Austine Eguavoen has revealed that Odion Ighalo is eager to feature at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations despite his club Al Shabab refusing to release him for the tournament.
The Saudi Arabia club objected to Ighalo’s involvement at the AFCON and reiterated that NFF missed the official deadline to call up the player.
The Riyad club official Majid Al-Marzouki told Al Arabiya’s In the Goal TV program that Ighalo’s letter of invitation did not reach the club within the period specified by FIFA for receiving players’ call-up letters.
But despite the setback Eguavoen, speaking from the Eagles camp in Garoua published on NFF TV, said Ighalo is doing his best to be with the team.
The 1994 AFCON winner also disclosed why it would not be possible to replace the former Manchester United if he eventually does not turn up.
“We spoke, exchange text messages and from his response he is doing everything to come by. I thought of replacing him, I gave a deadline and tried to bring in Nassarawa United striker Silas Nwankwo, a good player no doubt. And also Akinkunmi Amoo but he is not a striker but he can play off strikers. I thought of replacing Ighalo with any of them but what CAF is saying is that it’s only based on injuries, health reasons, that’s the only way he can be replaced so that was what was holding us back.
Also Read: AFCON 2021: Profiles Of All 24 Teams – Star Players, Coaches, Tournament Feats
“But the federation is putting in all effort way out from here, the young man Odion is also doing his best from there hopefully we will get a positive answe. If it wasn’t for the rules that says it has to be on medical ground maybe we would have just told Odion not to go through that because psychologically we know he is with us but there is nothing we can do but to replace him. But on medical ground he is healthy and we don’t pray bad for anybody.”
Aside Ighalo, the duo of Jamilu Collins and Tyronne Ebuehi are the other players yet to join their Eagles teammates.
But Eguavoen disclosed that both players will join their teammates on Friday.
“Hopefully Tyronne Ebuehi and Jamilu Collins will joins us tomorrow. Tyronne is playing tonight (Thursday) and he will be here tomorrow and Jamilu will be here tomorrow evening.
Meanwhile, the Eagles had their first training session in Garoua on Thursday with Eguavoen expressing satisfaction with what he said.
“First training about an hour 15 minutes, couldn’t do everything we wanted to because of time factor. But however we are very impressed, the field also is very good, environment is good, weather is good and the boys responded very well and we are happy.
“Their response to training was very good because the way I operate it’s more of interactive session, no man knows it all but I have my own philosophy, I have my own way of doing things. And what I do is I try to make you understand why I want you to do it that way and we’ve been preaching that from day one and the boys understand me now and they have never showed any sign of grievance.”
Eguavoen added:”They’ve been happy and been responding very well, I spoke to a couple of them in the aircraft yesterday coming here, because there was no time to do that in Abuja. On arrival we went to bed at about 2am so this morning I spoke to a few and this evening I will also speak to others before we have a collective session.
“So far I think they are very pleased, there attitude towards the training session have been awesome, real professionalism they are demonstrating.”
And on fans at the airport tipping the Eagles to win the AFCON after they arrived Cameroon, the 1994 and 1998 World Cup star admits it puts him under pressure.
“It spur us but also put us under a bit of pressure, even if it is Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola, Gernot Rohr, you can’t say you are not under pressure. It’s like Manchester City, probably one of the best teams right now, playing the best brand of football. Guardiola is one coach that I adore, I like other coaches as well but his approach is very different but he has not been able to win the Champions League with City. So you cannot say he is not under pressure, he wants to win it. So people are saying yes they expect Nigeria to win the AFCON that puts me under some pressure.
“I will take it and then we will take it game after game. It’s not going to be easy because every team that have come here have come to prove a point and the first game is very crucial to any team that will give you a lot of encouragement going into the tournament proper. So I will say a little bit of pressure but I think I’m more relax now than two weeks or a week ago.”
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COMMENTS
Hello… @Dr.Drey. I want to pique your attention to this piece which I am sure you may already have read yourself… it is on Ndah Olisah.
https://scorenigeria.com.ng/olisa-ndah-new-super-eagles-kid-on-the-block/
I want fellow forumites to read and also check that this lad actually have earned his place in the squad and I believe we should trust the judgment of our technical crew in picking him.
Though this thread is about Ighalo and Ebuehi. You all permit me to interject with this piece here. I believe we can all rest regarding a perceived unmeritedness of Olisah Harold Ndah in our AFCON 2022 squad once and for all! One love all…
If Ndah is that good then why isn’t he playing in the top5 leagues of European football yet?….. please stop this thing…… National team is not a place they market players.
@Akp… I often respect your writeups and agree with most of it.
However, on Olisah Ndah, I must indulge you to quit the mentality he is an undeserving squad member because he plays with Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
I will pretend your esteemed self did not write that needlessly dismissive piece above.
Stephen Keshi proved to you that participation and winning AFCON as a tournament has nothing to do with assembling players from preferably top 5 leagues.
At a certain level, if you have the raw talent and self belief, whether you play in a top European league becomes inconsequential… Let’s stop this attitude of never seeing anything good in a player except he plays in a mainstream Euro league… that sort of reasoning is behemothly misguided brother…
So the work Ndah and Akwa United put in to win NPFL 2020/2021 meant nothing to you… So his exploits in South Africa with Pirates is merely inconsequential?
I know your judgment more sound than what you expressed above… you disappointed me bigly even though I respect your opinion.
Regarding Ndah, most Nigerians are not impressed because of Akpoguma… even though I rate Akpoguma, he did not impress much under Rohr to even help his case… We know his club and Bundesliga playing profile, but how comes Rohr who also know the Bundesliga levels well never saw it fit to upset Balogun/Ekong pairing with an Akpoguma?
Please everyone cannot go to AFCON at the same time… do try to celebrate the youngman Ndah who is enjoying praise and trust from the greater section of football fans conversant with the PSL and NPFL already.
Cheers…
Thank God he has made the team so let him prove me wrong on the pitch….. that is the only thing that can make me see what you see in him……note that I will be very happy to swallow my words on this very lad.
Bet me, you are not going to swallow word. This dude was actually selected over Akpoguma due to non-sporting consideration.
Bet me again, he won’t be played unless we have a match to spare at the tourney
The reason why Rohr didn’t want to play Akpoguma during the qualifiers was because we were walking on a very thin rope. There was no need to take that risk when the regulars who have been tested and trusted are around. Even Chukwueze who should have been in the team was on the bench, because Rohr didn’t want to take chances. Rohr would have surely reset the team during this AFCON if he were the one that was still in charge, because he was planning to throw all the positions open before his sack
Then if Rohr who knows the level of Bundesliga where Akpoguma has bering doing quite good isn’t so sure of Akpoguma’s stock to call him to duty even when Balogun and Ekong were evidently faltering in their plays then you need say no more…
It then means Akpoguma stands a risk still if selected for AFCON. We know he is a good player… fallouts from players actions and plays at Afcon will open up his chance again and my advice to Akpoguma will be that he shows us through his club involvements between now and our playoffs in march 2022 that the judgment on him was the wrong one… We will all be here watching!
The two questions you have to ask yourself is, what is motivating the writer? and also what is the pedigree of the author of the article?
Obviously, the article was written by an amateur. Definitely, it is not an articulate, tactical and technical article by a seasoned pundit, that one can read and be convinced by the compelling argument.
Up till now, there is no sporting-justification whatsoever for picking that dude over Akpoguma. None at all, till this very moment. Definitely, his selection over Akpoguma was influenced by non-football considerations
@Ocherome Mma… I like Akpoguma but his case was never proven seriously by his show under Rohr. So an outsider taking his place out of impressing the coaches better should not cause unfair disdain for. NDAH. He never selected himself and never thought he would crash the squad based on guys ahead of him like Akpoguma who were already part of the fold. I am even begin to feel maybe Akpoguma asked to be left out posiibly for Rohr situation and a need to cement his ratings at club with Bundesliga and crucial Euro leagues heading for the titles final home run… Akpoguma may have sensed be will be sitting on the bench for a preferred trio of Balogun(before he pulled out for injury), Ekong, and Awaziem… I even FEEL Akpoguma may have known Umeruo was even ahead of him, and mind you, he is yet to play central in Nigeria’s defence and he does not play there at Hoffenheim either…
pls stop what you are smoking, if you are ask to choose two out of Akpoguma, Kelvin, Kenneth and Ndan Who will you pick, you claim the club you play des not matter. if do fifa like selecting players whom are well proven in Europe for world best, why has fifa not nominate any single player from africa league for the world best position. why has a single best player from africa league never appear in fifa starting eleven. can you compare any league in africa to the German bundesliga. can you compare HOFFENHEIM to pirate tell me or can yu compare Rangers football club in scotland to pirate in south africa. oga some persons chooses to keep quick doesn’t mean they are fool. i have always told you, what goes around cmes around
Of course Ndah’s selection for AFCON in place of Akpoguma was purely not based on merit. Isn’t it clear that Eguavoen and The NFF are trying to limit the number of foreign born players in the Eagles? They are just justifying shit! Or how else do you explain Onyekuru and Olayinka’s inclusion ahead of an in form Dessers. If only the dude was born to entirely Nigerian parents. Please this nonsense should stop! No Nigerian is more Nigerian than any Nigerian whether you were born in the diaspora or at home. That’s why I prefer a foreign coach sha o! At least they are not easily manipulated
this is your new taribo west stats this season. Olisa Harold Ndah is a Defender who has appeared in 13 matches this season in Premier Soccer League, playing a total of 1008 minutes. Olisa Harold Ndah concedes an average of 0.54 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch. Their Clean Sheets ratio is currently at 46%. That means Olisa Harold Ndah has kept a Clean Sheet in 6 matches out of the 13 that the player has played in. See how they rank against other Premier Soccer League Players. Kevin Akpoguma is a Defender who has appeared in 15 matches this season in Bundesliga, playing a total of 936 minutes. Kevin Akpoguma concedes an average of 1.35 goals for every 90 minutes that the player is on the pitch. Their Clean Sheets ratio is currently at 27%. That means Kevin Akpoguma has kept a Clean Sheet in 4 matches out of the 15 that the player has played in. See how they rank against other Bundesliga Players.
Kevin Akpoguma scored a total of 2 goals so far this season in the league, which places them at 7th in the Hoffenheim squad’s Top Scorers list.
If it is true that Ighalo’s invitation was served late to his AL Shabab club ( a terrible name in Somalia), then the blame goes on Rhor.
I would have loved to see Dessers in this tournament but for some reason he doesn’t seem to attract favour from the current coaching set up of the Super Eagles.
Even during the days of Rohr, Dessers was only give meager minutes in a friendly match and was widely ignored subsequently.
Even in club football, he was largely overlooked by the coaches of Genk last season (who could have still found a way to integrate him into the team despite Onuachu’s blistering form)
He had to be flogged off underwhelmingly to Feyenord where he is more notorious for playing less than 10 minutes here and there despite returning decent numbers in front of goal.
To mask the lack of faith that the Feyenord coach has in him and somehow spare Dessers some embarrassment of not often seeing healthy game time, they gave him the dubious title of super-sub, a badge of dis-honour which Dessers refuse to clad.
Little wonder Rohr and Eguavoen remained largely unimpressed and paid less attention to his goals scoring antics.
I like Dessers and believe he has a lot to offer the Eagles. Some of the goals he scored this season – particularly in the UEFA Conference League – where simply and utterly brilliant.
But, there has to be a reason why this hasn’t really earned him regular 90 minutes slot in league football; he played a pitiful 4 minutes against Heerenveen in their last league match.
So, it is understandable to me why his antics perhaps failed to excite Eguavoen and why Rohr chose to recall Ighalo instead of looking at the direction of Dessers during crucial world cup qualifiers.
In no way do I support Eguavoen and Rohr’s snubbery of 4 minutes per game Super Sub Dessers. Rather, one has to try to see some sort of rationale for their decision, where I agree with it or not.
I think Dessers will have his time. Shedding off the tag of “super sub” will be a very good start!
Dessers is such a huge fan favourite that one could be forgiven to think he plays for Manchester City. It is not unusual in world football for some players who play very well in club football to be overlooked by national team handlers in favour of other less media friendly players who fit well in the national team coach’s plans.
Eguavoen has his style and vision for the Super Eagles and he is at liberty to monitor some players more than others once he has found what he believes he is looking for.
As already said, I pray Dessers gets his chance to feature meaningfully for Nigeria. He passionately elected to to hitch his star to the Super Eagles wagon. Ever so cheerful, I think he will play with charm and pride in Super Eagles colours. Hopefully his time will come.
You really have to be an idiot to blame Rhor for the blonder associated with Ighalo’s invitation letter. Rhor draw up the 40 man provisional list with Ighalo’s name on it. The list was trimmed down to 28 by Eguavouen after Rhor’s disengagement. Even if he is still the coach, he is not responsible for sending out the player’s invitation letters, that is NFF’s and it’s technical department’s responsibility. He could push them to send out the mail earlier which I believe he did during his time as the coach because it was clear that we never had any club refuse to release a player for national duties in the last five years..
This is a clear indication that NFF together with Eguavouen are clueless.
Why can’t you ignoramuses comment without indecency? You are always quick to show the world that you have potty mouth. Shior!
@Naija because you no get sense ni, so he has to spell to u
How can any right thinking person blame Rohr for the invitation issues we have now when Rohr submitted the list since November?
When I see some comments I can’t buh do than to type. So, are you saying 40 man list came late or what or was it Rohr that sent final invitation to Rohr. I will be expecting to hear the name of Rohr if SE eventually didn’t win AFCON. Rohr has gone for good allow the man to be.
Well done Eguavoen and the Super Eagles for trying to maintain focus in the face of turbulence that has engulfed their preparations.
Just as the moon maintain her grace, eloquence and grandeur though surrounded all round by darkness so I pray that that the Super Eagles shine and thrive despite the blanket of dark distractions all around their preparations.
Ebuehi’s club match was cancelled today hence he is expected to link up with his colleagues anytime soon as mentioned by Eguavoen above. Jamilu Collins, whose late appearance in camp is a subject of much secrecy and speculations, is also expected imminently.
Great stuff!
Aspects of their preparations are actually ticking along well. I expect this Super Eagles outfit to put up a display of gallantry in all the matches they participate in this tournament regardless of outcome.
Passion is what I demand from each of the players, let’s hope they deliver.
I watched some clips of this guy and I believe he is an upgrade of Taribo west . To be honest Akpoguma and Ekong may be more exposed but in terms of talent Ndah is far better. He comes the Astuteness of Balogun with the composure and confidence of AwaZien yet as hard as Taribo west. He is a baller. I think he can grow up to become our Boaten .Let’s see his its panes out at the AFCON.But for sure a new star is born
This must be the biggest joke I have seen since 2022 began. An upgrade to Taribo West, but still wallowing in the South African League?
See, ever since I started watching SE, I have never seen any central defender that is more solid than West. Is it Afolabi, Sodje, Yobo, Shittu, Adeleye, Okoronkwo, Christopher, Balogun, or who?
In those days, if Taribo is around, it doesn’t matter who partners him in the heart of defence, even if it is an amateur. This is because, Taribo West will do his own job and also help his partner to do his own job
@four two Four Why would you even compare the best central defender Nigeria as ever produced to relatively unknown Olisa Ndah? You guys play too much here. This rubbish has to stop this year o!
Silas Nwankwo! Oh my goodness! What is wrong with this people, is this a cruel joke? Definitely glad Peseiro would take over after the AFCON. Dessers should keep his chin up, the wc beckons.
Just watched the “Silas Nwankwo” and i am not impressed at all. His proposed inclusion must be for the local based quota. I can’t understand why anyone will leave a striker playing at the Eredivisie for a club who currently seats 3rd (Also voted their best player of the month) and chose to pick a striker from Nassarawa United.
These guys would ruin our football and waste this golden generation.
Eguavoen is showing poor sense of judgement and that worries me.
Oh! Silas Nwankwo must have had a bad in the office in the game you watched. Silas is an average striker who has capacity to raise his game and deliver unpredictable outputs. He rides roughshod over defenders and surely knows his way to goal with decent aerial presence. I too would have been surprised about his inclusion. But if it had happened, the it would just have reminded me of how Sunday Mba’s controversial invitation (ahead of other Europe based heavyweights) in 2013 Afcon was deemed controversial only for history to confound us all.
Oga Deo, pls let’s keep all this sugar coating words and stop brandishing a rusty iron as gold. No Nigerian league players merits the national team. You are part of the people thwarting the progress of this country by celebrating a mediocre. Pls let’s call a spade a spade, there is different between 6 and half a dozen
The players are good in their respective clubs no doubt but this is the first time players that has never played any competitive game for the super eagles team A are making it straight to a tournament as big as Afcon, I stand to be corrected though. Playing for super eagles is a different ball game, am eager to see how they will perform especially Sadiq who is sure to make first eleven.
If you know football and play it well… You will perform regardless of the stage… I don’t believe in all the palpitations about a footballer being a rookie or first-timer… If you are good… You are good!
are you an agent or what, read what you wrote. if you are a coach and the place Akpoguma and kelvin whom have proven themselves in Europe and Ndan please who will you pick, if you believe the league ne play doesn’t matter, why have fifa and caf not nominated a single player frm south Africa league for a single award. secondly, south africa leageu is so good that their players can not qualify for either world or nations cup. it is like you have forgotten 2013 confederation cup match against spain when gbambgo from kano pillars miss a sitter. watch yu wish Nigeria
Olisa has bags of potential. The very first time i saw him against mexico ;despite the fact that they were being pulverized by mexico, i thought he played well.
Very comfortable with the ball at his feet, very good in the air. Not an aggressive defender but more of a defender that reads the game and intercepts. I think if he gets the nod , he will surprise a lot of people.
Lastly, he is very assured with his passes with both feet and can play both left and right CB.
Bags if potentials that took landed him south Africa league, name one average defender the South Africa league has produced. Between celvin in rangers and this your Ndah who has more potentials, if it was rohr that drop celvin for Ndah would have defended him like this. Anyway 11th is almost here.
@Douglas John ufuoma,at times the league you play is not necessarily a reflection of your quality.Mo Salah was playing for FC Basel and was purchased by Chelsea.Mikel Obi walked straight into the Chelsea team from Lyn Oslo. Besides Orlando Pirates is a Big club in SA and in Africa. Uche Okechukwu, arguably Nigeria’s best defender played in Turkey.
I will name 2 good defenders in mark fish & Lucas radebe. Both went on to play in the EPL and one was captain and legend at Leeds utd.
Jimmy, you get time o. Some people comment here like they know everything about football. Shishi they don’t know. Guess drey don wash there head with mud. You watch a guys game, just one all of a sudden he is not good for the Super Eagles, has if the foreign based players don’t have a good day. for me i don’t judge players by the club you play for, it is your natural ability i want to see, because you play with different sets of people most times. Some might help you up your game and while some will not
@Jimmyball,some of us here know too well about Ndan.I have followed Nda since his days In Akwa United.I have also followed every of his game in South Africa and that of Akpeyi.The reason I always laugh at you and omo9ja when you say Akpeyi is not good.Cos in the last 4 seasons in South African Akpeyi has remained the best keeper back to back.
Some of us here are not as hateful and narrow minded as some of you on this forum including your humble self who does not see anything good in others.Nda is a fantastic defender.He is so complete and uses both legs perfectly but better with his left foot.Prrsently he’s the most flabounyant defender in super Eagles line and I give tombs up to Austin for inviting him.
It is sure as death that if the coach will adopt a 3-5-2 formation, Nda will be deployed at the left side of the defence.He’s a ball playing defender who loves to bump forward.He can also distribute the ball perfectly.
If he can improve his level of concentration he will become the world beater.Infact I don’t mind if he’s thrown into the frail right away.
When we see good things let’s appreciate it,Nda is good.
@Emmanuel… I am neither a hater nor narrow – minded but if that’s what you think of me, what can I say? I am an individual who speaks for football and believe whatever we do regarding football should be embroidered with merit and fairness above all else.
Check this… Dessers it is said was never on the initial 40man list, same as Dennis. I would also like to think if Rohr was to still be in the saddle Olayinka, Dennis, Dessers and maybe Awoniyi will never have made the team, a dude line Samuel Kalu would have been taken. The only one I will kick Eguaveon for naming in the sqaud is Henry Onyekuru, like Samuel Kalu, he does not deserve to be there!
You lie too much, what is your problem for Christ sake? Simply because you want to bad mouth someone, you lie on him. You have been confronted several times with “Facts” that Rohr included Dessers, Denis and Bassey in his 40 man squad, so why are you saying otherwise? You can air your opinion without damaging the image of another person, what has Rohr done to you? After all you have been given “your own” so you can go and “fail” with him. Your choice
I agree with Jimbo and others who think Olisa Ndah is not useless.
I watched some of his matches, and what I saw give me the confidence to say he is a decent defender.
Of course, he is no Thiago Silva or Leonardo Bonucci. He is not a world class center back. But then, do we really have any world class center backs?
What we have is a bunch of hard working talents who are doing their best. The likes of Balogun, Ekong, Awaziem, Omeruo, Ajayi, the uninvited Akpoguma.
Our best center back in my opinion, Leon Balogun, is a Premier league reject who now plies his trade in the Scottish League. In my opinion, he does a pretty good job with the SE!
So, if Ndah gets a chance, I won’t be surprised if he impresses. But that’s just me!
THAT IS THE PROBLEM YOU LOCAL COACHES ALWAYS HAVE. YOU ARE ALL SENTIMENTAL, TOLERATE FAVOURISM & NOT STRAIGHT FORWARD. WHY CAN’T YOU REPLACE HIM SINCE BEFORE THE FINAL SUBMISSION OF THE LIST. AND YOU KNOW SAUDI ARABIA DOES NOT COMPROMISE WHEN IT COME TO AGREEMENT.
NOW NIGERIA IS GOING TO AFCON WITH INCOMPLETED SQUAD LIST.
*** SHAME ON YOU COACHES!!!
*** SHAME ON YOU NFF !!!
*** SHAME ON YOU NIGERIA!!!
So ‘our own’ wasn’t even considering dessers but a nassarawa united player? Wow.
Eya! So Ighalo had to skip training with his club side because they wouldn’t let him join the squard in Cameroon. So touching and patriotic from him.. But oga “Messiah” Dennis can’t show a little bit of those patriotism spirit but y’all keep giving excuse for his disrespect…SMH…
Stop making excuses for Ighalo. He’s even more guilty than Dennis. He eyes were not when he was signing those contracts
Both Rohr and nff are to be blamed for Dennis absense from afcon, period!
*Can’t put up some patriotic spirit/attitude”
NFF and the Ministry of Sports do not know the meaning of the word ‘deadline.” Illiteracy!!
Stop making excuses for Ighalo. He’s even more guilty than Dennis. He eyes were not when he was signing those contracts
Both Rohr and nff are to be blamed for Dennis absense from afcon, period!
You obviously don’t know what you are saying. Ighalo loves to play AFCON while Dennis is not keen to play for SE period.
Ighalo signed his contract at the time he has retired from International football so no qualms about the clause at that time, now the NFF and the coach said he’s needed and Ighalo is trying to do everything possible to come and play but his club declined. So how was he guilty in these narrative?
On the other hand Dennis chose to stay on with Watford at the expense of representing his country but you said Rohr and NFF is to blame………….can’t you see how myopic you are and you seem like a hypocrite. You seem to only chose to believe the propaganda of Watford in support of Dennis but failed to put on your thinking cap analysing the stories to see the truth. Ekong is in the same team but was released when Watford received the letter at the same time, even a recuperating Senegalese Sarr was released on insistence of Senegal FA but your Moon God Dennis was asked to chose Country or Club and he chose Club.
Rohr said he submitted a 40-Man list that included Dennis but you chose to believe Oguefon who said Dennis name was not on the list but he added it alongside Ndah and Nwakali, so how did these other 2 guys get their invitation letter on time but Dennis letter was late? Who is fooling who here?
Same Ogunefon who is the Technical Director does not know the CAF’s rules and deadlines for invitations of players, doesn’t know much about Dessers and Amoo’s exploit in Europe but invited Olayinka and Onyekuru with zero goals and assists this season leaving out an 8-goals Dessers and a 9-goals Amoo. He even showed further how stupid he can be by stating that he intended to invite Silas Nwankwo to replace Ighalo thereby still snubbing Dessers.
Na siddon look we dey!!!
@Dr.Banks… With all you have said. Where do we push the words of Ranieri?
How come Ekong got his callup early and Dennis never did until late?
Thanks @Dr Banks for that response.. please just ignore them. You always smell hypocrisy, favouritism and sentiment in their analysis..But mehn, I miss you and your always spot on analysis. It’s been a while!