Umar Sadiq was on target as Partizan Belgrade defeated Rad Beograd 3-0 in their Serbia Super Liga clash on Saturday, reports Completesports.com.
Sadiq scored Partizan’s third goal of the game from the spot 10 minutes from time.
The forward has now scored five goals in six league outings for the club this season.
In Belgium, David Okereke scored once in Club Brugge’s 4-1 win against Waasland- Beveren.
Read Also: Premier League: Salah Bags Hat-trick As Liverpool Edge Leeds In Seven-Goal Thriller
Okereke scored Brugge’s third goal of the game five minutes after the break.
He was replaced by Kreppin Diatta 12 minutes from time.
Okereke’s international teammate, Emmanuel Dennis featured for 72 minutes in the game.
In the Eredivisie, Tyronne Ebuehi was in action for 75 minutes as FC Twente started the new season on a high following a 2-0 home win against Fortuna Sittard.
Ebuehi was replaced by Nathangelo Alexandro Markelo.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Good one guys, we are solidly behind you.
Am so happy to see Ebuehi back in action. He was just himself as usual. Outstanding. I tell people if not for the Injury he suffered he would have been the TRENT ARNOLD of Liverpool we’re talking about today. They play so similar. Well, Thank God he’s back now for good
Sadiq again! 5 goals in 6. Brilliant
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
PART A
The announcement of the October 9 and 13 friendlies between the SE and CIV and Tunisia respectively is one which has generated lots of excitement around the Nigerian football community which has been starved of international football and a chance to see their now darling, sweet and beautiful to watch again SE. The last time the SE were engaged in an international match was close to a year ago, thus the idea of the friendlies was a good one, not only for the fans but for the players alike. 1 year is a long time…a long long time in football. A lot of things can change within one year. Denmark went from not qualifying for Euro 92 to becoming champions of Euro 92 within one year. France went from winning the Confed cup 2001 and cementing their place as the strongest team in the world at that time to not scoring a single goal at the 2002 World cup. Nigeria went from not qualifying for 2012 AFCON to becoming champions in 2013. These a snippets of what one year can do in the game of football. I cant imagine what it will feel like coming together to play soccer again with pals whom I’ve not played together with in the last 1 year. A whole lot of things would have gone amiss. And that was why these friendlies come at such an auspicious time. A closed camping was earlier scheduled for Austria but had to be called off due to COVID 19 related reluctance of clubs to release players. And with a 2021 ahead, jam-packed with qualifiers for both AFCON and the 2020 WC, this offers an opportunity to bring the players together for some rehearsals before the avalanche of high staked matches begin, starting from this November.
With this in mind, I have tried to put my self in the position of the SE gaffer…. afterall, if Yobo could make it…..I also have some hope too (no puns intended…Lolz). I try to see how this friendly window can best be maximized with the primary objective of BRINGING BACK THE SYNERGY IN THE TEAM which I can bet must have gone out of the window due to the close to 1-year inactivity. Other objectives would be:
– to cap previously uncapped ones in other to make those who are still contemplating nationality switch see that it does truly pay to commit to Nigeria and that Nigeria carries their biggest hope of a long term international career (they can ask V.Moses and Balogun how that feels)
– to test a few new combinations, especially in defence, midfield and attack
– to widen the pool of tested and battle-ready players we have on our roll, who can be readily called upon when needed
– to strengthen our position on the FIFA rankings table…trust me, this will help us immensely in the nearest future.
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
PART B
To the above ends (stated in Part A), here are some decision I would make
Call ups; I would invite a squad of 30 players to this team bonding exercise, since everyone has been all over the place since last year. So it’s a good time to bring as many as possible back together to prepare for the storm of matches ahead.
Goalkeeping: Akpeyi we know, Uzoho we know, Ezenwa we know. There’s nothing more to be seen from this trio, including the fact that Uzoho seems primed to be the No1 goal tender for Nigeria going into the next decade. Apart from that, lack of match fitness owing to a combination of recovery from injuries and inactivity means we can let these ones be for now. Akpeyi is in a dire situation at Kaizer chiefs as the coaches who so much believed in him and did not let nepotism becloud their sense of judgement in making him no 1 at the club have been fired for letting a 13 point gap slip and losing the league title in the last 25 minutes of the season. A new coach will be named soon who will most possibly be a local, hence Akpeyi will need all the focus he can muster to battle at club level for survival ahead of the new season, hence I will leave him out. Uzoho made a cross town move from Omonia to APOEL Nicosia this summer window, despite being on the mend for over half the whole season. But it seemed APOEL had seen enough if his qualities with his stints at Omonia and Anorthosis to want to make him one of their own. But having been out for so long, and now in a new club, Uzoho faces the biggest battle yet of his career, to nick the no 1 position in the club, if not for anything else, but for his position in the national team. A bench role at APOEL going into this new season (God forbid) will be a huge dent on his National team chances, just like at AFCON where G. Rohr was forced to relegate him to 3rd choice position after missing way to many games from bans and suspension. To this end, I will rather leave him out for now, to fight this battle of securing the no 1 gloves at his club so that he can be in position to live to fight another day the war for the no 1 gloves in the national team. As for Ezenwa, his days in the SE has always been numbered. The NPFL found a very good excuse to grind to a halt due to covid 19. That is probably the 3rd time in 3 years the league is ending without ‘ending’. No competition since March…. Uncle Ekene…no apologies, you are OUT.
In the places of the above trio, I will bring in the trio of Maduka Okoye, Seb Osigwe and Mathew Yakubu (the new 19yr old sensation in Slovakia). Maduka is no stranger to the SE, He has been there since after 2019 AFCON and showed some flashes on his debut vs Brazil….but to be honest, his 1st 25 minutes as SE goalkeeper wasn’t convincing enough, but it was still convincing enough though for us to have hope that this 20 yr old will be in the SE for many years to come. These friendlies provide a perfect opportunity to give him his test and see if he truly is worthy of the mark. I will start him and give him 60 minutes each in both games. This is the time for him to show us the stuff he is made of, without the added pressure of having 2 senior goalkeepers around him. Sebastine has long being on the fringes, having first burst into the scene as far back as 2013 with John Obuh’s U20 team to the Toulon tournament, where he distinguished himself, alongside Semi Ajayi….but quite quite shockingly, in typical Nigerian local coaches fashion, these 2 were dropped from the WC itself (quite fishy). Its even worse that Obuh rather went to that world cup with one shortingo like that Samuel Okani or so, whom I last heard of even within the NPFL scene at that tournament. But the sterling 19 yr old Sebastine who was dropped at that time for him has now matured and blossomed into a 26 old shot stopper whose talents has taken him through the 3rd and 2nd divisions in Switzerland with SC Kriens and now to the top division with FC Lugano. Sebastian has played the last 3 – 4 seasons on a trot as the 1st choice goalkeeper for SC Kriens and has shown that he indeed deserves a shout out for SE places. I will give him 30 minutes in both friendlies. And that leaves me with Yakubu, the 19-year-old goalkeeper from Aigbogun’s Sambisa XI who has within 6 months of his transfer to Slovenia tied down the No1 spot at his club. The young lad took over after SKF Sered’s main goal keeper conceded 6 goals in one game and has gone on to keep 4 clean sheets in 4 straight games after that……now that is how to grab your chance when it comes. Of course, I am inviting him to come and interact with the national team at close quarters with a view to further invitation in future. Let me see if he is as good as his 4 straight clean sheets in Slovenia make him look. I am sorry, 2 friendlies are not enough to test 1 goalkeeper, talk more of 3 goalkeepers. But if he shows me in camp that he is the Amalinze-the-cat whom Chinua Achebe described in his epic novel ‘things fall apart’, then he might just earn himself 30 minutes in any of both games. But the truth for now is that what we are looking for at the moment is the one chap who will be the immediate competition/back up to Francis Uzoho and displace either or both of Akpeyi and Ezenwa from our faces for good. Others will surely get their chances with time particularly in the nearest future, based on form, competitiveness and performance. But for now, it may just be Francis Uzoho and the rest.
So in the Goalkeeping Department:
Vs CIV – Okoye/Osigwe
Vs TUN – Okoye/Osigwe (or Yakubu)
Notable mentions though – Dele Alampasu, Adeleke Adebayo
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PART C
Defence:
My guy you sabi…..wonderful piece.
Beautifully prepared and eloquently delivered, great job Dr Drey.
Dr. Drey you’re a genius. I suspect something while reading this: it’s likely you are a staff of CSN. Your write ups are professional and factual. It reminds me of those days when I used to read Dr. Ojeagabse and mumuni alao in Complete football magazine.
Are you a CSN staff. If you are not one, then you are a pro. Keep it up anyway.
Dr. Drey, I salute your expertise. I so enjoyed every bit of it till the concluding part. Great write-up. Even your haters have no choice but to agree you’re someone who knows this round leather game really well.
For the Goalkeeping department, I so agree with every bit of your write up. Okoye needs to be proven. Osigwe is battle ready for so long and Matthew Yakubu up till yesterday evening still shone for SFK Sered in Slovakia. Brilliant Goal keeper and should be given a chance. In as much as I love Dele Alampasu, I can’t but just agree that he needs to do more. I follow him keenly in the Latvian league and got to know that he hardly even makes match day in lowly Latvia. That’s not convincing enough for someone that wants to play in the National team of NIGERIA.
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
PART C
Defence:
At right and left back: Aina, Ebuehi, Ehizube, Collins and Zaidu nicks it for obvious reasons.
Aina has been our Mr versatility in the full back positions, very comfortable on both sides and give the team plenty of width especially when going forward. He has been very influential since AFCON and has been contributing to build ups leading to goals. His delightful flick against Burundi to set up Ighalo comes to mind. So also are his one-two with Iwobi against Benin republic to earn a penalty as well as his perfect left footed delivery to Osimhen against Lesotho for Osimhen’s first ever goal in open play for the SE. He was a constant feature for Torino last season in the seria A and is primed for a move to Fulham in the coming days. Ebuehi is back after injuries robbed him of 2 seasons of football at Benfica. A loan move back home to the Netherlands was a very much welcome idea. Ebuehi’s talent is never in doubt. A delightful full back anyday. Ehizube is a new entrant from FC Koln in the Bundesliga….one of the fastest full backs in Germany, he combines his physical prowess with plenty of technical ability, galloping down the right byline. It will be nice to see what the kid has got to offer.
Collins earns another call-up, on the back of having been the only left back in the SE before Zaidu Sanusi emerged last season with Santa clara with performances which earned him a move to giants Porto. Collins has been blowing hot and cold and has refused to seize the opportunities given to him as a monopoly to make that no 3 shirts his own before anyone else comes. Enters Zaidu Sanusi and now, lets see how Collins handles the competition. And for Zaidu, enough said about him already….speed, strength, belief, technique, he’s got it all and at 24 seems to be at the peak of his powers. It will be nice to see how this “battle of the North” for the no 3 shirt in the SE hots up. In the 1st game on the right Aina gets 60 minutes and Ehizube makes is bow in the last 30 mins. On the left its Zaidu all the way. In the 2nd game Ebuehi gets 60 mins and Ehizube once again wraps it up. On the left Collins gets 60 and Aina gets the remaining 30mins
At Centre Back: Balogun, Ekong, Ajayi, Omeruo, Awaziem
Call them the regulars and you wouldn’t be mistaken. By now, these 5 must know the PIN to one another’s ATM or credit cards. That’s how regular they have been over the last 2 years or so. But of course, we can never forget our Oyinbo Wall in such a hurry, and it will be nice to see if the wall still stands (after Balogun’s B&H misadventures) or whether the wall now needs reinforcement. For the first match I will give Ekong and Balogun 60 minutes and bring on Omeruo or Awaziem for the final 30mins. For the 2nd match I will start Ekong and Ajayi and bring on Balogun or Omeruo for the final 30 mins. I might as well play a 3 man defence of Ekong, Awaziem and Ajayi in the first and then Ekong, Balogun and Omeruo in the 2nd. But as much as possible, I want to see how my Central defensive partnerships are faring. That is the foundation of the team. As much as I am trying to test my GKs, I also do not want them terribly exposed to the point of losing confidence in themselves.
So in the Defence:
Vs CIV – Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Zaidu (Ehizube, Omeruo)
or
Aina, Awaziem, Ekong, Ajayi, Zaidu (Ehizube, Omeruo)
Vs TUN – Ebuehi, Ekong, Ajayi, Collins (Omeruo, Aina)
Or Ebuehi, Omeruo, Balogun, Ekong, Collins (Ehizube, Aina, Ajayi)
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Shhhhhhhhh…..shhhhhhh…..Choi…..signal don run o…!
My people, e b like say the gods don taya small. Half-time…!!!
Dr. Drey can how can I follow you on other social media accounts? You have proven beyond any argument with those that have eyes to see that you know, your left from your right in this game.
Be ready to give more because 9ja you know will score you based on how much you feed the demand for more.
God protect your heart, brain and mind and the source of intellectual property.
Well said Dr Drey. I can’t but agree to your ideas so far, even as I await PART C.
Meanwhile, I am so so happy about the return to action of Tyrone Ebuehi. I sincerely hope and pray that he won’t go through such a terrible period in his career ever again. I’m afraid his return will do lot of harm to Shehu Abdullahi’s SE chances as yet to be capped Kingsley Ehizibue, Ola Aina, and Chidozie Awaziem all seem to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
Sadiq Umar had a great season last term in Serbia and by now many expect that he should be plying his trade in a bigger league. I once opined in this forum that regardless of Sadiq’s performance, the Serbian league is low in ranking and this could affect Sadiq’s SE chances, but some of us did not agree with me. If with his top notch performance last season he’s yet to get an offer in a bigger league, then my suspicion may just be right. Be that as it may, I sincerely wish Sadiq the best as we want to see him repeat that top performance in a bigger league.
Omoesan I agreed with u..those league re low beyond most other European leagues.I dnt think we have invited any player in Serbia league bfor if am not mistaken. Umar need to try his energy in more recognized league elsewhere in Europe
Thanks OmoEsan. Thanks to everyone too. Just sharing my random musings in excitement and glad anticipation of the return of international football. Its be a really long time. Even those who claim Rohr has “done nothing” cant wait to see the SE return to action again.
@OmoEsan, regarding Sadiq…that is one of the drawbacks of playing in a low ranking league. You have to prove yourself again and again before you get the right degree of recognition. Its a different thing if you an Asamoah Gyan or an Odion Ighalo or an Ahmed Musa who has made name in a bigger league before. But if you are just a sort of upstart and you are starting from the bottom, you will have to prove yourself again and again before anyone will be ready to put a wager on you. Trustme, if Umar can repeat last seasons 17 goals 17 assists performance or even do better this season, a top 5 from the top 5 leagues will snap him up without looking back. Even national team selectors will not dare ignore him again
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
PART C
Defence:
At right and left back: Aina, Ebuehi, Ehizube, Collins and Zaidu nicks it for obvious reasons.
Aina has been our Mr versatility in the full back positions, very comfortable on both sides and give the team plenty of width especially when going forward. He has been very influential since AFCON and has been contributing to build ups leading to goals. His delightful flick against Burundi to set up Ighalo comes to mind. So also are his one-two with Iwobi against Benin republic to earn a penalty as well as his perfect left footed delivery to Osimhen against Lesotho for Osimhen’s first ever goal in open play for the SE. He was a constant feature for Torino last season in the seria A and is primed for a move to Fulham in the coming days. Ebuehi is back after injuries robbed him of 2 seasons of football at Benfica. A loan move back home to the Netherlands was a very much welcome idea. Ebuehi’s talent is never in doubt. A delightful full back anyday. Ehizube is a new entrant from FC Koln in the Bundesliga….one of the fastest full backs in Germany, he combines his physical prowess with plenty of technical ability, galloping down the right byline. It will be nice to see what the kid has got to offer. Collins earns another call-up, on the back of having been the only left back in the SE before Zaidu Sanusi emerged last season with Santa clara with performances which earned him a move to giants Porto. Collins has been blowing hot and cold and has refused to seize the opportunities given to him as a monopoly to make that no 3 shirts his own before anyone else comes. Enters Zaidu Sanusi and now, lets see how Collins handles the competition. And for Zaidu, enough said about him already….speed, strength, belief, technique, he’s got it all and at 24 seems to be at the peak of his powers. It will be nice to see how this “battle of the North” for the no 3 shirt in the SE hots up. In the 1st game on the right Aina gets 60 minutes and Ehizube makes is bow in the last 30 mins. On the left its Zaidu all the way. In the 2nd game Ebuehi gets 60 mins and Ehizube once again wraps it up. On the left Collins gets 60 and Aina gets the remaining 30mins
At Centre Back: Balogun, Ekong, Ajayi, Omeruo, Awaziem
Call them the regulars and you wouldn’t be mistaken. By now, these 5 must know the PIN to one another’s ATM or credit cards. That’s how regular they have been over the last 2 years or so. But of course, we can never forget our Oyinbo Wall in such a hurry, and it will be nice to see if the wall still stands (after Balogun’s B&H misadventures) or whether the wall now needs reinforcement. For the first match I will give Ekong and Balogun 60 minutes and bring on Omeruo or Awaziem for the final 30mins. For the 2nd match I will start Ekong and Ajayi and bring on Balogun or Omeruo for the final 30 mins. I might as well play a 3 man defence of Ekong, Awaziem and Ajayi in the first and then Ekong, Balogun and Omeruo in the 2nd. But as much as possible, I want to see how my Central defensive partnerships are faring. That is the foundation of the team. As much as I am trying to test my GKs, I also do not want them terribly exposed to the point of losing confidence in themselves.
So in the Defence:
Vs CIV – Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Zaidu (Ehizube, Omeruo)
or
Aina, Awaziem, Ekong, Ajayi, Zaidu (Ehizube, Omeruo)
Vs TUN – Ebuehi, Ekong, Ajayi, Collins (Omeruo, Aina)
Or Ebuehi, Omeruo, Balogun, Ekong, Collins (Ehizube, Aina, Ajayi)
Ur idea’s re not bad but let’s wait and see what Rohr has to offer.however Zaidu and Ebuehi is too early to invite them bcos they both need more time to settle well in their new respective club’s for now maybe from next year they can come in.
Rubbish talk
Well said Drey. @Obidee, if you don’t test the readiness of players like Zaidu and Ebuehi now in friendlies, is it Next year when we will be playing Crucial qualifiers for both the World Cup and AFCON and also AFCON proper that you want to be doing “Sound check”??
I agree with you. These friendlies present the opportunity to test anybody or anything we need to test. By the time the qualifiers begin…we might not be able to do any testing of the microphone until maybe when we have qualified with games to spare.
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
PART D
Midfield:
The news of Joe Aribo being out for 6 weeks comes as a big set-back for the SE which is currently lean on dependable, tested and trusted resources at the moment. Aribo is one who has shown, from the very day he first stepped into the SE camp to be one very dependable midfield allrounder. With a style of play and athleticism similar to that of the late Muda Lawal of blessed memory. Aribo has shown it would be him and the rest in the SE midfield for years to come except something unfortunate happens (God forbid). With abilities to play as a DM, a CM an AM or a playmaker Aribo has so far shown he holds the ace in the SE midfield at the moment. This is couple with his ability to arrive late in the box for finish off moves in a Lampard-esque manner. However, when the desirable is not available, then the available surely becomes the desirable, hence the need to focus on the rest of the options we have while we await Aribo’s recovery.
In defensive midfield, Ndidi and Mikel Agu are my best bets at the moment, and this is for obvious reasons too. In central midfield, Etebo, Azeez and Nwakali will try each other for size. The trio are very comfortable with the ball at their feet, can dictate play from the middle of the park and can weigh in a fair share of forward passes with appreciable accuracy. In the attacking midfield position, Iwobi and new entrant Ejaria will be my creative options who will seek to link the midfield to the attack with the deft and incisiveness that the no 10 position requires. Keeping my objectives going into these encounters in mind, for the first match. I will start with the usuals, Ndidi, Etebo and Iwobi, and thereafter Ejaria will have his turn for the last half hour of the game. For the 2nd match it will be Agu, Ndidi and Nwakali starting for the first hour or thereabout and Azeez and Iwobi rounding things up.
So in the Midfield:
Vs CIV – Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi (Ejaria)
Vs TUN – Agu, Ndidi, Nwakali (Azeez, Iwobi)
Attack:
This is by far the position where we have the largest amount of overloads at the moment. As many as nine capable No 9s are currently available in the pool at the moment, not to talk of the 6 other wing forwards who can contribute their fair share of attacking impetus. Unfortunately, all 15 cannot be called up to a 30-man squad.
Wing Forwards: Chukwueze, Kalu, Ejuke, Simon and Onyekuru are as assured as the October 9th and 13th friendlies itself. What may not be assured is who starts and who doesn’t. But whoever earns a starting shirt of the quintet, be rest assured the opposition full backs are going to be having the longest 90minutes of their careers.
For all the money’s worth, Kalu and Chuwukueze get a starting berth vs CIV and Ejuke will wrap things up (depending on the need or not, for a twin strike force). Vs Tunisia Onyekuru will commence proceedings with Ejuke wrapping things up.
Upfront, fortunately or unfortunately, its Osimhen and the rest. So Dessers, Umar, Simy and Dennis will have a lot to fight for. Between the 4 of them one can count close to 60 goals in all competitions in Europe last season, so their abilities, individually and collectively is not in doubt. Osimhen definitely starts as a lone striker vs CIV and then gets some assistance from Dessers anytime from the 55th minute for between 15 and 20 minutes before making way for another mobile CF in the mould of Sadiq Umar. Both guys kick things off vs Tunisia with Dessers making way for Simy anytime from 50 minutes and Osimhen replacing Umar for the last quarter of an hour of the game.
So in the Attack:
Vs CIV – Kalu, Chuwukueze, Osimhen (Dessers, Umar)
Vs TUN – Onyekuru, Dessers, Umar (Simy, Osimhen)
Good Analysis my brother Drey. Though I beg to differ in some points made above. Inviting Agu(well deserved) I said few weeks back but some folks came at me here. I was one of his big critic during the World Cup qualifiers but after watching him star against Uganda in Asaba, I then saw the Mikel Agu we’ve been missing for long. A good Defensive Midfielder having the Ndidi attributes but adds something more to his game which is after recovering the ball, he moves so fast with it and try to shoot from long range and also lay dangerous passes up front. So, I would have preferred playing Ndidi in a game while Agu comes in for him in the final 30 minutes then Agu starts the next game as a Defensive Midfielder. Playing Agu and Ndidi in the same game for me will be too Defensive for me. So I’ll rather play Ndidi-Etebo-Iwobi or Agu-Nwakali-Iwobi. We’re yet to see Azeez real game also. So I’ll suggest the Coach gives him a trial to either start as a CMF or come in early. Also, Ejaria’s availability for Nigeria in October is a big doubt! So I’ll suggest we just start looking for other options. This is as well a BIG.. BIG Chance for him to stake a claim in the Super Eagles. Aribo out, Ejaria doubtful, Etebo(as we know our Coach is a very principled man, he might just tell him to settle well at Gals and rest out the Friendlies). Also, Iwobi might be the only 10 available yet again. So this is a chance for Nwakali to either walk straight to the SE as a CMF or AMF. In the coming days, we might also see new Midfielder names spring up.
For the Attack, Noah Sarenren Bazee will be picked ahead of Onyekuru for me. Don’t be deceived guys, Have you heard Kovac spoken anything good about Onyekuru again?? I watched there 1st and 2nd league game and wasn’t impressed in any. No wonder he was hauled off in both. He’s even lucky to start because Monaco don’t have good players on the bench. So Onyekuru should please take time in his club and work so hard during the International break. Josh Maja also should be considered. I also noticed the Vs Tunisia game where you paired Dessers and Umar in a match and you placed Umar on the wings. We know so well both Umar and Dessers are purely CFs not wingers. Why not try out Bazee or Dennis so we’ll see why Chelsea, Juve, AC Milan, Sheffield, Arsenal are chasing him…lol.
I would also like to ask why you omitted the Team Captain Alhaji Power bike Musa..lolz. His days are numbered in the team..yes I know. He’s only living on past glory. But I’d also like you to throw more light here. The Super Eagles Midfield and Attack as you’ve said is where we have loads of talents. The selection will also be dicey. Someone might come up and even bring up another entirely different line up for the Attack and Midfield just to show how blessed we are in this areas.
All in all, Your write up is Master class Drey. Thanks for making my weekend
You’ve made very valid points my brother.
But apart from my broad objectives during this friendlies window which I spelt out earlier, I also took cognizance of the opposition in selecting the squads. I was also very impressed with Agu’s performance vs Uganda. And that was why I wanted to give him some more game time to see how he can synergize with the main man in that department which is Ndidi, while also considering how to ensure we nullify the fluid, sleek faced paced style of play of the North Africans. 1 DM most times is not always enough to break their play because those guys are always full of running and occupying the spaces between their opponents. Hence the need to have an extra personnel who can both break and initiate play. Luckily Nwakali can also do that too. So no harm in having 2 who can push forward to initite and also drop back to break play.
For the attack, I wish I could pick all those who are available, but unfortunately its not possible. N.Sarenren Bazee is sure an exciting player, but I think Onyekuru has plenty to offer if and only if one can be able to format his current mindset and attitude. Moreover, he has been with the team for quite some time now, so I wouldnt need to do too much of teaching him on how I expect him to play….unlike NSB who will have to undergo all that ritual of been initiated into the style of play. But in all honesty, between NBS and Henry….I will still pick henry anyday anytime.
Josh Maja, a good player though, I fear will still have to play beyond his skin this season or wait a few more years or pray that the trio of Simy, Dessers and Sadiq forget how to play b4 he can have a decent shot at the SE for now. He doesnt have the hold up ability of Simy, nor the directness of Dessers nor the sleekness of Sadiq. If we had qualified for the olympics, its the likes of Maja we would have used in building the SE of 2025 and beyond
With regards to Umar’s position vs Tunisia….its not as an out and out left winger. Its a 4-3-3 remember, so its more of a left sided forward position. a Neymar-esqe (at Barca), Aubameyang-esqe (at Arsenal under Arteta) kind of role. Umar is a very mobile type of centre forward who has the ability to take on and go past defenders with relative ease. I’ve watched close to half a dozen of his games for partizan this season and what is common with him is that he loves drifting to the side (towards the edge to the box), dragging the CDs along and taking them on for a sight at goal or for an assist…hence the reason why he had as much as 17 assists last season and 3 assists in 6 games already this season. I am not sure there’s any other striker anywhere in the world apart from Messi who has as much assists last season.
So with a static traditional CF like Dessers, there will always be need for a partner who can rove, drift, take-on and create chances especially anywhere around the opponent’s 18 yard box. With those two who can hold up play very well, it will be easier for us to counter the all out attack all out defense style of a typical North African team like Tunisia with long balls to our forwards immediately we break their plays and retrieve the ball from them….as a way of pegging them back or as a pressure relief whenever we need it.
As for Alh. Musa. That one na Sai Baba now. We dont need to bother him with too much wakabout here and there. He is already tested, trusted and reliable. When things are tight, just like vs Burundi at AFCON when the younger ones lost initiative of how to break the resilience of the debutantes, We will always call him up to weave something out with his very unorthodox style of play. He has that big game temperament and somehow always manages to conjure stuff for us when we need it.
But by and large, these are indeed trying times for the SE gaffer. Daily doses of paracetamol my not be enough to cure the kind of selection headaches he will be having these days. Its unfortunate that for we the fans, we might just have to resign to the fact that some players whom we would love to see may not make it into the team. Football is but a game of 11 starters and 7 substitutes (or 12 in major tournaments)
OCTOBER FRIENDLIES PREVIEW – Reading the mind of the Gaffer
CONCLUDING PART
Based on the my overall objectives for these friendlies stated in Part A of this preview, My overall hypothetical 30 man list of callups, starting and finishing line ups for both games will therefore be:
Maduka Okoye, Sebastine Osigwe, Mathew Yakubu.
Ola Aina, Kingsley Ehizube, Zaidu Sanusi, Jamilu Collins, Tyronne Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, Semi Ajayi, W.Troost Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo.
Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Agu, Ramon Azeez, Kelechi Nwakali, Peter O. Etebor, Ovie Ejaria, Alex Iwobi
Sam Chukwueze, Sam Kalu, Henry Onyekuru, Chidera Ejuke, Simon Moses, Simy Nwankwo, Umar Sadiq, Dennis Bonaventure, Cyriel Dessers, Victor Osimhen
Vs CIV
Starting line up
4-2-3-1……………… OR ………….. 3-5-2
Okoye ……………………………….. Okoye
Aina, Balogun, Ekong, Zaidu………. Awaziem, Ekong, Ajayi .
Ndidi, Etebo………………………..Aina, Etebo, Ndidi, Zaidu
Chuwukueze, Iwobi, Kalu……………………. Chuwukueze, Iwobi
Osimhen ……………………….. Osimhen
End of match line up
4-2-1-3 OR 3-5-2
Osigwe ……………………….. Osigwe
Ehizube, Ekong, Omeruo, Zaidu……. Ekong, Ajayi, Omeruo,
Ndidi, Etebo………………. Ehizube, Ndidi, Zaidu
Ejaria……………………….. Etebo, Ejaria
Kalu, Dessers, Umar……………….. Dessers, Umar
Vs Tunisia
Starting line up
4-3-3 OR 3-5-2
Okoye ……………………….. Okoye
Ebuehi, Ekong, Ajayi, Collins……..Ekong, Balogun, Omeruo,
Agu, Ndidi, Nwakali………….Ebuehi, Agu, Ndidi Collins
Onyekuru, Dessers, Umar ……… Nwakali
………………………………… Dessers, Umar
End of match line up
4-2-2-2 OR 3-5-2
Osigwe ……………………….. Osigwe
Ebuehi, Omeruo, Ajayi, Aina ……. Omeruo, Ajayi, Ekong,
Agu, Azeez……………………….. Ehizube, Agu, Azeez, Aina
Ejuke, Iwobi ……………………….. Iwobi
Simy, Osimhen……………………….. Simy, Osimhen
You forgot Maja in the attack.
So what’s your take on Noah serenren Bazee. I heard he might just make the list
@omo9ja
So much thanks to omo9ja for discovering Alashe the most potent striker in world football on current form at the moment..lol
https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/alashe-ends-16-month-goal-drought-as-adis-columbus-crew-hold/1je1fbrk0zrjz1l5yc91lqzhx6
Hahahahahaha……Omo9ja’s Fatai Alashe, the potent striker who has scored 12 goals and collected 22 yellow cards in 6 seasons. Even this his latest go was a ricochet which he knew nothing about….Lolz.
Great one Dr.Drey,but I do think Iheanacho should have a look at.Aside from the fact that he can support well with a striker,he’s the best set piece taker in the team.
You wouldnt believe I actually forgot Iheanacho. Maybe that’s just a reflection of how much and far the boy has fallen out of reckoning as far as SE and international football is concerned
October Friendlies: an alternative preview (Part One)
As club league football activities pick up pace across Europe amidst the global pandemic, Super Eagles fans continue where we left last season in following the progress and performance of our players with pride and passion not dissimilar to being a fervent follower of a religious sect.
But there is something slightly different this time around.
There are those of us who feel that we are edging towards the precipice of greatness with the pool of players at the disposal of national team handlers. This perception is even further heightened by the immutable faith that many fans hold in the abilities of the German tactician Gernot Rohr whose policy of an ecumenical Super Eagles outfit made up of the rathe-ripe indigenous and dual nationality players is now expected to deliver the promise that it proffers.
True to the targets touted in his contract, many of Rohr’s proponents genuinely believe that the time is here for the Super Eagles to soar to greatness and that the German is the very person to navigate the team to such dizzy heights.
It however safe to say that not all fans share in this sense of optimism; not everyone is basking in this euphoria (or illusion as they see it).
October Friendlies: an alternative preview (Part Two)
After Rohr’s contract was extended earlier in the year, the murmurs of discontent from that quarter only became even louder. Either in this or other Nigerian football discussion boards, their voices will not be silenced – they will be heard even in the face of vile vituperation and rancorous rebuke.
They accuse the German of all sorts – some are provable whilst others have been debunked as mere apocryphal. Yet Rohr’s detractors persist. From being too rigid in team selection to making late substitutions; from being tactically inept to not having an eye to spot talents in the Nigeria Professional Football League, the allegations can at times range from being inconsequential to being imaginary. Whilst his achievements with the Super Eagles to date fail to be neither a source of excitement nor an outlet for consolation, conceivably, one aspect of his presentation that riles many of Rohr’s detractors are his own words.
“Perhaps, Nigerians or NFF failed or refused to read meaning to his continuous excuse of not having a Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad,” observed Sport Journalist Desmond Ekwueme as he went on to say: “this derogatory excuse he has always put forward before, during and after every tournament. Rohr has continued to belittle players from like Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze of Villareal and Winifred Ndidi of Leicester City as not being world class.”
But through the morass of mounting criticisms and plethora of potent praise that have come the way of the 66 year old tactician, one thing is unputdownable: he has gone about his work of building a formidable Super Eagles outfit as cool as a German assassin. We now have a team and pool of players that many sub-Saharan African countries can only romanticise.
It is to these very players I turn attention to from here on in as we gleefully look forward to the resumption of international football for Nigeria in October.
October Friendlies: an alternative preview (Part Three)
Either foreign-born or indigenous, one thing is becoming obvious about the pool of players open to Nigeria at this time: hunger. Many of the Super Eagles players – through comments attributed to them or how they portray themselves on social media – appear to be alive to their national team careers and responsibilities and the global fan-base of Super Eagles followers that feed these.
They come across to me as being alive to the yearnings of the fans, expectations of their coach and the collective desire to place Nigeria back in the global football map as a continental and global powerhouse.
With that in mind, our goalkeepers were keen to locate themselves in reputable clubs where they can feature regularly and be in the frame for automatic selection when the time comes. Okoye identifies as Nigerian inside out and the German-born goalkeeper is secretly plotting to be Nigeria’s Number One. But Uzoho is not going down without a fight whilst Daniel Akpeyi continues to defy the odds in still making himself relevant despite being arguably the most continually-criticised and viciously vilified goalkeeper in Nigeria’s history.
If he is seen to have recovered sufficiently from concussion, then the 3 invited goalkeepers should be Uzoho, Akpeyi and Okoye (in order of importance). However, if Akpeyi and Uzoho need time to overcome recent setbacks, then the road is clear for Okoye to come and make the right impression thereby putting further strain of Uzoho Number One status. Others like Osigwe and Yakubu may well benefit. Adeleye and Alampasu remain rank outsiders for national team invitation.
October Friendlies: an alternative preview (Part Four)
Whilst the centre defensive options have stayed in calm waters, this same cannot be said of the full-back areas which seem to remain problematic. Any 2 or 3 of Ekong, Ajayi, Balogun, Omeruo and Awaziem have remained consistent since 2017 and are expected to come to the October party.
Happily, the ‘problematic’ full back positions seem to be on the cusp of a renaissance.
Ola Aina is proving to be dependable on either side whilst Awaziem shows he can provide cover on the right as-and-when needed. Riveting Rocket-man Sanusi is expected to make an entrance on left whilst exciting Ehizibue is expected to roar on the right.
Indeed, these are exciting times and tantalising possibilities in the full-back department. Ebuehi on the right is back playing (hopefully) regularly as well as Idowu on the left after changing clubs.
There are rumours from Spain that Nwakali will play more as a centre/defensive midfielder (interesting). For October (with Aribo’s unfortunate injury), a midfield trio of Ndidi, Nwakali and Iwobi would fascinating to see. Between them are creativity, vision, defensive acuity, fluidity and guile. You also have the experience and calmness of Agu, Etebo and Azeez to add spice to the midfield jollof rice.
October Friendlies: an alternative preview (Part Five – final part)
The flanks are areas where we are spoilt for choice. Chukwueze remains the poster-boy of Nigerian football whilst a fit Kalu is hard to relegate to the bench. Moses Simon is sure to taste action albeit as a sub. Although currently in an era that should have passed him by, world cup legend Ahmed Musa remains a Super Eagles winger. Ejuke and Dennis will push for places whilst Onyekuru’s return to active duty in Monaco might just have jump-started is once stagnant Super Eagles career. Noah Bazee on his part stands in the corner of the room saying in German: ‘don’t forget me, I am still here o!’
Osihmen’s high profile move to Napoli has damaged Samuel Chukwueze’s reputation as Nigeria’s poster-boy but at least the two remain close friends. Undoubtedly, he is now the arrowhead who is expected to puncture defences and ravage oppositions for Nigeria up front. And he has hit the ground running in his Super Eagles career with an astonishing 4 goals in 9 games.
But, as high profile as he is, Osihmen can’t afford to slip up; such is the cut-throat nature of the competition these day.
Simmy Nwankwo still has unfinished business in the Super Eagles and he would relish the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Osihmen in Italy and in Nigeria. Sadiq Umar continues to do what he does best in East Europe and would love the opportunity to prove to national team handlers that he can bring such goal-scoring ruthlessness to the Super Eagles (despite the league to which he plays his football).
Having already scored in France this seasn, Josh Maja has a burning desire to do great things with the Super Eagles if given the chance. Cyriel Dessers and Onuachu very much fancy themselves as credible Super Eagles options whilst Chuba Akpom will be keen to prove to England that they were wrong in snubbing him.
Going back to what I said earlier, a central theme from my observation from these players and indeed their German coach is ‘hunger’. The players currently at our disposal all appear hungry for success.
We the fans are equally hungry to see them succeed. So, starting from October, let the feast begin!
ADDITION
**There is a place for Iheanacho in Nigeria’s forward line. On the face of it, he will not see himself inferior in anyway to Osihmen when it comes to quality of league and the calibre of clubs that they both feature. When it comes to under-age football pedigree or senior national team career, Iheanacho will want to argue – with some justification, I might add – that there is little to pick between him and Osihmen. Having featured in and scored for one of the biggest teams on the planet in Manchester City, Iheanacho can be forgiven as seeing himself as a higher profile player at this time (all factors being considered) despite Osihmen’s much feted move to Napoli.
The beauty about this is that it should produce healthy rivalry that should drive performance and further enhance the chances of the Super Eagles in conquering all before them in the next 2 seasons. ****
… If not for the kind of system we play. What stops Osimhen and Iheanacho playing together? Is there no system that allows one two strike partners anymore?
Some people just open mouth and talk football like you’re in a bear palor. When Ihenacho was played alongside Musa and Ighalo both at the World Cup and Afcon qualifier(notably against South Africa away), what did he do?? What impact did he make?? Waste of space! Gone are the days where we manage players rotting on the bench in the Super Eagles. If you’re not playing regularly and scoring, forget it.
@deo, great work and may God give you more knowledge, wisdom and understanding. I appreciate your efforts my man.
Nonetheless, I also appreciate coach Rohr’s efforts since he has started working with the Super Eagles.
However, Super Eagles is like a world on its own and the team has so many resources under its control to be the greatest team of all time although, Eagles is having so much problems, such as administrator to say the least.
If the head is not good, the whole body is nothing to write home about.
We have fantastic players every year and goalies but the people managing the Nigerian football doesn’t have what it takes to develop and deliver what we called football culture in Nigeria.
Football is beyond just kicking the ball around the pitch.
For instance, there is no need to hire a world class coach to handle the Super Eagles. All NFF have to do is to find a coach that technically and tactically sound for the Super Eagles likewise in the goalkeeping department.
Having said that, did NFF review coach Rohr’s achievements before given him a contract in the first place?
What was his achievements before now and same thing applies to goal keeper trainer, coach Agu.
Now, we can see that the current NFF are faulty?
Before heading to any tournament as a big team as a Nigerian team, your 1st 11 must be good as your reserves.
This is why I said I am not expecting too much from Óga Rohr because of experiences we had at the world cup and Afcon in Egypt respectively.
The coach took a fantastic team to the world cup and Nigerian team crashed out of the tournament by winning one game out of the three.
In the end, the gaffer said his team was young.
In Egypt, he also took the best team of ours to that competition and we couldn’t see any reward rather than the Bronze medals.
Now, tell me Mr. Deo if is worth it to put our trust in coach Rohr again?
In reality, it’s good to say we have some fantastic and energetic players at the moment but how about the last world cup and Afcon, were we lacking quality players then?
So, it is now that we have Messi and C. Ronald that the coach will win us the world cup and Afcon? Come on.
Hmmm. I’m so sorry for the NFF. By the way, who is scouting for coach Rohr?
Most of us on this forum know more the person in charge of scouting.
For example, if not that Akpeyi is not fully fit, he is the one that is going to be on the goal post for the two friendly in October.
So, what is Oga Rohr building?
It is pretty sure that the gaffer only believes in Akpeyi and Uzoho. Now that both of them unavailable, which way forward?
Coach Agu is not the solution in terms of goal keeper trainer. keeping coach Agu in the team till today without any good results means that NFF are the godfathers of coach Agu and they are the ones backing him to continue while we have young goal keeper trainers such as Enyeama and Ikeme in place?
Aba, we are watching ooo.
We can definitely see that NFF are the trouble makers in the Super Eagles now.
is Yobo is the solution to the Oga Rohr inability to read games, late sub, ignoring our best players and finding the best goalies for Nigeria? Well, the time will tell. Long story short. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Wow! Good write up @ Dr drey.
Well…due to ban placed on movements for now that might affect some players, a certain young goal keeper that plays in Austria might join the team since the camp is in Austria.
The name is Tobias Okiki Lawal.
My choice has always been
*Uzoho
*Okoye and…
*Osigwe
When will good thing come out of NAZARET?
While others are giving good observation & ideas on how to move forward; a particular adamant soul is always looking for FAULTS, COMPLAINS, just to trigger HATRED from the mind of his followers so they can come and spew their normal thrashes.
When will u change @OMO9JA?
We’re about watching SE mesmerize us again, and boom, u just pop up from nowhere with this ur JUNCT, DIRTY, EMPTY, DRY & MEANINGLESS ANALYSIS.
Spare me this ur craps joor.
Why is it that every haters of oga ROHR like making reference to the past but aren’t sincere to themselves?
Rohr fumbled in RUSSIA 2018 “SONG FOR ALL HATERS “…
This same man came back with 3points & 3goals.
BUT;
In KOREA/JAPAN 2002; SE came back with just 1point & 1goal
IN 2010 WC; we return home with just 1point & 3goals.
haters will never make mention of these ones.
My question is; y are we hanging on that of RUSSIA since we like “living in the past”?
Haters pls be sincere & mention all our past humiliations;
tankiu