Cybereagles

Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Should we ask Van Dyk to switch to Nigeria or cap Coulibaly and change his name to kola Bello?

deanotito wrote:Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Tosin Adarabioyo- West Brom

Junior Pius - Antwerp

Jordan T- Hertha (May switch soon)

Felix Udokhai- Ausborg(May Switch soon)

deanotito wrote:Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Shehu is actually a Midfielder and his team are in the top division & are also in the Europa League group stages.

There’s also Ola Aina with Fulham, Saturday Keigo with Cadiz in La Liga, Junior Pius at Antwerp, Chima Akas at Beleneses in Portugal, Ozornwafor at Galatasaray, and even Godswill Ekpolo with BK Hacken in Sweden. In terms of what we need Defender has been the least of our problems compared to the lack of depth we have in midfield where we think it makes sense to start a defender.

when did you ever have top defenders playing in the top leagues.

in the last twenty years, Taribo West and Yobo, Babayaro thats it.

To be fair we have more defenders now playing in top to decent leagues than we did in recent history, how many of the defenders in the '94 golden generation were even starters in the top leagues of the time? I can only think of Taribo and Babayaro from that generation, and most recent years Yobo at Everton.

isnt Aina now laying wing back at fullam

deanotito wrote:Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Zaidu started today and got an assist and survived a sending off thanks to VAR and was against one of Portos biggest rivals Sporting,I think he’ll improve (hopefully on his defensive abilities).

Eaglezbeak wrote:

deanotito wrote:Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Zaidu started today and got an assist and survived a sending off thanks to VAR and was against one of Portos biggest rivals Sporting,I think he’ll improve (hopefully on his defensive abilities).

Zaidu was rated 7.9/10. Highest rating on the field. He's good defensively, the guy Porto just sold to make room for him wasn't that good defensively either. He's already a top notch LB but Nigerians won't appreciate him until he plays in London.

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/14907 ... P-FC-Porto

EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA wrote:

Eaglezbeak wrote:

deanotito wrote:Semi Ajayi
Tyrone Ebuehi
Kevin Akpoguma
Bryan Idowu
Chidozie Awaziem
Zaidu Sanusi * (not a starter)


Nigerian Defenders Playing in the 2nd Division:
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Kenneth Omeruoh
Jamilu Collins
Shehu Abdullahi *(Cypriot first division)


I think there are exceptions in life/football, but on average the best players play in the best leagues and in the best teams in the best leagues. Looking at the above, we have average to a little worse than average defenders. Even many of those in the top leagues are either on the bench or starting for bottom of the table sides. Our results are bound to show this dearth in quality. Our stalwart/regular defenders are in the 2nd division

Zaidu started today and got an assist and survived a sending off thanks to VAR and was against one of Portos biggest rivals Sporting,I think he’ll improve (hopefully on his defensive abilities).

Zaidu was rated 7.9/10. Highest rating on the field. He's good defensively, the guy Porto just sold to make room for him wasn't that good defensively either. He's already a top notch LB but Nigerians won't appreciate him until he plays in London.

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/14907 ... P-FC-Porto

He’s good but I watched the whole game and yes he can defend but there’s a lot of room for improvement.

ANC wrote:when did you ever have top defenders playing in the top leagues.

in the last twenty years, Taribo West and Yobo, Babayaro thats it.

First of all, I said in the top flight, not the top leagues. There is a slight difference. What I mean is players playing in the what is essentially the division 1/premier league of their countries.

And I would say that I don’t remember a single period in the past 25-30 years where 3 or 4 of our bonafide defensive starters were playing in the 2nd division. Nope. I don’t. Troost, Omeruoh, Awaziem and Balogun are more than likely to produce the CD pairing than any other set of players. 3 of them are in the 2nd division.

Also, if the contention is that this is no different than any time during the last 20 years (and I disagree with this), then I hope we’re all ready for Semi-final Afcon elimination/Golden Bronzes/Labored WC qualification/1st round exit... cause that defines the last 20’years.

Tobi17 wrote:To be fair we have more defenders now playing in top to decent leagues than we did in recent history, how many of the defenders in the '94 golden generation were even starters in the top leagues of the time? I can only think of Taribo and Babayaro from that generation, and most recent years Yobo at Everton.

Again, I have to stress that I meant top flight and top leagues. I mean Division 1s/Premier Leagues. And I dare say, since 1994, we’ve never had it as bad as we do now.

deanotito wrote:

ANC wrote:when did you ever have top defenders playing in the top leagues.

in the last twenty years, Taribo West and Yobo, Babayaro thats it.

First of all, I said in the top flight, not the top leagues. There is a slight difference. What I mean is players playing in the what is essentially the division 1/premier league of their countries.

And I would say that I don’t remember a single period in the past 25-30 years where 3 or 4 of our bonafide defensive starters were playing in the 2nd division. Nope. I don’t. Troost, Omeruoh, Awaziem and Balogun are more than likely to produce the CD pairing than any other set of players. 3 of them are in the 2nd division.

Also, if the contention is that this is no different than any time during the last 20 years (and I disagree with this), then I hope we’re all ready for Semi-final Afcon elimination/Golden Bronzes/Labored WC qualification/1st round exit... cause that defines the last 20’years.

Balogun is not in the second division. Do your research.

I could be wrong but think Brian Idowu is not a defender but a winger.

Tobi17 wrote:To be fair we have more defenders now playing in top to decent leagues than we did in recent history, how many of the defenders in the '94 golden generation were even starters in the top leagues of the time? I can only think of Taribo and Babayaro from that generation, and most recent years Yobo at Everton.

And those 2 joined after the 1994 World Cup.

Zaidu Sanussi would be a starter at Porto now, Alex Telles the first choice for that position has left for Man Utd... If Zaidu didint play over the weekend, it could be injury related, from the Tunisian game..

chuks69 wrote:Zaidu Sanussi would be a starter at Porto now, Alex Telles the first choice for that position has left for Man Utd... If Zaidu didint play over the weekend, it could be injury related, from the Tunisian game..

He played the full game and even assisted a goal!