By Johnny Edward:
Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho and Bursaspor defender Shehu Abdullahi will miss Tuesday night’s friendly between Nigeria and Serbia due to injuries, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr revealed that Iheanacho fractured his right hand while Abdullahi is also injured.
Iheanacho who played in the No.10 role for the Super Eagles in the absence of Mikel Obi against Poland in Wroclaw failed to live up to the heights expected of him in the encounter before he was replaced.
The 21-year-old also missed the tactical session which the team had for the Serbia game.
The former Manchester City forward trained away from the main group along with Okechukwu Gabriel, Stephen Eze and Oghenekaro Etebo, who also did not take part in the main session.
“He (Iheanacho is out) but that is an opportunity for other players to come in and prove what they can do,” Rohr said during his pre-match conference on Monday ahead of the Serbia game.
Rohr also stated that he is pleased with the two goalkeepers in the team but rued Daniel Akpeyi absence.
“One of our goalkeepers (Akpeyi) had a problem with entry visa but so far I’m pleased with the two we have here. Ezenwa and Uzoho,” Rohr said.
“At the moment I’m satisfied with the young one (Uzoho). Before he arrived we were a young team and he’s here now and it’s good for the future.
“Other players in the team are helping him to do well in terms of positioning during corners.”
On the game, Rohr added: “The result is not the most important thing for us. It’s what we can see, learn and what the players can do. The players need competition and I think they are getting it.”
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COMMENTS
Keep working hard. The sky will be our second stepping stone.
He is from Germany.
Nigeria 2 v 0 Serbia.
07030297672
Bring in umar sadiq of breda. Let see how it goes in d forward position
Bring in Fernando Adi or Paul Onuachu or Cyriel Dessers and or Kehinde of M. United. Jam body is too much with Abdullahi
Yes dat boy in nac breda is good .he scores easily and very offensive with d ball.
The boy since joining NAC breda on loan from roma have been a beast and nightmare for eirdivisie defenders. Watched him a forth night ago against feyenords and he single handedly demolished feyenord. Even ex man utd and dutch national team strikers after the encounter was marvelled with the performance sadiq had against his team. His form in holland have attracted suitors from major leagues who are ready to sign him from roma of which one of them is epl giants chelsea fc.
I watched dat boy since he moved to holland he playing like purtuguese player. Eye is always on d ball with full strength. I was told he won bronze in Olympic wit Mikel in Brazil.
Umar Sadiq (NAC Breda) is the answer to the No.9 role. He’s in the best form of his career presently after being held back by Injuries @AS Roma and Torino
Yes I hope he will play dis weekend against psv. He can switch ñationality.since he only played the underage for yur home country.
yea… I believe sadi umar will make super Eagles better in terms of goal scoring
SERBIA are No Push Overs!
Nigeria’s SE expectedly are cruising at ultra-high altitude right now after securing a famous WIN over 6th ranked Polish Team last friday in Wroclaw, Poland.
That result claimed Shehu & Iheanacho, but reliable CB Leon Balogun might be available for selection tonight.
Serbia, 34th ranked, had lost to Morocco 1-2 last Friday, its 3rd since October 6, 2016.
The Serbian players have pledged their lives to wrest a win from this encounter for national pride.
The engagement party at the Hive park, London will be a cracker as both sides will battle to win.
It will go down to a battle of wits.
Serbians are no strangers to World Football. They were early participants at the first WC hosted at the Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930, where they finished in forth position.
They have a strong & protracted football tradition & large fan base. They have transformed overtime politically from Socialist Yugoslavia, Serbia – Montenegro & now Serbia.
A long history in football success would distinguish this team as very dangerous customers on a good day.
They flaunt a huge collection of trophies, medals & honours in both Olympics & FIFA organized events to explain their pedigree.
Whoever under rates Serbia will be doing so at their own peril. The national team also goes by the name THE EAGLES.
It is a clash of the two (2) Eagles to determine which rides the storms better.
The Serbians will be mobile, rumbustious and lively against the Super Eagles.
Individual & National Pride will be at stake.
The SE gaffer has said he is not desperate to win, but we all know what that means.
We expect GR, in trying out new players, to start with his best defence-line.
Bryan Idowu, Leon Balogun (or Awaziem), Troost-Ekong & Tyrone Ubuehi.
Many acknowledge this quartet as SE strongest backline especially after stoutly holding off the rampaging Polish attack.
Nigerians want to see Uche Henry Agbo, also a show stopper himself in defensive capacity against the Serbian challenge.
Junior Ajayi is also available for selection. This is one player that will be a huge revelation on the big stage.
Junior Ajayi has the textbook instincts & magic to unlock defences with killer passes. He is ahead to becoming a great matchmaker. All eyes on him.
I hope he gets a chance tonight to prove what we all know of him.
Super Eagles are up against a typical European team, parading experienced gladiators; whose attacking flair, organization and tenacity in midfield will be fully tested tonight.
They played 10 games in qualifiers; won 6, Drew 3, lost 1; scored 20 & conceded 10.
However, the Super Eagles should win this one.
Success will be largely determined by the quality of players selected for the backline & the front men.
Deploying “Gra-gra play” in the SE midfield will secure the advantage to attack the spaces.
GR has the tactics & team formation details.
Whatever tactics the gaffer might deploy tonight should ensure his midfield can advance to trouble the opponents out from deep play.
Serbia are largely offensive & coming at the back of a loss might just rely on counter offensive strategy.
Nigerians should expect a tough match, a rumble.
I dont see GR deploying a 4-4-1-1 formation as he did against Poland, it won’t serve any useful purpose, rather a 4-4-2; 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 will be strategic.
SE should choke the midfield with a disruptive display parading Joel, Ndidi, Ogu behind Moses & Ighalo or Ajayi in 5-3-2.
Or, a loaded midfield of Joel, Ndidi, Ogu & Moses, playing behind Iwobi, Simeon or Ajayi in 4-4-2.
Eagles should win convincingly, if taken on the back of a rugged GRA-GRA & deploy players with the ability to break-down & shred-off the midfield.
Our front men will be critical to winning tonight, as a lot will be expected of them. This is make or mar opportunity for some to be on the flight. Fans are concerned..’take your chances or show us your back!’
Tonight is the decider, it can translate into a route for SE, or a burst if misapplied.
SE must not lose.
God bless the Super Eagles.
Good luck, Nigeria!
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This guy @kingmaker you write , talk and smell football !!..I think the coach’s should read your piece before deploying their tactics, you are sincerely spot on!!.My take is on the point man @Musa, if Ajayi can come to the party , fine by me but we seriously need a very good goal scorer in the person of Adi, desser etc …they should be tested also.Personally I see this Eagles reaching the Semi final at least !!
Good bench makes strong team even if the starting eleven are ok, we need good replacement in every position. I ike what the coach is doing but let him spread his hands on players untested so that we’ll have good team to the world cup. Looking at the case of Mikel unavailable.
nice option by coach GR
A three man midfield of Onazi,Ndidi and Joel Obi would be on parade later today at the Hive.Hopefully we should expect a more balanced super Eagles unlike the game against the poles where the team was found wanting in the midfield due to not playing a proper no10.
The trio will be great to watch. If mikel obi returns i will love to see how the combination of him,ndidi and joel will work out. I sense i joel remains healthy he will snatch onazi’s position from him.
Sadiq umar is not the answer reasons.
He is very sluggish lazy and in italy this lapses were exposed whilst he was playing for bologna he scores on a few occasions not too often because he is very predictable despite some lovely delicate touch.what we need is the Obafemi martins based on present form and pls let us disregard is age because football is based on form not age and he has a better scoring international record compared to any striker we have in the super eagles fold at the moment. Why do we call weapon of mass destruction. Lets learn to use players base on form instead of age or whatever reasons. And talking about play maker i will vouch for Kelechi nwakali junior the arsenal youngster who is doing well at the moment in the Dutch league. With all due respect before i am opposed go and check for latest videos of the aforementioned players. God bless Nig
@Chima, Your fact are not correct. When did Sadiq Umar played @Bologna??? When last have you find out his progress. AS Roma bought him and loaned him out to TORINO where Injury disrupted his play. Now he’s in NAC Breda where he scores frequently and provide assist even as a point man. His intimidating height only scares defenders and he has good final touch and speed. SADIQ UMAR is the answer to the No.9 role
@Chairmanfemi..Pipe down please. Sadiq Umar was loaned to Bologna in 2017 and played 7 times for them before moving to Torino and then NAC, so @Chima was right Bro.
SMH study to avail
Bros help me ask am. The comments i see in some sports forum make wonder if certain players pay some forumites to blow their trumpets. How on earth can one be clamouring for the invite of adi,martins and co but ignore talents for the future who are doing well in decent leagues in europe? Even if i have my way i will persuade rohr and the nff to include any of dessers,awoniyi who is having a decent season in belgium and sadiq if not for anything for them to gain the exposure and experience which will prepare them for the future. The teams biggest worry now is getting an understudy to mikel. I will recommend sunderland’s ovie ejaria,ifeanyi and mathew of lillestrom. I foresee ejaria metamophosing into a super attacking/box to box midfielder in no distant time. Another good mention is josh onomah but he is more of a central midfielder.
I doubt you have seen sadiq umar play before or are you one of those rumoured to receive tips from players in order to project them for possible call ups by commenting on forums/blogs such as nairaland,completesports,cybereagles etc? Umar currently is doing very well the dutch league which is good for his development. He had bad times out on loan to bologna and torino previously due to numerous injuries that slowed him down. Calling sadiq sluggish shows that you havent seen him play or know anything about his qualities. Sadiq with his height is very fast,skilful and strong on the ball with a great first touch. Since moving to breda during the winter transfer window he has notched 5 goals and wasnt even a starter when he joined. I believe he is being closely monitored by rohr and will be integrated into the team after the world cup. As for nwakali jnr he needs to perform first in a decent league before getting a look in. A player who couldnt make it at vv venlo and currently in the dutch 2nd division needs to do more to get noticed by the team selectors. Martins have paid his dues in the national team and should focus on making retirement money in china.
2 world cup bound European teams will never play a world cup tune-up match at the Hive, I wonder who organised this match, upon all the stadia in the UK why the Hive ? Rubbish.
Sadiq Umar is not better than Ighalo, neither is he better than Fernando Adi.
And just so you guys know, I can’t say why tho but I know Rohr likes Mikel Agu, so expect him in the game today either as a starter or a substitute. This is d truth. Plus I really do wish Tyronne Ebuehi and Ola Aina starts today on the positions of 2 and 3 respectively.
Echiejile should go concentrate on fighting his way back to Monaco.
I’d also like Uzoho to be tested again today ahead of Ezenwa.
Sadiq is not better than ighalo i agree but he is miles ahead of adi. Sadiq is very young and if he continue developing in no distant time he will be a mainstay in the team. At his young age is has scored few serie A goals, played and was the teams highest goal scorer at the last olympics and currently is making a name for himself in the eirdivisie. Adi’s only good season before he left europe for the mls was in the dannish league which is regarded as an obscure league and he wasnt even spectacular. Paul onuachu has more figures than adi when he was with fc copenhagen
Tank u all for d comments I will call sadiq,
Absolutely @ kingmaker! U are on point Sir. The super eagles can’t afford to drop points against Serbia but the problem will be on our lazy strikers on whose shoulders we place our scoring hopes.
A team without good strikers won’t go far. Football is about goals. Results come on the premise of goals. If they can’t score in this match, please Coach Rohr should clear them off and invite new strikers.
Sadiq Umar, Cyril Dressers, Fenendo Adi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Unuachu, even Martins are all reliable scorers. Coach Rohr we want GOALS.
As you read this in your london camp just know that as a striker if you fail to score today, just pack your load and go home, don’t just return to the team. No be threat, na reality.
Good luck!
Paul onuachu and umar sadiq are for the future buh dey can slowly be integrated into d team. The truth is dat ighalo is still a better option for the world cup
Ighalo all the way abeg!!! Then Cyriel Dessers is very good then Sadiq
Goal per goal in a month let compare d igallo offensiveNess with speed and accuracy with all d players been mentioned. D better one is not even near team.