The Super Eagles zoomed into the Playoff Round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Tuesday, Completesports.com reports.
Victor Osimhen put Nigeria ahead in the first minute, tucking home Moses Simon’s corner kick.
The hosts’ lead lasted five minutes with Stopira equalising for the Blue Sharks.
Cape Verde’s Stopira tussles with Victor Osimhen
It was all Super Eagles afterwards with Alex Iwobi coming close with a fine effort on 11 minutes.
Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was shown the first yellow card of the game on 16 minute for a rough tackle.
Also Read – Live Blogging: Nigeria vs Cape Verde, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Odion Ighalo fluffed a great opportunity on the hour mark as he failed to connect clearly after he was set up by Jamilu Collins.
Two minutes later, Josimar Dias, in goal for Cape Verde, produced a fine save to deny Joe Aribo.
Josimar also denied Moses Simon in the 39th minute tipping over his goal bound cross from a freekick.
The goalkeeper was also on hand to stop Osimhen’s header from going in a minute later.
The pattern of play continued after the break with the Super Eagles in total control.
Maduka Okoye had to be alert to deny the Blue Sharks a goal scoring opportunity in the 56th minute.
Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr made a tactical substitution in the 67th minute replacing injured Simon with Shehu Abdullahi.
Nigeria made a double substitution in the 77th minute with Kelechi Iheanacho and Frank Onyeka replacing Ighalo and Aribo, tespectively..
Leon Balogun was booked four minutes from time for a dangerous challenge.
Genk forward Paul Onuachu took the place of Osimhen with a minute remaining on the clock.
The Super Eagles finished top of Group C with 13 points, two more than there Blue Sharks.
By James Agberebi (photos By Ganiyu Yusuf) at Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos
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COMMENTS
I hope we make 3rd round with this kind of display ” very nervy indeed”.
With this uninspiring play I see SE not progressing in the knock out stage,the defense was awful the midfield was static and the attack clueless
The attack wasn’t clueless. Osimhen played his heart out….. Don’t let your emotions cloud your honesty…
To be honest, the Nigeria teams are not fantastic… the game was dull and boring.
Nice play from the super eagles today… But I think, our defense still need fresh legs, Ekong and balogun are becoming calamity somehow….
Osimhen-Ighalo partnership looks decent..
Great performance today… I wish we play Ghana for the last round
@Emmy well observed i see it thesame way as well osimhen and ighalo gud combo…
Attention was on Odion while Osimhen was virtually left free. Despite being policed by 4 defenders, Odion played out his heart and there was that hunger to do more. In all, they all did well but were unlucky.
DONT EVEN DREAM OF IT .GHANA WILL BE US WITH THE WAY WE ARE PLAYING AT MOMENT ..
Thank Almighty God we are through to the playoffs…notwithstanding the guys have to step up their performance bcos playoffs is no joke…I don’t just know why Ekong is always a panic figure what else does he need to be stable like Coulibaly and other central defenders…
The team tried their best overall. Kept the midfield tight, even though we played in a very conservative way. Aribo and Iwobi should undergo endurance training to help build their talents. I am now vindicated for asking for the inclusion if Victor Moses rather than Ighalo. Now that we have qualified for the next stage, the team will do better.
**** FOR IGHALO MATTER ***
NO MATTER WHAT RONALDO-MESSI ARE PLAYING TODAY, THEY CAN NEVER & NEVER BE LIKE BEFORE.
What is really happening with the Super Eagles? Is it the lack of motivation as a result of the money owed the players and coaches? I don’t think so because I saw Osimhen fighting like a lion. Is it that we expect too much from so many average players? Obviously not because the CAR, CV and Liberia team are not super stars either. Is it what almost everybody is saying? Coaching…
@Deo, @ Dr Drey; please I really wish to read from both of you.
The technical crew need to upgrade themselves.Super Eagles need to up their game if Nigeria want to hoist her flag in Qatar 2022.
Trust him. Even during club assignments, Osimhen is always like that. That guy na engine, tireless. More reason Spalleti is dying waiting for him for this weekend game.
The coach is the problem of the team, first of all he is corrupt and that is why he is always protecting the players that are oiling his hands. How can you shun so many Talented and active players only to guarantee below average players permanent shirts. G.Rohr has spent five years with the Super Eagles and there is no difference between the team today and when he came five years ago. When Westerhof came to Nigeria the first thing he did was to off load the old players and went on the road to scout for Talented local players , brought them into the team and facilitated their movement to european clubsides for exposure and he won the FIRST AFCON TITLE away from home, qualified us for World cup for the very first time and they got to the 2nd round everything in Five Years. But G. Rohr refused to have anything to do with our local boys or any player from the under 17, U20 and U23 including the local Eagles. He does not allow players to fight for positions in the team if not what are players like Moses Simon, Ighalo, Musa, etc playing that onyekuru , Peter Olayinka, Dennis , sadiq, Awoniyi etc cannot play or basket Okoye who was dug up from the 4th divison in Germany to lord it over every other goal keeper without giving opportunities to others to compete and prove themselves. Why is Alapasu kept out of our National team? He is the only goalkeeper that has ever won the golden hand for Nigeria in any competition. Unless something drastic is urgently done to the team’s structure coupled with TACTICLE IMPUT from a real tactician otherwise the Super Eagles may not be at the next World Cup
Oga @Frank Smith….
When last did you hear from ALAMPASU?
Your home base boys that can’t qualify for CHAN you want in our national team?
Your home base boys that can’t qualify for CAF CHAMPION LEAGUE Group stage you are craving for?
Mention one Nigerian goal keeper past or present that out beat Okoye’s record at this age?.
Sir please try and be realistic.
Thank you!
For long I have also questioned the non invitation of Dele Alampasu, Kelechi Nwakali and the youngster in Sweden, Akinkumi Amoo.
Alampasu is far better than both Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho!
THOSE WHO BEHIND THE INVITATION OF IGHALO BACK TO SUPER EAGLE WHEN ALL OUR STRIKERS ARE DOING WELL. GOD WILL PUNISH YOU ALL.
NOW YOUR IGHALO HAVE 10 GOALS AGAINST CAPE-VERDE.
SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!
See your name sef has said it all, shame dey catch you, can’t you see there was better cohesion between Ighalo and Osimhen today, better goal attempts and he even brings Aribo into play too, Ighalo’s experience is highly appreciated in our attack today the all the rush and kick we used to play recently
Onuachu needs to step down immediately, let him focus on Genk and leave SE alone. Iheanacho need to step up or step out. The introduction of these 2 guys completely killed our attack in the closing minutes, now we can see why we’ve been struggling to score goals recently.
Musa, Shehu, Onuachu out of this team.
Dennis, Moffi, Awoniyi, Lookman, Ejaria in, and more pressure on Eze, Olise to join the party
@Dr Banks… shame untop Rohr balls sniffing for nothing no let you comment with your real popular alias today… I know you are @D.Drey just comment with your real name… nobody go arrest you! Lol… even though we know Rohr is your Jesus! Lol…
The Osimhen – Ighalo combination was good. I believe they will gell better with time. Onuachu and Iheanacho both had a poor game as the Super Eagles attack fizzled out and became non-existent when they both introduced as subs in the second half. Also, Kelechi Nwakali should be given a chance to help bring some creativity to the midfield.
Coulibaly do make mistakes too bro..it is just a bad day in office
@tayo absolutely right, but Ekong is somehow too much no nerves…
@Tayo don’t you dare make reference to Coulibaly few mistakes in other to exonerate the Calamity Ekong. The SE have no good center backs it is as simple as that. Even Balogun sef is not up to an average defender one can rely on. The Oyinbo wall is a time bomb waiting to explode. You will all see. The Coach should be sacked because he has nothing to offer. Shey e no go better make dey just appoint Amunike and Manu Garba as a Caretaker pending the time we are able to hire good coach.
Tayo. You are mentioning coulibally and ekong. I m surprised. Tell rohr to use omerou in our next match. This will ekong to sit up. Ekong can’t give more than he has. Rohr’s loyalty should stop. Bench players who are not measuring up. Rohr is killing our football
No comment I just feel sorry for Nigeria and politics.
The whole team needs endurance training by playing football on beach sand. That will help them build their agility and technique going forward. Especially the likes of Iwobi, Aribo, Ekong, Balogun and Collins
Well well well.We have managed to qualify.Algeria too endured a nervy 7 minutes as the game ended 2-2 in blida to qualify against Burkina Faso.
Cape Verde played a very fluid tactical formation.When attacking, they played a 4-3-3 and when defending, they played 6-3-1, defending deep and covering all the spaces.Notice that Ighalo have the compliments of almost 4 defenders to contend with whenever he has the ball, but it was that extra attention that free Victor to play the way he did today.
Overall, they were much better today but some observations:
1) I think it is high time we break the oyibo wall and give other central defensive partners a chance.Let us try another combination.Omeruo and Awazien did well in Cape Verde.Ekong need to spend some time on the bench as he is becoming complacent.
2) With the fluid formation Cape Verde were playing, the player tired out in the 60th minutes.Their coach made 4 substitutions in quick succession.They took control of the game thereafter as our players were also tiring out and commiting unnecessary fouls.it took our coach the whole of 15 minutes to respond with our own substitutions bar the injury enforced replacement of Simon.A better team would have buried the match within that period.
3) I am not sure the 3-5-2 formation that Rohr prefers allows our players to play to their strength and it is keeping our best players out.The formation put too much defensive responsibilities on the wing backs.our play is based on athleticism and strong wing play in a 4-3-3 system.
4) the cape Verde coach was shown discussing and making decisions with his technical team .Where was Salisu and Yobo? The truth is FIFA forbid coaches without Caf or UEFa license from sitting on the bench during world cup matches.So they were sitting in the stands! See why the work load on Rohr is very high and decision making very slow?They both can sit on the bench during Caf organized competition.
5) Let us pray for a good draw on December 18th.Mali or DRC.
Mali ? Its better we play Tunisia or Egypt. Ghana sef is easier than Mali . Don’t be deceived, nothing is special about the Ghanian team , same annoying style of football with the SE.
Shame on the person who is calling on God to punish his fellow human being just because of football!!!
CSN analysis is apt. Eagles were unlucky those shots didn’t beat Cape Verde’s goal tender. Though there is always room for improvement, what we should understand is, Cape Verde didn’t come to Lagos to eat ewa igoin. Meanwhile, the stakes are higher now, when are we knowing our next opponents?
Ask completesports
The way things are in Nigeria, you can bring Mourinho and employ Xavi as his assistant, our football will not still get better. And if the team is given to a local coach at the moment, we will sink so deep without redemption. We like to blame others without looking inward. No developmental plan for our football, the local league is in shamble, we cannot provide a decent pitch for our players, our age-grade teams have collapsed, and we keep owing the technical crew and players their bonuses. Rohr’s crew is very lean as it were. All about a solid technical screw is not just the coach. There are other specialists that are supposed to be involved. And the best we could bring on board to assist Rohr is Yobo due to corruption and nepotism.
I do not blame players who are reluctant to play for Nigeria. Before we put all the blame on Rohr we need to actually think well and stop being emotional and irrational. So many things are wrong and Rohr is actually one of the least of our headaches. With the present system, you can try any coach with this team. We ain’t going to get anything spectacular. All children are warriors in the eyes of their parents; that is the case with our players and the way we overhype them. We need to cut the old man some slack. Many of us are very unfair with our criticism. Before we put all the blame on Rohr, let us address so many FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS we have first
They were just unlucky to win. There is nothing wrong with the game after all they got the needed point. In every game there is need for improvement and the coach should endeavor to keep them together.
The coach needs to keep these crop of players. Grade A friendlies should be organized to enable them understand themselves better. But sincerely, there was fluidity and free flow in the game
At this point I think Rohr is stylishly trying to sabotage the team so that he can lose and get his $2 million and owed salary… The team selection and substitutions just don’t make sense.. Can’t blame me for thinking like that..
The Super Eagles have lost their edge.
Their wings have been clipped. Their beaks are blunt, weak, their hitherto sharp talons used to tear opponents apart in the past have become pathetically blunt.
Even chickens and ducks can fly higher than these eagles.
Perhaps wealthy Nigerians need to come together for the purpose of bankrolling the recruitment of a proper coach for Nigeria?
When will the next elections be held in the glass house? That will be a very important time for our football.
If Rohr is to leave, as recent results indicate, we must not make the disastrous mistake of replacing him with someone even worse than him.
At times like this, calm heads must prevail. Shooting from the hip and hiring just anyone without proper due diligence can easily erode any small gains we have made under Rohr, and send us back to the dark ages.
Perhaps the time has come for Rohr to bounce out of sight. NFF should please get off their couches and get us a quality gaffer. A qualified Nigerian can understudy the new coach, with a view to taking over later.
Ah ah, did u watch another game? That was a free flow soccer despite the fact that they played on a smaller pitch which didn’t allow them to fully express themselves anyways.
I watched the game from start to finish. This version of “free flow soccer” is not flowing anywhere bro.
To string 2 or 3 passes together is a big problem for this team. Where is the free flow, pray tell?
We used to blame the poor pitches? Now we’ve run out of excuses.Breeze don blow, exposing the chicken’s butt cheeks.
If they play like this in the final round, we can forget about the world cup. And that might be a blessing in disguise. Imagine this Nigeria side against teams like Belgium, England, Spain, France, Algeria, Morocco, Brazil? Hehehehe, shebi HBP almost sent some to the ICU today against CV. It will be bloody at the world cup, if we make it there and continue playing like this.
Hmm I’m surprised to hear that from you!
No one can bend the truth, it’s always tall and straight!
We progressives have being saying it from time immemorial that we don’t have a good coach, I’m happy you beginning to see the light.
It’s never late to say the truth though.
@pompei welcome to the progressive group, we now see you as true Eagles fan.
Hahahaha, Offside, the real progressives support the coach as a way of supporting the team. I support the coach when he performs well, not because he’s handsome or because he’s an expert at playing the piano.
My support of Rohr has always been tied to his performance with the team. I wish he will improve, because I would rather have him than some local ignoramus or worse an African Guardiola. Given the significant downturn in performance in the past 5 games, as an SE fan, I need to show my displeasure. I’m not like you regressives who criticize even when he does well, whose complaints are hate based.
Yes the team might not have played to our satisfaction talking about free flow and good passes like in the day of our legend j j okocha. But hearing someone say the results from this qualifier is poor means you are not sincere. 6game,4wins, 1draw and 1loose is not a good result in football is not just sentimental but ridiculous. I’m not saying is not possible to win the 6 but only a few coaches will give you such results in football and it will be by luck. Italy won Europe cup but couldn’t qualify from group stage. Most big countries couldn’t qualify from their group stage. I believe that SE tried.
Nice comments Elijah Samson. You are true SuperEagles fan. In all the games we were never dominated. Out of 6 games we won 4, draw 1, lose 1 and we topped the group on to the next round. Cape Verde defeated Cameroon and SA at their home turfs recently. I believe there’s room for improvement, but to outrightly write off the team that it’s better not to qualify is quite alarming. We are never going to win the WorldCup anyway. However, we have a collection of players that can always qualify for the WorldCup. We have the pedigree and the players. They may not be world class, but they’re quality at their own right. As for the gaffer the AFCON will determine his faith. If the team reach the Semifinals in Cameroon he should continue with the final round of the playoffs and take the team to the WorldCup if we qualify. Anything less than that we should begin our search for a Conte, Mourinho, Klopp, Guardiola (not African Guardiolas), and the likes to take us to the promise land. Even during Westerhoff era it’s either we lose 2-1 away and win 3-0 or 4-0 at home before we could qualify for tournaments.
You are very very economical with the truth my brother, Liberia, Cape V, CAR are not countries Nigeria should be sweating to beat. Unless something is urgently done to the Technical Crew ( maybe hire a real tactician) to help Rohr before March if not this team will not survive the second round.
Pls what version of POMPEI is this?
Real or cloned?
@Deo
@Dr. Drey
@Ayphilly
@Jimmyball
@Prof. Tamuno
@Chima Daniels
@Ugo Iwunze
Pls come out am confused.
Is this POMPEI signing. ROHR OUT??
Loool, mischievous fellow Mahmud Shuaib, it’s me Pompei.
Your confusion is confusing.
Why are you surprised that my loyalty to the team is prioritized above Rohr? Is that not normal? Why have we been supporting Rohr in the first place? Have I been supporting him because I want to marry his daughter? What is the basis of supporting any coach?
Is it not his good performances of the past?
The performances and results have not been what it used to be of recent, so I’m entitled to criticize the coach. My criticism is based on a desire to see him buckle up, and is not based on irrational hatred. That’s the difference between you and I.
Unlike you who hates Rohr whether he performs or not, I am all about results. Give me good results, and I will support you.
If Rohr starts producing again, he will once again have my support.
We can’t afford a better coach, and if we let him go, his successor will likely be worse, if the current NFF make the hiring decision.
As I mentioned severally in previous threads, I will support Rohr’s removal if and only if he will be replaced by a coach that is PROVEN TO BE BETTER THAN HE IS.
CSN I beg Super Eagles did not zoom into the play offs.Let,s be dispassionate about our assessment of this team.The performances in recent times have been extremely questionable and when objective criticisms are proffered,some of us would live In the past by telling us where we were before the almighty Franco German took over and how we qualified for previous competitions with games to spare.
All lovers of Nigerian football and SE appreciate to the high heavens those golden moments and I think we have same right to our opinions when the same person that gave us those glorious moments is on the verge of taking us back the starting point. These Eagles are not super and iam becoming apprehensive because the play offs might just be the evil day postponed.I pray that day never comes. Up naija
I don’t know what to say about this coach any more,u keep ur best players that will trouble ur opponents on the bench,then play ur worst players that have continued to struggle,we have all seen the experience that ighalo brings, he really surfered osimehn who was supposed to play behind him, osimehn was doing the pressing alone, disturbing the defence and even scored a goal while ighalo was strolling around like a pregnant woman,well I wouldn’t blame him coz he has aged badly and has nothing more to offer,imagine if we had Awoniyi pressing with osimehn ,may GOD help us in the last round coz I don’t see any hooe
Congratulations to the Super Eagles. More grease to your elbows. Or rather more power to your to shots.
I wish we can have 3 players like Osimhen in the Eagles. He did everything humanly possible but a tree can’t make a forest.
Before the playoff, Nigeria needs at least two good defenders, good goal keeper and a play maker in the middle.
The best piece of the rightuos @peace. Nice one.
Yeah; we need to try Ebuehi and Bassey at right and left backs respectively. Balogun has lost a few yards of pace and it just would continue like that owing to age and Ekong is not too technical that’s y he commits one blunder in each of his games. Omeruah and Awazuem who is the most improved among all our defenders of atleast one of them should be paired at the centre. I hope Jordan Torinarigha of Hertter Berlin”s nationality swiych is fine and dusted by now.
As in our midfield, Nfifi and Onyeka are best for our DM and for our attacking and central midfield, let’s try Ejaria(if okayed by FIFA),Nwobodo and Ralh Onyedika of Mjdylland.
Chukwueze,Lookman(subject to FIFA approval also),Ejuke,Onyekuru and Victor Moses if he still has the interest in playing for us again are our best bets for the wings. Forgetqbt Moses Simon,Musa and Samuel Kalu. And,our attack would do better with Osimhen, Sadiq,Awoniyi and Ighalo?(mmh,well!).
Finally, our technical team lead by Rhor needs to sit up because the seem not to fancy good and productive football at all. Be warned! Amuneke and another serious coach would do much much better if called upon. Surely, Nigeria have good young talents everyehere across the globe.
Thanks to all Nigerian fans who still pray for and support the Super Eagles.
If this is what Gernot Rogh has achieved sinceeeee. Then it’s time to show him the way out. Have never seen SE played clueless and shabby.
Nice Game SE……we are getting there gradually…… Something tells me we would surely be at the next WC……But we need a creative player in the team…… Someone who can hold the ball and retain it at least for our attacking players to make their move……Ighalo tried today and I wish him a memorable return to the SE…… Osimhen is a worrior……Iwobi really impressed me today with his defensive play and recovery……. Ndidi was solid also…..the future look bright.
Before this match, I had a hunch( wrongly thought premonition) our boys will emerge victotorious against the cape verdeans but we couldn’t get to that pedestal because our coaching crew obviously lack the technical know and guts to tinker the boys to victory, I have being an avid fan of Rohr but with his recent selections and game plan, he is losing it, I really don’t see him offer more than what we saw today, he pressed the panic button with the invitation of Odion Ighalo and it boomeranged on him, I have always reiterated Ighalo has nothing to offer us anymore, we have seen him at his best and worst, he was very anonymous in the match his only contribution was his misses and anonymity, Ighalo flourished in his hey days in the national team because we got good holders and passers of the ball( John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses ) we thank him for his previous selfless contribution to our national team but he is already pass his peak and should voluntarily stay retired, apparently the team does not need him anymore, the young and spirited Taiwo Awoniyi that some sections of Nigeria criticized in our last match to validate their invitation of Odion Jude Ighalo is miles ahead of a now aged Ighalo in all ramifications ( positioning, shooting, pass accuracy and more imposing presence in the penalty box ), the gaffer talk of his wealth of experience amounted to nothing but a below lukewarm performance from him, honestly it was one of his worst performances in a Super eagles shirt.
The introduction of Shehu Abdullahi for Moses Simon was just shocking, the ouster of Victor Osimhen for Onuachu was even worse,it left me stunned, it just gives valid credence to the criticisms that the coach is very conservative, immediately osimhen left the pitch our attack was spineless,Jamilu Collins who offer little offensively is ahead of Zaidu Sanusi in the left back position is a very suspicious call, Chidozie Awaziem has improved greatly, playing him of ahead of Ola Aina is understandable but Aina still offers more offensively than him and got better footwork to deliver killer passes into the penalty box from the flanks, the Oyinbo wall has lost it spark, they are quite jittery at the back and prone to errors, adding Kevin Akpoguma to the central defense will do us a lot of good,ekong/akpoguma or awaziem/akpoguma should suffice,I thank and appreciate Rohr for his previous exploits with our national team he set quite a good standard but couldn’t keep up with it, but he honestly can’t give more than this, kudos to him and the boys for booking a playoff ticket for us, despite their not too convincing performance but our national team will stagnate or plunge to a low with him in charge, but the man has met his target given by his employers and will likely keep his Job, my hopes at Afcon 2022 has dropped to a new low.
Victor Osimhen was by miles our best player on the field today, Ndidi was great, but we will meet a better opposition than Cape Verde in the final round of qualifiers, we got to fix things before then or stand the risk of being beaten by a much better and tactically adept team, I support Super Eagles, we can get better if things are done right.
Bro Salute indeed you know what. I have been saying all this all along. Bur please don’t forget Musa it all stars with Musa. To be Honest his continous stay is captain is bringing a mediocre Ora to the team. SE Captain should be a player who commands respect worldwide Ndidi should be it. Then Musa place should be given to Dennis or ademola. Fans need to call for Musa to be dropped as long as he remains captain this team will be as mediocre as his career and club status.
SPOT ON IN YOUR OTHER ASSESSMENTS,THUMBS UP BRO!!
With Rohr”s new tactics, Nigeria will score less and also concede less.
When it comes to assists in our best games, Its Iwobi, Aina, that gt them most.
Aina, Aribo and Iwobi do play perfectly together same for osimhen, Chukwueze and iwobi but with Collins, Simon( as a Side back), don’t expect good football or more goals.
There is no way you as a midfielder will give out passes to players like chukwueze, Aina, Lookman etc and u won’t want to do more. That’s Iwobi’s problem now. If we really want to match up, Shehu, Omeruo, Musa, Ighalo must rest for the likes of Lookman, Ejaria, Ebuehi etc
Ifeanyi 2 seconds ago
The best piece of the night @peace. Nice one.
Yeah; we need to try Ebuehi and Bassey at right and left backs respectively. Balogun has lost a few yards of pace and it just would continue like that owing to age and Ekong is not too technical that’s y he commits one blunder in each of his games. Omeruah and Awazuem who is the most improved among all our defenders of atleast one of them should be paired at the centre. I hope Jordan Torinarigha of Hertter Berlin”s nationality swiych is fine and dusted by now.
As in our midfield, Nfifi and Onyeka are best for our DM and for our attacking and central midfield, let’s try Ejaria(if okayed by FIFA),Nwobodo and Raph Onyedika of Mjdylland.
Chukwueze,Lookman(subject to FIFA approval also),Ejuke,Onyekuru and Victor Moses if he still has the interest in playing for us again are our best bets for the wings. Forget about Moses Simon,Musa and Samuel Kalu. And,our attack would do better with Osimhen, Sadiq,Awoniyi and Ighalo(mmh,well!)?
Finally, our technical team headed by Rhor needs to sit up because the seem not to fancy good and productive football at all. Be warned! Amuneke and another serious coach would do much much better if called upon at any point.
Surely, Nigeria have good young talents scathering everyehere across the globe.
Thanks to all Nigerian fans who still pray for and support the Super Eagles.
Rohrs problem is synonymous to Ole’s of Man U. Having bunch of talented players but struggling with the formation/tactics to bring out the best of the team!
However, while Rohr is getting the job done, ole is not! But for how long will Rohr get it right? From Rohr’s perspective, being conservative and getting the job done is better than playing beautifully and losing. Hmmm. My fear is that, won’t this mindset fail when Nigeria play better teams? A well organized team not necessarily star studded.
Yes, chelsea’s coach is getting it right with with Rohr’s approach just because he has the right players to execute the plan. Chelsea’s players have precision and understand the formation perfectly (Not a chelsea fan tho)
Back to Rohr, we also need to understand that you don’t try a new formation/tactics in a crucial time of a competition.
My opinion is that Rohr should have taken advantage of these friendly matches to get a working formula. These set of players, if used rightly, can upset any them IN THE WORLD.
Osimen/ighalo combo looks good, Awoniyi/Osimen combo can work too and Terrem Moffi can be a good sub. The right wing…(Chukueze/sheyi ojo and simon)…left wing…(samuel Kalu/Ejuke ). Attacking midfield…(Iwobi and Ejeria if available)… DM pair(Ndidi/Aribo combo looks perfect.)…Bonke, Etebo, onyeka, Kingsley) are good too. RB….(Ola aina, Ebuehi, Awaziem). LB, the 2 natural left backs aren’t bad. For the CB, Omeru looks better than all. You will agree with me if you watched the away match at CV. Try a new combo in that department. You don’t only look at the defensive qualities but also the transitional play. The understanding between CB and DM.
Let me rest here.
Since it takes 24 players to make a team, Musa should definitely make the team because of his experience. Kelechi needs a psychologist. His potential is not being expressed. His kind of 9 is the skillful type. However, he has lost ability to go past players. He doesn’t even attempt one on one dribbles. You will get the best of him by pairing him with Iwobi upfront in a 3-5-2 formation (worked against Argentina in a 4-2 friendly) but we have too many players upfront to try this.
Finally, a good coach should have a different game plan (apart from the formation)for every game. Approach depends on the opposite team.
The CV came to Lagos with a very good game plan but were just unlucky. They knew they were the underdogs. They didn’t come to match the Super eagles.
They wanted to keep the game leveled and then find a winner late in the game. They were looking to get a winner from set piece. The game plan is maintain score line, come out around 75mins and steal a winner from set piece or counter attack.
They were just unlucky and I feel they came out late.
This same game plan was adopted by Burnley against chelsea. 1-1 draw.
Before you analyze a match or blame the coach, look at the opposition and pressure to deliver.
Thanks.
I have my reservation about this Ekong. Captain my foot, he’s such a terrible player.
Thanks be the Glory of God. Nigeria sailed through tonight in Lagos. In other words, we moved up to another stage. l believe so much that Balogun Stadium is not and never can be the right place for any International matches for Nigeria going forward. Lets move back to UYO. Playing at Balogun, is like Super Eagle is playing away. These players can never play to their full potentials. NFF, please move all the Home matches back to Uyo if we want to really go to the World Cup next year.
DJBOUTI and CHAD can lose to a CAR team at home and draw CAPE VERDE at home , its not a big deal because they don’t have any business playing in the WORLD CUP. If NIGERIA is doing the same thing, please, what are we going to do at the World Cup? playing like this ? I knew many will believe things will change because all the players we want to impress on the big stage, lies. This team against SENEGAL, GHANA, ALGERIA, EGYPT, CAMEROUN ? you cant bet your money on them for a draw
Congratulations to the super eagles nd to all Nigerians….. whereas there are no more minnows in football,our players proved that they are warriors ready to get whatever goals they desire not minding the pedigree of their opponent…… once again congrats.And to the pessimists, how market?….. those of you who wanted our team to fail, so that you can be vindicated…. how I wish you never have a REASON to rejoice in life….. super eagles is our brand nd common source of Joy…… it’s better we QUALIFY for major competitions THROUGH the skin of our teeth than to fail nd watch other countries participate.
@lanre… hahaha. @Dr.Drey has morphed again tonight into @lanre… brother you cannot fool some of us… I can spot your writeup from my sleep… hahahahahaha!
Rohr don do you something tonight… we have been warning you since that man is quack… Lol!
@JimmyBall lool… you are indeed right that has @Dr Fraud tone all over that write up. Some people get time to dey morph up and dan hahahahah!!!
@Ugo Iwunze… I was @fastJimmy at Kickoffnigeria where we use to comment on football before the admins took it down for not doing well commercially. I have known @Dr.Drey for a long time and he uses atleast five (5) different aliases here to comment especially morphing when populist views does not go the way of his Rohr Hallelujah orchestra… lol. Rohr don pepper my guy with High Blood Pressure tactics and coaching today sote omoboy recover after taking blood pressure calming drugs come summon courage morph @lanre to come and atleast say something here… have you not noticed since our game against Liberia him dey hibernation? Lol… these line… “it’s better we QUALIFY for major competitions THROUGH the skin of our teeth than to fail nd watch other countries participate” especially the phrase “skin of our teeth” gave him away as having morphed surreptitiously into @lanre thinking men on this forum dont have inbuilt detective skills… hahahaha… see small sense! Lol… guy @Dr.Drey feel free and show face… police no the catch here bro! Lol… Masquerade come out… hahaha match don finish, atleast you survived the panick attack handed your loyal ass by your moongod! Lol…
But jimmyball, how come you are so shameless nd confused….. what has that man,DR DREY,done to you……. you seem to be hunted by his memories, so much that whosoever does not agree with your evil machinations nd thoughts you tag such as DR DREY……I think you need to be delivered from it oooo.I am free to my own opinion, just as DR DREY……lanre is different from DREY,we agree to disagree sometimes, yet we are all brothers.MY CANDID ADVICE is that you FREE YOUR MIND from that man called DREY so that you can have some peace,nd its just a warning, you know me nd how effortlessly I can mess you up….. remember your days as SIMONETOTO…. stop insinuating that I am someone else…….. IT’S INSULTIVE
During the March World cup qualifying playoff, I would strongly advise the NFF to move Super Eagles matches to the Akbabio stadium in Uyo if Nigeria really wants to qualify for the world cup in Qatar. The Uyo stadium will allow the Nigerian Super Eagles players to express themselves better. The Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos is too small for Christ’s sake. A word is enough for the wise.
Egunje will not allow them to move the matches to Uyo.
Rohr may be underperforming of late, but the real problem with our football is the NFF.
Where is @Francis Eluba who said that if Ighalo had played the last match he would have scored two goals from open play? I think you can see how your Ighalo scored a hat trick today? If by now you still don’t know who and who are the real problems of SE then you need to wake up from your sleep.
I have warned you Ighalo not to come back but you did not listen to me. You now see that when an elderly man talking, is better for the kid to listen attentively.
I hope Oga Rohr followers will learn from you. They pushed you to this and you pushed yourself as well.
I hope my lovely friend Edoman can now put Edo people out of Nigeria issue because we are all Nigerians no matter the differences.
I don’t want to know wether you are Yorubas, Igbos or Hausas. As long as you are a Nigerian and you good enough to represent Nigeria, I am for you 100%.
Hmmmm. Am I dreaming kę? Ahahahah ahhhhhhhh@ Pompei? Chai, is this Pompei? Shebi you said a moluę drive can replace a pilot as long as he’s bold enough to move the plane without having a certificate?
Now tell me, with Oga Rohr, do we stand a chance to win Afcon trophy talk less of going far at the next world cup if we qualify?
Nonetheless, fellow Patriotic Nigerians, we have seen it all before now and I am proud of you. Bravo.
For me, NFF should replace Oga this week with Amunike, Egbo, Marnu Gerba, Enyeama, Peter Rufai or Ikeme. These are the best for the job not Oga Rohr and co.
Is it not better to try out this set of talented, elegant, adorable, fantastic, experienced and humble people that I have mentioned their names above to make Nigeria proud within the short of period rather than keeping Oga Rohr that keep saying my team is young over the past five years without winning a tea cup?
Now, you see what am talking about our world class coach Pompei?
Even though, Eagles played a bit better against CAPE Verde compared to against Liberia. But the performances of the Eagles were below our standard. Nigeria deserve more. Oga Rohr has done his best and it’s time for him to leave.
Where is Oakfield and my lovely pikin, Dr.Drey? I have told you both and your company that you people will run away the time comes. What happened now?
Ayphillydegreat, my friend, your thought?
Kel, what next?
Deo, what are the options available? Shall we continue with Oga or not? Be honest.
Amaju, what do you think?
Oga Rohr followers, how market?
Corruption brought us to this level. It’s time to fix ourselves. It’s never too late. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Rohr killed this match with his formation. 3-5-2 kept our exciting players out of the team. Why he did this I don’t know. Zaidu and Aina as full backs are better defensively and even going forward in a 4-3-3 formation. With this, Ekong’s uncoordinated markings are minimal because of the reduced pressure coming from wings. And even if he makes any panicky clearance, Balogun and Ndidj are always there to mop up.
Secondly, Nigeria is currently blessed very exciting, attack minded wingers. These are extremely skillful, energetic and supremely gifted individuals who are not afraid to take their opponents on irrespective of who they are. With Ejuke and Chukwueze on either side of the flank, these Cape Verde guys would have had a lot of troubles to deal with. Their forays into our eighteen yard box would would definitely be minimal because they would have been fighting to prevent goal threats from right , left and centre rather than creating threats themselves. A 4-3-3 formation will easily guarantee this. We all saw what Ejuke single handedly did in Cape Verde, even when many of our stars were absent. Why keep him on the bench in a match of this magnitude and even against the same team?
Rohr seems to be afraid of Ekong. This guy had no business playing the full match yesterday. He caused us so much pain. In fact , the goal against us came after he made a panicky clearance to the corner. And when the kick was played, his marking was so poor, allowing Tavares to score. It’s so unfortunate.
Our best football under Rohr was played using 4-3-3. It’s formation that allows us to play to our full potential. It allows us to maximize the usage of the attacking talent in that team. We beat Argentina with it. Defeated Cameroon with it. Walloped South Africa with it. Why stop it? I just don’t understand. I can’t believe that over the two legs, Ejuke played for very few minutes while Chukwueze did not even play at all. Major reason we were so poor going forward, unexciting and lethargic. These players, because of their skill set and direct rubs are a big distraction to any team, and our lack of creativity in the middle won’t be that obvious when they are busy running the show. Only Rohr sees things differently! God help us
I disagree with the formation thing. Nigeria under Rohr have played better with 3-5-2. It just depends on the approach of the coach to the game.
4-3-3 never worked in the first match of the World Cup. It worked perfectly in the second half in the England friendly. Worked against Iceland and Argentina. We create more chances because the gap between players are minimal. The 4-3-3 is mostly wing play and leaves a vague midfield knowing fully well we don’t have a play maker.
Rohr is just being too. conservative and I understand that getting the result is the main objective.
He would have played Ejuke at wingback instead of Collins. Ebuehi/Aina would have come in for Moses.
We also have to consider how well these players can track back. A lot has to be put in play.
He goofed with the friendly matches. He is being dogmatic in approach
Omo9ja, I knew you would eventually come out to celebrate the downfall of this man you have hated from day 1.
Between 2017 and 2019, when Rohr was flying high, you hated him with a passion. For no logical reason. Back then, you wanted him gone because he was white, and you preferred to have a Nigerian at the helm. I argued that skin color should not be the overriding selection criterion. What matters is results. Period.
Is it not the same tactically inept Rohr that beat African champs Cameroon 4 nil in Uyo? We almost beat Cameroon in the return leg in Douala. They were rescued by a dubious penalty.
We beat Mahrez and company 3-1. We almost beat them in Algeria. They escaped defeat by whiskers. Then CAF awarded them the 3 points, thanks to NFF incompetence.
We beat a good Zambia side home and away. It’s the same Rohr we’re talking about ooo.
We beat our old foes Argentina 4-2. Almost beat Shevchenko and his Ukraine team at home. Lewandowski and Poland couldn’t escape defeat at the hands of Rohr. Brazil were almost beaten. They had to squeeze out an equalizer to escape defeat.
Rohr qualified us to the 2018 world cup with a game to spare, the 2019 Afcon with a game to spare, and the 2022 Afcon with 2 games to spare. Won Afcon bronze at his first attempt. This clueless, molue driver has been piloting our jet to greater heights. How can a tactically inept coach achieve all these results?
That is the Rohr I supported, and I have no regrets.
When Rohr does well, you vanish poof like smoke. But when he stumbles, you regressives would pounce, because you don’t know when you will get another opportunity to celebrate a loss. You all would encircle him like hungry wolves, ready to tear him to pieces. But some of us kept supporting him, based on his incredible past results.
Alas, this is football. The past means something, but the present means more. The decision to keep a coach employed depends on current results. So, based on current performances, we have to ask Rohr to improve.
Perhaps there are issues going on behind the scenes. The man has been so successful in the past, teams have now studied and mastered his tactics, which is probably why we are now struggling. Perhaps Rohr has lost his initial motivation, due to nonpayment of salaries and constant player selection interference coming from corrupt officials. All the distractions coming from NFF ineptitude is enough to make any coach underperform. Perhaps it is even the players that have lost motivation due to nonpayment of their bonuses and the corruption they see in the glass house. Although it would be unwise to allow themselves to miss out on the world cup because of NFF shenanigans, it’s still a possible reason for the performance slump. I don’t know what the underlying issue is. All I know is what is obvious. Performances have dipped of late.
Even at this time, out of the last 6 matches, Rohr has 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. If not for the home defeat to CAR, we would have qualified yet again with a game to spare. My discontent arises, not from the results per ce, but from fears that our current performance levels may not be good enough against our final round opponents, or against quality opposition we will face at the Afcon.
Rohr needs to go back to the drawing board, refresh his tactics, and take a closer look at his squad selection pool, in order to regain his competitive edge.
I hope that the SE can recover and move forward, hopefully with Rohr remaining in charge. If Rohr has to leave, then we need to proceed with a coach that’s better than him.