Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem believes Boavista are on the right track while also hailing the excellent team spirit in their 3-0 Primeira Liga spanking of Benfica on Monday.
Awaziem captained Boavista to a commanding victory over As Águias in what was a defensive masterclass at the Estádio do Bessa Século XXI, their first win of the 2020/21 campaign.
With regular skipper, Javi Garcia suspended for the clash, Awaziem was handed the captaincy armband as the hosts in search of their first win of the campaign which they finally landed.
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Boavista broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when former Manchester United player, Angel Gomes was fouled in the box with the forward dusting himself up before smashing home from the spot.
Alberth Elis was then teed up with a fantastic back heel and the Honduran international fired home for 2-0 in the 38th minute after which Yanis Hamache scored the third on 76 minutes.
Awaziem was on for the entire match duration and the defender finished with a rating of 6.9, making 3 clearances, 2 key tackles, winning 4 duels whilst also completing 70% of his passes.
The Nigerian international then posted on Instagram: “Excellent team spirit, well deserved victory, we are on the right track +3…love panthers let’s go @boavistafutebolclube,” he wrote.
So far, so good, Awaziem has started and finished five Portuguese top-flight matches for Boavista whom he joined on loan from FC Porto in the summer while picking up three yellow cards.
By Oluyemi Ogunseyin
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COMMENTS
How I wish this guy can play against Porto and show them hell.
Rohr will surely offend many fans after his final selection.
Balogun
Troost-Ekong
Akpoguma
Ajayi
Omeruo
Awaziem
Adarabioyo
Udokahi
Torunarigha
Thats 9 and we need just 4 from that wing.
this Adarabiayo and Udokahi and Torunargha never agree to play for 9ja talkless filing the document in fifa, how are we sure they have agree to play for 9ja
this performance of aweziem is truly great, it’s to tell Rohr that we don’t lack defenders. tunarigha uduokhai are not better than what we have already, ajayi did great against Fulham and balogun is turned to madini of rangers , ekong is regularly steady despite playing in championship and here is aweziem turned captain akpoguma is also doing fine in the bundesliga, I think we have enough defenders. we should concentrate in the play making department,
Weldone Awaziem.I read on this platform a statement that Awaziem should be dropped as he’s not good enough.To such an insinuation I beg to respond thus:
Awaziem constitute the core of the future of SE.The few matches this guy started for us especially at the Nations cup he was spectacular.He never put any foot wrong in his passes,was assured in defence and almost accurate in crosses.Will not forget the cross to Musa against Cameroun which Musa control perfectly to the foot of Igalo.
Awaziem is fearless:Against Brazil in that friendly, he almost single handedly kept Neyma at bay and continued perfectly after the later was removed due to injury.The commentators singled out he and Ndidi for praise.Ndidi for organising the Defence and he for being so assured in defence.Infact I saw that match closely no single ball passed him,he was very helpful to Ekong.
Only a Coach without vision will throw Awaziem away for whatever reason.Even if am going to have Virgil in my team I will not throw an Awaziem away,at least he will be in my bench.
Awaziem is very versatile and from the look of things can play even in the mid section.I say this cos of the ease he operates the no.2 area.I love him for his understanding of the game.
I really wish that we allow our argument be devoid of sentiments and hatred as I perceive in some of our conclusions.The Coach will keep some players in FACT buck of his team cos of team chemistry.It bit me hollow how that we clamour for every good player around to be included in the team as though the se is a cheer leading group.A good coach will only include a player in his team if the one there is not doing well and if the new one is better.A player can’t just be included for the sake of making up no.he must come in and add up.
Don’t get me wrong,good players should be encouraged,but not all of them will be able to make it there for the sake of team chemistry.
Lastly,It is my desire to all of us to encourage the coach and the team as the qualifies approaches.
@emmanuel… finally someone has spoken truthfully! in addition to what’s been said :
I’ve said it before, I will repeat it – awaziem is currently super eagles best man marker and tackler second only to ndidi. in the friendly against Brazil (a team consisting of players known primarily for their skills) awaziem was never dribbled past! remember very well we are talking about a team that included neymar, coutinho, firmino,etc. in afcon, awaziem held a feat of been dribbled past once, but here is the shocking part – he played as a no2! do you know what that means? as a fullback you face wingers, and what is the first quality a winger should have? simple – dribbling. and we have a defender that made our opponent’s wingers fizzle out of matches and awaziem accomplished this in over 400 minutes! is there a defender in super eagles currently that having better passing skillset than awaziem? remember that this guy has played in France and was included in the list of young best players relative to their position that year. he played in Spain and was nominated for his team best player of the season. I don’t know why porto don’t like him and keeping loaning him to (better) leagues. not even mentioning the fact that he is already wearing the captain arm ban at such a young age for his new team.
truly speaking, with the influx of quality defenders rohr would have a selection headache. rohr has to choose among eight centre backs (I won’t count tourinhga as we are yet to hear any rumor of switching allegiance unlike udoikhai) to pick 4 and at most 5 ( if you are going with a 3man defense). regardless I don’t think awaziem should be dropped. the guy is integra to our future. I see a super eagles with a 3man defense that is made of : awaziem – udoikhai – adarabioyo. this would indeed be a defense wall!
@Kingston, thanks a million.The truth is there is nothing more to add to your submissions ,you have said it all.
Good to see all our defenders playing regularly for their teams. Keep it up!