhen the space to run behind, we need a striker that can shoot from 25-30 yards and that is where sodiq comes in. In the midfield, it is no brainer frank ahead of Yusuf any day.
Yes Mercy. I also think Sadoq Umar has a place in the team. Don’t let’s write Paul Onuachu off. Aribo’s versatility means he can also play as a support striker.
Etebo is not long in the tooth yet. He is arguably the best palm wine carrying midfielder that we have.
There you guys go again. Chopping and changing the super eagles lineup. Later they will be complaining why the team is still doing bad
By your logic, Uzoho should continue as number 1 then. There is nothing wrong in making changes to weak areas in the team ( areas where it is evident that there is a lack of quality). Rasheed and nwabali are top goal tenders in their respective leagues, besides it is a fantasy team so relax. In midfield onyeka has flattered to deceive when given the opportunity, so why not give others the opportunity to shine. What do you have to lose? So if you own a business and you have the opportunity to grow your business astronomically by recruiting better skilled employees , you will not ?
That is how these ex jobless internationals are pushing for Ahmed musa’s return because of experience. As if musa was not there when we crashed out in the 2nd round. Where was his experience then? These guys are mischievous. Our main problem as Africans is that instead of plotting a path to success we settle for superstitious beliefs. You will hear things like ” The last time we won the afcon, we used home based players and as such we should maintain he same format if we are to be successful”.You will hear things like “We never win if we wear white jersey”, All superstitions devoid of any logic. Such people forget that the standard of our league has depreciated significantly and FIFA laws have relaxed which has created additional talent pool to select from. A good example is lookman playing in the serie A, a top 5 league in the world with a higher standard than the NPFL , any reasonable person will consider him before a player from the local league, it is a no brainer.
Finally, the team is doing badly because of the school of thought that you belong to( sticking with players who have consistently performed below par and sticking with them).Uzoho is a prime example.
The problem – Golden Child – is that you seem to scapegoat Uzoho for the team’s shortcomings of late. I too have criticised Uzoho and think he has committed one mistake too many. Still, I feel the infrastructure of the team’s formation is also to be blamed.
I wouldn’t exclude Uzoho from the entire squad as you did. Perhaps we can drop him to second choice goalkeeper. But, to be honest, I won’t be too upset if Peseiro affords Uzoho one last opportunity to prove himself so long as the structural deficiency in the formation is addressed.
@deo, let us honest, uzoho has been shocking! Let others have their chance too.
Larry,
We have also overlooked Jordan Torunariga. Joe Aribo is perhaps one of the most versatile option we have. The absence of Paul Onuachu in that list is baffling. Let’s not forget Isaac Success and Tyrone Ebuehi.
Deo,
The reason why players need to show-up when given opportunities. I think Akpo and Sadiq might make the list, Aribo has a chance but his club activity is failing him, Onuachu is a foreclosed matter. Onyemerachi is the reason for Torunariga.
I think Golden child clarfied Super Eagles whom coach Peseiro can summon; but there are players that he ignored just like agile and strong goalkeer U 20 Chijioze Aniagbosso and Noah Otubolu( if he completed his alliegence to SE); also there are Kennth Omuero and Sadiq Umar.
Kenneth is there bro.
Where is Gift Orban in your line up.
Golden Child you excluded the excellent Kevin Akpoguma from your list. Olisa Ndah also requires a look in.
I am amazed that you excluded Kelechi Nwakali from your midfield. Frank the tank Onyeka’s exclusion is shocking.
Some people are rooting for Marcus Abraham in attack and Jesse Sekidika as a wildcard.
Also, where is Maduka Okoye?
I don’t understand your list.
There are no surprises with Akpoguma,the surprise will be if he made the team. The only chance he has of getting into the team is the right back role. Osayi and aina have that locked down already. Also, nwakali major asset is his passing ability but his archilies heal is his lack of mobility and defensive awareness. There is a reason why his career has not taken off. For progress sake , please let us put to bed this issue of onuachu. He is not good enough! There is no striker in that list that onuachu will bench, none! Is he NOT better than osimhen, boniface, akor? All who are performing in top 5 leagues. Onuachu was in the epl and did not register a single goal and after a couple of games , he was condemned and tossed to the bench.
As for onyeka , another one that had several opportunities and failed to utilise it. I do not know what position is best for Frank. Is he a 6 ? Absolutely No! Is he an attacking midfielder? God forbid! Is a box to box ? Haba! He will probably make the list because of the league he plays but in my opinion, I will try other options. I have put onuche because the boy has huge potential in midfield and now is the perfect time to groom him for the world Cup in 2026. In contrast, with yusuf, I know what I am getting. Player that will run all day, perfect for a pressing midfield. What is marcus doing at top flight? And the sekidika is playing in what league again? Truth is there is no perfect team but I think my list pretty balanced and all the players are there on merit in terms of their performance, competition for positions and the league they play in. Aribo is not active ( we should not be sentimental) and does not start for a championship side(division 2). How can you be surprised by that? This is the super eagles we are talking about and not Sao tome !
Onuachu was at the afcon in 2018, absolutely shocking! Very limited. No pace to trouble any defense, movement of the ball is below par,his link up play is appalling, technical ability , he is abject. He is only good when in the box but a good tactical team will just play a high line knowing he can not run and it is a wrap. Do not get carried away with these players plying their trade in agrarian leagues.
Hassan Tia abeg e get contract WEY you and strong sign sellllffff? Wetin self. Na waoh.
Golden Child,
All you did was to highlight the shortcomings of Onuachu, Aribo, Onyeka and co. which left the impression of them being good for nothing.
Are you saying the players in your list do not have shortcomings? There is no such thing as the perfect player. Even in computer games it does not exist.
Onuachu has scored for Nigeria and he is more than capable of doing it again. Onyeka pulls his weight in Super Eagles colours whilst Aribo has improved of late.
Nwakali’s passing assets can be harnessed to devastating effect if paired with a second midfielder willing to do the dirty work – similar to how Onazi complemented Obi Mikel.
I respect your opinion on players but they all have their strengths and weaknesses.
As for Uzoho, he is back keeping in his club with his coach praising him to high heavens. Uzoho has been deplorable in dealing with long range bullets. But he excels, by and large, in other goalkeeping competencies. It will be a breath of fresh air to try another goalkeeper but giving Uzoho just one more opportunity to prove himself might prove rewarding.
@Goldenchild, based on current form and availability, the closest list ever.
I will include the ffg options:
Omeruo/Balogun, Onyedika/Onyeka, Ogbelu/Nwakali, and Ejuke/Marcus, Adams/Gift.
Awoniyi is injured ! If he is fit, he will definitely be among the first 15in the team.
I bet you had no CLUE that Awoniyi was injured?