Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is expected to name an unchanged lineup for Sunday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal clash against the Desert Foxes of Algeria, reports Completesports.com.
Rohr handed SC Paderborn of Germany left-back, Jamilu Collins his first start of the competition in the quarterfinal win against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa dropping Ola Aina to the bench.
Young winger Samuel Chukwueze also took the place of Moses Simon from the previous game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Chukwueze scored the opening goal for the Super Eagles in the 2-1 win against the Bafana Bafana and was also named man of the match.
The duo, Completesports.com scooped, will keep their place in the team for the last four game against the Desert Foxes.
The trio of Chidozie Awaziem, Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo who all picked up knocks against the South Africans are now fully fit for the game.
The three players trained fully with the team on Saturday evening at the Aero Sports Centre.
Chippa United goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi will keep his place in goal with Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong joining Awaziem and Collins in defence.
Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi will hold the Super Eagles’ midfield in the game.
The front three will comprise of Musa, Chukwueze and Ighalo.
By Adeboye Amosu (pix: by Ganiyu Yusuf)in Cairo
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COMMENTS
This is surely our best 11… It was never easy to finally get our best 11.. It took rohn till quarter final to get the final beat 11. But to those who would use this to discredit the coach remember hot talents are still on the bench.. You can imagine a team where there is no space for Samuel Kalu, oshimen and Henry. I would not blame the coach for not fielding them talent choke..
Finally we can say we have replaced victor Moses no one remembers him anymore
@Ololo, if you have followed the team news from camp before the competition till now. You will understand why it took Rohr till quarter final to get his best 11. There was injuries and sickness to several player in camp in Egypt.
So the experienced coach Rohr kept picking 11 from the available pool of fit players. If you know his squad from qualifiers, Awaziem, Aina, Simon and even Chukwueze were never in his first 11.
But with the situation he found himself with sickness and injuries in camp, these once were given the opportunity and most of them took it well.
So it was until the quarter final that he had a full fit and injury free 23 players to choose from. Awaziem had distinguished himself and kept his place, same with Chukwueze, while Collins took back his starting shirt from Aina.
For me this is something to praise the coach for choosing quality 23 players,with key players picking injuries the bench can be called upon and they even displace the starters. Just imagine out of 23, 20 has seen action in the Afcon and some people are saying there is no competition in the team, that he uses the same players. Thank God his result are speaking for him.
@ikben I’m a crazy supporter of this team And sure have followed all their games for many years now.
I didn’t write to downplay the coach instead I think he is doing a good job.
Sometimes in football you need injuries and suspension to discover new talents for example onazi in 2013 was a squad player who was suppose to warn the bench in that tournament but it took fengor ogude the regular defensive midfielder suspension via extra yellow to bring onazi into the first 11 and we know the rest of the story.. Ogunde never came back to the team.
Our team before this afcon had two positions which rohr was Not so particular about who were the best for it..
1. Attacking midfield – Mikel was Just returning to the team and has been the best in the position for years – the best we had. Iwobi took advantage of his self imposed absence from the team to show he was good for the position but iwobi was primiraly a winger initially for eagles and scored the goal taking us to world cup as a winger competing with Simon.
So for rohr we wanted to find out if Mikel could still do what he does in this position.. Don’t forget the pass Mikel gave igahlo in this position (Nigeria vs Cameron in Uyo) . Mikel scored in this position Nigeria vs Algeria in uyo wcq
2. Samuel kalu/ Samuel chuks / Moses Simon
This was the biggest headache for rohr. Samuel Kalu was obviously his best coming for afcon as he unarguable replaced the indispensable victor Moses in his first match, but the unexpected happened, the young man collapse a day before our first match. He became a risk because everyone thought he had a cardiac dysfunction but fortunately it’s was Mere dehydrated. Rohr sifted to plan b Samuel chuks, he was childish in the first game, never relasing the ball on time as if Na only him dey pitch.. Rohr went to his plan c Simon Moses ever ready to assist the team defensively but it’s obvious now he has lost some attacking flair probably because he played as a wing back for full season in laventa but his corner kicks are the best in the team.
Against Cameron we needed attacking more than defending and a well advised Sam Chuks came in to do the job.
3. The back for now has been won by a player many thoughts wouldnt make the team in the first place. Awaziem that’s his name. A central defender playing right back because regular left back Collins got injured.
Awaziem plays right back as a rock. No single player have been able to get pass him via a dribble, the only one who succeeded was immediately brought down following the defensive rule if you don’t get the ball get the leg. I was surprised to see this guy pulling good crosses as well. He gave the cross for our second goal against Cameroon.
But I’m Not surprised many defenders have been changed to be coming better player else where for example ndidi who was also a central defender.
Awaziem was previously a defensive midfielder, later converted to right back in Porto b before settling for central back.
So to conclude alot has happened to mould the team to what it is now, many players can successfully retire without affecting the team, Mikel, ogu and Co so kudos to the coach
Good analysis
Sir Ololo, pls dnt mention that name again V weytin?
Another fresh blood are coming to Super Eagles after this under17 world cup… anticipate!!!
Don’t expect anything good from the under 17. The team was selected the same way the under20 that fumbled at world cup was picked. The only way out is to overhaul the team.
I hope oga Rohr worked on our final third, that’s the weak link of the team.
It looks uncoordinated with misplace passes from Musa and chukwueze to ighalo, we can afford to miss our chances.
We played so defensive in second half against SA and the pressure was much on our defence, we all know that the best form of defence is attack, simple!!
please dont mention that name again.. and u said the real fact to add, it took rohr 3 tournaments to know his starting11. no be small tin… my coach goodluck. i pray rohr win this tournament so he can have confidence.. going trophyless in life can make player or coach lost confidence.
AFCON 2019
ALGERIA VS. SENEGAL FINAL
NIGERIA VS. TUNISIA PLAY OFF 3RD PLACE
You must be an Algerian! Well, it is good you are supporting your country home.
For me, it’s going to be:
Senegal/Tunisia vs Nigeria in the final.
Algeria will go for 3rd place playoff.
I will remind you this after the match @Iszy. I see us playing against Tunisia in the finals
Using the same line up from game to game helps the team to gel. Nice one. My only suggestion now is that the wingers should switch from time to time. I would love to see Chukzy on the left! It would be like having an Amuneke 2.0. Nigeria can grab a few goals just by having Chukzy run at the Algerian defence and putting crosses in, while Ighalo and Musa wait in the box to convert. And Chukzy should not be shy about hitting the ground when fouled, especially in or around the Algerian box. You know the Algerians will be diving like crazy. We might as well do a bit of diving ourselves! Chukzy should also be encouraged to cut in from the right and shoot, like Robben does. Getting early goals will hopefully demoralize this dangerous Algerians. The longer the game goes on without a goal, the more it will favor them. As long as we maintain the performance level we saw against Cameroun and SA, we should be having roasted Fennec fox for dinner tomorrow evening.
@lszy abi name lazy you wan write? Whatever you have been smoking is turned your brains to mush. When we win tomorrow, i hope you stay away from the transformer near your home!
#iszy is not a Nigeria and has his opinion to air on this forum. What do you expect from a South African? Or Cameroonian? Or an Algerian? The boys should play well to shame opponents like iszy.
This is not a surprise to me. This is the best selection so far from my lovely coach Oga Rohr.
My concerns about his tactics would be in the second half of the match.
As it stands now, what of if the Algerian team climbs down our wings and our wingers can’t operate from both sides?
Meaning, the coach have to do with his plan A,B, or C for the remaining two matches. Do we think he has these plans? Just the A plan which is his first 11. Na true talk be that o.
Did know why Onuachu failed to performing well in ongoing tournament?
It’s quite simple. It’s because of our wingers. They are not good at making Crosses and having a stall striker like that, you needed good wingers who can give the ball to him. Coach Rohr didn’t see this. Nevertheless, the more you look, the less you see. When I’m talking you listen. 1+1=2
Long story short, in the second half vs Algeria, Ighalo should comes in for Osimeh.
For some people, it is too late and risky but it is never too late to do that.
This is the reason why I said that, in 1994 Afcon final Nigeria vs Zambia,
hosted by Tunisia, who replaced original hosts formerly known “Zaire” was the name of a sovereign state between 1971 and 1997 in Central Africa that is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The chief Coach, Westerhof introduced the incoming coach Amunike to destroyed the Zambian team and the coach did not introduce the incoming coach until in the final match of the tournament and he scored twice to handed Nigeria the trophy.
So therefore, Ighalo should comes in the second half for Osimeh while Onyekuru should comes in for Musa or Chukwueze for tactical reasons in the second half.
No late substitutions from the coach.
Eagles have to take their chances. By doing this, Nigeria is winning this tournament by God’s grace. Good luck Nigeria. I have said my own. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Hypocritic Omo9ja!! Na confirm alabosi you be. May you get from people the type of love you have for Rohr, Amen!
good line up.but ighalo should be smart and agile in front of goal
The performance level of the players and the technical savvy of the coach will determine the outcome of this match. I hope to see Rohr make good changes and on time too. Algeria is beatable. Good luck #SuperEagles. #AFCON 2019. #HereToWin.
Ighalo is a good striker for sure,but his speed doesn’t match that of the wingers and that was why we missed glaring chances from crosses against South Africa.
I wish he can work more on his speed.
That said,Henry Onyekuru can come in in the first or second half for Ighalo since he has speed as well as dribbling skills and eye for goals.
However, the coach knows the best.
I wish him and the Eagles luck!!
Please mr rohr i love all your players infact they are good enough for the trophy. But please moses simon is not a player to bring in there is nothing he can do forget about his corner kicks many players can conner kick better than him. Please keep him away from the team we dont like his game though we like him as a nigerian that he is but not as our winger even if onyekuru or osihme have don wrong to you or even samu that was part and parcle of ur qualification team is no longer good for you then please dont make changes if moses simon is ur choice he irritates me with is meaningless moves. Instead bring in ola aino upfront if u want a defensive forward. Aina is more crative than ur simon and he has better final balls you see dont let that moses juju use you against a owl nation. I am begining to think that moses simon was the reasom why victor moses quit becos his escuse was that he is been attacked by juju in that team and my suspect is simon( how can you play ahead three wingers that are obviously better than you even no nigeria like you exept for pretenders. Wat ever spell u have used for rohr i swear if u and rohr fail to win the cup never u return to europe becos i will brake ur urgly head wen ever i jam u guys in the street i am ready to pay watever fine it will cost me to do that. All of a sudden a player who no club want to buy or even news dont talk about! is now your favourite player( africa masterclass of juju) if simon was the coach will he play himself ahead of onyekuru? A player with so much class his name is in the mouth of every turkish fans all over the world an up coming player that needed ur support u a frustrating him for an old refused to improve diesel enging moses simon.
I don’t see us winning Algeria
That was what people said against South Africa. They are fast, this n dat…at d end we carried d day
SUPER SUNDAY IS HERE
Let me start by thanking Mr Rphr for humbling many critics of his. I challenged him in one of my write up to beat Cameroon and 90% of his critics we turn around and praise him. Today over 90% are attacking any who say negative things about Rohr no matter how well placed you are in the society or how knowledgeable you are in soccer. I read all the attacks on odegwami yesterday. When the competition started just very few of us believed in Rohrs ability and stood by him and even some of his supporters decamped after our lost to Madagascar but today they are all back. I contribute little this days as we have many waiting to counter unnessary attacks on him.
Mr Rohr you critics will come back in full force if Algeria defeat us today and the call for your sack will increase. I will prefer you to win the tournament and resign honorably if you wish.
Previewing the match today I see a great team performance from super eagles but am a little apprehensive on the goal keeping area. Akpeyi has not been tested in this tournament by all the team we played previously. Forget the 3 goals he has conceded so far. Can he come to the party when he’s tested maybe through set piece. Am not convinced yet. The match will be decided in the midfield and if we keep it tight as we did against South Africa Algeria will be defeated. Counter attack may be our option today. Iwobi will play a big role tracking back to support our 2 defensive midfieders. Score Algeria first and win the match. Algerians are known to lose their heads when loosing and may even be red carded when you frustrate them.
Eagles will be supported fully by Egyptian fans. The rivalry between Algeria and Egypt can be likened to the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Ghana are out but can endure it if Nigeria is beaten. Egypt will prefer the cup to go to west Africa than any of their north African neighbours to win it.
On the match today make no mistake about it, as expected will be very tensed and may even go to penalty shoot out but at the end only one team will win. Rohr is in a mission and I see Super Eagles surprising their critics once again by winning this one. I predict 2-1. Musa will come to the party in this clash and may likely get one of the goals.
Let’s wait and see the first 11 bcos this coach might do some little changes but I hope he maintain the Guy’s that play against South Africa
Good luck to our Super Eagles
@Ndibuisi are u a human?? yes’ then how come u think my own super eagle and not teranga lion nor pharaoh nor desert fox or bafana bafana neither indomie lion but my own nigeria super eagle winning and playing according to their qualities and i will not happy?? we only got angry when my own super eagle players play below their quality standard. and i cannot hold buhari for responsible’ i cannot hold u @ndibuisi for responsible when players were played out of positions like what happened at russia… and play late substitution like what happen at russia… or usage of wrong players… haven’t u seen rohr is improving a little bit… he has also improve in his confidence… i have ak the reasons to be happy when seeing super eagle that keeps us united doing well.
So far, Awaziem and Etebo have been the most outstanding players of this team. These two players have really improved a lot. They are focused, dedicated and highly committed to the team. Awaziem is SE best defender, Etebo is the best in midfield. I hope we get to benefit from the experience and consistent performances of Musa in crucial games to win today’s game and by extension AFCON.
Nigeria V Tunisia Final
Algeria V Senegal Third place match
Nig 2:1 Alg
Tun 2:1 Sen
GOOD LUCK SE
Team list out and it’s same 11 as used in last match.. I expect musa to silence critics poured on him by scoring today he needs to be a bit selfish and score rather than looking for a player..